KSD140 Connection

As we wrap up the 2024–25 school year, I want to thank you for your continued support and share a few key updates.

Facility Updates

At the May 15 Board of Education meeting, plans were discussed for much-needed facility improvements at both Fernway and Keller elementary schools.

Fernway will undergo a $20 million renovation beginning in June 2025, with completion expected at the start of the 2026–27 school year. The project includes infrastructure upgrades to support HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and data systems needs, along with a new gymnasium and updates to the commons, media center, main entrance, school office, restrooms, and select classrooms. During the 2025–26 school year, students and staff will continue to safely learn and work in the current building without disruption to the school day.

Tria Architecture also presented early design plans for a potential addition to Keller Elementary that would add more classrooms and restrooms. The proposed plan includes relocating existing play areas and establishing a dedicated area for bus rider arrival and dismissal. If approved, the expansion would create a more functional and comfortable environment for students and staff. We’ll keep you updated as discussions on this project continue.

Additionally, new student desks and chairs will be installed throughout Bannes, Keller, and McAuliffe elementary schools.

Spring Parent Survey

Please take a few minutes to complete our annual Spring Perception Parent Survey. Your feedback helps guide decision-making and strengthens our efforts to improve the educational experience for all students. The survey is open through May 23.

Celebrating the Class of 2025

It is with great pride and a touch of nostalgia that we bid farewell to the Class of 2025. We have watched these students grow, learn, and transform into the incredible individuals they are today. Congratulations to our eighth-grade graduates! We are proud of their accomplishments and wish them continued success in high school.

Honoring Our Retirees

We also thank and recognize several retiring staff members for their years of service and dedication to our school community. Their contributions have left a lasting impact, and we wish them the very best in retirement.

Thanks to our teachers, staff, families, and community members for another successful school year. With just over two weeks to go, let’s finish strong. Have a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable summer!

Sincerely,

Dr. Dan Callaghan

Superintendent

Friday, May 23, is the last day to share your valuable feedback with us!

Survey Link: 2025 Parent/Guardian Spring Perception Survey

Your input is crucial in helping us understand what we’re doing well and where we can improve. It only takes a few minutes, and your voice makes a big difference.

Thanks for supporting our district!

The Class of 2025 will graduate at Andrew High School, 9001 W. 171st Street, Tinley Park, at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm, and students should plan to arrive half an hour before their ceremony time.

• Prairie View students will graduate on Monday, June 2
• Grissom students will graduate on Tuesday, June 3

We anticipate that each ceremony will last approximately 45 minutes. Each student will receive six tickets and two parking passes for the event.

If you have not done so already, please log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal to register your student(s) for the 2025-26 school year.

If you have any questions, please call your school office for assistance or visit ksd140.org/registration for detailed information, including fees, health forms, busing, residency verification, and step-by-step directions for registering your student.

As the school year draws to a close, we wanted to provide families with a few reminders regarding their students' district-issued technology tools.

• Grades 1 - 3, 5 - 7: Students will take home their iPad, charging block, and charging cord for the summer. Please remember to send these items back to school with your student on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.
  
  

• Grade 4: Our technology replacement plan offers fourth-grade families the option to purchase their iPads and accessories for $50. All current fourth-grade students will receive new iPads at the start of the 2025–26 school year, even if they choose not to purchase their current device.

• Payment is due by May 23, 2025, and can be made through the SCHOOL STORE tab in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal or with cash or a check payable to Kirby School District 140. Cash or check payments should be turned in to your child's classroom teacher. iPads will be released on June 3, 2025. Directions for releasing the iPad will be provided at the time of purchase.
• If a student is not purchasing their iPad/accessories and returns a damaged iPad or is missing charging blocks/cables, please keep in mind these replacement and repair costs: $75 for a damaged iPad, $19 for a missing charging block, and $19 for a missing charging cable.

• Grade 8: Our technology replacement plan offers eighth-grade families the option to purchase their iPads and accessories for $50.

• Payment is due by May 23, 2025, and can be made through the SCHOOL STORE tab in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal or with cash or a check payable to Kirby School District 140. Cash or check payments should be turned in to your student's Team Leader. iPads will be released on May 27, 2025. Directions for releasing the iPad will be provided at the time of purchase.
• If a student is not purchasing their iPad/accessories and returns a damaged iPad or is missing charging blocks/cables, please keep in mind these replacement and repair costs: $75 for a damaged iPad, $19 for a missing charging block, and $19 for a missing charging cable.

If you need additional information, please don't hesitate to contact your school office.

2025-26 school supply lists and PTO supply kit ordering information can be found at ksd140.org/supply-list.

At the May Board of Education meeting, several students and staff members were recognized for their contributions to our school communities.

The Board of Education recognized four Prairie View Declamation team members for their impressive showings at the Southwest Interscholastic Conference (SWIC) Competition.

