WJFPR_WinterEdGuide 012721

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E Special Advertising Section

January 27, 2021

Education Enrichment Winter 2021

and

guide

lo ca l s cho ols | ea rl y lea rn in g | tu to rin g p ro g ra ms

17

18

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

January 27, 2021

Special Advertising Section

ABC Toon Town A safety net for your children A Family friendly, safe and secure environment • Infants & Toddlers (6 weeks - 3 years) • Pre-K (3 - 5 years) • After School Care (5-12 years) • Certified, experienced staff

• Half Day Slots Available

• Researched-based, Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum

• Licensed by the State of Illinois & Village of Oak Park

• Open Year Round

• Serving the Community for over 22 years & counting

For more information, call

708-848-0701

411 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL

www.abctooontown.com

Ascension School

Shaping Children into Independent, Successful Learners Staying Safe Today - Preparing Leaders of Tomorrow Virtual Open House - February 2nd through 4th

Ascension School

or generations, parents have chosen Ascension School for their children’s education because of our reputation for excellence. Today, we stand as a vibrant community, proud of our history and ready to serve the needs of each child who joins us.

Virtual Open House - February 2nd through 4th

Ascension School offers a faith-based and comprehensive curriculum for students ages 3 through grade 8. At each level children are prepared and nurtured to ensure their success as they continue through their education. Their days are enriched through exposure to the fine arts, physical education, music, technology and Spanish language.

Students can choose to participate in a variety of clubs, athletic teams and extracurricular activities to explore their individual interests. Our experienced faculty and dedicated parents are committed to providing Ascension students with a unique community that fosters our values of Love, Kindness and Respect.

With both in-person and virtual learning options, we proudly provide an excellent, faith-based education to students in preschool through eighth grade. Our accomplished faculty and staff ensure the safety of our students, giving them the opportunities they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

For more information about our Open House or on how to enroll for the 2021-22 school year, visit our website at: school.ascensionoakpark.com

Kindness

Respect

601 Van Buren Street Oak Park, IL 708.386.7282 www.school.ascensionoakpark.com

winter ad 21.indd 1

Love

Kindness

Respect

1/25/21 9:33 AM

teachers mouths moving as they interact with them? How will they handle the changes emotionally? They returned in June 2020 to a ‘new’ normal. Fast forward seven months later, as I walk through the hallways and peek inside the classrooms, what I see are strong, happy children. They are thriving and have adapted well to the changes, which gives me hope that their future is secure.

The outside world is full of uncertainty and anxiety. However, while in our care the children have stability, structure, calmness and safety. With the vaccine rollout, my prayer is that we’ll soon get back to the way things were prior to when COVID-19 disrupted all of our lives. In the meantime, we’ll continue to be a safety net and support for our children and their families. Better days are coming, I can feel it!

Bernadette Hicks, M.Ed. Executive Director, ABC Toon Town

Compassionate, Comprehensive, Innovative, Exceptional

F

Staying Safe Today - Preparing Leaders of Tomorrow

Love

W

e will make it to the other side of this. It’s what I have to keep telling myself as I see the daily COVID-19 updates. Not being able to see my family (my parents, especially) and having things shut down is disheartening. However, the one thing that keeps a smile on my face, is to witness the resilience of the children in our care. Prior to the mandatory shutdown in March 2020, the children were able to play freely, interact with their friends, give hugs to their teachers, explore their environment, etc. Today they have to wear masks, play in small groups, and practice social distancing.

As an early childhood educator, I was very concerned as to how this would affect their development. I pondered things like how does a 2 to 5-year-old practice social distancing? How do children play with masks on all day? How will the infants and toddlers develop language skills if they can’t see their

In addition to an excellent elementary school education, Ascension provides: • A wonderful preschool led by certified teachers with full and half-day classes • An outstanding Extended Day Program before and after school from 7 am to 6 pm • Two classes per grade with a 12:1 student – teacher ratio • Athletic teams, starting in grade 3 with a ‘no cut’ policy to encourage teamwork and collaboration • An emphasis on service and social justice articipation at all grade levels in the •P Olweus Bullying Prevention Program We know that parents have many wonderful options when choosing the right school for their children. When you choose Ascension School, be confident that you are providing your children with more than an academic experience, you are giving them a foundation for a lifetime of success.

