The end of the school year always brings so much excitement and so many opportunities to celebrate. Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 was proud to honor 12 students from D123 schools at the annual South Cook Region Illinois Principal Association Recognition Breakfast with the theme “Growing Greatness.”

In a vibrant celebration of creativity and talent, the annual Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 Art Extravaganza transformed the Middle School gymnasium and media center into a mesmerizing art museum on Thursday, April 23. The event showcased an array of artworks from each elementary school and masterpieces crafted by middle school students throughout the year.

Each year, the Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 PTA Council celebrates three distinguished D123 alumni with the Helen Whalen Higher Education Scholarship. Recipients are honored at a special dinner for their hard work and service to the community.

On Friday, April 24th, the Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 Educational Foundation welcomed more than 200 community members to its highly anticipated Tacos & Trivia fundraiser held at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Guests gathered for an evening filled with friendly competition, great food, and plenty of laughter as 22 teams put their trivia skills to the test. 

Fourth graders brought history to life during their recent Wax Museum event, showcasing the knowledge and creativity they developed throughout their CKLA unit on inventors. Students selected influential inventors, researched their lives and contributions, and transformed into their chosen figures for an engaging, interactive experience.

The Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 learning community escaped the winter chill for a day of fun and connection on Saturday, February 28, as we celebrated the relationships within our community. From the scents of pancakes flipping and popcorn popping to the sounds of music, laughter, and awe, Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School was transformed into a carnival for the District 123 Winter Fun Fair. 

Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School brought the magic to the stage on Friday, February 6th and Saturday, February 7th with its sold-out production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. Audiences were treated to an unforgettable performance filled with talent, hard work, and heart. From the opening scene to the final bow, the cast and crew delivered an amazing show that left the crowd smiling and cheering.

From gray wigs to Dalmatian spots, Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 students sure know how to celebrate the 100th and 101st days of school. These milestones in the academic calendar were recognized to emphasize how many days of learning our students have accomplished with a little bit of fun!

On Thursday, October 23, the Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 Educational Foundation brought the celebratory Balloon Brigade back to D123 to recognize the creativity and dedication of educators across the District. To celebrate recent mini-grant recipients, members of the Ed Foundation and District administration made surprise visits to classrooms with festive balloons and oversized “big checks.” The Foundation’s mini-grant program supports innovative educator-led projects that enhance student learning and engagement.

The Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) awarded the Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 Board of Education the 2025 IASB School Board Governance Recognition. This honor recognizes boards that demonstrate exemplary commitment to effective governance, continuous improvement, and service to students and the community. This marks the 5th District 123 Board Governance Award in the last 10 years. (2015, 2019, 2021, 2023, & 2025)

This summer was bursting with energy as Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 welcomed more than 600 students from Pre-K through incoming 8th graders across public, private, and parochial schools. The programs were designed to spark curiosity, fuel creativity, and sustain academic growth — all while providing students with exciting opportunities to explore new interests and develop lasting skills.

Friends, family, and District 123 staff gathered to celebrate the Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School Class of 2025 on June 5. We wish these graduates all the best as they continue their academic journey in high school and beyond. Congratulations, OLHMS Class of 2025!