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e t t s u a n L Mi
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THE 72nd Year, No. 50
REGIONAL NEWS — Illinois Press Association
3 Sections
Serving the Palos, Orland and Worth townships and neighboring communities.
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Thursday, December 12, 2013
Freshly retired deputy police chief gets new job in Orland Dist. 135 by Tim Hadac staff reporter
Board President Joseph La Margo said the position was created to enhance safety at the district’s Just days after he retired as campuses. “School safety is a hot deputy chief of the Orland Park topic these days,” he said, adding Police Department and said he that while the Orland Park police wasn’t ready to stop working and “do a phenomenal job” of working go golfing, Jerry Hughes has land- to ensure safety at local schools, ed a newly created position with district officials thought having Orland School District 135. their own safety chief would pro The 55-year-old law enforce- vide more security. ment veteran will serve as the Officials said that a total of public school district’s Director of 25 applications were received Risk Management and Safety, at for the position, with four applian annual salary of $86,000. The cants selected for interview by move was made via a unanimous a committee of administrators. vote at the school board’s meeting Hughes will focus on an array Monday evening at the district’s of safety initiatives including the administrative headquarters, implementation of RAPTOR visi15100 S. 94th Ave. tor management system, installa The hiring was effective im- tion of safety cameras throughout mediately. Officials said that all district buildings, the Crisis Hughes will work directly with Response Plan, review of, trainPhoto by Tim Hadac Superintendent Dr. Janet Stutz ing and procedures for school Board President Joseph La Margo (left) congratulates newly hired on the district’s Safety and Crisis Jerry Hughes moments after Monday’s board meeting was adResponse Plan. (See Dist.135, Page 3) journed. Photo by Mary Hadac
Lights lit for holidays Palos Heights firefighter Steve Thompson and wife Jessica introduce their youngest child, Cassidy, just two weeks old, to Santa Claus, who gently cradles the newborn at the city of Palos Heights’ annual tree lighting and Christmas celebration last Friday evening. Rounding out the family are Connor, 4, Aidan, 8, and Liam, 2. More photos of the celebration, as well as its counterpart in Palos Park, on Page 4.
Photo by Jack Murray
It’s Christmastime in Palos Jane Berryman, of Palos Heights, and her granddaughter Olivia Mack look over hand-made ornaments on display to vote for their favorite in a contest at the Palos Heights Public Library Saturday during the library’s annual Christmastime in Palos celebration. For more scenes of the holiday activities enjoyed by adults and children alike at the festive event organized by The Friends of the Library, see Page 6.
Call it ‘Life 101’ at Sandburg Program imparts real-world work skills by Tim Hadac staff reporter With the days of near-automatic employment for young people long gone, the Career Internship Program at Sandburg High School is more important than ever, faculty and students say. “Instead of students sitting in study hall, this program gives [participants] a chance to get out into industry or better their educational experience in a handson environment — the type of environment we can’t always offer here,” explained applied technology teacher John Nanney. “In several ways, it gives students a leg up and encourages them to take more ownership of their lives — whether they’re going directly into full-time employment after graduation or whether they — like most — are going on to college.” Students apply to be accepted into the program near the end of their junior year and must have completed their community service hours and already be employed at a job where they work at least 15 hours a week. Ideally, those jobs are related to their career paths. One of Nanney’s students — who wants to be a graphic designer — works at Midwest Promotional in Burr Ridge, using skills he learned in a graphics arts class at Sandburg. Another student interested in
veterinary science worked in a veterinarian’s office. Most are not, but the skills they learn through the program will serve them for the rest of their lives. “Our students learn problem solving, conflict resolution, time management, how to communicate more clearly and effectively, listening skills, job searching skills, resume writing, interview skills, eye contact, shaking hands and more,” added business teacher Carey Vandenberg. “They also learn money management and personal finance, so they learn how to pay themselves first,” she continued. “We encourage them to start saving and investing their money at a very young age, even if it’s just $5 a week.” The broad range of real-world skills taught has earned the program a nickname among some: Life 101. Students in the program appear to agree. “It’s been a good experience,” said Lauren Torgerson, of Orland Park, who is employed as a teller at Standard Bank’s branch in Palos Park, right across the street from school. “Being only 17 and learning all these skills that you might not [otherwise] have learned until you’re twentysomething, it’s an advantage.” She plans to pursue business administration and possibly ac-
counting in college and credits her positive experience at Standard Bank with helping move her in a path related to business management and finance. “A lot of the skills we learn serve us well on the job,” added Megan Kelly, of Orland Park, who works as a waitress at the Peace Village senior living community in Palos Park and who plans to one day own her own pharmacy. “Skills like communication, patience, listening, attention to
details — but there’s more than that. I think being in this program has brought me out of my shell a bit and made me more confident [in my personal life], especially in talking to other people because I know how to now. That’s been very useful.” Jaimee Palmer, of Orland Park, works at Jewel/Osco in Oak Lawn and Delta Sonic Car Wash in Tinley Park. She plans to major in (See Sandburg, Page 3)
Photo by Tim Hadac
Sandburg senior Lauren Torgerson on the job with Barb Kopca, manager of the Standard Bank on 131st Street in Palos Park. Standard also employs students from the Career Internship Programs at Andrew and Stagg High Schools.
The McCord ’14 calendar in da house
Submitted photo
Gala yuletide tradition Santa Claus knows that Event co-Chairwomen Patricia Bailey and Sherry TerMaat have been not naughty, but particularly nice this year to again head the committee that did the work to make the Palos Heights Woman’s Club’s annual Christmas House Walk another success. See more on Page 12.
The McCord Gallery and Cultural Center’s illustrated 2014 calendars have arrived and are available at the McCord Holiday Shoppe. The McCord calendar, a piece of art in and of itself, always contains at least 12 beautiful works of art to enjoy through the year. Shown is “Sun Kissed” by Liz Wall, the artwork for the month of May. The McCord Holiday Shoppe continues daily at McCord from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 21; closed Sundays. The lovely holiday emporium is filled with handicrafts and other objects of art created by local artists inside the 1830s McCord House, 129th and La Grange Road.
Submitted image