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E Special Advertising Section

Grace Lutheran, a nurturing and faith-filled environment

G

race Lutheran School, at the corner of Division and Bonnie Brae in River Forest, offers a nurturing and faith-filled environment for students from preschool through 8th grade.

Early childhood programs. Preschool and junior kindergarten classrooms at Grace provide flexible morning and afternoon options for families with young children. Three-year-old preschoolers attend morning classes two, three, or five days a week. Fouryear-olds attend junior kindergarten every morning, Monday through Friday.

An afternoon program is available one to five days per week for both 3- and 4-year-olds.

All-day kindergarten. Senior kindergarten, for children age 5, is a full-day program at Grace, focused on academics and social and emotional development.

Grades 1–8. Grace’s students consistently perform above national averages on standardized tests and go on to succeed at competitive high schools in the city and suburbs. A strong core curriculum challenges children

academically while high expectations and appropriate supports help students achieve their best. The faculty includes a full-time resource teacher.

Students of all ages learn about God’s word every day and are encouraged to live out their faith through service. Students participate in art, music, library, P.E., and German classes. Band and orchestra are also available. After-school enrichment classes offer a variety of fun and creative learning experiences. Grace sports teams are open to all and include basketball and volleyball for grades 5–8.

Track and cross country teams are open to students in grades 3–8.

Extended care is available until 6pm for all children. Before-school care opens at 7am.

Visit our website to register to attend the Open House on Sunday, January 31, 12:30–3:00pm, or check out a virtual tour option. For more information or to schedule a personal tour call the school office (708-366-6900) or click on School at GraceRiverForest.org.

West Suburban Home Daycare Association - Our Philosophy

W

est Suburban Home Daycare Association advocates for professional family childcare on behalf of providers and offers professional family childcare as a viable community resource to children and their families.

WE ARE an equal opportunity organization serving families and family childcare providers in these near-west suburbs and Chicago neighborhoods: Austin, Bellwood, Berwyn, Broadview, Cicero, Elmwood Park, Forest Park, Galewood, Maywood, Melrose Park, MontClare, Oak Park, River Forest, River Grove, and other nearby suburbs.

OUR PROVIDERS PROFILE The members of the West Suburban Home Daycare Association are committed childcare providers who have chosen to care for young children as their profession and see themselves as more than babysitters. West Suburban Home Daycare Association’s childcare providers are encouraged to offer care which is warm, caring, sensitive, attentive, and responsive to children.

We require our members to be licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, who sets basic health and safety procedures, as well as requiring each home to have enough capable adults to give children the attention and care that parents want their children to have. Illinois standards set maximum group sizes and childto-caregiver ratios, as well as minimum requirements for caregiver trainings, such as CPR and 1st Aid. They also set requirements for age-appropriate activities, nutrition, discipline, space, equipment, supplies, policies, and records. Licensed childcare providers know what they must do to comply with the law.

We offer our members opportunities to work with and learn from their colleagues through training programs and workshops, including enhanced training to further their caregiving skills. Monthly meetings to satisfy the Department of Children and Family Services’ continuing education requirements and an informative newsletter are provided to our members.

WEST SUBURBAN HOME DAYCARE ASSOCIATION P.O. BOX 1156 Oak Park, IL 60304 708-848-8931

January 27, 2021

19

Grace Lutheran School 7300 Division Street Faith

▪ River Forest

▪ Academics ▪ Character

Early Childhood age 3 to 5 All-day kindergarten Half-day or full-day preschool Play-based curriculum We learn about God’s love!

Elementary grades 1–8 Caring, experienced teachers Challenging curriculum Support for individual learning Music, art, and sports teams Before and after-school care

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Apply now!

Call 708-366-6900 to schedule a visit or virtual tour

WEST SUBURBAN HOME DAYCARE ASSOCIATION P.O. Box 1156 Oak Park, IL 60304 (708) 848-8931

Independent, committed family childcare providers, licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. DCFS sets basic health, safety, activity, and policy requirements for family childcare to which our members must adhere.

