Communications, Media, & Public Relations

Watch our promo video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hibgIFcyg0g

Please note that all Cicero District 99 buildings are closed to the public until Monday, August 3.

PARENTS — Please take this survey to share your thoughts on the options available for fall opening: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/#569267838/hub

NOTE: Once you visit the link, at the top of the page there is an option to view the survey in English, Spanish or other languages as needed.

Cicero District 99 and Superintendent Rodolfo Hernandez are proud to announce that Sherlock Elementary School was recently named as a 2020 Integration Award Winner by Commercial Integrator, a technology professionals trade magazine dedicated to addressing the business needs of integrators serving small and midsize businesses.

This past June, Sherlock Elementary School was selected as the Integration Awards' K-12 winner for its Snap Install AV project.

Cicero District 99, Town of Cicero President Larry Dominick and the Board of Trustees, Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar, State Representative Lisa Hernandez, State Senator Steven Landek, and Blanca Vargas (LULAC Cicero), in partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, invite Cicero residents to take advantage of the USDA's Field to Table pop-up food distribution program.

District 99 is proud to congratulate all of its retirees from the 2019-2020 academic year with this video sendoff, featuring principals, District admin and department supervisors sharing their best wishes.

Locals of all ages flocked to Unity Junior High School on Thursday, June 25 for District 99's first day of the Free Food Box program, a summer partnership between District 99, local municipal leaders and the Greater Chicago Food Depository to help provide healthy food for area children and families in need.

The coronavirus pandemic threw a major curveball into the academic year, leading to an unprecedented season of school closures ushering in a new era of remote learning. But as threats of economic uncertainty and job insecurity grow larger by the day as the pandemic continues, one thing in Cicero District 99 will remain unchanged — its unwavering commitment of keeping children across Cicero fed.

The school district is continuing its part to alleviate food insecurity for the residents of Cicero, extending its healthy food partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD). From June 25 through July 30, District 99 and GCFD are partnering with Cicero, Cook County and State of Illinois leaders under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act for the United States Department of Agriculture's Field to Table popup distribution program.

Cicero District 99 and Columbus East Elementary School Principal Donata Heppner were recently featured in an article on We Are Teachers, an online media brand for educators committed to one of the toughest, most rewarding jobs out there.

Administrators and staff members from Cicero District 99 and Unity Junior High School celebrated the Class of 2020 with a special celebratory drive through graduation parade on Saturday, June 13 in the front of Unity's main entrance.

On Monday, June 8 and Tuesday, June 9, Unity Junior High School's Athletics Department acknowledged all student athletes who made a spring sports team by delivering signs to their front lawn which stated, "A proud student-athlete lives here," along with a designation of their sport.

That's a wrap!

As District 99 closes out a whirlwind school year, Superintendent Rodolfo Hernandez shares his final episode of "99 in :99" with the community, sharing a message of thanks for supporting the District during these challenging times and offering a message of hope.

Superintendent Hernandez is back this week with another episode of 99 in :99! Hear this week's message as the District begins wrapping up the end of the school year.

Today's Friday, which means Superintendent Hernandez is back with another episode of "99 in :99"!

Typically during the school year, District 99 likes to highlight teachers and staff who either grew up in Cicero and are happily giving back to their hometown community, or who decided to work in District 99 after finding the students and staff to have made such a unique educational community.

But during these trying times, District 99 wanted to take the time to properly recognize the District's essential workers — those who are helping the District run like a well-oiled machine, despite the challenges presented by COVID-19.

Happy Friday, Cicero!

Check out this week's edition of Superintendent Hernandez's "99 in :99"!

Hernandez, and everyone from Cicero District 99, thank the Town of Cicero for its continued support of helping the District continue igniting the road to excellence during these challenging times.

This Saturday, May 14, Unity Junior High School will be the location of a local curbside pickup of free face masks between 9 a.m. and noon.

PLEASE NOTE: Masks are being distributed on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last, with priority given to senior citizens.

