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Schools make preparations for new year
Carpenter Gino Loffredoworks on cabinets in the new main office at Roosevelt Middle School in River Forest Aug. 14. The school is undergoing renovations this summer. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: September 24, 2012 6:08AM
RIVER FOREST
River Forest and Oak Park schools have been busy preparing for the new school year and the return of students.
In River Forest School District 90, students will have access to some new technology.
“The iPad initiative is expanding by providing 280 iPads for student use,” Superintendent Edward J. Condon said.
Additionally, Roosevelt Middle School has a new front entrance, three new classrooms and improvements to existing classrooms.
Oak Park and River Forest High School worked hard this summer improving classrooms by adding new tile, ceilings, lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning work and more, Communications and Community Relations Director Karin Sullivan said.
“The west pool has a new deck, and its outside wall was reconstructed,” Sullivan said. “In the stadium, we have a new press box and ticket booth. Tickets used to be sold from a table inside the entrance, which created a bottleneck, so now attendees will be able to walk up and buy tickets at the window facing onto Lake Street.”
Also on Lake, the running track was resurfaced with a new rubberized coating and has freshly painted lane lines.
High school students can also look forward to their first-ever Friday night homecoming game.
“The festivities will be kicked off on Thursday, Oct. 11, when the public is invited to the traditional block party and powder puff game,” Sullivan said. “The block party is a lot of fun, with face-painting, a bounce house, bungees … The homecoming game is Friday, Oct. 12, against Morton, and the dance is that Saturday night.”
Oak Park Elementary School District 97 has constructed two new secured entrances at Mann and Whittier schools.
“These will provide additional security by better monitoring people going in and out,” Communications Director Chris Jasculca said.
As promised in the district’s last referendum, Longfellow Elementary will have a new playground.
Students can look forward to improvements to the equipment, a two-lane walking track and outdoor classrooms, Jasculca said.
“We are looking forward to the students being able to enjoy the new pieces of equipment,” Longfellow Principal Angela Dolezal said.
For the first time, Longfellow will offer the Girls on the Run Program during the fall semester instead of only the spring semester. Third to fifth grade girls are encouraged to join a 5K run to boost self-esteem and body image, Dolezal said. ~.
