Let light shine: HSD 152 students awarded for being ‘a beacon’ for others

The district presented two 8th grade students with the “Let Your Light Shine” student recognition at the board’s regular meeting on April 13. The awards included a certificate and a $500 gift, sponsored by Illuminate Incorporated, the district’s financial operations partner. 

Out of the district’s 1,400 students, the two honorees were Desiree Aaliya Kandu and Kevin Linares. 

“The ‘Let your Light Shine’ award celebrates our students who, they can be a role model, for shining or living authentically, positively, serving as a beacon, and guides, inspires and elevates others. This is about citizenship,” said superintendent Reginald Lawrence. 

Illuminate’s president Robert G. Grossi said, “this award is about someone that has the ability and God given grace to make a difference in the world, just by being in their presence.”

Expanded summer learning

The district’s summer programming will now include preschoolers thanks to a $133,000 grant from the Illinois State Board of Education.

In previous years, summer programming only included K-7th grades. The grant funding will also be used to improve the preschool’s infrastructure at the Riley Early Childhood Center on 160th St. and Lincoln Ave., which includes the playground and classroom materials. 

Fiscal health

The district is still receiving property tax revenue, and collected $2.5 million in March, for a total year to date of $22.5 million dollars. The month’s expenses were $2.4 million, with year-to-date expenses rounding at $20.6 million. 

The district’s revenue exceeds expenses by $150,000. At the same time, the district has received less revenue in previous years due to a decrease in grant funding, the end of COVID relief dollars, and delayed property tax collection.

Curriculum development

Teachers who serve English Language Learning students will receive free professional development through Illinois Resource Center, an organization that promotes high-quality instruction.