Here's Superintendent Hernandez's latest episode of "99 in :99".

Continue to stay tuned to the District's website, Facebook and Twitter for further updates on remote learning, messages from the District and other important information.

Cicero District 99 could not be where it is today without the men and women who dedicate their lives to help teach and shape the children of our community in becoming the next leaders of our future generations.

In this video, district, school and community leaders, along with our students and their families, share special messages for District 99 teachers who leave a lasting impact on their lives.

Cicero District 99 is proud to announce that two Unity Junior High School students have be awarded scholarships to attend Nazareth Academy in west suburban LaGrange Park!

Cicero District 99 would like to wish everyone a Happy Day of the Child!

Here's Superintendent Hernandez's latest episode of "99 in :99".

Continue to stay tuned to the District's website (https://www.cicd99.edu/about-district-99/covid19), Facebook and Twitter for further updates on remote learning, messages from the District and other important information.

Superintendent Rodolfo Hernandez launches his new video series, "99 in :99," which features District 99 news shared in 99 seconds or less!

Continue to stay tuned to the District's website (https://www.cicd99.edu/about-district-99/covid19), Facebook and Twitter for further updates on Remote Learning, messages from the District and other important information.

Here's a #TBT post showcasing some of District 99's most talented students!

This past Wednesday, Suburban Life reporter F. Amanda Tugade and photographer Sandy Bressner stopped by Warren Park Elementary School to share the story of how District 99 has pledged to continue feeding its children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This month, Cicero District 99 recognized Liliana Castaneda, third-grade transitional teacher at Daniel Burnham Elementary School, and Marcela Galvez, clerk at Unity Junior High School, for exemplary service and outstanding leadership in District 99.

Castaneda, who moved to the U.S. from Mexico at the age of 14, has worked tirelessly for seven years in Cicero who, like her, come from immigrant families. Galvez, who attended Sherlock Elementary School and graduated from Goodwin Elementary School in 2000, has proudly served as a point-person for office matters at Unity Junior High School for the past decade.

This message is to provide information on the preventive measures that District 99 is implementing to ensure the safety and wellness of our staff and students, as it relates to COVID-19. The District is implementing precautionary measures as outlined by the Illinois Department of Health and the Illinois State Board of Education.

As a preventive measure, we are cancelling events that have traditionally been open to the public and parents. Extracurricular activities will continue as planned at this time. We will continue to provide updates and information as it becomes available.

Although this has been the first year Unity Junior High School has had students participate in competitive wrestling, it does not mean the young Tigers don't have talent to leave on the mat.

During the IESA wrestling regional meet on Saturday, Feb. 29 at Hadley Junior High School in west-suburban Glen Ellyn, the Unity wrestling team proudly had three of its eighth-grade wrestlers show strong performances, claiming them spots at the IESA wrestling sectional this Saturday, March 7 at Lincoln-Way West High School in south-suburban New Lenox.

In Cicero District 99, addressing the concerns of student mental health is a top priority. And, because the District's Multi-Tier Systems of Support (MTSS) Department realizes advocating for students' mental well-being should not be confined to the walls of just one school district, they're actively seeking the partnership of district leaders and community entities across the Chicago area to work together to find meaningful interventions and solutions.

For the second time this school year, District 99 will be partnering with Riveredge Hospital in Forest Park to co-host the School-Based Mental Health Roundtable discussion Thursday, April 23 from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, 3545 S. 61st Ave., Cicero.

Joining with other students from across Chicagoland, a small group of students from District 99 had the chance to join Chicago Blackhawks players as special VIP guests on Sunday, March 1 at the 12th annual Brent Seabrook Blackhawks ICE Bowl at Lucky Strike bowling alley in downtown Chicago.

Twenty-nine seventh- and eighth-grade boys and girls from Unity Junior High School kicked off District 99's inaugural bowling season Friday, Feb. 28 during the first tournament of the season against Berwyn's St. Leonard School at Striker Lanes in Berwyn.

