Education & Families News
Neighborhood residents can donate decorations for Halloween display in the field house windows, providing frights October 13 through 31 as a way for families to safely enjoy the Halloween season.
- McKinley Park field house windows to host spooky Halloween sights October 13 through 31.
- Neighborhood residents can donate frightful decor and effects to help families safely enjoy the season.
- Fall park programs for kids 3 to 12 still have openings available.
Read more: Halloween Prep, Fall Programs Begin at McKinley Park Field House
"Identifying Environmental Hazards within Southwest Chicago" comes from a research team at the University of Illinois at Chicago's School of Public Health and tallies pollution sources and impact across the Southwest Side.
- "Identifying Environmental Hazards within Southwest Chicago" looks at local emissions sources and their impact across the Southwest Side.
- Research team from the University of Illinois at Chicago releases study in partnership with the Southwest Environmental Alliance.
- Analysis notes how City of Chicago planning and policy portend more industrial businesses moving into area.
Read more: Local Pollution Hotspots, Coming Industrial Development IDed in UIC Study
Free English language learning in the McKinley Park neighborhood gets a boost from a renewed Illinois state grant for Aquinas Literacy Center, which hopes to reopen its doors on September 8.
- McKinley Park neighborhood literacy center lands $53,500 from Illinois Secretary of State to support adult English language learning.
- Aquinas receives grant for third year in a row, at steadily increasing funding levels.
- A planned reopening of the literacy center for English language learning and tutor training is slated for September 8.
Read more: Aquinas Literacy Center Lands State of Illinois Grant, Scopes September Reopening
The McKinley Park Development Council and Amate House have released statements in support of Black Lives Matter and criminal justice reform, joined by many of the McKinley Park neighborhood's elected representatives.
- McKinley Park Development Council releases statement in support of Black Lives Matter and criminal justice reform.
- Amate House releases its action plan for anti-racism and embedding racial justice considerations in its work.
- Elected officials, other neighborhood groups speak out with statements and advocacy.
Read more: Neighborhood Leaders, Institutions Decry Systemic Injustice, Proclaim Black Lives Matter
Top-performing McKinley Park neighborhood preschool Velma Thomas Early Childhood Center has announced opening of its enrollment for 3- and 4-year-olds for half- and full-day instruction starting this fall.
- Velma Thomas Early Childhood Center in the McKinley Park neighborhood announces open enrollment for fall 2020.
- Three- and 4-year-olds are eligible to apply for half- and full-day programs at the dual-language, Spanish/English school.
- Center has been lauded with top honors from the Illinois State Board of Education and others.
Read more: Velma Thomas Opens Early Childhood Education Enrollment for Fall 2020
