Churchill School Addition Update

The addition at Churchill School is complete! Our Bulldogs are excited to have more elbow room and to make use of these new learning spaces. The new spaces will be used as meeting rooms and places to do small group work throughout the remainder of this school year. Next school year, the new classroom spaces will house full classes.

Two new classrooms

New entryway, cubbies and small group work spaces

New walkways

James Hart Hosts Mock Congressional Hearings

James Hart's 8th-graders demonstrated their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution during mock Congressional hearings in January. Public speaking isn't easy for most adults, so District 153 is especially proud of our students’ efforts to present their Constitutional research questions in front of judges and classmates.

District Athletes Compete in Regional Tournament

Congratulations to all the James Hart and Churchill athletes who competed in the Special Olympics Region E Basketball Tournament on January 22nd! They are amazing representatives of 153!

L to R: Sierra Holly, Jessie Jursa, Ross McManus, Tristan Clark, Noah Hanzelin, Brian Blach, Andrew Carron, Randall Walters, Zach Hoekstra (Unified Partner for James Hart), Makai McNeal

Celebrating Staff Achievement

Over the past few weeks, District 153 has been overjoyed to celebrate the professional accomplishments of some very special educators (below).

Cathryne Czarnecki, Math Instructional Coach
2022-23 Jerry Morin Award for Educational Excellence, District Office

Tanya Duplessis, Social Worker, Churchill School
Earned her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) degree

Wendy Gatewood, Social Worker, Willow School
Earned her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) degree

Beth Hackett, Social Worker, James Hart School
Earned her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) degree

Laura Kozel, Special Education Teacher, Churchill School
Renewed her National Board Certification

Dr. Sharon Perry, School Psychologist, James Hart School
Earned her doctorate

Tri-District Music Fest

Many thanks to HF High School for bringing together the choirs, orchestras, and bands of HF, James Hart and Parker on Jan. 24th for a day of skill building, beautiful music and loads of fun!

MLK Day of Service Success

Thanks to the generosity of our community, our 2023 MLK Day of Service was a great success! We collected carloads of donations for local helping organizations, Anew, Respond Now, and the South Suburban Humane Society.

The South Suburban Humane Society brought two "animal ambassadors" to greet donors and delight our student volunteers.

Many thanks to the Village of Homewood, the Homewood Police Department and the Homewood Fire Department for sending adult volunteers to help out with the collection.

Just one of several carloads of donations headed to our local helping agencies: Anew, Respond Now, and the South Suburban Humane Society.

Staff Awarded Classroom Grants

Congratulations to District 153 staff for their recent grant awards from the National Council of Jewish Women. And many, many thanks to NCJW for its support of our schools!

Yolanda Collins, Willow School

Oneida Haymond, Willow School

Kimeon Cruikshank, Willow School

Michele MacLeod, Willow School

Aveece Wesley and Tanya Duplessis, Churchill School

PTA Lou Malnati's Fundraiser through Feb. 5th

Help the PTA and get a deal! Lou Malnati's sells their pre-baked frozen pizzas in store for $15-$18 each. Homewood PTA can sell you the pizza vouchers for $13 each and a portion from each goes to PTA!

CLICK HERE TO ORDER.