Greetings fellow Oak Lawnians and happy New Year! I hope your holidays were filled with good times spent with family and friends and creating great memories. Even though holidays are lots of fun, at times, they can be a bit stressful not only for parents, but also for students.
Oak Lawn Community High School, 9400 Southwest Highway, recently provided students and staff with a healthy outlet to blow off steam before final exams. The program, P.A.W.S. to De-Stress, was not only soothing, it was soft and furry.
Jennifer Sidlow has been at the high school for 14 years as its media specialist, also known as the librarian.
“There’s a lot of pressure on high school students, and final exams can bring up a lot of stress about grades, academics, even family issues,” Sidlow said.
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To help alleviate some of that anxiety, the Media Center and the Student Service Office partnered with P.A.W.S. — People’s Animal Welfare Society of Tinley Park. Last month, volunteers and dogs from P.A.W.S. came to the school to visit with students and staff to help relieve some of that stress. The De-Stress program took place in the high school’s Media Center from with P.A.W.S. volunteers who brought several dogs, both big and small. There was also a service dog that accompanied its owner, who has multiple sclerosis. The owner explained the role of service dogs and how they assist their owners.
Sixty students signed up to visit with the dogs and volunteers. Each student was asked to create a cat toy to be donated to the animal shelter, using pipe cleaners, bells and string.
Students also had the opportunity to ask the volunteers questions.
“The students had a lot of questions about volunteering, adoption and general ‘dog talk.’ The volunteers also shared stories about cases they’ve seen,” Sidlow said.
Student groups were able to visit with the dogs and volunteers for about 20 minutes each at staggered times.
“I can tell you the students and staff were excited and wished they could stay all day. Some of the dogs sat on their laps and it was nice for the kids to take a break and reconnect with the dogs. You could clearly see their affection,” Sidlow said.
In addition to the hand crafted cat toys, the school’s advisory classes collected donations from the shelter’s wish list, including laundry materials, paper towels, twin-size comforters, dog collars, leashes and toys and gift cards.
This was not the first time the school has brought in animals to mingle with students and staff. The high school also partnered with P.A.W.S. during final exams last May. Sidlow said
“It was a smaller group and kind of a test run and the kids loved it,” Sidlow said.
The program has been so well received that Sidlow hopes the De-Stress program will become a bi-annual event.
The high school’s PAWS to De-Stress program seems to be a win-win for the students, faculty, as well as for P.A.W.S.
Here’s our celebrity announcements: Happy 11th birthday to Makayla Henry, from her parents, Mike and Jen, brothers, Will and Ryan, and her family. Happy 12th birthday to Brooke Zwartz, from her parents, brothers, Blake, Dylan and family. Birthday wishes go out to Sunny Petzel and his pal, Brandy Turek who are both turning 13. Happy birthday to Tessa Errant, from her grandmother, Ella Errant. Birthday wishes also go out to Tessa’s dad, Kenny, from Katrina, their children and family. Happy Sweet 16 birthday wishes go out to Hanna Harris from her family. Happy birthday to Nick Erdakos, who’s turning 20, from his family. Happy 18th birthday to Angelica Cohen from her family. John Sasala’s parents and sister, Michelle, wish him a happy 23rd birthday. Aggie Mark sends birthday wishes to her daughter, Nancy Ferrucci, and granddaughter, Lisa Fox. Birthday wishes go out to Sharon Barsevick Siple from her husband, Mark, Zachary, and family. Happy birthday to Linda Walrath, from her children, Dan and Jennifer. Happy birthday to Patrick Petzel from his family. Birthday wishes go out to Deborah Michicich, from her husband, Kevin, and their children, Sam and Anna.
Keep your fellow Oak Lawnians informed about birthdays, special events or special “stuff” going on with your family or within the community. Call me at 708-899-9544 or e-mail me. at the address above.
Until next time…