New principals at high schools in Oak Lawn, Palos Heights, and more
Shepard, Richards high schools get new principals
The District 218 Board of Education recently voted to hire Timothy Baker as the new principal at Shepard High School in Palos Heights and MaLinda Majoch as the new principal at Richards High School in Oak Lawn.
Baker currently is associate principal at Shepard and will succeed Jennifer Pollack, who will become the school district’s new executive director of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.
Majoch currently is associate principal at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island and at Richards will succeed Mike Jacobson, who will become the district’s new executive director of Student, Family and Community Engagement.
Baker began his career in District 218 at Richards as a science teacher in 2002. In 2012, he became athletic director at Eisenhower and in 2015 became the assistant principal of Discipline and Activities. In 2022, Baker became the associate principal at Shepard.
Majoch began her career in District 218 in 2003 as a social worker at Richards. In 2007, she oversaw the Small Learning Community at Richards before becoming assistant principal of Attendance, Discipline and Special Education in 2009. In 2015 she became the director of Community and Grants before assuming the role of associate principal, most recently at Eisenhower.
New principal at Oak Lawn Community High School
Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 is implementing an administrative restructure effective July 1.
OLCHS principal Jeana Lietz will become assistant superintendent for Personal Development, where she will oversee the district’s human resources department.
Assistant principal Lauren May, who has worked in a variety of roles in the district for 24 years, will become principal at the high school. May earned her doctorate, masters and undergraduate degrees from the University of Illinois at Champaign, earned a master’s degree from the University of Chicago and is a Certified School Business Official.
“She brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of our school community’s needs to her new role,” said Superintendent Shahe Bagdasarian.
Michael Sunquist, the district’s director of Student Services, will become assistant principal of Student Services and will take on additional building responsibilities. Marcus Wargin will remain in his current position as Oak Lawn’s assistant principal for Operations and Student Activities.
Country Club Hills school adding new Fine Arts Center
Southwood Middle School in Country Club Hills will break ground on a Fine Arts Center on Tuesday. The new center will house courses and programs including dance, music, drama and speech at the school, 18635 Lee St.
“The arts are so important to make available to young people in their growth and development,” said Duane Meighan, superintendent of Country Club Hills School District 160.”
Spring Penny Social set at Oak Lawn VFW
The Johnson-Phelps VFW
Auxiliary will present its annual Spring Penny Social from 1 to 5 p.m. April 21 at the Post, 9514 S. 52nd. Ave. Oak Lawn. Search for hidden treasures on the nickel, dime and quarter tables or try your luck at the raffle table. The kitchen will be open for lunch.
The event is free and children are welcome. Information is at 708-423-5220 or oaklawnvfw.com.
Active Senior Expo scheduled in Oak Forest
The Active Senior Expo, an event designed to “inform, educate and entertain senior citizens,” according to a news release, is planned from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 24 at Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th Street, Oak Forest.
The event features hundreds of products and services designed specifically for older residents, including information on health care, retirement communities, assisted living, financial, insurance, legal, estate planning, home care, consumer products, government programs and more.
There also will be free health screenings and door prize drawings.
A farmer’s market will offer fresh produce and live entertainment will take place at 11 a.m. No registration is required and regular admission is $2, though free admission coupons are widely available. More information is at www.activeseniorexpo.net.
Midlothian library hosts April Food Day collection
The Kiwanis Club of the Oak Forest and Crestwood Area will be collecting items through April 23 for United Way of Metro Chicago’s annual April Food Day event. Midlothian Public Library, 14701 Kenton Ave., is a drop-off site for nonperishable food items and other household goods.
Kiwanis Club volunteers will deliver the donations to the April Food Day event on April 25 at the Tinley Park Convention Center.
According to United Way of Metro Chicago, the purpose of April Food Day is “to come together to promote food security and recognize our community leaders advancing equity in the south-southwest suburbs, a region facing high levels of poverty and systemic education, health, and wealth inequities.”
Year-round, community members can help out their neighbors in need by donating food and personal hygiene items to the Midlothian Library micro pantry located in the library’s cafe area. Franciscan Health Family Birth Center Olympia Fields to host Baby Expo
Baby Expo offered in Olympia Fields
Franciscan Health Family Birth Center Olympia Fields is hosting a free Baby Expo May 4 at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields for new and expectant parents.
The event features tours of the Family Birth Center, prizes, gifts, refreshments and health vendors as well as information on safe sleep, prenatal care, car seat safety, breastfeeding and more. Clinical staff and physicians will be on hand to answer questions as well.
The Baby Expo is from 10 a.m. to noon May 4 at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, 20201 S. Crawford Ave., in Olympia Fields. The event is free but space is limited and registration is required at 1-800-931-3322 or www.Franciscanhealth.org/events.