Student Council is currently making plans for the Homecoming celebration. The festivities are scheduled for the week of September 22, 2014.  The week kicks-off with an All-School Pep Assembly on Tuesday, September 23, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. 

The Annual Homecoming Parade, under the theme of "Spartans on Ice" will step off at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2014, at 95th Street and Raymond and proceed west on 95th Street to the Warren O. Keneipp Athletic Stadium/Edward F. Napleton Field, located just west of the high school. Immediately following the parade, the school will host a pep-rally. The Homecoming King and Queen will be announced as part of the pep-rally activities. The evening will conclude with a fireworks show.

The Student Council officers who are planning and coordinating the Homecoming activities are: Juliet Torres, President, Sadik Odeh, Vice-President, Samya Jadrawi, Treasurer, and Stacy Zea Lopez, Secretary.  Mrs. Jennifer Sidlow is the Student Council Advisor and Mr. Joseph McCurdy is the Assistant Principal. 

The parade will be led by the Johnson-Phelps VFW Color Guard, and will feature the Homecoming Court, Spartan Marching Band, cheerleaders, and floats sponsored by the various student, community, and civic organizations. The Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce donates four cash prizes for the Best Float, Best Walking Float, Best Use of Theme, and Most Spirited Group.  This year's Grand Marshal is Special Education teacher Pat Land who is retiring this year.

On Friday, September 26, 2014, the Spartans will host the Evergreen Mustangs in a Varsity football game. The  Spartans, coached by Mr. Sean Lucas, will kick-off its game at 7:00 p.m.; while the sophomores, coached by Mr. Matt Arthur, will get underway at 5:00 p.m.  The half-time show will feature the Spartan Marching Band, Cheerleaders, Dance Team, and the presentation of the Homecoming Court including the Homecoming Queen and King. 

The Homecoming Dance will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. in the Spartan Gym.  <<read more>>

The first Parent-Teacher Conference night is on Tuesday, September 30, 2014, from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.  As articulated in the Spartan Compact, parent-teacher conferences are an extremely important part of the two-way communication process between parents and teachers. Parents interested in checking on their student's progress this fall are asked to take advantage of this day. Conferences are also a place for parents to tell teachers things about their child: How he likes to learn. What she says about the class at home. How he enjoys spending free time. What she says about other students in class.

No appointments are necessary.  Teachers will be alphabetically located in the Spartan and Auditorium Gyms.  Parents are encouraged to bring the grade report or a list of staff members they wish to visit. 

Please take the opportunity to meet your son or daughter's teachers, guidance counselor, dean, activity sponsor, or coach. The school will have Arabic, Polish, and Spanish interpreters available to assist parents.

Again this year, staff will be on-hand to assist parents in updating their SchoolMessenger/Skylert account, enrolling to receive the weekly electronic Oak Leaflet Newsletter, and creating a Family Access account for gradebook access. Representatives from Herff Jones will be in the Spartan Lobby for underclassmen ring orders and graduation materials. The Athletic Booster Club will also be selling Spartanwear and related merchandise. The PTSA will also have membership and scholarship information available.

The Student Services Department is hosting a session titled, "Understanding Depression and Warning Signs of Suicide in Our Youth" at 6:00 p.m. in the Little Theater.  One in five children in the U.S. experience Major Depressive Disorder in any given year and suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 10-19 year olds. Parents are a critical component to helping adolescents receive counseling services. Attend this very important session and learn to identify the symptoms of depression and the warning signs of suicide and how to intervene.  The session is being led by Katie Mason, MA, LPC; Program Director of Public Education, Mental Health America of Illinois, 70 East Lake Street, Suite 900, Chicago, Illinois 60601. Please RSVP and direct questions Social Worker Erin Lee at 708/741-5637.

Superintendent/Principal Dr. Michael Riordan will host a parent reception at 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Board of Education Room. The receptions are open to all parents. The receptions provide an opportunity for parents to ask questions and for Dr. Riordan to provide information on academic interventions, school improvement plans, and technology initiatives. Please join Dr. Riordan during one of the sessions.

The Ventra System (reduced student fares on PACE buses) has started a new program to discount student fares. New students to the district who have never had a Ventra card (or lost their old Ventra card) need the "New-Replace Ventra" form. Parents must fill out the form and mail $2.00 to Ventra. Ventra then sends the card to the school and we deliver it to the student.  The student must then take the card home and a parent/guardian must register the student card with Ventra.  Money can then be loaded onto the card. 

 
Returning students to the district, or students who purchased a Ventra card last school year, need the "Renew Ventra" form. That form needs to be filled out with the students name and card number and returned to the Business Office 123 where it is scanned and emailed to Ventra. This verifies the student is enrolled for the 2014-2015 school year.
 
The student fare is only valid between Monday and Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. during the school year.  Before and after those hours and on the weekends, the student is charged full fare. The process must be completed each year.  <<read more>>  

While performing on the diamond is a high priority for most high school students, others choose to excel in the classroom as well. The Oak Lawn Community High School baseball team proved that last season by qualifying for the Illinois High School Association Team Academic Achievement Award. Qualifying schools will be recognized on the IHSA Website and will be included in the 2014-15 State Final Boys Baseball Program.

The IHSA recently recognized last year's team for earning a 3.11 total cumulative team grade point average. Seniors Mitch Swatek, Jake Slusinski and Matt Dunne led the Spartans in the classroom. All three are now continuing to grow in college as Swatek is at Southern Illinois University, Slusinski is at St. Xavier University and Dunne is at Roosevelt University. Underclassmen earning a 4.0 GPA or higher were Joe Dodaro and Alan Spies.  <<read more>>

The Student Services Department is hosting a session titled, "Understanding Depression and Warning Signs of Suicide in Our Youth" on Tuesday, September 30, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. in the Little Theater for parents and community members.  One in five children in the U.S. experience Major Depressive Disorder in any given year and suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 10-19 year olds. Parents are a critical component to helping adolescents receive counseling services. Attend this very important session and learn to identify the symptoms of depression and the warning signs of suicide and how to intervene. The session is being led by Katie Mason, MA, LPC; Program Director of Public Education, Mental Health America of Illinois, 70 East Lake Street, Suite 900, Chicago, Illinois 60601. Please RSVP and direct questions to Social Worker Erin Lee at 708/741-5637.