News from District 153

May 24, 2024

HB 4284 , the legislation that would allow District 153 to collect all of the revenues approved by the November 2022 referendum vote, has passed both chambers of the General Assembly!

We are grateful to State Representative Will Davis, who wrote the initial legislation and has worked with us from its inception to move this forward, and to Senator Napoleon Harris for his efforts in getting this through the Senate. I also want to thank School Board President Shelly Marks and Vice President Alex Bosch for accompanying me to Springfield on May 22nd (see photo above) to help educate lawmakers about our bill.

The bill now must be signed by Governor Pritzker. We'll keep you updated on any further developments.

Dr. Scott McAlister, Superintendent

Homewood School District 153 hosted a long-overdue reunion for James Hart School’s Class of 2020 on Friday, May 24th. About 100 former middle school graduates—current high school seniors—returned to reconnect with their former teachers and report on their post-high school plans.

“This year’s reunion is particularly meaningful to us given the Class of 2020 had its middle-school experience abruptly ended because of the pandemic,” said District 153 Superintendent Dr. Scott McAlister. “We never got to say a proper goodbye.”

On May 15th, the District 153 Board of Education approved the appointment of Tara Peacock as Churchill School’s next principal starting July 1st. Peacock with replace Principal Sara Schnoor who is leaving to pursue other opportunities.

“Tara has a strong passion for her work and is known for building great relationships with students, staff, and parents,” said District 153 Superintendent Scott McAlister. “She was the overwhelming choice amongst all three of the committees- parents, staff, and administrators/board members- who interviewed our final candidates for the job.”

Peacock, currently an assistant principal at Flossmoor’s Parker Jr. High School, started her career in education at Churchill School as a student teacher. Since 2000, Peacock has been with School District 161, teaching grades 5 and 6 before her appointment as assistant principal in 2019.

She is also a resident of Homewood with two sons who went through District 153 schools.

“I’m excited to start this new chapter in the place that started it all for me as an educator. Homewood has a tradition of educational excellence. As a Homewood resident myself, I share the community’s hopes and high expectations for its children,” said Peacock. “I am eager to start working with parents and staff to ensure Churchill is a warm, welcoming, and successful place to learn.”

Congratulations to the James Hart Track Team athletes for their remarkable performances in the state finals over the weekend! Special shout outs go to:

• Seth Harris: 1st place, 8th-grade boys hurdles
• Londynn Rogers: 2nd place, 7th-grade girls shot put
• Zen Cambric, Jackson Wingba, JaiShaun High, and Seth Harris: 2nd place 4x200 meter relay
• Jackson Wingba: 5th place 400 meter dash
• 8th-Grade Boys: 6th overall in State

Way to go, Panthers!

On May 14th, the Homewood Parent Music Association (PMA) hosted Pass the Baton, the annual year-end event celebrating our 8th grade music program graduates and honoring outstanding James Hart students in band, choir, orchestra, and musical theater. Congratulations to all of this year's award winners!

All photos courtesy of the Parent Music Association.

Buy your flowers at Ted's Greenhouse through June 15th and a portion of the sale will go to PMA! Just print out the form and bring it with you.

Churchill School welcomed its students and their loved ones to a Math/Mixed Media Night on May 15th to have fun with math and admire student artwork.

District 153 celebrated the remarkable tenures of 13 retiring staff members at Idlewild Country Club on May 23rd. Together, they contributed 264 years of outstanding service to our students and schools and will be missed!

Paula Bulliner, Resource Teacher, James Hart, 15yrs

Eileen Darin, STEM teacher, Churchill. 30 yrs

Bob Dippold, Hardware Support Specialist, District Office, 25 yrs

MaryKay Gardiner, Asst. Principal Churchill, 31 yrs

Melissa Lawson, Principal Willow, 23 yrs

Geraldo Maya, Custodian Willow, 19 yrs

Dee McManamy, Instructional Assistant, Churchill, 17 yrs

Jeanette Nichols, Math Enrichment Teacher Churchill, 20 yrs

Dana Pries, Director of Food Services, District Office, 23 yrs

Renee Rycraft, 7th-grade teacher, James Hart, 20 yrs

Kenneth Shells, Custodian Willow, 11 yrs

Ann Snedden, 12-month Secretary James Hart, 22 yrs

Charles Vaughn, Custodian, James Hart, 8 yrs

To celebrate the 23-year tenure of retiring principal Melissa Lawson, Willow School has made her queen for a day, sent her on a tropical vacation, and made her a pilot of the Willow School crew. On May 23rd, the school's kindergartners hosted a special graduation ceremony that included this special performance.

The May 17th deadline to register student(s) for the 2024-2025 school year has come and gone. HOWEVER, you still have a week left in the current school year to get the job done!

High school may seem like a long way off to many District 153 families, but in the blink of an eye, our Wildcats, Bulldogs and Panthers will be VIKINGS. Be a part of HF High School's superintendent search!

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