Forest Park School District 91 welcomed families and the community at the annual Back to School Picnic Tuesday, an event designed to generate excitement about the first day of school.
The picnic was held behind the Roos Recreation Center from 4 to 7 p.m. and about 800 people attended, officials estimated.
The picnic has been a back-to-school tradition since 2021 because Supt. Elizabeth Alvarez, who was new at the time, wanted to build up the sense of community for D91 families.
It is all about community and belonging, Alvarez said, emphasizing that celebrating the start of the new school year together is important.
“If we didn’t do this, I honestly don’t think the welcome back would be as exciting as it is,” Alvarez said.
The event featured bounce houses, basketball games, and face painting for children to participate in along with food and shaved ice to help keep residents cool.
Community partners, including West40, the Park District of Forest Park and Collaboration for Early Childhood where among the organizations that set up tables to give out stickers, lollipops and other goodies.
Maria-Elena Agrela, community resource coordinator at West40, said it was important for the nonprofit intermediate service center, which serves 38 school districts and three co-ops in West Cook County, to be at the picnic and show their support of D91.
“Our goal is to support all of our communities,” Agrela said.
Not wanting to miss out on the community fun, Lekeisha Boyd, a Forest Park resident, attended the event with her children and grandchildren. Her granddaughter attends Garfield Elementary and her son attends Forest Park Middle School, she said.
“We are out here for the back-to-school activities,” Boyd said. “Enjoy the festivities and get to meet more Forest Park families.”
The event was also an opportunity for students and families to meet their new teachers, principals and also get their schedules ahead of time.
Each D91 school had a booth set up at the event where they handed out goodies along with lawn signs for each prospective school, which many families proudly carried around for the remainder of the day.
Christy Griffin, a Forest Park mom, came to the event with her rising first grader, King Palmore, who enjoyed shaved ice and the activities.
Griffin said they always try to come out to all the community events the district and Forest Park have to offer.
They came to the picnic to catch up with friends, Griffin said.
“Really to see all his friends that he hasn’t seen during the summer,” Griffin said. “Also his principal and to see what activities we can sign up for.”
Alvarez and Nurys Uceta-Ramos, director of engagement for D91, both agreed that the event kicks off the start of the new school year with a lot of excitement.
The first day of school for Forest Park School District 91 will be Wednesday, Aug. 21.
