Preschool for All Ends on a High Note

Anna Rus started preschool during the pandemic.

Her mom Ioana said it was tough for her daughter to assimilate with other children when students were finally allowed to return to the classroom. "Being in (Dorn) with kids her age enriched her life so much," Mrs. Rus said. "It was great that children got to return to a routine they had had forgotten about or never knew. But they are resilient and they did it.

"The Hickory Hills' mother of three praised North Palos School District 117 in general and the District's Preschool for All program in particular for "providing such a great education" for her children: Marc, 10; Patrick, 7 and Anna.

The District recently held a breakfast for parents thanking them for their participation in the program.

Parent Zainab Anqawi of Palos Hills said her daughter Mariam, 4, enjoyed school so much at Sorrick that she cried when it was over. "The preschool program was great in that it showed children how to follow rules and how to share which helped them do the same at home," Mrs. Anqawi said.

She said the District made the early learning program fun, yet educational, for the students. "Mariam loved school so much that she would cry when her brother Yousef, 5, went to school full-time. "She wanted to be in school all day too."

Mrs. Anqawi said her daughter is hoping to get full-time kindergarten next year,.