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A group of students from Parker Junior High School in Flossmoor took first place May 2 at the Illinois State History Day competition in Springfield, and will represent the state at the National History Day program in June at the University of Maryland.
The theme of the contest is Triumph and Tragedy, and the Parker Junior High project was titled The Black Panthers: Violence or Justice.
Team members Brice Anderson, Chito Emebeche, Isis El Harris, Madison Leathers and Makayla Taylor and their school and familes are seeking help to pay for the trip to Maryland with a fundraising page on the Go Fund Me website.
Tinley Park breaks ground on new fire station
The Village of Tinley Park on Monday broke ground for its new Fire Station No. 47 at 7825 W. 167th St. on the same site as the old building, which will be demolished.
The ceremony included remarks by Fire Chief Forest Reeder, Mayor Jacob Vandenberg, Village Manager Dave Niemeyer and several firefighters, some of whom told stories honoring the old building and the firefighters who once worked there. The groundbreaking also included a decommissioning ceremony in which the old building was officially retired.
Chicago Tribune Sports
The new building will feature bunk room facilities to accommodate constant occupancy of as many as eight firefighters, more privacy for showers and changing, upgraded safety and cancer-prevention measures for staff that separate them from potentially dangerous equipment, more storage for gear, equipment supplies and records, a fitness room, quicker access to apparatus and a dedicated drive-through so trucks won’t have to back into the station at 167th Street.
The new station is slated to open sometime in the late summer to early fall of 2020. The Village hired FGM Architects of Oak Brook to design the new facility, and the contractor is R.C Wegman. During construction, crews have been relocated to other stations and will remain ready to respond to emergencies.
Oak Lawn teachers lauded for technology use
Oak Lawn Community High School’s technology coach Janet Meyers and art teacher Jennifer Wargin were recently welcomed to the Apple Distinguished Educators Class of 2019. In 1994, Apple created the ADE Program to recognize K-12 and higher education pioneers who are using technology to transform teaching and learning.
The Apple Distinguished Educator program is a relationship program focused on educational excellence and leadership. ADE’s are part of a global community of education leaders recognized for doing amazing things with Apple technology in and out of the classroom. They explore new ideas, seek new paths, and embrace new opportunities. That includes working with each other and with Apple to bring the freshest, most innovative ideas to learners everywhere, a news release said.
Children’s Museum offers flower program for Mother’s Day
The Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn will celebrate Mother’s Day with the annual Gardening with Grandpa Andy activity 10 am.m to noon Saturday.
Children will be getting their hands dirty as they plant flowers into a pot with help from Grandpa Andy. After watering their flowers, children can decorate their flower pot and take it home to give to someone special for Mother’s Day.
All museum visitors are welcome to participate in this event at no extra charge. The museum will also be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday for Mother’s Day.