History of Oak Park and River Forest High School

The History of Oak Park and River Forest High School covers the history of Oak Park and River Forest High School, located in Oak Park, Illinois, USA, from 1871 to the present.

During the school's history, it has been a focal point of the community, where many notable people from a variety of professions and walks of life have given lectures or performances.

Throughout the school's history, students' rights have been a common theme, ranging from the association of students in fraternities and sororities to the rights of homosexuals, women, and African-Americans.

History

Nineteenth century

Starting in 1871, high school students from Oak Park attended classes in an elementary school.[1] The first class, which contained only three people, graduated in 1877. As early as 1875, there was discussion about constructing a high school in Oak Park.[2]

In June 1889, the school board announced that a site on Lake Street between Euclid and East Avenues had been selected for the new high school.[3] Construction began in the spring of 1890.[4] The school was designed by the firm of Thomas & Rapp, and built for an initial cost of the school was listed at US$40,000.[5] The school, Oak Park-Ridgeland High School, was opened for public inspection on the afternoon of 1 January 1892.[6]

The building was designed to be used for kindergarten and grades 5-12.[6] Among the features of the building were a state of the art ventilation system that changed the air in the entire building once each six minutes.[6] The basement, which would hold industrial arts shops, and the third floor, which would hold the gymnasium, science labs, and rooms for cooking and sewing rooms.[6]

The 15 member graduating class of 1894, grouped according to course work in "Classical", "Latin", or "Modern language" received a graduation address from John M. Coulter, then serving as president of Lake Forest University.[7]

In 1899, the tuition charged to residents of River Forest and Maywood was raised, prompting the students from those towns to move their students to the recently completed Austin High School in Chicago.[8]

1901-1920

By 1904, the towns decided a new high school building was needed.[9] In December 1904, the location at East and Ontario Streets was selected by voters.[10]

The original school site was sold in 1916 for $25,000.[11]

Oak Park-River Forest High School opened in 1907.

A new building, designed to hold 800 students was opened in 1907 in the school's current location, however, by 1908, the school was declared defective, and required additional work, with the concrete floors specifically cited as being unable to support the full weight of potential people that might stand on it.[12] The school eventually filed suit against the contractors.[13]

For many years, students at the school had formed fraternities and sororities. In the wake of a student's near death during an initiation in 1907, the citizens of the community began to ask for the secret organizations to be disbanded.[14] In the summer of 1907, school officials formally informed parents of the school's opposition to these groups, and that parents should be wary about permitting students to join these groups.[15] As school started in 1908, the school opted to require all students (unless parents were opposed) to sign an oath not to join any secret societies.[16] With the pledges sent out, the secret societies were effectively banned at the school, though not without a fight.[17] The adult sponsor of one fraternity (on whose property the fraternity's house was located) decided to defend the system.[18] It soon became clear that the fight was between representatives of the "old guard" of Oak Park which favored the societies, and newer families who were against them.[19] Even as the last sororities submitted to signing the oath, the fraternities held out hope that they and their parents would prevail.[20] While continued existence of the fraternities was tolerated for a time, by early 1909, the last remaining members were expelled when they failed to comply with the oaths they had signed.[21] After the last fraternity engaged the services of an attorney to defend themselves, the attorney informed the members and their families that the school was within its rights, leading the last holdouts to renounce their membership, and rejoin the school community.[22][23] Problems with secret societies continued sporadically into 1911, when students were again given the choice of renouncing membership in the groups or face expulsion.[24] Nine students were ultimately expelled.[25] Four of these boys applied to attend one of the public schools in Chicago, and were rejected.[26] One of the nine students was eventually reinstated by a judge, who openly called these secret societies "enemies of the state and foes of our Christian civilization".[27] Expulsions over the offense continued in 1915, though with the added twist of several girls gaining the support of Mrs. Catherine Wright, the wife of architect Frank Lloyd Wright.[28][29][30] In 1916, parents supportive of secret societies attempted to get elected to the school board, but failed when the leadership withdrew from the election.[31]

