F. Amanda Tugade

Reesheda Graham-Washington (left) leads the conversation with panelists LeeAndra Kahn, Lionel Allen Jr. and Sydney Jackson before the screening of "America to Me," a documentary that takes a closer look at Oak Park and River Forest High School.

A ‘whole different world’: At L!VE Cafe, focusing on racial and education inequities at OPRF

May 8, 2019 at 5:25 p.m.

Takyrica Kokoszka knew her son, Jaylin Styles, to be an “excited, positive, happy and energetic kid” until he started attending Oak Park and River Forest High School. Though Kokoszka recognized...

On July 4, a fire caused by fireworks damaged the Franklin Park Ice Arena, 9711 Waveland Ave. It caused structural damage to a portion of its exterior and smoke damage to its interior.

Franklin Park Ice Arena on target to reopen in September after facility damaged by fire

May 11, 2019 at 4:53 a.m.

Nearly every inch of the Franklin Park Ice Arena’s interior is now spotless and protected by sheets of tarp, but that wasn’t the case last month when the Park District...

‘He loved Franklin Park’: Fulmer remembered for helping create village’s railroad-themed festival

May 11, 2019 at 4:53 a.m.

Since 1996, Franklin Park’s signature railroad-themed festival has grown to include a carnival, live entertainment, and a beer and wine garden, to complement its main attraction — a historic, classic...

Amona Ireland and her dance partner, Norman Lasko, show off their moves during The Longest Day event at Belmont Village of Oak Park.

The Longest Day: Dance event at Belmont Village in Oak Park raises funds in fight against Alzheimer’s

May 8, 2019 at 5:21 p.m.

In the early afternoon of June 21, the lobby of Belmont Village of Oak Park featured a few rows of chairs that formed a circle, leaving the middle of the...

West Leyden alum Bernard Dewulf checks out the engineering lab and notices how the high school has changed since 1978.

‘It was such a wonderful year’: Exchange students return 40 years after their West Leyden experience

May 11, 2019 at 4:52 a.m.

West Leyden alumna Bridget Paverd stood at an intersection, aptly nicknamed “the crossroads,” in the school’s lower level on June 8. She looked left, then right, down a stretch of...

Marcela Perez (right), an interpreter at Leyden High School District 212, helps her daughter, Yalitzi Recendez, scoop out ice cream from a plastic bag.

‘Learning is fun’: Leyden teachers embrace the mission of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day

May 11, 2019 at 4:52 a.m.

Ten-year-old Aiden Veltman joined a few high school students at a small table in the front of the classroom. The bell hadn't rung yet, and his father, Todd Veltman, a...

Peter Rufa takes a photo of his daughter Claire's oil pastel drawing at the fourth annual WSCAE Art Expo held April 28 at Cheney Mansion in Oak Park. Claire attends Seventh Avenue School in La Grange.

‘Celebration of the arts’: Students, parents, professionals come together at annual west suburban expo

May 8, 2019 at 5:18 p.m.

Nine-year-old Emily Gaunt's artwork was displayed on a small table inside the Cheney Mansion in Oak Park. Her 3-D piece — made out of cardboard, beads and gems — formed...

West Leyden senior Diana Yanez pours water in a pot, so she could start cooking her quinoa at the Leyden School District 212 Chopped competition.

Chopped event tests cooking skills of Leyden catering students, administrators

May 11, 2019 at 4:51 a.m.

West Leyden Assistant Principal Andrew Sharos said he does not cook often. He said his wife is a better baker and chef. Sharos stood at his workstation and laid out...

The Leyden Fire Protection District seeks to replace its 1996 fire truck, if Leyden Township residents vote March 20 in favor of the district being issued a $1.5 million bond.

Leyden fire referendum question targets new fire truck and ambulance

May 11, 2019 at 4:51 a.m.

The Leyden Fire Protection District has a referendum question on the March 20 primary ballot. The district is seeking support on a $1.5 million bond issue, which would be used...

Students from Westdale Elementary School in Northlake performed an Indian folk dance at the bilingual parent summit held March 3 at Mannheim Middle School.

‘Get involved’: At Mannheim School District 83 bilingual summit, parents urged to help drive students’ success

May 11, 2019 at 4:51 a.m.

As keynote speaker David Nieto closed his presentation at the bilingual parent summit, he left an audience of Mannheim School District 83 families with a passage from one of his...

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