OLCHS adopted two new ways to share what's happening around the school: Facebook and Twitter. Student Activity Secretary Jill Malkowski enjoys updating the Facebook page with pictures, alumni events, athletic events, student achievements, and all things Spartan. Be sure to "Like" our page. Twitter is gaining popularity as well. "There are several sports, clubs, activities and groups, such as softball, girls' cross country, boys' basketball and the counselors, utilizing Twitter this year," said head softball coach Brian Frangella. "It's great because coaches and sponsors can pass along information to students regarding activities, coaches can praise players for solid efforts, and they can generally make the student body more aware of what is going on in the school. I really think it helps celebrate the successes of the students and allows coaches to interact with students on a level with which they are comfortable. We had to move into the 21st Century to keep up with these young people and their methods of communication."

According to Assistant Principal Joseph McCurdy, "Facebook (Oak Lawn Community High School or www.facebook.com/OLCHS.Spartans) and Twitter (@OLCHSNews) are just two of the upcoming technology tools designed to engage parents, students, staff and community members into the school's communication network. The school expects to release a mobile app by the first of the year. The app will provide easy access to school documents and event information from mobile devices such as iPhones and android devices. Additionally, the Skyward Family Access interface will soon be used to share more parent-related information and highlight upcoming school events."   <<read more>>

Got a great photograph? Now, you have the ability to get it in the yearbook with 'ReplayIt'. Jostens, the Oak Lawn Community High School yearbook publisher, has implemented a feature called Jostens ReplayIt. ReplayIt is an app available at the Apple Store, Google Play, and from the http://www.replayit.com/r/ website. The app allows anyone to upload pictures from sporting events, student activities, classroom projects, field trips, etc. Basically, all students, parents, community and staff members are able to assist the yearbook staff in getting the best photographs possible for the yearbook. The ReplayIt site is monitored by Josten's for school appropriate material and pictures are not posted for at least four hours. Yearbook Adviser Patrick DiFilippo encourages everyone to download the app today and begin uploading images.  <<read more>>

The Media Center will host its first-ever Family Reading Night on November 21, 2013, 7:00-8:00pm. The event will be an evening book club for students, parents, staff, and the community (all members of the "Spartan Family!"). There will be discussion and activities based around the popular novel The Fault in Our Stars by award-winning author John Green. The book is an insightful, ambitious, and heartbreaking story which explores the funny/tragic business of being alive and in love. It's a rare bestseller aimed at teens and adults.

Family Reading Night is in conjunction with Illinois Reads, a new statewide campaign to promote reading for all Illinois citizens created under the auspices of the Illinois Reading Council. Illinois Reads focuses on reading at school, as well as at home. Residents across the state from Rockford to Carbondale will be partaking in upcoming family literacy nights. The culmination event is a statewide celebration of literacy on the same evening as the book club. All book club participants must register - click here.  Click here for event flyer. 

Ten members of the Cross Countries organization are hosting a Candlelight Bowl this month to benefit the people of Bolivia, South America. All proceeds from this event will go toward helping a group of students fund a service trip to Bolivia in June of 2015. This charity event is supported by family, friends, and OLCHS. "Bowling for Bolivia" 2013 will take place on Friday, November 22, 2013, from 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. at Arena Lanes in Oak Lawn (4700 West 103rd Street, Oak Lawn Illinois). The event includes dinner followed by a short program, bowling, raffles, and plenty of fun!

In order to reach the group's financial goal of $60,000, the ten students are continuing the legacy started by their teammates nearly eight years ago. The students have come together and have reformed a service group within the school known as "Cross Countries". The group will focus its efforts on supporting the people of Bolivia. With the support of the community, these students hope to raise over $12,000 from this event. The members of "Cross Countries" include Nick Minnella, Richard Willis, Nick Raymer, Enrique Miranda, Jake Kupres, Kamila Zaremba, Luis Garcia, Jake Blazina, Eric Sciaky, and Omar Abdelrahman. <<read more>>

Prom is expensive, and many families have more pressing priorities in this economy. That's why Oak Lawn Community High School will offer Cinderella's Closet, a program designed to help our female students get prom gear at rock-bottom prices. All proceeds will help fund a bus for the SADD Post Prom party. So clean out those closets to help make a girl's wish come true.

Cinderella's Closet is a collection of lightly used formal dresses, shoes, accessories, and unopened make-up for girls in need. All styles, sizes, and colors are welcome. Donations can be dropped off in the OLCHS District Office 123 during business hours (7:30 - 3:30 p.m.) through January 17, 2014. If you are not able to drop off dresses during this timeframe, please contact Maria Vanderwarren to make other arrangements. A tax form is available for all donations. The boutique will be open to the public on Saturday, January 25, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  <<read more>>