Oak Leaflet Newsletter, August 19, 2016

The motto of "Once a Spartan, Always a Spartan" is painted over the doors of the main entrance to OLCHS. Many students, athletes, and fans walk right under it each and every day, but Friday, August 19, 2016, is another invitation to make parents and alumni feel a part of this Spartan tradition and motto. The school is hosting Oak Lawn Spartans Fall "Green & White Night" to celebrate the upcoming sports season. It's a night designed to show off many of the exciting teams that are gearing up for the months ahead and involve those in the community.

Event Flyer -More information

Curriculum, Assessment Focus for May in Role as Assistant Principal

Sometimes the numbers simply add up for a perfect fit. So when Oak Lawn Community High School announced that its own Division Chairperson Lauren May was taking over as Assistant Principal with an emphasis on curriculum development and assessment, the school was calculating that it would be a total success. Past results certainly give confidence in that.

May has been part of the Spartan faculty since 2000, and she has served as English Teacher, Teacher Mentor, leader of countless committees, Dean of Students, Division Chair and now moves into her most challenging role yet as Assistant Principal. But her curriculum background and focus on data-driven ideologies for teaching certainly should pay dividends in this new position.

"I look forward to serving the students, parents, and staff of Oak Lawn in this new capacity," May said. "Our school is lucky to have a distinguished and dedicated staff possessing not only vast content knowledge, but also the skill to make that learning accessible to the students we serve.

"OLCHS has made great strides over the last few years as we've focused on identifying the important knowledge and skills that students need as well as how to best develop and measure that learning. I am very excited to be able to continue our progress."

There is no doubt May will help to advance this process in her new role. As Division Chair she was instrumental in using data to measure growth of students and then leading teachers to use that data to improve teaching methods in order to best reach the students. Maybe her greatest asset has been her ability to allow staff members to use their own teaching styles and personalities to enhance the data-driven methods.

"OLCHS offers incredible opportunities for all students through our core academic programs as well as our Advanced Placement and dual credit offerings," she said. "It's important that we continue to find pathways for all students to have equitable access to rigorous and challenging coursework. Building consensus about how to best create a system that works for all students will be a major undertaking."

The product of this vision and energy should be continued success by the student body and faculty at OLCHS for years to come. <<more>>

School Safety Drills
Monday, August 22, 2016

OLCHS will conduct a series of School Safety Drills on Monday, August 22, in compliance with the Illinois State Board of Education. The annual drills are conducted in cooperation with the Oak Lawn Police and Fire Departments. The drills provide an opportunity for our staff to implement the emergency procedures and our students to learn what is expected of them during an emergency. The procedures are evaluated each year and updated with input from local first-responders. The planned drills include: Period 1: Earthquake; Period 2: Fire Drill; Period 10: Active Shooter/Lock-down Drill; Period 11: Tornado. If you have any questions about the planned drills, please contact Mr. McCurdy at 708/741-5613.

Yearbook Pictures
Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will have yearbook photographs taken on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, during Physical Education, Health, and Driver Education classes. There is no cost for the yearbook photograph but students have the option to purchase photo packages and gift items using the pricing/information envelopes that were provided to students previously. Students with zero hour Physical Education should have their picture taken after their zero hour class during common prep time. If a student doesn't have a Physical Education, Health, or Driver Education class, they should have their photograph taken during common prep, late-arrival or early-dismissal times, or during lunch periods. Photographs will be taken in the Spartan Gym. The information and pricing sheets are available on the website calendar. VIP also accepts payments online. Visit the school's website for more information. << more>>

2016-17 Bell Schedule
-A Guide for Parents & Students

What time does school start? The regular school day begins at 8:32am every day except Wednesday. Wednesdays continue to be "late start" days, with school beginning at 9:20am. Upperclassmen with late arrival should report to Period 2 at the designated start times above. When is lunch? All students are assigned a half-period lunch during periods 5-9. In some cases, classes are designated as a "split lunch." Students enrolled in a split lunch will attend the first half of class, proceed to lunch, and then return to that same class. << more>>

Oak Lawn Community High School District 229, Oak Lawn, Illinois

Mission Statement. Oak Lawn Community High School exists to: inspire, challenge, and empower students and staff in a safe, supportive environment; maximize individual potential through academic and personal growth; and graduate students who attain the high standards set forth by our community.

Board of Education: Webpage-Spartan-Logo

Matthew Egan, President

Robert Loehr, Vice President
Kathleen Berry, Secretary
Timothy Burke, Member
Stephen Greene, Member
Daniel Janik, Member
Margaret Nugent, Member

Administration:
Dr. Michael Riordan, Superintendent
Richard Hendricks, Assistant Superintendent

Dr. Jeana Lietz, Principal

Lauren May, Assistant Principal

Joseph McCurdy, Assistant Principal