The internet and social media can lead kids into unsafe sites and activities. Cybercrime expert Richard Wistocki shared tips on how to protect them from digital threats during a Nov. 11 program hosted by Flossmoor School District 161. Wistocki is a retired detective and a nationally recognized expert on technology-related[Read More…]
Education
Hart School music students selected for IMEA festival
District 153 will have 17 students performing at the Illinois Music Education Association District 1 Music Festival Nov. 22 in Cicero. These students were selected after auditioning for a spot at the festival. Band members are Marquis Coleman, Xander Cruz, Fiona Pries, Charlotte Whitlock and Eleanor Greep selected for jazz[Read More…]
H-F High gets commendable ranking on Illinois Report Card
Homewood-Flossmoor High School got a commendable rating of 85.43% out of 100% overall from the Illinois State Board of Education for student scores on the Illinois Report Card. The ranking is based on data for the 2024-25 school year. The ISBE information was reviewed by the District 233 Planning Committee[Read More…]
District 153 honors six staff members with Morin Awards
Homewood District 153 presented the Jerry Morin Educational Excellence Award to six staff members for their outstanding efforts during the 2025-26 school year. The awards, given at the school board’s Nov. 10 meeting, are presented to a teacher or staff member who has shown outstanding commitment to student achievement. Superintendent[Read More…]
District 153 presents the Dockweiler Award to 3 outstanding students
The Tom Dockweiler Award was presented to three outstanding students selected by the principals in Homewood School District 153. Jade Taylor-Lando, Michael Williams and Gavynn Hall were selected from a student body of more than 1,700 students who attend Willow, Churchill and James Hart Schools. The award is named for[Read More…]
D161 recognizes outstanding teachers and principals
At the Oct. 27 meeting, the Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education recognized Tina Morris, English Language Learner teacher at Serena Hills, as the second quarter #AboveAndBeyond winner. “Tina is consistently a mentor for us year after year because she does such a great job at acclimating our new[Read More…]
Trinity Christian College closure leaves IPO home venue uncertain
Trinity Christian College announced early Tuesday, Nov. 4, that the 2025-2026 school year will be its last. In addition to the students, staff and faculty affected by the closure, the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra could have to find a new home. Trinity’s Ozinga Chapel in Palos Heights has been IPO’s primary[Read More…]
Western Avenue third graders show their can-do attitude during canned food drive
With the help of a high-production-value video and a catchy song, one third-grade classroom at Western Avenue Elementary in Flossmoor has successfully concluded a canned food drive the students planned and executed as a team. The third-grade class, under the guidance of their teacher, Sierra Samuels, collected more than 1,400[Read More…]
D161 discusses budget scenarios and construction plans
The Flossmoor District 161 Board of Education is reviewing various budget scenarios that will impact taxpayers. The tentative budget is scheduled for approval in November, but a key discussion point centers on property tax options for 2025, particularly Property Tax Relief Grants (PTRG). As the district navigates the end of[Read More…]
Seniors marvel at H-F High’s improvements during tour
Positive comments were heard throughout the morning on Friday, Oct. 24, during the annual senior citizens breakfast and open house at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Because there was no school that day, H-F administrators got to show off the school’s newest space. The breakfast was hosted in the Science Wing’s two-story[Read More…]


