District pilots senior seminar and student early-voting site; highlights Black History Month events

District principals and counselors described a series of student-engagement efforts at the February board meeting, including a January 21 senior seminar pilot and a pilot early-voting site for students.

Counselors and building staff said the senior seminar rotated seniors through three information sessions (South Suburban College resources/ISAC, Junior Achievement, and college/career planning), concluded with motivational speaker Lesada/Lasada Pippen delivering a goal-setting message (acronym PUSH: "Persevere Until Success Happens"), and drew high attendance (administrators reported about 260 seniors present). Staff said student response was strong, with roughly 50 seniors following up directly with the guest speaker after the event. They announced a second senior seminar March 4 that will include military and trades representatives, aptitude testing practice and a scholarship workshop.

A Tinley Park principal highlighted a pilot early-voting program organized by district social studies supervisor Ryan Nagle that will let students and staff who are registered voters in Cook County cast early ballots on Feb. 26 at the school's IMC presentation room; the site is closed to the general public and available only to registered students and faculty in Cook County. Principals across the district also highlighted Black History Month programming and student awards, including a state-level Voice of Democracy winner from the district.

Administrators framed these items as opportunities to engage students in civic life and to provide career and postsecondary planning resources. The transcript does not record public objections to either the senior seminar format or the early-voting pilot.