Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania’s Columns
  • Advertise
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • Midnight Flight Book
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Seniors
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Two Guys on Politics Podcast: A Centrist View on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • The Arab street Podcast
  • Submit a Press Release
  • Toggle search form
  • Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) Wednesday (August 10, 2022 visited Rick and Corey Johnson’s Farm in Monee, IL and held a ‘Barn Hall’ with farmers, growers and food security advocates from the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Soybean Association, Greater Chicago Food Depository and the USDA Office of Rural Development.
    Rep. Kelly Hosts ‘Barn Hall’ Conversation with Farmers and Food Security Advocates Federal
  • Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and his wife
    Pritzker lives in glass house of money and hypocrisy Blogger
  • Orland Park Trustee Dan Calandriello at a Village of Orland Park Board meeting.
    Candidate Calandriello announces “Biking the 17th” to raise awareness for Cook County Forest Preserves Cook County
  • Soccer. Photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
    International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium Cook County
  • Piano. Photo by Dolo Iglesias on Unsplash
    Too old to rock? Elton John, in town tonight, turning back the clock Blogger
  • President George W. Bush walks across the tarmac with NFO Lt. Ryan Phillips to Navy One, an S-3B Viking jet, at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego Thursday, May 1, 2003. Flying to the USS Abraham Lincoln, the President addressed the nation and declared "Mission accomplished" in Iraq to justify diverting forces from Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: Can we win the war in Ukraine? Bill Lipinski
  • Congresswoman Marie Newman, 3rd District Illinois
    Kelly, Foster, Newman among those voting to pass Assault Weapons Ban Act Crime
  • Hanania newspaper column on Pritzker pushing for Democratic National COnvention
    Pritzker push for Democratic National Convention could backfire Blogger
  • Fire Truck, Fire District. Photo courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District
    Orland Fire District will maintain “all services” despite delayed county tax collections Cook County
  • Mike Porfirio, Democrat endorsed candidate for 11th Senate District
    Porfirio urges “full investigation” into reported racist rant of local official Cook County
  • New Lenox offers Free CERT training
    New Lenox offers free Disaster Preparedness Training to residents Government
  • Patricia Joan Murphy Worth Township Supervisor
    Partnership Will Offer Economic Development and Employment Support in South Suburbs  Business
  • USO barbecue for the troops 2022
    USO hosts Barbecue for the Troops July 23, 2022 Cook County
  • TikTok Screen shot
    TikTok generates nearly $4 billion in consumer spending Business
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
    Tough punishment needed in wake of Danny Golden shooting Blogger

Welcome back

Posted on May 6, 2021May 6, 2021 By Steve Metsch
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Welcome back

Students finally return to buildings in Lyons SD 103 

By Steve Metsch

“It’s weird.”

With those two words, seventh-grader Daniel Mercado neatly summed up the entire 2020-21 school year.

Mercado was standing in line Tuesday, patiently waiting to enter George Washington Middle School in Lyons.

He and his schoolmates have not been able to attended classes there for more than a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

None of the schools in the district have been open – except for mandatory testing – the entire school year.

Mercado and just over a third of the students in Lyons School District 103 returned to the district’s school buildings on Tuesday.

After more than a year away, students file into Washington Middle School. Daniel Mercado (right) holds a door open for his fellow students. Photo by Steve Metsch.

 

Lower numbers for positive COVID-19 tests in the district allowed the schools to reopen. Doors at Washington opened at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. Times varied at schools.

Students are in school two hours a day, twice a week, until the school year ends on May 24.

Students were given the option of returning to school over the semester’s final three weeks, or to continue schooling on-line in their homes.

A total of 823 of the district’s 2,298 students decided to return.

Being back with his classmates in school, “feels a little bit back to normal,” Mercado, 13, said.

And, it certainly beats attending classes on-line at home, he said.

“That kind of sucked because it wasn’t the same, it wasn’t like normal school,” Mercado said. “Honestly, when we were going to school, I was having more fun.”

Seventh-grader Daniel Mercado said “it’s weird” to be be back in Washington Middle School, but he’s happy. Photo by Steve Metsch.

 

Another seventh-grader, Valeri Alvarez, 12, said schooling on-line “was difficult” because there sometimes can be distractions at home.

But, like Mercado, Alvarez also was happy to be back in Washington Middle School, even if it’s for three weeks.

Their enthusiasm made Supt. Kristopher Rivera smile. Rivera was outside the building, 8101 Ogden Avenue, greeting students as they arrived.

“I’m proud of them,” Rivera said.

Social distancing is practiced in the hallways on the first day back. Photo by Steve Metsch.

 

That enthusiasm carried over to faculty and staff, he said, although “there is a little bit of apprehension this being our first go-around with more students in person”

The district last month welcomed back students for some mandatory tests, but the numbers were smaller, he said.

