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Vol. VII No. 23
JUNE 7, 2023
D209 wants to hear from you
School board plans three surveys seeking feedback By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter
The new board majority is making big changes to how the Board of Education for Proviso Township high schools operate, starting with being open to receiving community feedback as new surveys will be going out to the community. Amanda Grant, newly elected as school board president, discussed the three new surveys that will be sent out soon to Proviso Township High School District 209 students, faculty, and parents. The approval of the surveys, which passed with a unanimous vote, occurred during the second meeting of the board on May 30, which was dedicated to public comment as the new board majority works to address grievances and community concerns. “The second one will be dedicated, for the first few months at least, to hearing the backlog of arbitrations and grievances that we have,” Grant said during the May 30 meeting. “Once we have caught up on the concerns from the students, parents, and staff of this district, we will start a round of meetings that are more community focused.” Following up on the promise of improved communication between the board and the community, the new surveys will consist of “open ended” questions aimed to allow feedback on a broader scope, a notable difference from the “yes or no” surveys previously emailed out from D209 for other topics, including the controversial interest of purchasing the St. Joseph campus in Westchester from Supt. James Henderson. See D209 on page 4
Julian Love, Westchester native and NFL player, honored Nazareth Academy to induct Love into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame By FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Staff Reporter
Julian Love, who earlier this year joined the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, will
be honored for his remarkable athletic career by his high school Nazareth Academy. In a ceremony taking place on June 15, Love will be inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. “It feels great to be honored by Naz,” Love told the Village Free Press in an email. “The community has always embraced me and though I’m getting recognized individually, it truly was a family environment that led to all my success.”
PROVIDED
Love, a graduate of the high school’s class of 2016, demonstrated his potential for a successful professional football career when he played for the school’s football team. Wearing the No. 20 Roadrunners jersey, he was a twotime state champion in football. In 2014, Love earned All Conference honors in the East Suburban Catholic Conference and in 2015 he was recognized as the Conference MVP. To honor his legacy, Nazareth Academy will officially retire See JULIAN LOVE on page 8