Call our referral line (708) 848-8931 to get the telephone numbers of providers who have a vacancy to serve your needs. Schedule an interview in various providers’ homes to find one who is most compatible and meets the qualifications you desire.

20

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

January 27, 2021

Special Advertising Section

Using an equity lens, giving every child the opportunity to succeed

B

y age five, a child’s brain has completed 90% of its development. That means that the foundation of her future learning and life habits take shape at this crucial early stage of life. If we get these first years right for our children, we have optimized their ability to problem solve, communicate, practice self-control and retain strong relationships. This age period is also the time when executive functioning skills skyrocket – these are the skills that help us manage the many moving parts of life to be successful family members, employees, and community members.

By focusing on early childhood health, development, and education using an equity lens, we give every child the opportunity to succeed – and thrive.

This is what the Collaboration for Early Childhood knows, and this was Oak Park’s vision when all six of its governing agencies came together to start the Collaboration for Early Childhood. Built from local partnerships, the organization

improves outcomes for Oak Park and River Forest children in these first amazing years of life by supporting the families, educators, health professionals and systems leaders that care for them.

If you are new to Oak Park or River Forest and have young children (-- or are expecting to! --) contact the Collaboration by visiting www. collab4kids.org/contact or calling 708-613-6122. Take a look at the Collaboration’s Early Childhood Resource Directory on our website to see listings of child care centers, music, art, and other enrichment opportunities for children in Oak Park and River Forest.

Oak Park and River Forest provide affordable, high-quality preschool to children whose families meet eligibility criteria such as veteran status, income level, or if their child has a disability or developmental delay. If you believe you may be eligible for public preschool, reach out to us and we will help you with next steps.

The following Catholic Elementary Schools are opening their doors to parents from Oak Park, River Forest and surrounding communities during

National Catholic Schools Week January 31–February 6, 2021

For parents seeking a value-based education and academic excellence for their grade school children, the following open house events are the perfect opportunity to learn more about the many advantages of sending your children to Catholic School. Parents can tour buildings, get familiar with individual curriculums and other program enhancements including: computer training, foreign language programs, athletics, band, summer enrichment classes, and affordable preschool and after-school day care. Most of all, hear from administrators, faculty and students about what a difference the Catholic environment can make in the positive development of your child.

ASCENSION SCHOOL

Love, Kindness, Respect 601 Van Buren St. • Oak Park, IL 60304 • 708-386-7282 school.ascensionoakpark.com Principal: Maryanne Polega Administrator: Rev. Carl Morello Assoc. Pastor: Rev. Rex Pillai • PK3 through Grade 8 • Full and half day preschool classes • Comprehensive Extended Day Program from 7 AM to 6 PM • Innovative STEM offerings • Extensive programs for Fine Arts, Athletics and extracurriculars • National Blue Ribbon School Virtual Open House: Feb. 2nd through Feb. 4th. See website for more information Call for a private tour: 708-434-1558

ST. LUKE SCHOOL

Excellence – Faith - Service 519 Ashland Ave. • River Forest, IL 60305 • (708) 366-8587 • www.school-stlukeparish.org • Half and full day preschool options for 3- and • Highly experienced and credentialed teachers 4-year-olds with full day kindergarten through 8th • Affordable before and after school program grade • Resource center to support student learning • Rigorous curriculum challenges students to reach needs new heights • Fine Arts Program includes music, art and Spanish • More than 60% of our recent graduates were • Nurturing environment which promotes kindness placed in high school honors and Advanced • Focus on spiritual development Placement courses • Emphasis on giving of self encourages a • No cut sports program for students in grades dedication to service to others 4-8

Private Tours Available Call the school office at 708-366-8587 or email admissions@stlukeparish.org to schedule your visit today.

Coffee with the Principal February 3 Prospective families are invited to join us for a virtual meeting on Thursday, February 3 at 10:00 am.

Visit www.school-stlukeparish.org to register for the event.

