State schools superintendent visits Rich Township High Orland Park teachers receive grants
State schools Superintendent Tony Sanders toured the STEM and Fine Arts & Communication campuses of Rich Township High School last week in Olympia Fields and Richton Park.
The visit was an opportunity for officials to showcase District 227 s Career and Technical Education courses, according to a news release from district.
“We were delighted to
provide Dr. Sanders with a detailed tour of our state-ofthe-art facilities, highlighting the dedicated learning spaces that have been developed specifically for our scholars. This showcased the tremendous strides we have taken in fostering academic excellence and innovation, all while preparing our students for a future in a highly technical world,” said District 227 Superintendent Johnnie Thomas.
Two teachers at Liberty Elementary School in Orland School District 135 were recently awarded matching grants through Western Governors University’s “Fund My Classroom” initiative. Ashley Bobak, a fourth grade teacher, and Angeline Ogean, a fifth grade teacher, each received grants totaling $3,178 to enhance STEM learning in their classrooms. Both Bobak and Ogean learned they were selected for the grants on May 11 when they
were surprised with check presentations at their school.
The grants will fund materials to help teach coding and robotics concepts through hands-on experiences, according to a news release.
Wood Street to be closed through summer
The Illinois Department of Transportation said a full closure of Wood Street/ Ashland Avenue from north of Thornton Road in Dixmoor to south of 138th Street in Riverdale is scheduled to begin June 7.
The closure is necessary to accommodate bridge rehabilitation work and is anticipated to be completed in late fall. Motorists also should expect intermittent daytime lane closures on Wood Street/Ashland Avenue between 138th and 161st streets for water main replacement and roadway reconstruction. At least one lane of traffic will remain open in each direction and access to local residences and businesses will be maintained throughout the project.
The overall $98.9 million improvement project will completely rebuild Wood Street/Ashland Avenue, from 138th Street, in Riverdale, to 161st Street, in Harvey, passing through Dixmoor, to include new curbs, gutters and lighting. The project will also improve capacity, modernize traffic signals and turn lanes, implement smoother and safer railroad crossings and include landscaping and aesthetic enhancements. The bridge over the Little Calumet River will be rehabilitated and a new multiuse path on the west side of Wood Street, between 144th and 149th streets will be built. Additionally, a new storm sewer system will be installed and municipal water mains will be replaced.
The entire project is expected to be completed in late 2024. Motorists can expect delays, IDOT said.