“There’s a lot of positive energy to see the kids, see how much they’ve grown,” Rivera said. “There are a lot of good relationships (between teachers and students).”

“The teachers and staff do this for the kids and everyone is anxious to see them,” Rivera added.

Bus driver Thaddeus Cizma said he saw many smiling faces on the first day back in school. Photo by Steve Metsch.

 

Another person glad to be back at Washington Middle School was Thaddeus Cizma, a bus driver for Grand Prairie Transit.

“I’ve been back since August on other runs, mainly in La Grange Park,” he said. “I’m just filling in on this one.”

Cizma said the response was very positive from parents and students on the first day of schools being open in District 103.

“Everybody is happy to be back everywhere I’m going,” Cizma said. “The kids have always been happy.”

Mercado said he was happy for a chance to be “goofing off” with his friends. And, he hopes to get better grades.

“I did not learn anything (on-line),” Mercado said with a laugh. “So, I really have to go back.”

Desplaines Valley News

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at sm4610@sbcglobal.net
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • Too old to rock? Elton John, in town tonight, turning back the clock - August 5, 2022
  • Countryside’s concert series returns - June 13, 2022
  • Age is just a number - June 5, 2022
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
News, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:Daniel Mercado, first day in school, Lyons SD 103, Supt. Kristopher Rivera, Thaddeus Cizma

Post navigation

Previous Post: County Executive David Crowley Statement on Recent Acts of Gun Violence
Next Post: Pappas celebrates Mother’s Day giving away roses on MagMile

Related Posts

  • Bridgeview baton twirler stars News
  • Ray Hanania column on fighting extremism and media bias, focusing on Bill Lipinski and John Kass
    The fight against extremism in Illinois Blogger
  • Police tape lies on the ground in front of the now closed Crossing Bar and Grill. (File photo courtesy of the Southwest News Newspaper Group)
    Worth’s Crossing Bar and Grill won’t reopen after shooting Crime
  • County Commissioner Sean Morrison pictured at the Cook County Board
    Morrison re-elected as Cook County GOP Chairman elections
  • house fire on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 by a neighbor who  noticed smoke coming from a house behind them in the 16800 block of 89th Ct. in Orland Hills.
    Neighbor alerts 911 on home fire, no injuries Cook County
  • J.B. Pritzker from his campaign Facebook Page at UFCW union endorsement. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Rauner’s Blago Ad shows he fears Pritzker most Blogger

More Related Articles

Seaman Clarkensy Smith, a native of Chicago, joined the Navy to travel and see the world. Photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward Chicago native serves aboard versatile U.S. Warship half-a-world away News
533 quiet days News
Lose church and school, gain homes News
Nazareth opens with a rout News
Bill Foster Democrat 11th District Illinois Foster Announces Federal Funding for Programs to Combat Youth Substance Use in Naperville and Aurora Crime
Culver's Restaurants are always working to help the needy in our communities Culver’s Partners with Chicago Police Memorial Foundation to Make a Difference Blogger
  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and his wife
    Pritzker lives in glass house of money and hypocrisy
    August 11, 2022
  • Piano. Photo by Dolo Iglesias on Unsplash
    Too old to rock? Elton John, in town tonight, turning back the clock
    August 5, 2022
  • President George W. Bush walks across the tarmac with NFO Lt. Ryan Phillips to Navy One, an S-3B Viking jet, at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego Thursday, May 1, 2003. Flying to the USS Abraham Lincoln, the President addressed the nation and declared "Mission accomplished" in Iraq to justify diverting forces from Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: Can we win the war in Ukraine?
    August 3, 2022
  • 17t year old Hadi Abuatelah runs after Oak Lawn police stopped the vehicle he was in asking him to leave a suspicious looking bag in the back seat. Instead, Abuatelah took the bag and tried to run but was caught and beaten to force him to let go of the bag
    Arabs and Muslims wrongly rush to judgment in Oak Lawn police beating of teenager
    August 3, 2022
  • Hanania newspaper column on Pritzker pushing for Democratic National COnvention
    Pritzker push for Democratic National Convention could backfire
    July 29, 2022
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
    Tough punishment needed in wake of Danny Golden shooting
    July 20, 2022

