EDUCATION

Zuri Spencer, left, and Giana Gallo stand for a photo on May 13, 2022, outside of Trinity High Schol in River Forest.

ALEX ROGALS

Go Big or Go Home: That’s the motto for Trinity High School’s Class of 2022

Two Trinity seniors reflect on life, high school in pandemic

By F. Amanda Tugade Staff Reporter

Life before COVID-19 and after.

That’s how Giana Gallo and Zuri Spencer describe their high school experience. The two college-bound teens from Trinity High School belong to the Class of 2022 – the ones who got a taste of high school before the pandemic blocked out the tail end of their sophomore and junior years, only to return as full-fledged seniors, trying to make up for lost time.

“I remember when the pandemic first started,” said Gallo, 18. “My parents and I were all glued to our television like just watching [and thinking] when is this going to be over? When is this going to be over?”

Gallo recalled seeing Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot flash across the screen, announcing news about COVID, the rise of case numbers and the deaths that followed. Gallo remembered being in class when Trinity officials announced on the PA system that the school was temporarily closing, shifting learning online. She and Spencer were among many asked to gather their belongings from their lockers and head home. “Like I started crying,” Gallo said.

“That day, especially when they came over the intercom, it was just chaos,” Gallo said. “I remember it just being like absolute chaos and running to my locker, looking at everybody to see what they were doing. I just had piles of stuff in my locker. I said, ‘Oh, two weeks, it’s fine. I’ll leave my stuff here.’”

Spencer said she saw students with garbage bags stuffed with personal items and quickly thought: Is school over? And as the weeks turned into months, Gallo and Spencer wondered if they would

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ever return to the school building.

“You think,‘Oh,I’m a sophomore.I got so many more years ofhigh school,’” Spencer said. “But then you’re sitting in your bedroom,and it’s like another month,four more weeks,more cases, more numbers. You’re just sitting there waiting for the next notifications to come through.I think that’s why it was so fulfilling to come back this year.”

When Gallo and Spencer came back to Trinity last fall for their senior year, they said they felt like freshmen, discovering the campus as iffor the first time. They were excited but nervous, overwhelmed by changing routines. As the new seniors, the pair explained that they wanted to emulate the same confidence,set an example for the lower division students and honor the traditions from previous graduating classes, but the pandemic,in some ways, rattled them.

“Do I remember my locker combination? Do I know what floor this class is on? Do I know where I’m going? Did I wake up at the right time? Am I late? Is late start still a thing? What does ‘full uniform’ mean?” Spencer said ofthe questions that popped into her head during those first few weeks offull-time in-person school.Gallo, too, said she put on a brave face to let first-years know to not be scared. That things,in time, will be OK.

Settling into the fall semester ofsenior year, the familiarity crept in as well.“I missed these hallways,and the lunchroom,and sitting with my friends,and sitting in the library,” Spencer said.

“It’s like that feeling oflike rose-colored glasses,” Spencer said,stumbling to find the words.“I’m like I can do this. This is my senior year, and it’s fresh,and it’s new, and I can do this.”

Gallo agreed,adding that living in the pandemic taught her how to adapt to change.

“I feel like teenagers nowadays really learned how to be flexible and how to just go with the flow of things because ofhow life just

I feel like teenagers nowadays really learned how to be flexible and how to just go with the flow ofthings because ofhow life just suddenly changed.” –Gina Gallo

suddenly changed,” she said.

And like most seniors, the two seniors wanted to leave high school on high note. They picked up where they left off, navigating through the “new normal” on their own time, on their own standards. They slipped back into packed schedules, balancing homework with hangouts and activities. This year, Gallo was president of drama club, co-editor of the yearbook and a member of the marketing club, while Spencer focused on leading the school’s Black Student Union (BSU).

Spencer, who is Black, said she and another friend toyed with the idea of creating BSU during a history class, long before the civil unrest sparked by the deaths of innocent Black men and women such as George Floyd, collided with the pandemic. They initially brushed the idea off, only to revive it as news surfaced about Floyd and many others who died at the hands of police brutality and white supremacy. Spencer and her friend wanted to create a safe space for themselves and other Black students to unite, grieve and heal.

Spencer thought back to BSU’s first Zoom meeting where students logged in, one by one, filling up the computer screen.

“We were scared because we didn’t think anyone was going to show up,” she said. That meeting was pivotal, as it allowed them to connect with each other.

“The first day, we didn’t even talk about policies or change or things like that,” Spencer said. “We were just like, ‘How is everyone doing? How are you feeling? What do you want to talk about?’”

“That’s when we knew this is something that has to stick because this is something we all needed,” she continued. “It’s something we didn’t even know was going to succeed, and when it did, we were like, ‘This has to stay. This is what we have to do.’”

Spencer and Gallo, who is white, spoke about their generation’s efforts in social activism and move toward inclusivity. At Trinity, other student-led clubs hosted assemblies, celebrating the cultural traditions of Asian, Latinx and Black students and their families. There was food, music and dance, not like typical assemblies where people “sit here and talk for an hour,” Spencer said.

Those events, some of which were a first at Trinity, were prominent, a milestone mark for the longstanding Catholic institution. Spencer and Gallo said they felt the love in the room when their school community gathered together in those moments, a momentum they hope the lower division students would carry on.

“We were like even if the world closes again tomorrow, we want this experience to be one we’re going to remember,” Spencer said.

For Gallo, Spencer and other graduating seniors, this year was all about one thing: “Go big or go home.”

“I like to think about it in that way: Go big or go home – and we were home for way too long,” Spencer said. “So, we go big, because I don’t want to go back home.”

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sponsored content A Tradition of Excellence and Equity for All Students – Measuring the Success of District 90

At District 90, we pride ourselves on the tradition of excellence, equity, and provision of high-quality instruction to all our students. Yet this tradition is only possible through the support and efforts of our faculty and staff, families, Board of Education members, school administrators, River Forest neighbors, and our community partners. In our pursuit of excellence for all, the relationship between District 90 and our various stakeholders is best summed up by the wellknown African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” The journey for equity and excellence is ongoing. We intend to travel farther along this path with any who shares our mission for students, “To inspire and empower all learners to achieve their personal best.”

The true measure of a highperforming school district must be more than merely producing students with strong achievement test scores. Rather, the measure of success in any school system must encompass broader goals and wider engagement by the entire school community. Below are three measures that ground and sustain our reputation of equity, excellence, and providing high-quality instruction.

Curriculum and Instruction

A key measure of District 90’s reputation for excellence stems from our continual efforts to update the various curriculum materials used in classroom instruction. With the leadership of our teachers and instructional staff, we select curricula that represent evidence-based, pedagogically sound approaches for classroom instruction. These materials are then implemented with fidelity by our dedicated teaching and instructional staff to ensure that all our students are able to engage with the content fully.

Recent curriculum updates have occurred in English/Language Arts, Math, and Science, with future revisions coming in Social Studies. The curriculum review process includes consultation with university-based consultants, D90 faculty-led reviews and pilots of the materials being considered, opportunities for families to review new materials, and professional development for faculty members. The entire process can take more than an academic year before new materials are incorporated into classroom instruction. The wait is well worth it because the process instills confidence that our students are exposed to outstanding learning experiences that will establish strong foundations.

Family Support and Community Partnerships

The support of the District 90 community and our River Forest neighbors adds tremendously to the success of our students and schools. Numerous examples abound of the support our schools receive, but this is particularly evident in the work of our Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs). These volunteers truly make school enjoyable and memorable for our students, contributing to the strong connection between student and

school success.

We also rely on area businesses, partner organizations, and local agencies for their collaboration. The relationships with our community partners remain essential to the operations of the District. This community partner support can be seen in the West Cook YMCA’s many programs with District 90, the River Forest Community Center, the River Forest Park District, the River Forest Township, the Village of River Forest, the Lake Street Jewel-Osco, and many others. District 90 is deeply appreciative of the support provided by our families and community partners.

Equity and Excellence

About 8 years ago, we began the ongoing quest to address the issue of equity within our schools. We understood that our reputation for excellence would only be strengthened as we began the hard work of embedding equity into our instructional practices. The Board of Education has provided clear leadership and commitment to this priority, and it is the foundational element of our Strategic Plan. The District does not believe that the two elements – excellence and equity – represent the choice between either/or, but that excellence and equity reflect an inclusive philosophy of both/and. That philosophy touches every aspect of District 90.

With an overall mission to inspire and empower all learners to achieve their personal best, the District complements this overall mission with its vision for equity: To ensure that every student feels empowered to achieve their full potential, we commit to providing equitable opportunities for all learners, grow an inclusive school community, and demonstrate we value diversity. Clearly, these aspirations are very complementary.

Our goal in District 90 is that outcomes are no longer predictable by student identity - racial, cultural, economic, or other social factors. In District 90, this definition of equity is bolstered by a culture of high expectations; supportive families; outstanding faculty, staff, and administration; and an emphasis on continuous improvement. We have made some progress on the equity front, and we’re well aware that we have much farther to go. The African proverb about traveling alone or together indicates that District 90 and its many supporters and partners will travel farther with all our students, families, and staff. We intend to leave no one behind.

At its very core, District 90 is a teaching and learning organization staffed with individuals dedicated to ensuring that all students reach their personal best. We will continue to leverage our traditions, priorities, and practices to deliver equity and academic excellence to the entire D90 community.

ORGANIZATIONS

Collaboration for Early Childhood

John Borrero, Executive Director 123 Madison St., Room 209 Oak Park (708) 613-6122 collab4kids.org

With more than 40 agencies participating, the Collaboration works to overcome the fragmentation and scarcity of services for early childhood development to better meet the needs of the youngest children and their families. Local bodies of government, including school districts 97 and 200, plus Oak Park village government, help to fund initiatives such as the advancement of high-quality preschool for all children, professional development, parent information and support and developmental screening.

PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

District 97 Oak Park

260 Madison St. Oak Park (708) 524-3000 op97.org Administration Dr. Ushma Shah, Superintendent

Board of Education

■ Jung Kim, President ■ Venus Hurd Johnson, Vice President ■ Lonya Boose, Secretary ■ Nancy Ross Dribin ■ Gavin Kearney ■ Cheree Moore ■ Shyla Kinhal ■ Holly Spurlock

ALEX ROGALS

Students check out the tree on Friday, April 29, 2022, during a tree planting ceremony for retiring principal John Hodge at Irving Elementary School in Oak Park.

Beye School

230 N. Cuyler Ave. Oak Park (708) 524-3070 op97.org/beye Co-Interim Principal: Cheryl Sullivan and Sheila Carter Grades: K-5 Named for: William Beye, District 97 school board finance chairman in the late 1800s

Brooks Middle School

325 S. Kenilworth Ave. Oak Park (708) 524-3050 op97.org/brooks Principal: April Capuder Grades: 6-8 Named for: Gwendolyn Brooks, poet

Hatch School

1000 N. Ridgeland Ave. Oak Park (708) 524-3095 op97.org/hatch Principal: Sarah Mendez Grades: K-5 Named for: William H. Hatch, D97 superintendent from 1882-1917

Holmes School

508 N. Kenilworth Ave. Oak Park (708) 524-3100 op97.org/holmes Principal: Christine Zelaya Grades: K-5 Named for: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Harvard professor, physician, poet and author

Irving School

1125 S. Cuyler Ave. Oak Park (708) 524-3090 op97.org/irving Principal: Susan Mura Grades: K-5 Named for: Washington Irving, poet

Julian Middle School

416 S. Ridgeland Ave. Oak Park (708) 524-3040 op97.org/julian Principal: Jeremy Christian Grades: 6-8 Named for: Percy Julian, scientist

ALEX ROGALS

A student catches a pass on Wednesday, Oct. 6, during ultimate frisbee practice outside Julian Middle School in Oak Park. Lincoln School

1111 S. Grove Ave. Oak Park (708) 524-3110 op97.org/lincoln Principals: Ryan Gordon Grades: K-5 Named for: Abraham Lincoln, 16th president

Longfellow School

715 S. Highland Ave. Oak Park (708) 524-3060 op97.org/longfellow Principal: Amy Jefferson Grades: K-5 Named for: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, poet, educator, linguist Mann School

921 N. Kenilworth Ave. Oak Park (708) 524-3085 op97.org/mann Principal: Hussain Ali Grades: K-5 Named for: Horace G. Mann, educator

Whittier School

715 N. Harvey Ave. Oak Park (708) 524-3080 op97.org/whittier Principal: Patrick Robinson Grades: K-5 Named for: John Greenleaf Whittier, poet

District 90 River Forest

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Forover100years,St.LukeSchoolhasofferedanexceptionaleducationfocused onthevaluesofExcellence,Faith,andService.WeinviteyoutodiscoverwhysoFor over 100 years, St. Luke School has o ered an exceptional education focused on the values of Excellence, Faith, and Service. manyfamiliesarechoosingSt.Lukefortheirchildren. -Fullandhalfdaypreschool,fulldaykindergarten,andgrades1-8 We invite you to discover why so many families are choosing St. Luke for their children. Forover100years,St.LukeSchoolhasofferedanexceptionaleducationfocused onthevaluesofExcellence,Faith,andService.Weinviteyoutodiscoverwhyso manyfamiliesarechoosingSt.Lukefortheirchildren. -Rigorouscurriculuminanurturingenvironment -Small,caringcommunitywhichpromoteskindness -Teacher-led,differentiatedcurriculum • Full and half day preschool, full day kindergarten, and grades 1 - 8 • Rigorous curriculum in a nurturing environment -Fullandhalfdaypreschool,fulldaykindergarten,andgrades1-8 -Rigorouscurriculuminanurturingenvironment -FineArtsprogramincludesmusic,art,SEL,andSpanish • Small, caring community which promotes kindness -Small,caringcommunitywhichpromoteskindness -Meaningfuluseofintegratedtechnology • Teacher-led, di erentiated curriculum -Teacher-led,differentiatedcurriculum -No-cutathleticsandextracurricularopportunities • Fine Arts program includes music, art, SEL, and Spanish -FineArtsprogramincludesmusic,art,SEL,andSpanish

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519AshlandAvenue,RiverForest St.LukeSchool (708)366-8587admissions@stlukeparish.org 519AshlandAvenue,RiverForest (708)366-8587admissions@stlukeparish.org Celebrating100yearsofexcellenceinCatholicEducation. Celebrating100yearsofexcellenceinCatholicEducation. Celebrating 100 years of excellence in Catholic Education. Rive er r Fo ore est t Community y Center rRiver r Forest t Community y Center Ear rly y Ch hildhoo od d Le ea ar rning g Ce ente er rEarly y Childhoo od d Learning g Center

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8020 Madison Street 8020 Madison Street River Forest , IL 60305 River Forest , IL 60305 (708)771-6159 (708)771-6159 www.rfcc.info www.rfcc.info

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River Forest (708) 771-8282 district90.org Administration Edward Condon, Superintendent

Board ofEducation

■ Barb Hickey, President ■ Stacey Williams, Vice President ■ Nicole Thompson, Secretary ■ Katie Avalos ■ Cal Davis ■ Sarah Eckmann ■ Rich Moore

Lincoln School

511 Park Ave. River Forest (708) 366-7340 Principal: Casey Godfrey Grades: K-4 Named for: Abraham Lincoln,16th president

Roosevelt Middle School

7560 Oak Ave. River Forest (708) 366-9230 Principal: Larry Garstki Grades: 5-8 Named for: Theodore Roosevelt,26th president

Willard School

1250 Ashland Ave. River Forest (708) 366-6740 Principal: Diane Wood Grades: K-4 Named for: Frances Willard, local educator

PRIVATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Alcuin Montessori

324 N.Oak Park Ave. Oak Park (708) 366-1882 alcuin.org Grades: PreK-8

Ascension School

601 Van Buren St. Oak Park (708) 386-7282 school.ascensionoakpark. com Grades: PreK-8 History: Founded in 1912. Grace Lutheran School

7300 W. Division St. River Forest (708) 366-6900 graceriverforest.org Grades: PreK-8

Keystone Montessori

7415 W. North Ave. River Forest (708) 366-1080 ksmontessori.org Grades: PreK-8

Our Lady Immaculate Academy

410 Washington Blvd., Oak Park (708)524-2408 sspx.org/en/our-lady-immaculate-church-priory Grades: PreK-8

No matterwho you are or what you aspiretobe...

There’s a place for you.

St. Angela Catholic School

1332 N.Massasoit Ave. Chicago (773) 626-2655 saintangela.org Grades: PreK-8 St. Catherine ofSienna/

St. Lucy Catholic School 27 Washington Blvd. Oak Park (708) 386-5286 catherinelucy.org Grades: PreK-8 St. Giles Catholic School

1034 N.Linden Ave. Oak Park (708) 383-6279 stgilesschool.org Grades: PreK-8 St. LukeCatholic School

519 Ashland Ave. River Forest (708) 366-8587 school-stlukeparish.org Grades: PreK-8

St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic School

1515 Lathrop Ave. River Forest (708) 771-5905 svfschool.org Grades: PreK-8

HIGH SCHOOLS

District 200

OPRF High School 201 N.Scoville Ave. Oak Park (708) 383-0700 oprfhs.org

Administration Greg Johnson, Superintendent

ALEX ROGALS

OPRF student and basketball player Justin Mullins speaks to the crowd on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, during a protest outside Oak Park and River Forest High School over the school’s new ban of extracurricular activities due to a COVID-19 case surge. Board ofEducation

■ Sara Dixon Spivy, President ■ Fred Arkin ■ Tom Cofsky, Vice President ■ Kebreab Henry ■ Gina Harris ■ Ralph Martire

Dr. James G. Frazier, D.M.D., M.S.

COMPREHENSIVE, QUALITY, ORTHODONTIC CARE

Flexible Payment Options Insurance Accepted

400 Lathrop Ave., Suite 203 River Forest, IL 60305

708-366-6595 www.frazierorthodontics.com

■ Mary Anne Mohanraj ■ Gail Kalmerton, Clerk of the Board

Fenwick High School

505 Washington Blvd. Oak Park (708) 386-0127 fenwickfriars.com Catholic co-ed high school, home of the Fenwick Friars. Principal: Peter Groom

Trinity High School

7574 W. Division St. River Forest (708) 771-8383 trinityhs.org Catholic preparatory high school for young women. Principal: Amy Gallie

HIGHER EDUCATION

Concordia University Chicago

7400 W. Augusta St. River Forest (708) 771-8300 cuchicago.edu President: Dr. Russell P. Dawn

Dominican University

7900 W. Division St. River Forest (708) 366-2490 dom.edu President: Glena Temple

Triton College

2000 Fifth Ave. River Grove (708) 456-0300 triton.edu President: Mary Rita Moore

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