Latest news with #FortDearbornElementarySchool
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
11 Kids Hospitalized After Eating Marijuana Edibles at Elementary School: Reports
Police said nearly two dozen students consumed marijuana-laced edibles at Fort Dearborn Elementary School in Chicago on May 13 Eleven students, who range in age from 11 to 14, were subsequently hospitalized, according to reports The students reportedly have since been released from Christ HospitalEleven students were hospitalized after ingesting marijuana edibles at a Chicago elementary school, authorities said. Police said 22 students at Fort Dearborn Elementary School on Chicago's South Side consumed edibles that contained THC on Tuesday, May 13, according to CBS affiliate WBBM-TV and FOX affiliate WFLD. Parents said the incident occurred after a student brought the cookies to school, ABC affiliate WLS-TV reported. Of the nearly two dozen students who ate the laced treats, 11 needed medical attention, police added. The students hospitalized range in age from 11 to 14, according to CW affiliate WGN-TV. In a letter to families obtained by WFLD and WGN-TV, the school's principal confirmed that students had ingested the substance, noting that support was 'immediately provided' to the 'impacted community members.' Parents of the impacted individuals and the Chicago Public Schools' Office of Safety and Security were notified as well, the principal said. "Safety is always my top priority, which is why I am writing to notify you of a situation impacting our school,' the principal said. The principal later stated in the letter, "Prohibited substances of any kind are not allowed at our school, and we encourage you to take this opportunity to have a conversation with your child about the health risks associated with consuming edibles, and to remind them not to accept food if they do not know where it came from." School officials and police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The children who consumed the cookies were transported to Christ Hospital and have since been released, according to WFLD. Trianna Jones told WLS-TV that her child spat out the cookie after noticing it 'didn't taste right.' 'I don't think it was packaged or anything," she added. Many parents have questions about how the student came into possession of the cookies, according to WBBM-TV. Some believe the adult responsible for the child who brought the cookies to school should be held accountable. "You have to be careful what you leave out and have around your children," said parent Ethel Allen. "Parents, please pay attention." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
South Side math students look to overcome financial hurdles and partake in Disney Imagination Campus
CHICAGO (WGN) — Eighth grade mathematicians from the South Side are set to embark on a trip to Disney's Imagination Campus, where they will aim to enhance their academic skills and expose themselves to careers in science, technology, engineering and math. But while excitement for the trip is high, funds to make sure the opportunity happens are low. LaTonya Brown has been teaching math at Fort Dearborn Elementary School since 1993, where she's always aimed to make the subject exciting and challenging for her students. 'Taking the mystery out of it—a lot of students are intimidated by taking math class and its scary so, I try to make it fun,' Mrs. Brown said. Fort Dearborn eighth grader Alicia Anderson said Mrs. Brown is a compassionate educator who has encouraged her to live out her dreams, while also helping her master the art of algebra. 'She teaches us about high school and about life outside of Chicago and about life outside of Fort Dearborn,' Anderson said. It's success in helping engage students in difficult concepts in the classroom that has brought opportunities like this one to Mrs. Brown and students like Anderson, who are invited to travel to Disney World in Orlando, Florida at the end of May to participate in the Disney Imagination Campus. 'It's not just having fun at Disney, but we're also learning,' Anderson said. 'We're doing research. We're seeing how to put everyday learning into real life at Disney and how they do it.' This will mark Mrs. Brown's fourth time taking a class to Disney's Imagination Campus, but this go around, she's up against a financial challenge. She said the class needs to raise an additional $20,000 by April 17th to make the trip happen. 'My parents are trying to raise money, but its $1,200 per student which will include everything,' Mrs. Brown said. While family of staff and students continue to do their part raising money for the trip, Fort Dearborn Principal Kimberly Porter is taking the route of looking for community partners to help make the trip a reality. 'What we're hoping for—not just sponsorship for this—but we'd love to have some lifetime partners in our school moving forward,' Mrs. Porter said. The Disney Imagination Campus is designed to allow students to enjoy the magic of Disney World, while interactively learning about the science, technology, engineering and math behind the attractions of the park. 'We don't have discipline issues. The kids come to school. Attendance is great. Scores are great,' Mrs. Brown said. 'They are performing at and above the level they should be so, I think they should be rewarded with something non traditional. It's what CPS pushes—learning beyond the classroom.' With high school on the horizon, Anderson is hopeful that she and her classmates can make lasting memories at Disney World, while also being inspired to follow their dreams. 'It will give my classmates and I a chance to venture outside of Chicago because, for some of my classmates, this is an opportunity of a lifetime,' Anderson said. 'They might not ever be able to do it again.' If you or someone you know would like to help pay for Mrs. Brown's math students' trip to the Disney Imagination Campus, donations can be made online on the school's website. Here's how to donate: Go to the school's website by clicking here. Scroll down and click on 'E-Pay,' then click on 'One-Time Payment.' Scroll down and click on the 'donations' tab. Make sure to include student information if donating for a specific student, but if you are just making a general donation, make sure to fill in the required information sections with 'NA' or 'blank.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
