Principal of St. Christopher School receives San Damiano Award from Archdiocese of Chicago Dr.
Michelle Walthers, principal of St. Christopher School in Midlothian, recently received the prestigious San Damiano Turnaround Award from the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Walters received the award from Jerry Spatara, regional director for Catholic schools, during a small ceremony at the school. The San Damiano Award is awarded by the Archdiocese to the principal who has been the most effective agent of change through program enhancements, enrollment increases and improvements in financial vitality, among other factors, according to a release from the school.
MVCC, District 218 team up for STEAM Camps
As they transformed sheets of colorful paper into origami butterflies, students unknowingly learned principles of mathematics and engineering.
It was kind of a secret, all this learning, at the STEAM Camps organized by Moraine Valley Community College and School District 218 at Eisenhower, Shepard, and Richards high schools.
For six weeks this summer, students in grades 2 to 7 enjoyed fun and engaging experiences as they discovered the kinds of activities involved in working as engineers, accountants, astronauts, artists, and scientists.
Larry Langellier, a computer science professor at MVCC, created the curriculum, while Lexi Langellier, his daughter and a student at Trinity Christian College, and Rebecca Oziemkowski, his former student who attends the Illinois Institute of Technology, led many of the activities.
District 218 hosted the camps in science labs where students learned to build and program MindStorm robots, a Lego product. They also learned basic computer coding and graphic design using the software program Cricut.
Using Cricut students designed decals to apply to water bottles they could keep.
New principal hired for Southeast School in Evergreen Park
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Evergreen Park School District 124 hired an award-winning teacher and experienced administrator as the next principal of Southeast Elementary School.
Haley Vermeer, currently an assistant principal at O’Neil Middle School in Downers Grove, also has 10 years of teaching experience at Cardenas Elementary in Chicago Public Schools. In 2017, she moved into an administrative role in Downers Grove.
“Mrs. Vermeer’s experiences building relationships with the staff, students and family members will take her far in the principal position at Southeast Elementary School,” District 124 Superintendent Jenna Woodland said.
Vermeer, who also was the principal of District 58’s summer school program, earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Alma College in Michigan and her master’s degree in Administration from Chicago State University.
In 2017, she was selected as the Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance. She has also been named the Chicago Elementary PE Teacher of the Year and received the CPS Network 7 Network Leadership Award.
Vermeer will begin her tenure Aug. 2.
Chicago State band, education programs get support
The Chicago State Educators Fund recently presented $7,000 to the university that will go toward new band uniforms and support for students in the education program.
Roxanne Stevenson, CSU’s director of Bands, accepted $3,000 for new marching band uniforms, while Dean Carolyn Theard-Griggs received $4,000 to support students in the College of Education.
The Chicago State Educators Fund was organized by Frank Horton, a CSU alumnus and former principal at South Shore High School, and like-minded CSU alumni whose goal is to support Chicago Public School alumni while they are CSU students.
The Fund has awarded $5,000 each to 11 CSU students since its inception.
State Street closing Aug. 3 at Metra rail crossing
Repairs to the Metra Electric District Line crossing on State Street and 121st Street in Chicago will require a full closure starting, weather permitting, 9 a.m. Aug. 3, the Illinois Department of Transportation said in a news release.
A detour will direct motorists to 127th Street, Halsted Street and 119th Street.
The work is expected to be complete by Aug. 11.
Motorists can expect delays, IDOT said.
SWIFT donates to Orland Park senior center
Fostering community during a pandemic has not been easy, but interfaith group is still working to build good will. Reaching out to vulnerable area residents more isolated than most during the pandemic, the SouthWest InterFaith Team this month donated $200 to Charter Senior Living of Orland Park.
The aim is to promote safe community activities this summer among residents and guests.
Elaine Furjanic, executive director of Charter Senior Living, said the funds would likely be used to purchase a popcorn machine. “which we can use on movie nights here for our residents. If so, we invite SWIFT back to enjoy popcorn with us on opening night.”
Earlier this year, SWIFT launched an effort to support area food banks and homeless services and presented supplies and $1,000 shared by South Suburban PADS, Respond Now in Chicago Heights, Frankfort Food Pantry, the Pantry of Rich Township in Richton Park and Mosque Cares in Hazel Crest.
In June, SWIFT hosted its second successful online forum this year, titled Faith-Based Diversity and Equity, featuring the Rev. Norval Brown, Lynne Muhammad and Rabbi Rena Singer.
Its next public forum in September, An Interfaith Tour of Jerusalem, will be held via Zoom. More information is at SWIFTinterfaith.org.
Lockport gallery calls for artist entries
Illinois artists of all kinds are invited to submit work for Gallery Seven’s Annual Illiart Exhibit in October.
Formerly known as “The Art of Illinois,” the exhibit will feature various media, including painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media on two floors of the Gaylord Building, 200 West 8th St., Lockport
Entries to Illiart are juried by the Gallery Seven members with awards for those judged best. Winners will be announced during the artist reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 3 There is no admission charge for Gallery Seven, and all works on display are offered for sale.
The deadline for admissions is Sept. 1. Information is at www.galleryseven.net.
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Vaccination clinic set at Southland College Prep
Southland College Prep Charter High School will host a free vaccination clinic to prevent COVID-19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 28 at the school, 4601 Sauk Trail, Richton Park.
Anyone age 12 or older is eligible to receive Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at no cost during the event. The clinic will be conducted by the staff of Emerge Med Staffing.
Registration for the Southland College Prep vaccination clinic at https://www.emergerapidtests.com is encouraged, however walk-ins are welcome. Those ages 12-17 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian or have secured permission through the registration process.
Free concerts offered in Oak Lawn
Grace Point Place will host three live Concerts Under the Stars outside the facility, 5701 W. 101st St., Oak Lawn. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, organizers said in a release.
The series features Tom Cash playing acoustic guitar pop music July 28. On Aug. 19, John Mark will perform acoustic country music. And Frank Rossi performs on the accordion and keyboard Sept. 22.
All concerts start at 6 p.m.
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