The District 233 school board approved $33,312 in expenses for new books. This is the first special order for the 2026-27 school year, but Superintendent Jennifer Norrell said the board should expect others. Lisa Dallacqua, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, told board members the books relate to 11 new[Read More…]
Education
District 161 board expects to make pre-K expansion decision in April
The Flossmoor District 161 school board believes helping its youngest learners early can pay dividends in later years, but making a decision on a cost of more than $800,000 has proved daunting. After another discussion on Monday, March 23, on whether to create a full-time preschool classroom, board members asked[Read More…]
H-F students dream up spaces for teens, families
If you could dream up a special space for the Homewood and Flossmoor communities, what would it be? That question was posed to students by teacher J.R. Willard-Rose in the Design Thinking and Collaborative Arts class at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, part of the fine arts program. The challenge students faced[Read More…]
Marching into history: Judah Crowder named first Black woman drum major at ISU
Trumpeter Judah Crowder is not one to toot her own horn – even when it comes to her impressive accomplishments. The Hazel Crest resident is modest, upbeat, exudes positivity and proudly uplifts and praises her Illinois State University bandmates. But when Judah Crowder was named Illinois State University’s first Black[Read More…]
Executive chef stirs the pot and H-F student interest
As Jerl Griffin, regional executive chef for Thompson Hospitality, stirred the arborio rice for his risotto demonstration dish, he also hoped to stir up interest among the Homewood-Flossmoor High School students in the Culinary II class. Griffin has been a chef for years. During his presentation March 19, he wanted[Read More…]
H-F agreement with Prairie State College will allow students to take college courses
Homewood-Flossmoor High School is expanding its dual credit program with Prairie State College that allows qualified H-F students to take up to six courses for college credit. At the Feb. 17 District 233 meeting, Superintendent Jennifer Norrell said the test program is being expanded next school year with more offerings.[Read More…]
Parker Junior High, Serena Hills staffers honored with Those Who Excel awards
The Illinois State Board of Education has selected two District 161 staff members to receive special recognition through the Those Who Excel program. Honorees are Dana King, a school social worker at Parker Junior High in Flossmoor, and Kelsey Molden, a special education teacher at Serena Hills School in Chicago[Read More…]
Four District 153 staffers selected for Those Who Excel Awards
The Illinois State Board of Education has selected four District 153 staff members to receive special recognition through the Those Who Excel program. Honorees are James Cassidy, administrator in the Information Technology Office, recognized in the School Administration category; Caroline DiLuia, a Willow School kindergarten teacher, recognized in the Early[Read More…]
Two H-F musicians selected for IPO’s Rising Stars concert March 22
Two Homewood-Flossmoor High School musicians have been selected to perform in the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s Rising Stars program. Annie Ford of Flossmoor and Sophia McManus of Homewood, both seniors, will perform pieces during the program at Flossmoor Community Church, 2218 Hutchison Road in Flossmoor, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March[Read More…]
Churchill Black History event features live music, art, vendors and student projects
Hundreds of community members, about a dozen local Black-owned businesses and student musicians from Homewood and Flossmoor schools gathered at Winston Churchill Elementary School for the annual Black History Museum Night on Thursday, Feb. 26. The halls were lined with student-made posters celebrating Black historical and contemporary figures. The event[Read More…]


