There were high fives all around for the start of the 2025-26 school year at Proviso’s three high schools, with community members lining the hallways to welcome students back for what they hope will be a great school year.
The “100 Men and Women Welcome,” an inaugural event for the district, was held at Proviso West, Proviso East and Proviso Math and Science Academy on Thursday, Aug. 14, the first day of school.
According to Cori Hobbs, parent and community engagement coordinator for D209, the 160 participants who lined the entrance to the schools were parents, Proviso alumni, community members and elected officials.
“The kids were so happy,” Hobbs told Forest Park Review. “They were smiling, some of them were like ‘what is going on?’ The kids thought it was a really good start to their year.”
The district had put the call out to the community two weeks before the start of school, asking for 100 people to show up, so surpassing that number for their first event was a great feeling.
“We were beyond ecstatic,” Hobbs said. “This is something that Superintendent [Krish] Mohip has done at previous school districts and he really wanted our students to have that opportunity to feel that support.”
Among those participating in the welcome, designed to inspire, create pride and belonging and instill confidence in students, were police and fire departments, local mayors and church leaders, Hobbs said.
Being a part of Proviso’s first day of school was not a new concept to Mayor Andre Harvey of Bellwood, who said via press release that he has made it a point to be at the first day for as long as he could remember.
“I know how important it is for them to see familiar faces from their community cheering them on,” Harvey said. “Every handshake, every smile, every ‘good morning’ is a reminder that they are not alone on this journey. Bellwood will always stand behind our students, not just today, but every day, because their success is the foundation of our future.”
Mohip said they not only wanted students to feel welcomed but also “truly celebrated.”
“I have seen firsthand in other districts how a strong community presence on the first day of school can set a positive tone for the entire year,” Mohip said. “This welcome sends a clear message that their community, school leadership, district team, staff and teachers believe in them and their potential.”
Jenny Barbahen, president of the Board of Education for D209, said seeing smiles on students’ faces was a “good reminder of why we do this work.”
“This morning, our 209 schools were buzzing with energy,” she said via press release. “We lined the walkways, clapping and cheering as our students stepped into a new school year, some with shy smiles, others with big, confident grins.”
Many participants arrived “bright and early,” around 7 a.m., Hobbs said, adding they wanted to ensure that regardless of what time students were arriving people were there to greet and cheer them on.
Hobbs said with the success of the inaugural event the district hopes to recreate it as a sendoff at the end of the school year for students to have a great start to their summer.