To celebrate the joys of reading and the importance of literacy as a goal for students of all ages, students and staff at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School and Goodwin Elementary School celebrated National Read Across America Day a few days early on Friday, Feb. 29.

Dear Cicero District 99 students, staff and families,

In light of the growing global concerns surrounding the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Cicero District 99 administrators and health care providers have been carefully monitoring news and developments on the illness as provided by the Centers for Disease Control, Illinois Department of Public Health and Cook County Department of Public Health.

Seventh- and eighth-grade students from Unity Junior High School's girls basketball, dance, boys soccer and cross country teams were recognized for their accomplishments during the 2019 fall sports season at a special family banquet at the junior high on Thursday, Feb. 27.

This past fall, four elementary schools in District 99 — Columbus West, Goodwin, Liberty and Roosevelt — pledged to donate as much money as they could toward the 2019-2020 fundraiser drive for Pennies for Patients, an organization which raises money to support the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

For the past 11 years, Cicero residents have flocked to Cicero District 99 to attend its Parent University program — a signature event developed to connect local parents with guest speakers and provide educational resources to bridge the gap between socioeconomic barriers and academic success, presented in both English and Spanish. Kicking off the spring 2020 program on Saturday, March 21, District 99 is welcoming award-winning author Reyna Grande as the event's keynote speaker.

This past Friday, the entire first-grade class at Drexel Elementary School was in for the ultimate gift-giving surprise of the year as standout high-school student athletes from across Chicagoland flooded the school's gymnasium to gift the students with brand-new scooters.

To celebrate students' achievements in regards to academic excellence and citizenship in their community, the administration at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School inducted 21 students into the school's chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Students from all schools in District 99 came to Unity Junior High School on Wednesday, Feb. 19 for the District's annual Academic Showcase — an opportunity for children from grades K-8 to put the lessons learned in the classroom into practice with trivia games, STEAM-based building races, project posters and artistic displays.

The Unity Junior High School Special Olympics basketball team took a trip to Wintrust Arena near McCormick Place in Chicago on Friday, Jan. 31 to watch the 12th-ranked DePaul University women's basketball team take on Creighton University of Omaha, Ne. for Special Olympics Illinois night.

During an interactive all-school assembly Thursday featuring Chicago White Sox mascot Southpaw, students at Drexel Elementary School saw the importance of not only stomping out bullying in the school halls, but beyond — both in their real-life communities and digital communities.

To help spread awareness to the water crisis happening around the world, District 99 students and staff came together, in partnership with the WE organization, to raise funds to provide clean water for Ecuador on Friday, Feb. 7 during the annual Walk For Water at Unity Junior High School.

Valentine's Day wasn't the only reason love was in the air at Sherlock Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 14.

During the morning, parents of third graders joined their students for interactive Valentine's Day-themed math activities filled with sweet treats, puzzles and coloring.

Love was in the air at Liberty Elementary School on Thursday, Feb. 13, as parents and grandparents flocked to the school for a Sweetheart Dance filled with dancing, sweet valentine-themed treats and crafts.

Last month, students at Cicero East Elementary School were celebrated by staff and administrators for outstanding MAP Test growth. Trophies were given for top scores and top growth in reading and math, both individually and by class, and all students who exceeded expected growth received certificates of achievement.

On Friday, Feb. 7, students from classrooms across Goodwin Elementary School were presented by Principal Al Molina and Assistant Principal Alison Espinoza with individual awards for academic improvement, excellence in their classrooms, good citizenship and perfect attendance.

This month, Cicero District 99 recognized Elvia Arellano, fifth-grade teacher at Warren Park Elementary School, and Lezley Harmon, special-education teacher at Columbus East Elementary School, for exemplary service and outstanding leadership in District 99.

In January, Elaine Dominguez, a student at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, was recognized by Achieve3000 as an outstanding user of its literacy software during its Make the Break contest — a national initiative launched by the digital instruction platform to encourage students to continue using its reading tools over their holiday breaks to maintain growth achieved during the first half of the school year.