News from District 153

An e-newsletter for our community: March 18, 2022

GOOD LUCK AND SAFE TRAVELS, PANTHERS! launch

8TH grade girls volleyball team after sectional win

8th-Grade Girls Volleyball Team Competes Tonight in State Tournament

The James Hart 8th-Grade Girls Volleyball Team takes on Taylorville JHS Friday in the first round of the Illinois Elementary School Association state tournament. Our Panthers earned the trip downstate by defeating Chicago Heights Middle School in the sectionals on March 14th.

Team members are Angelena Alborn, Kylie Blasgen, Alayna Frangella, Macy Hamer, Quinn Hanna, Dakota Hoekstra, Anika Izenbart, Paige Taylor, Isabella Thurman, Cyanna Wasniowski and Addison Woodward. Coaches are Chelsea Jones and Katie Nigro.

CONGRATULATIONS JAMES HART SYMPHONIC BAND!

Symphonic Band takes a bow after its IGSMA performance.

Band Earns Highest Rating in Contest

The James Hart Symphonic Band earned a Division 1 rating (the highest!) during the IGSMA District Band Contest at Central Middle School in Tinley Park on Saturday, March 12th. This is the 8th straight year the band has earned this rating. Congratulations to all our outstanding student musicians!

CHINCHILLAS, CHICKS AND MORE...OH, MY!

Some of Willow School's K-2 friends made some animal friends on March 15th thanks to a visit from Scales and Tales Traveling Zoo.

CHURCHILL CELEBRATES A SUCCESSFUL 2ND TRIMESTER

minute-to-win-it game at Churchill School

With the end of the school year in sight, Churchill School students competed in some Minute-to-Win-It games on March 8th to celebrate the end of the 2nd trimester. The competition was livestreamed to all classrooms for a virtual school assembly.

HONORING 'THOSE WHO EXCEL' IN 153

Pre-pandemic, the Illinois State Board of Education hosted a banquet every year to present awards to recipients of its “Those Who Excel” program. The banquet is back this year but in a much smaller capacity. That’s why 153—specifically Superintendent Scott McAlister and School Board President Shelly Marks—brought the celebration to the 11 staff members and one community volunteer from the school district who all earned “meritorious service” awards this year. Congratulations to all our award-winners who show excellence in their work every day!