News from District 153

May 8, 2025

The deadline to register your returning student(s) for the 2025-2026 school year is FRIDAY, MAY 23rd.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO REGISTER IN MAY?

We are currently working on identifying the number of staff members we need at each grade level for our upcoming school year. If we find out later this summer—due to an influx of late registrations—that our enrollment numbers call for additional classes and teachers to staff them, it will very difficult to find the high-quality teachers that we want and need. Early and accurate enrollment numbers help ensure we are able to hire the highest quality teachers we can for our students.

REGISTER EVEN IF YOU CANNOT PAY REGISTRATION FEES AT THIS TIME

Registration fees DO NOT have to be paid at the time of registration.

You can pay registration fees via your Parent Portal account before the first day of school, August 20, 2025. Or you can make other payment arrangements, such as submitting a completed fee waiver application with proof of income or setting up a payment plan.

If you have any questions regarding your student’s registration fees, submitting a fee waiver, or setting up a payment plan, please contact Mrs. Maria Harnisch at 708-647-2242 or email Maria.Harnisch@hsd153.org.

District 153 celebrated Board of Education President Shelly Marks at the May 5th Board of Education meeting. Marks has stepped down from the board where she has worked diligently to ensure the quality, financial health, and ethical administration of District 153 and its schools since 1993.

To show our profound gratitude, the Willow School playground will be renamed in her honor. "May the laughter of children at play forever remind us of the positive impact Shelly Marks had on the children of our community."

Churchill School was honored to welcome author Allan Woodrow to the school on April 25th. Woodrow wrote the all-school read, "Class Dismissed." Our Bulldogs had plenty of questions for him at grade-level assemblies! In addition, a few lucky Bulldogs who traded in their good behavior Bulldog Bone rewards were treated to a pizza lunch and a more intimate conversation with the author.

We couldn't be more proud of the Wildcats, Bulldogs and Panthers (and their coaches, peer partners, and loved ones) who represented our school so beautifully at the Special Olympics Regional Spring Games on April 26th.

The James Hart Symphonic and Jazz Bands are finishing their year on some very high notes! In addition to an outstanding Spring Concert finale on May 6th:

• The Symphonic Band earned the highest overall rating of Superior--the fourth year in a row--at the IGSMA State Festival (below).
• The James Hart Gold Jazz Band took to the road to perform at Lockport's Roxy Theater on May 4th as the opening act for the Shout Section Big Band (left).

The first confirmed case of measles in 2025 in Illinois has been reported, and there have been over 800 cases reported in over 20 states. The best way to protect against measles is to complete the MMR 2-vaccine series. Please reach out to the nurse at your student’s school or your trusted healthcare provider for additional information. Additional resources can also be found at this link: Questions About Measles | Measles (Rubeola) | CDC

As is the case with all vaccine preventable disease, unvaccinated individuals will need to be excluded from school if there were an outbreak in our schools to protect them and the community from further spread.

Immunizations Required to Attend School

As a reminder, the following immunizations are required to attend school in Illinois. Please see additional information on IDPH Minimum Immunization Requirements or on the HSD 153 Health Services Webpage.

• Haemophiluis Influenzae Type B: required for pre-school only, 24-59 months

• Pneumococcal: required for preschool only, 24-59 months

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis (Dtap): 3 or 4 doses in correct intervals before kindergarten entry

• Polio: 3 or 4 doses in correct intervals before entry kindergarten

• Hepatitis B: 3 doses in correct intervals before entry to 6th grade

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): 2 doses in correct intervals before entry to kindergarten

• Varicella: 2 doses in correct intervals before entry to kindergarten

• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis (Tdap): booster due after 11th birthday for entry to 6th grade, following Dtap series

• Meningococcal: 1 dose due after 11th birthday for entry to 6th grade

Don't forget to visit the District 153 Virtual Backpack from time to time. We will be posting information about summer events and activities for you and your children.

Homewood School District 153 is the proud home of the James Hart Panthers, Churchill Bulldogs and Willow Wildcats.

Email: shelley.peck@hsd153.org
Website: hsd153.org
Location: 18205 Aberdeen Street, Homewood, IL, 60430
Phone: 708-799-8721
Facebook: facebook.com/hsd153
Instagram: instagram.com/homewood153