Labor Day:  No School    
OLCHS will be closed on Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day. Classes will resume at 7:45 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8. Have a safe and enjoyable weekend.

Did You See Our Facebook Posts This Week?

 
 
Soccer Set to Take Big Stage
Oh what a feeling! The Boys' Soccer team is taking things to the next level in the coming week as they compete in the Consolation Bracket of the Windy City Ram Classic at Toyota Park in Bridgeview at 10 a.m. on Monday, September 7, 2015.

The Spartans advanced to the consolation championship after defeating St. Laurence, Andrew, and Little Village last week by scores of 4-0, 3-0, and 2-1, respectively. Michal Szaflarski, Giovanni Barragan, Jake Rispin, and Mohammad Farraj all scored goals. The defense consisting of Sadiq Mohamed, Matt Barrera, Adam Baniewicz, and Cody Figus locked down opposing offensive attacks.

Social Suspension Policy:  New for 2015-16! 
A social suspension policy was adopted for 2015-16 OLCHS Student-Parent Handbook. The new policy was highlighted at the PRIDE Class Meetings and reinforced during the Deans' Office lunch/study hall presentations. Parents and students are encouraged to read the policy carefully to avoid receiving the social suspension consequence. Under a social suspension, students are not permitted to participate in athletic or extracurricular team/clubs and are not permitted to attend school dances, sporting events, and other school-sponsored events.
 
Student-Parent Handbook, Page 45: Social Suspension. A social suspension is one in which a student is not allowed to attend school functions outside of the regular school day. These functions include, but are not limited to, being a member of an athletic or extracurricular team or club, and attending school dances, sporting events, and other school-sponsored events. Permission to attend these functions for a student who is on a social suspension may only be granted by a dean or administrator. Actions that may result in a social suspension along with other consequences include: a) an accumulation of eleven referrals; b) failure to serve two Saturday Detentions; c) inappropriate behavior at an after-school event; d) being in the building after-school hours without permission; e) an act of gross misconduct; f) excessive unexcused absences; and g) insubordination to a staff member particularly after-school hours. Students are placed on social probation for at least 3 months but can appeal to their dean after 1 month of demonstrating improved behavior.  <<Link to Student-Parent Handbook>>

Homecoming Festivities:  Week of September 8, 2015 
Student Council is currently making plans for the Homecoming celebration. The festivities are scheduled for the week of September 7, 2015.  The week kicks-off with an All-School Pep Assembly on Tuesday, September 8, 2015, at 2:00 p.m.

The Annual Homecoming Parade, under the theme of "Spartans in Space" will step off at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2015, at the Wesleyan Community Church at 89th Street and Austin Avenue and will travel south on Austin Avenue to the OLCHS South Parking Lot.  The Pep Rally begins after the parade and includes the Homecoming Court King/Queen Coronation.  The Pep Rally concludes with a Fireworks Display. 
 
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 Marshals are OLCHS Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees James Dague, Class of 1984, and Jayne Saniat, Class of 1982. 

On Friday, September 11, 2015, the Oak Lawn Spartans will host the Argo Argonauts in a Varsity football game. The Spartans, coached by Nick Novak, will kick-off its game at 7:00 p.m.; while the sophomores, coached by Adam Probst, 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. Additional information is available on the school's website, www.olchs.org.

Homecoming Dance Reminders 
Student Council is hosting the Annual Homecoming Dance on
Saturday, September 12, 2015, from 7:00-10:00 p.m. in the Spartan Gym. Tickets will be sold the week of September 8, 2015, in the student cafeteria during the lunch periods. Ticket prices are $15 per person if purchased on Tuesday, September 8 or Wednesday, September 9. Otherwise, they are $20 per person until the end of the last lunch period on Friday, September 11, 2015. Tickets are not sold at the door.
 
Students bringing a guest must submit a "Guest Request Form" upon arrival at the dance. Forms are available on the school's website and in the deans' office. The form may require approval from the guest's high school. Students are reminded that they are responsible for the behavior and actions of their guest. Consequences will be issued to the OLCHS student should their guest choose not to abide by school rules. A guest must be enrolled in at least 9th grade. Adults 21 years and older are not permitted to attend as the student's guest. Students who leave the dance area will not be allowed to return. Additionally, students arriving after 8:30 p.m., may not attend the dance, and will not receive a refund. The administration reserves the right to deny a student or a student's guest from attending the dance. Students are required to show their school ID upon arrival at the dance. Guests are required to have a photo ID. 