Subscribe

  • Ray-Hanania-Newsletter-300-wide-Banner.jpg

Trending

  • Police Squad Car, courtesy of Wikipedia Two passengers killed in... Two passengers killed in car-semi collision in Bridgeview Bridgeview Polic... posted on July 16, 2022
  • car crashed through the front window of CosmoProf at 9109 W. 151st Street in Orland Park on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 11:45 AM. Vehicle crashes into Orla... Vehicle crashes into Orland Park cosmetic store front A car crashed throug... posted on July 19, 2022
  • Stolen vehicle recovered... Stolen vehicle recovered, offender arrested in Orland Park car theft On Fr... posted on July 18, 2022
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash Tough punishment needed i... Tough punishment needed in wake of Danny Golden shooting Society must dema... posted on July 20, 2022
  • Felon Donzel Jenkins charged with armed weapons possession in Orland Park July 22, 2022 Orland Park Police arrest... Orland Park Police arrest armed felon charged with weapons possession and v... posted on July 23, 2022
  • NEWS
  • Cook County Sherif Tom Dart
    Sheriff Dart Warns Public of Spike in Thefts of Kia & Hyundai Vehicles
    August 12, 2022
  • Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) Wednesday (August 10, 2022 visited Rick and Corey Johnson’s Farm in Monee, IL and held a ‘Barn Hall’ with farmers, growers and food security advocates from the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Soybean Association, Greater Chicago Food Depository and the USDA Office of Rural Development.
    Rep. Kelly Hosts ‘Barn Hall’ Conversation with Farmers and Food Security Advocates
    August 11, 2022
  • Hastings files lawsuit against Frankfort police after politicized domestic violence report released
    August 10, 2022
  • Orland Park Trustee Dan Calandriello at a Village of Orland Park Board meeting.
    Candidate Calandriello announces “Biking the 17th” to raise awareness for Cook County Forest Preserves
    August 10, 2022
  • Soccer. Photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
    International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium
    August 7, 2022
  • Piano. Photo by Dolo Iglesias on Unsplash
    Too old to rock? Elton John, in town tonight, turning back the clock
    August 5, 2022
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

The Political Pundit

Political Pundit Aug. 24, 2021. Taliban thanks president for boxes of MAGA hats
  • WORD PRESS REVIEWS
  • MyCloud by Western Digital, a hard drive that doesn't last. Don't purchase Western Digital.
    Western Digital tubes its loyal customers for profit
    October 17, 2021
  • Macho Themes website front page. Don't buy their themes. They don't work
    Difficulties with Macho Themes for WordPress
    August 21, 2021
  • TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
  • TikTok Screen shot
    TikTok generates nearly $4 billion in consumer spending
    July 21, 2022
  • Netflix is the best streaming service, despite drop in stock price
    April 20, 2022
  • Book Cover "Laptop from Hell" by Miranda Devince
    Questions remain unanswered about Hunter Biden’s ties to Ukraine
    February 20, 2022

Follow Ray Hanania at
Gab.com, MeWe.com
IDobbinate.com,
Twitter, Facebook

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

What We’re Reading

Arab News Newspaper Leading English Language Publication in the GulfArab News Newspaper

Ray Hanania on Politics
SW News Newspaper Group

  • SPORTS
  • Soccer. Photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
    International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium
    August 7, 2022
  • Stefan Noesen, Chicago Wolves
    Chicago Wolves Noesen wins President’s Award
    July 22, 2022
  • SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview
    Chicago Fire sets dates for “home games” at SeatGeek Stadium because of date conflicts with Soldier Field and Bears
    July 22, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves celebrate Calder Cup Championship 2022. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
    Calder Cup Champions Chicago Wolves sign two veterans forwards
    July 18, 2022
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Hastings files lawsuit against Frankfort police after politicized domestic violence report released
    August 10, 2022
  • Senior Care Home, eberhard 🖐 grossgasteiger on social or copy the text below to attribute.
    Nursing Home Violations for First Quarter of 2022
    June 7, 2022
  • John B. Schulz, 36, of the 7400 block of Brookside Drive in Hanover Park
    Hanover Park Man Charged with Multiple Felonies After Attempt to Meet Minor for Sex
    May 27, 2022
  • State Rep Fran Hurley 35th district
    Hurley-led Measure to Support Families of Fallen First Responders Signed by Governor
    May 24, 2022
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair
    May 17, 2022
Two Guys on PoliticsTwo Guys on Politics

John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications
  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • Patricia Joan Murphy Worth Township Supervisor
    Partnership Will Offer Economic Development and Employment Support in South Suburbs 
    July 25, 2022
  • TikTok Screen shot
    TikTok generates nearly $4 billion in consumer spending
    July 21, 2022
  • Agave Cocina and Tequila Bar at 6050 W. 159th Street on Oak Forest, Illinois
    Restaurant Review: Agave Cocina in Oak Forest
    July 10, 2022
  • Congresswoman Marie Newman, 3rd District Illinois
    House passes two bills sponsored by Congresswoman Newman to support small businesses and strengthen trade
    June 9, 2022
Click this link to watch or use the widget below:

Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.
Email Ray Hanania for more information about performing at your event at rghanania@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme