Whooping cough case confirmed
A second Brooks Middle School student has contracted whooping cough this school year, according to the Village of Oak Park Health Department. A release from the department last Friday confirmed the second case of pertussis, a highly contagious bacterial infection affecting the upper respiratory system. The department alerted parents of sixth-graders about the case, according to the release. The department identified another Brooks student with whooping cough in December. A spokesperson with the department said that was the only confirmed case at the time. Pertussis is transmitted through coughing and sneezing. The illness can last for several months. Anyone with questions is encouraged to call the Oak Park Public Health Department at 708-358-5485.
D97 parent survey coming in February
District 97 will conduct its annual climate survey this year with parents, who can take the survey the week of Feb. 9-13. Parents are typically asked questions about their school’s curriculum, administrators and teachers. A sample of the survey was presented at last Tuesday’s Dist. 97 Board of Education meeting. The survey was included in the meeting’s agenda packet, which is also available online.
Can’t get enough of stadium lights?
The Oak Park Plan Commission will continue its ongoing hearing on Oak Park and River Forest High School’s stadium lights case on Thursday. The hearing takes place at 7 p.m. at village hall, 123 Madison St. Last Thursday, the commission hearing included testimony from sound and lighting experts. The Feb. 5 hearing is expected to include additional testimony from witnesses. Deliberations are also scheduled to begin this Thursday. The plan commission has met on stadium lights since last August.
Mann students reach out to Obama
Mann Elementary School will allow students to express their thoughts to President Barack Obama as part of school display for Black History Month. “Dear Mr. President,” is sponsored by APPLE (African-American Parents for Purposeful Leadership in Education). Students can submit letters and drawings to President Obama. The works will be displayed in the first-floor lobby of Mann, 921 N. Kenilworth, during Black History Month. Deadline for student submissions is this Friday, Feb. 6. For more information, call 708-524-3085.
-Terry Dean