Special Advertising Section

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

January 27, 2021

The River Forest Public Library offers something for everyone

R

esearch shows that reading has many benefits, including strengthening the brain, improving vocabulary, stimulating imagination, and even reducing stress. With over 90,000 items in our physical collection, as well as access to millions more through the SWAN system, there’s something for everyone. Our expert team of librarians can also guide you in your selections, perhaps steering you to a title you might not otherwise have chosen, supporting you in a school project, or even providing resources for career development.

To encourage reading, River Forest Public Library (RFPL) has several reading programs throughout the year. There are summer and winter programs for all ages, as well as the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and 100 Books Before High School programs that run all year long.

You can register at the library or on our website.

River Forest Public Library (RFPL) is more than just books, however. One of our main strategic objectives is to “foster learning and personal growth” for all age groups.

Visit our Digital Library (riverforestlibrary. org/digital), where you can learn a new language with Mango Languages, prepare for a wide variety of tests such as the SAT or GED with the LearningExpress Library, and learn about practically any subject through the vast collection of online resource databases. Of course, you can also access digital books, movies, documentaries, music, magazines, and more through our streaming services which include Libby, hoopla, Kanopy, and Flipster.

Despite a pandemic, we continue to offer stimulating and educational virtual programs. Children can enjoy live story times and educational programs on our YouTube channel, or do a virtual craft or STEM challenge. Teens can learn to cook with only a microwave, or join a virtual book club. For adults, we have several book clubs and many historical and cultural programs.

Learning is a journey, and we hope that journey starts here at the Library. The River Forest Public Library is located at 735 Lathrop Avenue in River Forest, or visit www.riverforestlibrary.org.

Join the fun in the Early Childhood Program at the River Forest Community Center!

T

he River Forest Community Center provides an age-appropriate curriculum designed to encourage positive group interaction as well as foster individual growth.

Our teachers thrive on creating a safe and fun learning environment through play in which children are encouraged to explore and develop their cognitive, language, social-intellectual and motor skills.

Our mission is to provide a hands-on approach to learning which allows the children to explore their environment while enhancing their social, emotional, cognitive and motor development.

Classes start as young as 15 months of age.

The Early Childhood Programs include: • Munchkins • Playschool • Preschool (Half-Day & Full-Day) • Pre-Kindergarten (Half-Day & Full-Day) • Before & After School Programs

The River Forest Community Center is located at 8020 Madison Street in River Forest.

For more information about the Early Childhood Programs, call 708-771-6159.

River Forest Community Center Early Childhood Learning Center RiverForest Forest Community Community Center River River Forest Community CenterCenter Early Childhood Learning Half-Day & Center Full-Day: Early Childhood Learning CenterCenter Early Childhood Learning Preschool & Pre-K

Half-Day & Full-Day:

Half-Day & Full-Day:  Before and After Preschool && Pre-K Half-Day Full-Day: Preschool & Pre-K

School Care Preschool & Pre-K

 Before and After  Before and After School Care CareCamps School Summer

 Before and After  Summer Camps  Summer Camps School Care  Parent and Tot Programs  Parent and Tot andPrograms Tot Programs  Parent

 Summer Camps Full-Day Infant—Preschool Full-Day Infant—Preschool Infant—Preschool Full-Day Programs at our OPRF HS Programs at our OPRF HS  Parentatand Programs Programs our Tot OPRF HS location location location Full-Day Infant—Preschool 8020 Madison Street 8020Madison Street HS 8020 Street Programs our OPRF River Forest , Madison ILat60305 River , IL, 60305 RiverForest Forest IL 60305 (708) 771-6159 www.rfcc.info location (708) 771-6159 www.rfcc.info Bring in this ad to receive $10.00 off your www.rfcc.info (708) 771-6159 initial registration fee! wj21 Bring in this ad to receive $10.00 off your

Bring initial in thisregistration ad to receive $10.00 off your fee! wj21 initial registration wj21 8020 Madisonfee!

Street

River Forest , IL 60305

21

22

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

January 27, 2021

Special Advertising Section

A history of excellence, a future of faithful leaders.