Spring Sports Teams Live Up To Student-Athlete Expectations
With everything that is expected of high school student-athletes these days, it is hard to live up to expectations. However, for three spring sports teams at Oak Lawn Community High School, that is just what they did.
 
Last week the Illinois High School Association released its 2014-15 Spring Team Academic Awards, which recognizes teams that earn a 3.0 grade point average or higher for the entire season. Oak Lawn can boast that three spring teams, Baseball, Softball, and Girls' Track, all earned the recognition for outstanding work on and off the field of play.
 
"I am proud of the 2015 Girls Track team," said girls track head coach Brian Fiene. "Not only did the girls have success on the track, but they also put in the time and earned success in the classroom. Our athletes set high standards for themselves on and off the track, and I am proud of their hard work. I look forward to another 'above average' season. Be bright, Spartans. We will see you in the spring." 

As for the baseball team, this is just part of the high standards head coach Bill Gerny sets for his teams. 2015 marks the third consecutive time Oak Lawn baseball has been recognized for this IHSA award. "We have been fortunate to have student-athletes who take their academics as seriously as they take baseball," he said. "I believe these players have set a standard that all players in the program should strive to achieve."  <<read more>> 

Academic Letter Night:  Monday, September 14 
The administration will present Academic Letters to students who maintained at least a 3.75 grade-point average for both semesters of the 2014-15 school year. The event will take place in the Auditorium Gym at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 14, 2015. Students receiving awards were mailed invitations.
 
The first year students will receive chenille "OL" lettermen patches embroidered with the "honors" distinction. Students achieving the honor for a second or third year will receive gold chevron pins.     
   
Why So Many Teen Driving Restrictions:  A Message from SRO Hennessy   
Why are there so many restrictions on teen drivers? Why do I have to wear my seat belt? Why can't my friends jump in the car with me? Why can't I make a hands-free call when driving? 
 
I could simply say, "That's the law." I could just write you a ticket and make you pay a fine for not following the law. But will that help you understand why these laws are in place? Would that make you a safer driver? Not likely.

I am Detective Hennessy, your School Resource Officer (SRO). I live in this community and drive on the same streets you do. I want you to be a safe driver for your benefit, mine, and all of the people on our streets (and sidewalks).

Teen drivers gain their licensing privileges through a long process called the Illinois Graduated Driver Licensing Program (GDL). The GDL program is designed to make new drivers safe drivers. Since the GDL program launched in 2008, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White reports teen driving deaths have decreased by more than 50%.

Seat Belts save lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 15,000 lives are saved each year in the United States because drivers and their passengers were wearing seat belts when they were in accidents.  <<read more>> 

Skyward Mobile App 
Skyward-Mobile
The Skyward Mobile App continues to provide parents with student information at their fingertips. Although Skyward Family Access allows parents to review their student's attendance records, grades, academic history, and discipline from any computer, the Skyward Mobile App provides many of the same features but allows users to easily view the information from a smartdevice. Visit the App Store or Google Play to download the App. If you need a Skyward Access username/password or need your password reset, please contact Jill Malkowski at 708/741-5611 or [email protected].

Andy's Fundraising Event:  Wednesday, September 9, 2015  

The Athletic Department is hosting a fundraising event at Andy's Frozen Custard, 9507 S. Cicero Avenue, Oak Lawn, on Wednesday, September 9, 2015, from 5-9:00PM. No event flyer is required with your purchase. Andy's will donate 20% of sales for the evening to the school's Athletic Department. Grab your Andy's favorite treat and then attend the Homecoming Powder Puff Football Game.   <<Event Flyer>>








Oak Lawn Community High School District 229, Oak Lawn, Illinois

Mission Statement.  
Oak Lawn Community High School exists to: inspire, challenge, and empower students and staff in a safe, supportive environment; maximize individual potential through academic and personal growth;  and graduate students who attain the high standards set forth by our community.    

 

Board of Education:Webpage-Spartan-Logo 
Matthew Egan, President
Robert Loehr, Vice President
Kathleen Berry, Secretary
Timothy Burke, Member
Stephen Greene, Member
James Melnik, Member
Ann Touhy, Member
   
Administration:
Dr. Michael Riordan, Superintendent/Principal
Richard Hendricks, Assistant Superintendent
Joseph McCurdy, Assistant Principal
Dr. Jeana Lietz, Assistant Principal