Hannum School Steps It Up

Hannum Elementary School in Oak Lawn has really been stepping up their game during this crazy time; and I’ve got to say that as a parent, I really appreciate that.

Now, when I talk about Hannum, I need to talk about Anne Marie McGovern, who has been Hannum’s principal and the backbone of the school for the last 13 years. She has really gone above and beyond to try to keep her students in the Hannum spirit by setting up spirit wear days and other fun dress-up days for the kids to participate in. She’s also keeping up student morale by making “Good News” phone calls to deserving kids who get nominated by their teachers.

When I asked her what she missed the most about being in school, she said it was the face-to-face connection and the quick comments, high-fives or hugs in the hallway she misses the most from both students and staff, who she checks in regularly with through remote meetings, phone calls and texts. Personally I’m a hugger, so I understand the struggle...it’s real.

Both of my kids were really bummed about missing Field Day, so you can imagine my excitement when I got an email with the subject line “Field Day Prep for Friday May 22nd.” The Hannum Physical Education teachers, Michael Fanjoy and Dan Lazzarotto, came up with a neat little twist to the normal field day. They set up the “At Home Hannum Family Field Day” event where students could choose to do one or more of the ten challenges from a list they had provided. On the list were games like Water Balloon Toss and Front Lawn Dodge Ball. They even set up a link where the kids can download their pictures of all the fun they are having, and the teachers will turn them into a slideshow. I cannot wait to see all the great family field day fun!

Let’s not forget everything Hannum has done to make my fifth grader and every other fifth grader in Hannum feel special this year. They partnered with the Hannum PTA and Angela Oldenstedt from Tomber Promotions to make each child their very own special t-shirt, a little goodie bag, and a lawn sign marking their achievement! On top of that, the amazing teachers have also set up a remote awards ceremony that will be taking place on May 29th so the kids can still get their awards they worked so hard for all year long. All of the teachers have been so incredible during this quarantine, and I am so thankful for it.

But the icing on the cake for me was the teacher/staff parade that happened today, May 22nd, at 10:00 a.m. led by Oak Lawn’s finest. The parade had at least 30 decorated cars with all of the fifth grade student’s names on signs congratulating them. Anne Marie McGovern was front and center sitting carefully out of her sunroof waving to all the families followed by the amazing teachers and staff from Hannum. Even my “cool” kids enjoyed the parade! I may have even shed a tear or two myself. It was truly the perfect way to spend a gloomy Friday morning.

What is going to happen in the future is anybody’s guess. I can only hope and pray that our kids can go back to a physical location for school; but whatever the case, I’m confident Hannum and its staff will find a way to make it work for all of us. Kudos to you, Hannum, for a job well done!