Kennedy School celebrates Class of 2023
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More than a dozen students graduated from the Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. School for Exceptional Children on May 23 in Tinley Park, where they took a moment to thank teachers and parents for their support.
“My future looks bright,” one graduate in red cap and gown told friends, family and staff members who had gathered in the school cafeteria for the graduation ceremony. “I am ready for a new challenge,” he added.
“I have had the greatest time being a student of St. Coletta’s,” said another. “I am ready for new challenges …. Life is all about learning and changing. I am ready to take it on.”
“I feel ready to get a job and start a new part of life,” said a third graduate. “Thank you for your help and support.”
Kennedy School at St. Coletta’s of Illinois is a therapeutic day school in Tinley Park that serves children with a variety of disabilities, including intellectual and developmental disabilities. The goal is to allow students to learn in the least restrictive environment available while meeting their safety and individual needs.
On May 23, the school held a graduation ceremony for 14 high school graduates and two eighth grade graduates.
“We are proud of our graduates,” principal Dawn Angelini told parents and guardians. “We have learned to love them; we have learned to nurture them; we have learned to push them out of the nest.”
Students said they had mixed emotions about graduating.
“I’m going to miss all my teachers,” said one.
“It is a bittersweet moment,” said another as she paused to wipe away tears. “I feel very special. Now I have abilities to be successful in life.”
A third expressed excitement for what the future holds.
“So many doors have opened up to me,” she said. “I welcome new possibilities.”
State superintendent visits Rich Township High
State schools Superintendent Tony Sanders toured the STEM and Fine Arts & Communication campuses of Rich Township High School last week in Olympia Fields and Richton Park.
The visit was an opportunity for officials to showcase District 227’s Career and Technical Education courses, according to a news release from district.
“We were delighted to provide Dr. Sanders with a detailed tour of our state-of-the-art facilities, highlighting the dedicated learning spaces that have been developed specifically for our scholars. This showcased the tremendous strides we have taken in fostering academic excellence and innovation, all while preparing our students for a future in a highly technical world,” said District 227 Superintendent Johnnie Thomas.
District 230 Foundation seeks Legacy Hall nominations
The District 230 Foundation is seeking nominations of alumni who have used their education and experience to become successful, positive contributors to society to honor at the annual Legacy Hall dinner. Applications for nominations are at http://www.d230foundation.org/. All nominations must be received by July 1.
The District 230 Foundation’s 17th Legacy Hall dinner is scheduled for Nov. 3 at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park.
Legacy Hall inductees are invited to return to their alma maters to spend a day with students interested in their field of expertise. “Dozens of classes and hundreds of students have an opportunity to speak to inductees one-on-one, an experience the students and inductees will not soon forget, and a practice District 230 hopes to continue,” said Superintendent Robert Nolting.
Last year, the District 230 Foundation inducted 10 members, including 2014 Stagg graduate Max Stus, professional basketball player with the Miami Heat. Others inducted included 1990 Andrew graduate Lisa Vucsko, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning assistant news director and managing editor at WFLD-TV, and 2009 Stagg Graduate Laura Vollinger, whose research focuses on anti-human trafficking and survivor advocacy.
Orland Park teachers receive grants
Two teachers at Liberty Elementary School in Orland School District 135 were recently awarded matching grants through Western Governors University’s “Fund My Classroom” initiative. Ashley Bobak, a fourth grade teacher, and Angeline Ogean, a fifth grade teacher, each received grants totaling $3,178 to enhance STEM learning in their classrooms. Both Bobak and Ogean learned they were selected for the grants on May 11 when they were surprised with check presentations at their school.
The grants will fund materials to help teach coding and robotics concepts through hands-on experiences, according to a news release.
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Wood Street to be closed through summer
The Illinois Department of Transportation said a full closure of Wood Street/Ashland Avenue from north of Thornton Road in Dixmoor to south of 138th Street in Riverdale is scheduled to begin June 7.
The closure is necessary to accommodate bridge rehabilitation work and is anticipated to be completed in late fall. Motorists also should expect intermittent daytime lane closures on Wood Street/Ashland Avenue between 138th and 161st streets for water main replacement and roadway reconstruction. At least one lane of traffic will remain open in each direction and access to local residences and businesses will be maintained throughout the project.
The overall $98.9 million improvement project will completely rebuild Wood Street/Ashland Avenue, from 138th Street, in Riverdale, to 161st Street, in Harvey, passing through Dixmoor, to include new curbs, gutters and lighting. The project will also improve capacity, modernize traffic signals and turn lanes, implement smoother and safer railroad crossings and include landscaping and aesthetic enhancements. The bridge over the Little Calumet River will be rehabilitated and a new multi-use path on the west side of Wood Street, between 144th and 149th streets will be built. Additionally, a new storm sewer system will be installed and municipal water mains will be replaced.
The entire project is expected to be completed in late 2024. Motorists can expect delays, IDOT said.
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