Peggy Zabicki
Silent spring break for children these days
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By Peggy Zabicki
Your correspondent in West Lawn
3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327
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Spring break for Chicago Public Schools will take place next week. In the past, that meant we would hear the sounds of kids playing outside. We won’t hear that joyful noise next week. The issue is safety.
Wouldn’t it be nice if children could enjoy the fresh air and play tag and take off on their bikes the way they used to? Will it ever get better for our children or will it get even worse? Will our neighborhood and all of Chicago ever be safe again?
Here’s some good news about children. Boy Scout Troop 1441 meets every Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Mary Star of the Sea School, 6435 S. Kilbourn. This troop for boys ages 11-17 provides opportunities for camping, friendship, cooking, life skills, service to the community and so much more. Troop 1441 gained some sales experience recently at their Krispy Kreme doughnut fundraising event. The money they raised will enable the Scouts to participate in summer camp.
Peggy Zabicki
They invite all who are interested in Scouting to visit one of their meetings. Call Ed Melkonian at (312) 316-5825 for more information or send an email to scouttroop1441@gmail.com.
Troop 1441, along with Scouts across America, recently celebrated the 114th birthday of the Boy Scouts of America, founded on Feb. 8, 1910.
St. Nicholas of Tolentine School, 3741 W. 62nd St., will host a Mom, Pop and Tots playgroup on March 26 at 9:30 a.m. There will be crafts, story time and an Easter Egg hunt for the toddlers. Call (773) 735-0772 to register.
Daley College, 7500 S. Pulaski, has a laboratory school for children ages 2-5. The teachers provide high quality care by partnering with the children’s families. They recognize that parents are their children’s first teachers. This partnership ensures a good start to a child’s career as a student. The school provides early math and reading opportunities plus sliding-scale tuition fees. Call the school at (773) 838-7561.
Metropolitan Family Services, 3843 W. 63rd St., provides early childhood programs, as well as many other services to our neighborhood such as senior assistance, health referrals and legal advice. Learn more by calling them at (773) 884-2235.
The West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St., will host the next Chicago Artopia music event. Classical guitarist Bokyung Byun will perform on Saturday, April 6 at 7 p.m. All are welcome, and admission is free.
The next CAPS Beat 813/833 meeting will take place at West Lawn Park, 4233 W. 65th St., at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 26.
I hope everyone has a good week, especially our children.
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