Welcome back to back-to-school season

Originally published August 24, 2017

Some signs that it is getting close to back-to-school season:

Bus drivers are busy learning their routes, as their large yellow vehicles precariously navigate the neighborhoods.

Back to school sales are in almost every store you visit. even Menard’s has school supplies with an incentive rebate for spiral notebooks.

Orland School District 135 will welcome students back to school Aug. 23, a full day for all students. Important information including calendars, Backpack Bliss — an environmentally friendly way to reduce paper and keep up-to-date information flowing to area families, lunch menus, and more can be found at: https://www.orland135.org

Carl Sandburg High School in Consolidated School District 230 will welcome freshman students at 8 a.m. Wednesday, with the rest of the students joining in the fun Aug. 17. A back-to-school event that introduces parents to their students’ teachers and curriculum will be Aug. 22. To stay informed of happenings at Carl Sandburg High School, head to http://sandburg.d230.org/

Orland Township hosted its Back to School Health Fair July 29, which assisted just over 400 people. Sports physicals, immunizations, medical, dental, and vision services and free haircuts were on the agenda. Free hot dogs and beverages were handed out by Orland Township administrators, and raffles, games, prizes, face painting, school supplies, financial advice, nutrition tips — along with police and fire safety awareness information — made this a fun-filled day.

Orland Township is also seeking donations of school supplies to help Orland Township children prepare for school. Items accepted include pens, pencils, crayons, markers, colored pencils, glue, glue sticks, folders, spiral notebooks, rulers, scissors, school boxes and backpacks. Collected supplies will be distributed to low-income families in August. More information is with the Orland Township office at 708-403-4222.

Dancing with the seniors

Back to school for high school students means the start of earning their required community service hours. For high school students who may be seeking some extra community service hours while participating in something fun, consider joining in the Orland Township’s Dancing with the Senior Stars.

“This year’s Dancing with the Senior Stars has a new ‘twist’ —no pun intended” said Joe Snaidauf, an outreach coordinator for Orland Township. “This will be a great, great evening for the entire community.”

The twist is that the annual dance event, which raises scholarship funds for the Orland Township Scholarship Foundation will see seniors (mature adults) dancing with high school seniors.

“It’s so exciting to have our local seniors participate with our local high school seniors,” said Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady. “Dancing with the Senior Stars is always a fun evening, and with the new format “spinning” its way in now, it is going to be that much more charming, while further benefiting a very worthy cause.”

Marie Ryan, Orland Township’s Senior Services coordinator, said, “Orland Township’s Dancing with the Senior Stars has been a staple in the community for the past five years now, and everyone really enjoys it. Adding this fresh presentation blends in new generations, new dance moves, and a new appreciation of community togetherness.”

A meet and greet gathering will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 22 at Arthur Murray Dance Studio, 15131 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park.

Each senior citizen will be paired on the dance floor with a high school senior. Professional instructor dancers will provide a series of lessons and instructions to each contestant team. The “live” event will be held at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at Georgios Banquets, 8800 W. 159th Street, Orland Park. Stay tuned for more details.

More information about Orland Township is at www.orlandtownship.org.

Township open for assessment appeals

Many of you may have received your Estimated Fair Market Value document from Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios‘ office. Rich E. Kelly, Orland Township assessor, provided information on the recent reassessment and the appeals process through the Cook County assessor’s office.

Appointments are limited through the Orland assessor’s office, and as of Aug. 3, many or most of the 576 slots have been filled. That being said, Kelly encouraged those who wish to file an appeal to file an online appeal at http://www.cookcountyassessor.com.

“Cook County Assessor’s online appeal option is the best I’ve seen. It is very much improved, easier and more accurate,” Kelly said.

Orland Township residents may also take a paper copy appeal to the assessor’s satellite office in the Markham or Bridgeview Courthouse or mail it through the Post Office to be postmarked by the August 28, deadline.

More information is at 708-403-4222 or http://orlandtownship.org/assessor/.