By Carole SharwarkoSouthland Investigative Reporting [email protected]g This story was produced in collaboration with Southland Investigative Reporting Center, a nonprofit journalism organization based in Homewood. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) has decided not to pursue criminal charges against a Western Avenue Elementary School teacher accused of sexual assault by[Read More…]
Tag: Flossmoor School District 161
Positive messages pave the way to school
Returning District 161 students will see a variety of Chalk the Walk messages to help them start the school year. Parents and students are invited to a Back to School Night on Friday, Aug, 19, at Flossmoor Park. Treats will be distributed starting at 6 p.m. and a movie will[Read More…]
New sex ed standards need more scrutiny, says Flossmoor school board
Flossmoor School District 161 board members voted to not yet adopt the National Sex Education Standards within its curricula. At their Aug. 8 meeting, board members indicated they want to first review the district’s current procedures and materials related to sex education before moving forward with the standards. Director of[Read More…]
Teaching staffs in place but local districts need substitute teachers and bus drivers
Although many school districts across the nation are facing staffing shortages, Homewood-Flossmoor High School, Flossmoor District 161 and Homewood District 153 have been able to fill all their teacher positions. What’s lagging behind is substitute teachers and bus drivers. Districts have been able to hire new staff to take the[Read More…]
H-F schools ready for opening day, special events
Before you know it, the school buses will be back on the street picking up students for their first day of 2022-23 school year. Flossmoor School District 161 once again invites community members to Chalk the Walk with encouraging messages for students. (Chronicle file photo) First up is Homewood-Flossmoor High[Read More…]
Millions at stake and so much more as District 161 board members consider building upgrades
Flossmoor School District 161 board members are considering recommendations from its Long-Range Planning Committee on how to invest millions of dollars in updates at district schools. At the same time, board members say they are reluctant to ask taxpayers through a referendum to fund a portion of the remodeling projects,[Read More…]
School district Summer Academy serves 700 families with full day instruction
Don’t think summer camp. This isn’t day care. Flossmoor School District 161’s Summer Academy provides students with a full day of curriculum-based instruction taught by the district’s own teachers. “It’s really an extension of the school year. We call it our pop-up school,” said Summer Academy principal Evita McNeil. Summer[Read More…]
Property tax revenue boosts SD161’s prospects for balanced budget
Fran LaBella, associate superintendent of business operations at Flossmoor School District 161, offered a favorable preview of next year’s proposed budget during the board meeting on May 31. The district’s tentative budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year is $33.9 million. During a detailed presentation, LaBella said the budget is expected[Read More…]
District 161 costs rise; Bus company points to labor shortage and higher fuel rates
Flossmoor School District 161 will pay 20% more for bus transportation in the 2022-23 academic year, after the board approved a contract with Kickert School Bus Lines at its meeting on Monday, May 9. In its contract renewal, the district agreed to pay $152,000 more, for a total of about[Read More…]
State grant will help District 161 support mental health services
Flossmoor School District 161 recently earned a $635,000 Community Partnership Grant from the Illinois State Board of Education to support mental health services for students and educators in the post-pandemic world. “We originally wrote the grant for $113,000 and they gave us $635,000, so that was pretty exciting. I think[Read More…]