News from District 153

Online Registration for 2026-2027 School Year Begins April 15

Registration for the 2026-2027 school year begins April 15th and will continue through May 22nd. Start gathering needed documents now!

Why is it so important to register by May 22nd?

The earlier we know students are returning, the earlier we can ensure we have enough high quality teachers to teach them.
When late registrations are assigned to teachers over the summer, it throws off carefully planned classroom balance. That’s not helpful to anyone--including your child.

Please help us make the best possible plans for our students, staff, and schools and register by May 22nd!

District 153 Student Registration Information

gym packed with art displays, students and family members

Paintings! Drawings! Sculpture! Ceramics! Textiles! Mask-making! These artforms and more were on display during the District Fine Arts Show on March 26th. The James Hart Gym was packed with colorful works of art, their student creators and their proud loved ones. There was even art for the ears with performances by the James Hart Gold and Maroon Jazz Bands.

boy directs mom's attention to his artwork

group of children drawing on large paper on gym floor

smiling woman takes a photo of boy posing next to his artwork

eight pieces of student art displayed on panel wall

Thanks to a grant from the Rex Foundation, the charitable arm of the Grateful Dead, the James Hart Chamber Orchestra experienced a professional recording session at the legendary Electrical Audio studio in Chicago on March 25th. Our 7th and 8th graders were the first elementary grade level musicians to record in the same studio as Foo Fighters and Cheap Trick. How cool is that?!

We are profoundly grateful to the Homewood Arts Council for securing the grant and making it all happen! Below is a video recording of one of their takes.

District 153 salutes our Special Olympics athletes who exceled at the Illinois State Basketball Skills competition at Illinois State University on March 14th. Congratulations to all!

Brian Blach

silver medal

Willa Easter

silver medal

Tre Sanders

5th place

During the week of March 23-27, Willow School teamed up with Special Olympics Illinois for Respect Week, a celebration of inclusion, acceptance and respect for all abilities. Each day our Wildcats learned about a different ability and wore a different color to show kindness.

On Monday, the color was BLUE to learn about hydrocephalus, a condition where extra fluids build up in the brain.

teacher and boy wearing rainbows on their shirts smile for the camera

On Tuesday, our Wildcats were decked out in rainbows and learned about autism spectrum disorder.

boy uses marker to sign his name on a banner

To close out Respect Week, Willow School's young athletes and their peer partners signed a Respect banner and learned this pledge:

I pledge to look for the lonely, the isolated, the left out, the challenged and the bullied. I pledge to overcome the fear of difference and replace it with the power of inclusion.

We are so proud of the 391 James Hart students who earned 2nd trimester honor roll status. Way to go, Panthers!

James Hart 2nd Trimester Honor Roll

News from District 153