School Principal Steps Down + Oak Park Seniors Heal From Pandemic

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest!

Welcome back to the Oak Park Patch Daily — the quickest way to get caught up on the biggest news and events happening in town.

In today’s Daily, learn about a youth vaccine clinic at Roosevelt Middle School, how seniors at Oak Park Arms are healing from the pandemic, and why River Forest's Sustainability Commission is teaming up with local restaurants.

First, today’s weather: Rain throughout the day, with a high of 65 and low of 62.

Patch Pick: Serenitea Cafe owner and 20-year Oak Park resident Tracy Boone is contemplating the future of her shop after the pandemic took its toll, leaving her as its sole employee. "This place is not just about money," Boone told Melissa Elmo at the Wednesday Journal. "I have met people here who I consider to be family. I know all the kids who came here when they were little. I call them my tea babies." Boone said she is committed to keeping the shop at 1046 Pleasant Street open through the summer. (Wednesday Journal)

Here are the top five stories in Oak Park today:

1. River Forest School District 90 is hosting a vaccine clinic for children ages 12-15 today from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Roosevelt Middle School gym. The two-dose Pfizer vaccine will be offered for free, in partnership with Jewel-Osco. (Wednesday Journal)

2. The Oak Park Police Department received reports of an aggravated assault with a knife May 7 at the CTA Blue Line platform in the 700 block of South Austin Boulevard. A man wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt carrying a pocket knife approached a commuter, who then fled to safety. Police also responded to recent retail thefts at local Target, Dollar Tree and Old Navy stores. (Oak Leaves)

3. Jennifer Schemidt is leaving William Beye Elementary School after one year as principal. The District 97 Board of Education hopes to fill the role by July 1, when Schemidt begins her new role as a school psychologist at Highlands Elementary School in Naperville. “I am so grateful for the perseverance, flexibility and grace demonstrated by our staff during such unbelievably trying times,” Schemidt wrote to school families last week. District 97 Director of Communications Amanda Siegfried said the community will be kept up to date on the principal search process. (Wednesday Journal)

4. More than 10 local restaurants have signed on to be a part of VegOut Meatless Wednesdays, a River Forest Sustainability Commission initiative to reduce meat consumption. The program will highlight vegetarian menu options to promote personal and environmental health at restaurants like Sushi House and Kettlestrings Tavern. (Wednesday Journal)

5. Senior care community Oak Park Arms has vaccinated 99 percent of its residents and more than 60 percent of staff, according to a recent Pioneer Press feature in the Chicago Tribune. The facility features prominently in the story about how Illinois senior homes are healing after the deadly toll of the COVID-19, which caused 34 deaths in Oak Park's five nursing homes and senior residences. No new cases have been reported in the area's long-term care facilities since Feb. 24, interim public health director Joseph Terry said. (Pioneer Press)

Today in Oak Park:

• Shoppers age 55 and older get 20 percent off all items at Animal Care League’s 2nd Chance Thrift Shop. (11 a.m.)
• Children 8-12 can learn how to make Japanese art at the Trailside Museum of Natural History. (3 p.m.)
• A Fleetwood Mac tribute band is playing at FitzGerald’s. (7 p.m.)

Oak Park Patch Notebook

• Oak Park and River Forest High School is making homecoming plans for the fall after the pandemic cancelled last year’s dance. (Oak Leaves)
• An average of five million gallons of water per day is pumped from Lake Michigan to Oak Park’s 52,000 residents, according to the EPA’s annual water quality report, now available for viewing on the Village website. (Village of Oak Park)
• Fenwick High School is one of seven area high schools to hire new basketball coaches, with Tony Young joining the team after four seasons with Marmion Academy. (Chicago Sun-Times)
• Oak Park Library’s Collection Management Librarian Kathy Sexton created a list of books by East Asian authors to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. (OPPL)
• Donations of personal care items are being accepted by Oak Park Township Youth Services staff and the Oak Park and River Forest Youth Services Committee. Items like deodorant, toothpaste and shampoo will be distributed to local youth in need. (Oak Park Township)

You're all caught up on what's happening today in Oak Park and River Forest. Feel free to email me at georgi.presecky@patch.com to share news and events, or just to say hello.

Until tomorrow,

Georgi