The parking lot at Conrady Junior High was already full by 5 p.m. on August 8, with shuttle buses transporting families from Dorn and Oak Ridge schools. Music poured over the crowd, bounce houses stayed busy, and the longest line of the night belonged to the boba tea stand.
Just a few steps away, laughter erupted from the pie-in-the-face station, where volunteers leaned in for a whipped cream splat.
“It’s just fun,” said 8-year-old Issa Shehadieh, who had plans to spend the night “dunking people and playing” before summer officially wrapped.
The second annual Back-to-School Bash, hosted by North Palos School District 117 and its PTAs, was part block party, part welcome wagon for the 2025–26 school year. The goal: get kids excited for August 15, the first day back.
Sixth-grader Ashraf Gaber said he was looking forward to having his first locker. “I’ll probably just throw my backpack in there,” he admitted, adding with a shrug, “Too small” when asked about decorating it. His advice for others starting junior high: “Decorate your lockers and don’t do drugs.”
Dontay Yarbrough, also starting sixth grade, said he could not wait to meet new people, though he joked he was steering clear of the “stuck in a locker” moments he has only seen on TV.
Nine-year-old Malik AbuQubaita was all about the bounce houses. His brother Muhammed split his time between the games and checking out the police and ambulance displays. “I want to be a police officer,” he said, watching as officers greeted kids.
Some came to reconnect before the school year began. Riyad Saleh and Nick Steck scanned the crowd for friends, weaving between bounce houses and food stands. “That’s the best part,” Steck said.
Parents had their own reasons for showing up. Jeneen Ayesh, who once attended Conrady, said she appreciated the partnership between the school and local police. “I love that. I think it’s safe,” she said. “And the kids are having fun. That’s what matters.”
Lauren Potokar, vice president of the school board and Conrady’s PTA president, said changing the date and inviting vendors with ties to the district helped boost turnout. “It’s great to get the community together, to have all the PTAs in one spot,” she said. “This doesn’t make junior high school that scary because the kids have already been here.”
Hickory Hills Police Chief Adam Gulczynski had a message for students: “Try to learn a little bit from everyone you meet and never be afraid to ask for help. Whether you are having a tough time with an assignment, juggling extracurriculars, or anything else, your teachers, counselors, deans, and the school resource officer are there to help you out.”
Superintendent Dr. Christine Droba called the Bash “a wonderful way to bring our school community together and build excitement for the upcoming school year.” She said it was “heartwarming to see our students laughing, playing, reconnecting with their friends, and spending time with their families,” and she thanked staff members, PTAs, community partners, and volunteers for making it possible.
Earlier in the evening, she was spotted in the dunk tank, taking the plunge to cheers from students and parents.
“Together, we’re starting the year stronger than ever,” Droba said. She also offered a message directly to students: “I encourage all of our students to embrace each day with confidence, curiosity, and determination. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, and every success, big or small, is something to be proud of. Remember to support one another, ask questions, and never stop believing in your ability to learn and lead. We are excited to see all that you will accomplish this year.”
A strong finish to summer and a welcome start to the school year.
