Latest news with #OLCHS
Chicago Tribune
23-06-2025
- Science
- Chicago Tribune
Oak Lawn students' numbers line up for new football stadium ticket booth
Students at Oak Lawn Community High School got hooked on construction, incorporating what they learned in geometry classes to create new structures and other items around campus. Their latest undertaking is a ticket booth for the school's football field. They did all the work with a little help from teachers Sara Strelow, who teaches geometry, and Kyle Kowalski, a career technology educator. The students previously had created a shed, so for the ticket booth, teachers modified the plans to add windows, and graphic design students will be recruited to design the door. 'Students were up on the roof doing electrical, painting. It's all basic fundamentals, Kowalski said. But it's definitely a case of learning by doing. 'You've got to be okay screwing up.' Part of what's made the class work, according to the two teachers, is the students' motivation. 'They always do their stuff,' said Strelow. 'In other classes, it's like pulling teeth.' 'They outperformed my regular geometry class on every assessment,' said Strelow. The two-period class starts each session in Strelow's classroom, where students work on the math needed to construct the projects. Then they move into Kowalski's workshop or even outside.' Math lessons sometimes include the Pythagorean theorem with its A squared plus B squared equals C squared to help calculate angles for roofing, as well as volume and surface areas. Kowalski said they also incorporated artificial intelligence into the process to calculate the costs of building materials. Some of the actual construction took place at the football field. 'The school allowed us to purchase battery powered tools so they can be moveable,' Kowalski said. The class had its beginnings three years ago when math chair Chris Newton and the two teachers traveled to a conference in St. Paul, Minnesota where the idea was presented. Then they adapted it to OLCHS, after spending a year on the planning. Math isn't Kowalski's thing, nor is construction Strelow's, and the two have completely different personalities. Kowalski is spontaneous and Strelow says she's very 'Type A and plans everything.' But the two make it work. Kowalski said he brings ideas to Strelow and she may put it into a document to try. 'We're both willing to give up what we're used to and try something different,' said Strelow. Kowalski said he's even taught a few of the math lessons and has taken tests with the students as a way of showing he's part of the team. 'They kind of enjoy watching that,' he said. 'They sometimes beat me.' They also learned to collaborate as a way to bring out the best in students and help them succeed. Students get a small electrical unit in his class and also learn about drywall and plumbing. They've made saw horses and a miniature golf course. The teachers are hoping to get industry professionals to speak to the students, host events and offer financial support. There were 22 students in the class, including eight females. But the class is a popular one and enrollment has increased each year. Once the new field house is complete, the two said they'll be able to move their space to one of the gyms. The class appears to be bringing out the best in many students, even the ones who aren't pros at math or construction, according to their teachers. 'They're all different, from AP honors, regular and even remedial,' said Strelow. 'It's interesting to see the kids you thought were going to struggle, flourish.'
Chicago Tribune
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Around the Southland: Mai Fest in Blue Island, gold for Special Olympian, more
Mai Fest set for this weekend in Blue Island The Blue Island Arts Alliance presents Mai Fest 2025 from noon to 5 p.m. May 10, with 100 artisans and craft vendors lining Olde Western Avenue from Canal Street south to 134th Street. The roadway will be closed to cars, but restaurants and pubs will be open. This is the fourth year for Mai Fest, which honors the German heritage of Blue Island. A Mai Fest 'gruppengarten,' or group garden, will be set up around a 'mai pole' at Broadway Street and Old Western Avenue. Live music, children's activities, booths for special interest groups and community organizations, as well as tables and seating will be at the gruppengarten. Parking will be available in the city lot at 2131 Fulton St., and shuttles will run between that lot and the fest. Parking, shuttles and admission are free, although a donation of $5 per person is suggested. Special Olympian at OLCHS wins gold in basketball Oak Lawn Community High School student Megan McLaughlin won the gold medal at the state basketball championship for Special Olympics – her first year playing for the Junior Jordans coached by Tod Mallo. Players competed in three skills categories during the contest, which took place in Normal. For dribbling, players were timed on how fast they could dribble twice up and down the court. For passing, judges counted how many times players landed in the box. For shooting, contestants shot from six spots with two chances from each spot. McLaughlin credited her years of playing basketball at the Oak Lawn Pavilion and her PE classes at school for her success, according to a news release. Eisenhower's Antos wins third CMA Award For the third time, Eisenhower High School music teacher Justin Antos has received the Country Music Association Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence Award. Antos also won this award in 2022 and 2024. He's one of three teachers in Illinois to win this year. The award recognizes music educators who demonstrate teaching excellence, create positive learning environments, and make a lasting impact in their communities. 'I am so very humbled to have received this award, but I am even more grateful to be working in this community with these students,' Antos said. 'Eisenhower has become my home away from home, and there is no place where I'd rather teach music.' Eisenhower administrators surprised Antos with the award on Tuesday. Antos will receive a $5,000 award, split evenly between personal use and his classroom or program. He's also invited to participate in a year of professional development and engagement with CMA's broader network, including special access to CMA Fest and the CMA Awards. The 2025 class will be celebrated at a red-carpet gala on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Moraine art fair contest seeks entries Artists are invited to compete in a juried community art exhibition from May 30 to July 31 at the Robert F. DeCaprio Art Gallery in the Fine & Performing Arts Center at Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills. The juror, Nikkole huss, is an interdisciplinary artist, professor of art, art department program lead, director of the Ferguson Art Gallery and curator of the art collection at Concordia University Chicago. She earned an associate's degree from Moraine Valley as a DeCaprio Scholar, among her other degrees. A reception is planned for 1 to 5 p.m. May 31 with awards given at 2 p.m. Artists must be at least 18 years old and live within a 50-mile radius of the college. Work must be original and not have been submitted in the last five years. It must be created after 2019, and no more than two pieces may be submitted. Artwork, which must be ready to hang, will be accepted May 20 to 22 at the gallery. Two-dimensional work should be no bigger than 48 inches by 48 inches; three-dimensional pieces should weigh less than 100 pounds. A $15 entry fee is needed for each piece. Information is at Mimosas & Melodies event celebrates love, life Governors State University presents Mimosas & Melodies at 4 p.m. May 11 at The Center, 1 University Drive, University Park. The performance highlights a blend of musical theater, art song and opera, bringing together four opera singers for a program that celebrates motherhood, family, love and all that life offers. A personalized charcuterie board and mimosa are included with tickets, and an on-stage bar will be available. Tickets cost $50 for stage cabaret seating. Call 708-235-2222, visit or visit the box office. Parking is free, and discounts are available for adults 65 and older, students, children and groups of more than 10. Flossmoor derby hopes to hook fishing fans Young anglers 3 to 12 years old are invited to participate in the Frankfort Fishing Derby the morning of May 17 at Prairie Park in downtown Frankfort, The catch-and release event features different times for different ages. Youths 3 to 7 years old check in at 7:30 a.m. and fish from 8 to 8:45 a.m. Youths 8 to 12 years old check in at 8:30 a.m. and fish from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. The fee, $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents, pays for a T-shirt, drink, snack, bait and a fishing hook; participants must bring their own fishing pole. Register by May 15 online at or call 815-469-2177. Orland Park church hosts rummage sale A rummage sale is planned for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 9 and 8 a.m. to noon May 10 at Orland Park Christian Reformed Church, 7500 Sycamore Drive, Orland Park. The sale is sponsored by the church's orphan ministry, and all money raised will help orphans in the community and around the world. Information is at 708-532-4900.
