Neighborhood News
The McKinley Park Advisory Council and its Dog Park Committee solidified plans for 2018 at its January 8 meeting at the McKinley Park fieldhouse. Notably, development of the dog park project continues to move forward, with the committee receiving the latest site plans and a detailed breakdown of costs from the Chicago Park District.
The total cost of the dog park is $370,000, all of which must be raised by the dog park committee and supporters from the local community. Regular fundraisers are chipping away at this amount, including an upcoming dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, January 21, at Chipotle restaurant at 1132 S. Clinton St.: Buy dinner and mention the dog park, and 50 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the effort.
Read more: McKinley Park Advisory Council Plots Dog Park Development, 2018 Programs
Principal Mary Kay RichardsonMary Kay Richardson, principal of the Velma Thomas Early Childoood Center at 3625 S. Hoyne Ave., has joined the ranks of leading Chicago Public Schools (CPS) principals by entering the Independent Schools Principals progam. This program rewards high-performing CPS principals with more autonomy and networks top educators together to share best practices and further develop professional skills.
"I am most excited about the Reggio-inspired professional development benefits that I hope to leverage for my staff," Richardson said. "We can learn so much from seeing other schools ... and collaborating with them to strengthen our early childhood program."
Read more: Velma Thomas Principal Promoted to CPS Leadership Program
The McKinley Park Civic Association, the neighborhood's longest-serving community group, has set forth its 2018 plans, including its 47th annual banquet on Sunday, March 4. Held at Polonia Banquets, the event honors leading local educators and unveils the winner of the William H.G. Toms Community Service Award.
The Outstanding Educators of 2018 will be feted at the banquet. They are:
- Diane Brown of De La Salle Institute
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Lilia Esposito of Montessori Foundations of Chicago
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Pastor Adam Gawel of St. Andrew Lutheran Church
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Monica Guerrero-Diaz of Evergreen Academy Middle School
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Cynthia Hengst of Nathanael Greene Elementary School
- Maribel Herrera of Burroughs Elementary School
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Guan Liang (Jack) Mei of Thomas Kelly High School
- Brother John Scherer of Aquinas Literacy Center
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Kaccey Skrbec of Horizon Science Academy McKinley Park
Read more: Civic Association Sets 2018 Plans and Educator Awardees
The McKinley Park branch of the Chicago Public Library, 1915 W. 35th St., is hosting a food drive collection point for the Greater Chicago Food Depository through December 22.
Residents who are interested in helping hungry members of our community are encouraged to bring and drop off non-perishable food. The Greater Chicago Food Depository describes itself as "Chicago's food bank" and distributes the equivalent of 164,000 meals each day to hungry Chicagoans.
The collection point is in the library lobby and accessible during library hours: noon to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, call the library at (312) 747-6082.
Continuing its ongoing sponsorship of neighborhood events, the McKinley Park Advisory Council sponsored a Halloween 5K Fun Run/Walk through McKinley Park the morning of Saturday, October 28. Costumed runners and walkers of all ages enjoyed a brisk couple turns around the park, with proceeds benefiting the Council.
Read more: Advisory Council Brings Halloween to the Park for Fun Run