Congratulations to:

• 1st Place, Humorous Duet – Kevin F. (7th Grade) and Liam G. (8th Grade)
• 2nd Place, Humorous Interpretation – Allison B. (7th Grade)
• 3rd Place, Dramatic Interpretation – Jayden H. (8th Grade)

Coached by Mr. Mauer and Mr. Oganovich, Declamation is a highly competitive speech event that gives students the opportunity to express themselves through persuasive, comedic, or dramatic performances. The competition features six categories: Humorous Duet, Verse Interpretation, Prose Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, and Oratorical Declamation. Performances range from three to seven minutes and are judged on vocal variety, eye contact, gestures, and articulation.

Seven outstanding D140 mathematicians were celebrated for their first-place and MVP performances at the South Cook Math Bowl. This annual event features the best math students from elementary and middle schools in the south and southwest suburbs competing in individual and team events.

Congratulations to Jonathan A. (Millennium), Chris B. (Keller), Victoria C. (Bannes), Tommy F. (Prairie View), Landon H. (Millennium), Ethan M. (Millennium), and Emmett W. (Grissom)!

The Board of Education recognized several middle school musicians for their leadership and performance contributions to D140's band program. These students were celebrated for their exemplary performances at the IGSMA Solo & Ensemble Contest and their outstanding contributions to the IGSMA State Contest, where the District’s band program received Superior rankings.

Congratulations to:

6th Grade: Alexandria B. (GMS), Kendall C. (GMS), Ariana C. (PV), Heidi M. (GMS), Rorric O. (GMS), Evan P. (PV), Marianna P. (PV), Maddie P. (GMS), Max P. (GMS), Talia S. (PV), William V. (PV), and Madelynne W. (PV)

7th Grade: Alex A. (GMS), Lukas B. (GMS), Charlotte B. (PV), Ella G. (PV), Liam L. (GMS), Allen M. (PV), Adam M. (PV), Andrew R. (PV), Judah S. (PV), Kristupas S. (GMS), Lucas S. (GMS), and Emmett W. (GMS)

8th Grade: Benjamin B. (PV), William B.(GMS), Colin B. (PV), Olivia C. (GMS), Elizabeth C. (GMS), Daniel K. (GMS), Roxanne M. (GMS), June M. (PV), Katherine O. (PV), Damien R. (PV), Joshua W. (GMS), and Ella Mae W. (PV)

Band Director Mike Szczasny was celebrated for receiving the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award from Quinlan and Fabish Music Company.

This prestigious award, given since 1989, celebrates exceptional music educators across the Chicagoland and Michiana regions. Recipients are nominated by peers and selected by past honorees for their lasting impact on music education.

The Board of Education also recognized several retiring staff members. Their contributions have enriched our school communities, and we are deeply grateful for their years of service and dedication to our students and families. We wish them all the best in their well-deserved retirement!

• Julie Bekta - 22 years
• Kathleen Dunigan - 11 years
• Natalie Jones - 2 years
• Marilyn Jordan - 28 years
• Lisa Otto - 33 years
• Carolyn Mikos - 21 years
• Kathleen Skupien - 18 years
• Annette Szczasny - 27 years
• Therese Welser - 4 years

We had a great weekend celebrating Grissom Middle School’s 50th Anniversary! On Friday, May 9, we welcomed back former and retired staff for breakfast, an all-school assembly, and tours led by Student Council. On Saturday, May 10, families, alumni, and community members joined us for an open house with games, food, and a look back at Grissom’s history.

Thank you to everyone who made this milestone so special. Here's to 50 years of Grissom pride — and many more to come!

On May 2, McAuliffe was filled with smiles, laughter, and lots of love as more than 300 grandparents and VIPs spent a memorable morning with their students.

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing PTO for helping make it all happen. We’re grateful for the strong connections that make our school community so special.

Bannes Elementary will host its annual First Responder Appreciation Day on Tuesday, May 27, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. First Responders and office personnel are invited to enjoy a complimentary breakfast and lunch to show our appreciation for all they do to keep our community safe.

Bannes Elementary School is located at 16835 Odell Avenue, Tinley Park.

• Friday, May 23 - Spring Perception Parent Survey closes. Your feedback matters!
• Monday, May 26 - Memorial Day - No School
• Tuesday, May 27 - Bannes First Responders’ Day - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm @ Bannes Elementary School
• Thursday, May 29 - District Track Meet - 11:30 am @ Victor J. Andrew High School, Tinley Park, IL
• Monday, June 2 - Prairie View Graduation - 7:00 pm @ Victor J. Andrew High School, Tinley Park, IL
• Tuesday, June 3 - Grissom Graduation - 7:00 pm @ Victor J. Andrew High School, Tinley Park, IL
• Thursday, June 5 - Last Day of School - Early Dismissal - Elementary schools will be dismissed at 11:10 am, and middle schools will be dismissed at 12 pm
• Thursday, June 5 - Report Cards Issued via Infinite Campus at 11:15 am
• Thursday, June 12 - Board of Education - 7:00 pm @ Administration Building

Kirby School District 140

16931 S. Grissom Drive, Tinley Park, IL 60477

Phone: 708-532-6462

Website: ksd140.org

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