Union Ridge School students start year in renovated building

School began at Union Ridge School (4600 N. Oak Park Avenue) in Harwood Heights on Thursday, Aug. 20, and families previewed the renovated building the day before.

Families, graduates, elected and appointed officials, plus faculty celebrated on Aug. 19 at an event showcasing the renovations with a ribbon cutting and free indoor buffet meal. A complimentary food truck served flavored ice outside by the playground.

A large turnout of attendees gathered in front of the school’s new entrance on the west side of the school building for the 4 p.m. yellow gold ribbon cutting ceremony. The weather was sunny at nearly 80 degrees.

After the ribbon was cut, the public was invited inside to see school amenities which included new science labs and the cafeteria. New stairwell seating allows students to visit with each other. The cafeteria has tables with those dots for seats popular at schools.

A referendum was passed in March of 2024, generating $35 million to fund the project which came in on budget, according to the school. Union Ridge will also celebrate its 150th anniversary this year.

“My message is of gratitude, first and foremost,” Union Ridge School District 86 Superintendent Michael Maguire told the audience outside the entrance.

“None of this happens without the community voting for the referendum,” Maguire added.

Later, as people were walking through the front door for their first look, Maguire noted feeling, “Overwhelmed, just, I can’t thank everybody enough for everything they did to make this a reality.”

Harwood Heights Mayor Arlene Jezierny and Norridge Village President Dan Tannhauser attended the event, including both chiefs of police from each municipality, Harwood Heights Chief of Police John DeVries and Norridge Chief of Police Brian P. Goss.

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Jezierny said, “I think Union Ridge has really evolved from where it was to where it is now and getting awards in the meantime.

“But taking a look at this new facility is not only great for the students and the teachers to teach, it is great for the entire community to see what they have at their fingertips, to see what they have in the way of education, and all the new ideas the school has implemented,” Jezierny said.

“All the voters and residents, they are here to see and witness something that is beautiful, and that will emerge into a great community,” Jezierny said with a smile.

About the renovated Union Ridge School, “It’s beautiful,” Tannhauser said. “All our schools need this; Pennoyer’s going through a renovation, Union Ridge, now we have to get Giles and Leigh, but it’s hard to get a referendum passed for this, but this is absolutely gorgeous.”

Norridge School District 80 maintains Giles School and Leigh School in Norridge. Pennoyer School District 79 has Pennoyer School, also in Norridge.

“These improvements reflect our commitment to provide a top-notch educational environment,” said Union Ridge School Principal Julie Borner.

As people walked into the building, many faces showed shock and awe. Children pointed to the atrium’s conversational stepped seating, and previous Union Ridge students were also showing surprised faces.

Ognjen Dragicevic, 15, of Harwood Heights and a sophomore at Ridgewood High School, visited the science lab of Dragicevic’s former science teacher Cathy Lenzini and said about the new science educational space, “It’s definitely better.”

Zac Sowa, 7, a second-grader from Norridge, said the school looked “good.”

Zac’s parent, Dorota Sowa, said, “It’s very important; my daughter (Zoe, 17, a Ridgewood High School senior) finished this school a couple of years ago. It’s a lot of change for the community; it’s so good to be bigger and better, right?”

Liam Vicens, 2, of Harwood Heights, is a triplet and peeked from the stroller as he rode in with his siblings, looking up with curious wonder at the atrium as the family passed the front doors.

“I have been so excited about it for a very long time,” said the children’s parent Laura Vicens. “It’s been really great to see the progress.

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“I’m excited,” Laura Vicens added. “It’s just wonderful to see people investing in the school.”

Karie Angell-Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.