14

CLASS OF 2020

3/4

STUDENTS RECOGNIZED

BY THE NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

ATTENDING SCHOOLS IN 31 STATES, D.C., SCOTLAND & POLAND

OF THE GRADUATING CLASS ARE RECEIVING ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS

85

5

187

EVANS CADDIE SCHOLARSHIPS

ILLINOIS STATE SCHOLARS (31% OF CLASS)

3

COUNSELORS AVAILABLE TO ADVISE AND DIRECT STUDENTS ON THEIR COLLEGE SEARCH

PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS (68% OF CLASS)

COLLEGE APPLICATION AND ESSAY WRITING SEMINARS DURING THE SUMMER AND THROUGHOUT 1ST QUARTER

Educating students in spirit & mind since 1929! fenwickfriars.com

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E Special Advertising Section

January 27, 2021

23

Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois

F

enwick High School, founded in Oak Park in 1929, is a collegepreparatory secondary institution with a co-educational enrollment of approximately 1,100 students. Guided

by Dominican Catholic values, our mission is to inspire and educate each student to compassionately lead, achieve and serve.

Over nine decades, we have maintained a strong academic tradition, with a 100% college acceptance rate and attendance to top universities around the world. Members of the latest Class of 2020 attend schools in 31 states, Washington, D.C., Scotland and Poland; 75% are receiving academic scholarships. Last year, 14 of our students were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and 31% of the class (85 students) were Illinois State Scholars.

Fenwick has a Golden Apple teacher on its faculty and an alumni list that includes a Skylab astronaut, Rhodes Scholars, Pulitzer Prize winners, a Heisman Trophy recipient and other leaders making positive impacts nationally and internationally. The Friars are celebrating their 92nd academic year, proclaiming a history of excellence and a future of faithful leaders committed to justice and peace in a challenging global society.

Inclusion Statement

With Saint Dominic as our guide, Fenwick continues the great Dominican tradition of inclusion and welcome for the common good. This process is rooted in interaction with those of different backgrounds, cultures and ways of life. Experiencing racial, gender, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic diversity enriches everyone involved in the educational enterprise.

Fenwick commits itself to welcoming

ST. LUKE SCHOOL Celebrating 100 Years of Excellence in Catholic Education Registration now open for all programs, including half and full day preschool and full day kindergarten through 8th grade.

Visit our website to schedule a private tour or to complete an application.

St. Luke School 519 Ashland Ave, River Forest 708-366-8587 www.school-stlukeparish.org

S

every student who would flourish by embracing our Dominican, Catholic, college-preparatory curriculum.

Fenwick pledges that no one will face discrimination based on race, gender, religion, culture, ethnicity or sexual orientation. A Fenwick education is marked by diversity, equity and inclusion. www.fenwickfriars.com

The St. Luke School Difference

t. Luke School has been providing families an excellent, Catholic education since 1921. We are proud of our 100 year legacy and look forward to educating children for generations to come.

At St. Luke, each child is encouraged to learn at their own pace led by teachers who are highly experienced and credentialed. We provide a rigorous curriculum that challenges our students to reach new heights in both their creative thinking and academic skills.

These high expectations in the classroom lead to matriculation to top high schools where our graduates excel. Our graduates leave as young, independent leaders filled with academic confidence, spirituality, and a sense of service.

Complementing our exceptional education, St. Luke offers: • Early Childhood Program options including half and full day preschool options for 3- and 4-year-olds, as well as full day kindergarten, all of which focus on play-based learning • Classroom community building program that integrates academic and social emotional skills and creates an environment where students do their best learning

• Nurturing environment where kindness is promoted • A no-cut sports program for students in grades 4-8 promoting athletic participation, personal growth, teamwork, and leadership •An affordable extended day program before and after school • Wide variety of extracurricular activities including our award-winning Speech Team, Art Club, and a variety of musical programs.

We focus on the values of faith, hope, love, and community. Teachers talk openly about these values and give children a daily opportunity to learn, share, and understand the consequences of good behaviors and poor choices.

Service projects allow our students to understand the meaning of community life, interdependence, commitment, and service for others while being challenged to think critically for real-life problem solving.

There are many alternatives to Catholic school, but St. Luke School’s exceptional education and nurturing environment make it an unparalleled choice. We invite you to come and experience the St. Luke difference. Visit www.school-stlukeparish. org to learn more.