News from District 153

After a four-year pandemic hiatus, our James Hart Panthers returned to the Oregon, Illinois' White Pines Ranch in May for all kinds of outdoor learning activities such as aquatic studies, orienteering and digging for fossils in the quarry. To try to make up for what they missed, 7th- and 8th-graders got to experience a day-long field trip to the ranch. Current 6th-graders got the traditional 3-day, 2-night experience that so many District 153 6th-graders have enjoyed over the 30+ years of the trip.

District 153 wishes a fond farewell to the 232 students who were promoted to high school during James Hart School's graduation ceremony at HF High School on May 30. Special awards were presented to the following students:

The Betty Dillon Academic Achievement Award

for earning all A's while taking the most rigorous courses at James Hart

William Bundy

Sophia Chan

Gehrig Lucas

Oreoluwa Owolabi

Eythan Poku

The Wally Burns VFW Post 8077 Award

for honor, courage, leadership and service

Sawyer Horcher

Lee Watkins

The PTA Service Award

for contribution of time and talents to make James Hart a better place

Jacob Bonilla

Mya Martinez

The Homewood Rotary Art Welsh 4-Way Test Award

for displaying the characteristics of truth, fairness, goodwill and friendship

Philip Dickey

Sydney Flaherty

The Homewood Parent Music Association and District 153 honored James Hart's graduating student musicians at its annual "Pass the Baton" celebration in May, including the following award winners:

William Luke Award: Mya Martinez

National School Choral Award: Jaylen Cox

John Philip Sousa Award: Dylan Denmark and Kent Flores

Louis Armstrong Award: Mia Cavalieri and Konrad Oehmen

Chamber Orchestra Award: Theodore Crema and Brianna Merrill

National School Orchestra Award: Eythan Poku

Jane Hinsley Award 7th-graders who have shown outstanding leadership:

Zoe Barnas (choir), Stephanie Boersma (orchestra), Zen Cambric (band), Adelai Easter (choir), Evelyn Fogarty (band), Penny Greep (band), Clara Oyedokun (orchestra), Karen Oyedokun (orchestra), Maeve Welsh (choir)

Not to be outdone by the 8th-graders, Willow School's kindergartners enjoyed a processional of their own--the annual boxcar parade where they "cruise into 1st grade" at the end of their study unit on transportation.

Congratulations to the 17 athletes from James Hart School who qualified for the state track and field meet in East Peoria. Our Panthers returned with a slew of medals, including three 1st-place finishes! Way to go, Panthers!

1st Place Finishes: Seth Harris, 7th-grade hurdles; Dylan Bell, 7th-grade long jump; Dylan Bell, Will Bundy, Erick Jacobs, Lee Watkins, 8th-grade 4x100 meter relay

2nd Place Finishes: London Jarrett, 8th-grade long jump

3rd Place Finishes: London Jarrett, 8th-grade 200 meter dash; Zen Cambric, Seth Harris, Jaishean High, Jackson Wingba, 7th-grade 4x200 meter relay

4th Place Finishes: Aniya Mullins, 8th-grade 200 meter dash

6th Place Finishes: Seth Harris, 7th-grade long jump; London Jarrett, 8th-grade 100 meter dash

7th Place Finishes: Ryan Koprowski, 7th-grade discus throw

8th Place Finishes: Miyani Golston, London Jarrett, Aniya Mullins, Jada Redmon, 8th-grade 4x100 meter relay

in the last few days of the 2022-2023 school year, students got a head start on summer's outdoor activities. Field trips, field days, kickball tournaments, and gym classes at Lion's Club Pool provided end-of-year team building for classes.

District 153's 2023 retirees have a combined 57 years of teaching, budgeting, coaching, leading and assisting students. We think they are amazing and wish them every happiness in their well-earned retirement.

Families who registered their student(s) for next year by the May 26th deadline were entered into a raffle to win a $100 Target gift card. Here are our lucky families!

The family of Toluani Ashadele

The family of Gabrielle Bremang

The family of Oaklin Gacsko

The family of Angela Martinez

The family of Adrian Vaval

The family of Wyatt Richard

Many, many thanks to all of our families who registered on time!

Have you registered your child for 2023-2024? Hurry! Don't wait!

Homewood School District 153 is the proud home of the James Hart Panthers, Churchill Bulldogs and Willow Wildcats.

Email: shelley.peck@hsd153.org
Website: hsd153.org
Location: 18205 Aberdeen Street, Homewood, IL, 60430
Phone: 708-799-8721
Facebook: facebook.com/hsd153
Twitter: @Homewood153