Established 1962

The Oak Lawn Elks Lodge No. 2254 (located in Chicago Ridge) wanted to thank Chicago Ridge Village Employees for all they are doing during these difficult days. 

Mayor Tokar along with representatives of the Board of Trustees, Police, Fire, Public Works, EMA, and Village Hall gratefully accepted 200 boxes of Girl Scout cookies. 

The Elks were very pleased to deliver the cookies, which were made possible by a donation from the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana through their gift of caring program. 

Full story available in the Chicago Ridge Citizen

Oak Lawn Community High School is honored to light up Napleton Field on Friday nights, from 8 to 8:20 p.m., joining IHSA schools throughout Illinois to turn on stadium lights as a part of Lights for the Fight. 

This gesture shows support for OLCHS seniors, as well as healthcare workers, first responders, and all other essential workers on the front lines of the pandemic.

Full story available in the Chicago Ridge Citizen

Senior students at Richards High School will finish their last day of remote learning on May 8. District 218 officials are planning a traditional graduation ceremony between July 6 and July 11. The district will consider other options in the event that social restrictions are still in order. Scholarship recipients will be sent a viewable link during the week of May 26 for a virtual awards ceremony, as well as a commemorative program, award letter and information on scholarships in the mail.

Full story available in the Chicago Ridge Citizen

The strange days of isolation due to COVID-19 have denied people the social interactions everyone needs. Heading to work, seeing neighbors, visiting with family, or just going out to a restaurant comprise important elements of daily life and mental health.

Leaders at Richards High School understood this.  

Recently, they took time to drive to the homes of all staff members to deliver lawn signs as a reminder of their value – and very simply that they’re missed.

In addition to Principal Dr. Mike Jacobson, staff members Alison Wilde, Beth Janus Doyle, Cora Umecker, Courtney Easter, Caroline Mesaf, Deb Swanson, Danielle Krawisz, Janeen Abdelhadi, Kelly Fleming, Kelly Lucca, Kirstin Cucio, and Sarah Szczepkowski delivered signs.

Their friends appreciated the effort.

“I’ve worked for several districts and this is the one that feels like home. Through every challenge in life I have felt tremendous support from everyone in 218. This sign was a reminder that we’re still all in this together. It also was necessary comic relief and I’m grateful for that!” said Spanish teacher Alexis Morford.

Science teacher Stan Natonek summed the gesture succinctly. “Leadership isn’t about talking it’s about doing,” he said.

Richards planned the outreach as a surprise. 

Full story available in the Chicago Ridge Citizen