Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 Parent University Sessions Engage Families in Learning

Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 recently welcomed families from across the District to Hometown Elementary School for a Parent University session focused on Illustrative Math. The event, led by math specialists Maureen Finnegan and Becky Malone, allowed parents to learn more about the district’s approach to mathematics instruction.

Finnegan and Malone walked families through the key parts of Illustrative Math, highlighting how the program emphasizes problem-solving, understanding, and real-world applications. Parents in attendance were able to see examples of the strategies their children are using in the classroom, including visual models, discussion-based learning, and multiple methods for approaching problems.

The session also included hands-on activities, allowing parents to experience the types of classwork students encounter daily.

“It’s important for parents to see not just what their children are learning, but how they’re learning it,” Finnegan explained. Malone added that involving families in the process helps build stronger support systems for students both at school and at home.

District 123 Parent University sessions offer opportunities for families to engage in educational practices, learn strategies to support their children’s success, and explore a range of topics, all while highlighting the district’s commitment to collaboration between teachers and families.

School District 123 has nine additional Parent University sessions planned throughout the school year, covering topics such as curriculum and programs, recreational learning, and the District’s Portrait of a Graduate.