Jobs opportunities abound

By Mary Stanek

Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon

3808 W. 57th Place •  (773) 284-7394

“Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho, it’s off to work we go…it ain’t no trick to get rich quick,” as the dwarfs sang in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. If you are looking for employment, there seems to be plenty of opportunities in or near our community. I see many ads for employment on social media.

For instance, Chicago Public Schools are hiring substitute teachers. Some positions just require 60 college credits. Please visit cps.edu/iwanttosub to apply. Many local fast-food and family-owned restaurants are hiring as well. Keep an eye and ear out. The jobs are out there, and small businesses need honest workers.

The Curie High School Parent Advisory Committee will be offering classes on English as a Second Language starting Feb. 5 and running through June 4 on Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is required, so please call coordinator Yasmin Patino at (312) 646-9885.

Mary Stanek

Computer classes have already begun for parents and the community. These classes also run through June 4. Please again, call for more information.

I wish I could attend a “Spanish as a second language” class. I am still trying to learn via Babble and Duolingo. I do great on the computer, but as soon as I step away, I don’t remember a thing.

The fifth-grade students from St. Bruno School have been participating in a financial literacy program this month. Financial education and money concepts are important. Lessons on learning and spending money, along with responsibility of borrowing, saving and investing, are invaluable. There is magic in compound interest; and a dollar saved at their age is worth a lot more than a dollar saved at my age. I sure would like to hear the results of this program.

The third grade students of St. Bruno are also busy studying artwork by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. The students prepared a dot installation in the lunchroom.

The Chicago Police Department recently issued a community alert about a series of robberies near the 4500 and 4900 blocks of Keeler. These occurred mid-January, early in the morning. Here are some tips to stay safe. Always be aware of your surroundings. Report suspicious activity. If confronted, remain calm, but try to remember any physical characteristics of the perpetrator (such as scars, acne or teeth) Never pursue an assailant. Instead, dial 911 immediately.

Let’s keep an eye out for each other. If you see something, say something. Keep our areas well lighted with porch and motion detector lights. Forming friendships with the neighbors is also nice. Fortunately, our block has a great group of people.

Happy Ground Hog Day to all. Ground Hog Day is half way between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. If the day is sunny and the groundhog sees his shadow, we’ll have six more weeks of winter!

Happy Belated Birthday to Elizabeth Bowler and Mary Loye-Potter.