1908 saw approval for the expansion of the athletic facilities with five new tennis courts, a new quarter-mile cinder track, and outdoor basketball courts.[32]

On 16 January 1914, the school opened up its new field house which ranked among the largest indoor athletic facilities for a secondary school in the country, which included a one-fourteenth of a mile indoor track.[33]

During the years 1916 and 1917, Ernest Hemingway was a contributor to the school newspaper and literary magazine. Several of these works were collected in Hemingway at Oak Park High: The High School Writings of Ernest Hemingway, 1916-1917. Among these works was a short story, A Matter of Colour, which appears to be a prequel to his later short story The Killers, explaining the reason for the action in that story.[34]

1921-40

On 27 September 1924 OPRF dedicated its new athletic stadium with a celebration that included a 13-0 win in football over Austin High School.[35][36]

The fight against secret societies among students again raised its head. In May 1926, the school issued one year suspensions to 53 students under the claim that their Sunday school classes served as a front for fraternity membership.[37] The boys filed suit against the school claiming that they did not know they would be punished so strongly, with one prominent parent claiming the school was acting to erase its image as an "athletic" school.[38] When the boys won the case, they arrived at school to gain admittance, only to see the Superintendent cancel classes so that students could attend a "clean alleys" parade.[39] Upon appeal, the judge reversed his initial ruling, and denied the boys' lawsuit.[40] Despite missing graduation for some students, the remaining students continued to appeal throughout the summer.[41][42] On 4 September, the parties arrived at a compromise where graduates would receive their diplomas, underclassmen would return to class, though students would be barred from extracurricular activities, and would be required to help root out secret societies.[43] Parents who had started a petition drive against the principal were also required to destroy the petitions.[43]

November 1927 saw the announcement of new construction. The first to be completed was a new gymnasium for girls and a fieldhouse for boys, which would include a dirt floor and an indoor track.[44] One report stated that the school would thus have "the largest and most complete high school athletic layout in the world".[44] These facilities, costing $750,000 were ready in August 1928.[45]

OPRF was routinely hosted community lecture events and several charitable fundraisers that often attracted notable people. On the evening of 9 November 1936, the school hosted a talk by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.[46]

On 14 October 1940, the school hosted the exiled Archduke Felix of Austria for a talk.[47] On 22 October 1940, the school hosted Cornelia Otis Skinner, who presented some costumed monologues at the school as a part of a fundraiser for the local infant welfare society.[48] A benefit concert at the school on 8 November 1940 featured violinist Efrem Zimbalist.[49] 22 January 1941 saw a lecture by polar explorer Rear Admiral Richard Byrd.[50]

1941-1960

With the outbreak of World War II, OPRF opened its doors to a University of Illinois sponsored war industries college to educate men and women in skills needed to perform in necessary industries.[51]

At least as early as 1940, interest was show in opening a second high school for the town of River Forest.[52] In 1946, approval was given for River Forest to form their own high school district.[53][54] By 1949, River Forest was still a separate district, but had not begun to build a high school, forcing the district to pay tuition for each student still attending Oak Park High School.[55] In late May 1949, petitions were presented asking for a referendum to reunite the two districts, with the county superintendent announcing that the reunited school district would officially become Consolidated High School District 200 when the vote from both districts favored reunification.[56] The successful election resulted in the call for the election of a new school board.[57]

The 1940s saw still more lecturers and performers come to the school for various functions. 12 October 1942 saw a talk on "Liberty vs. Oppression" by Ève Curie, the daughter and biographer of Marie Curie.[58] Carmen Amaya and her band of dancers performed 16 October 1942.[59] Soprano Helen Jepson performed on 24 March 1944.[60] Actress Ilka Chase gave a talk on 21 April 1944.[61] 11 October 1944 saw a performance by magician Harlan Tarbell.[62] Hypnotist and "mind reader" Dr. Franz Polgar was the entertainment at the school on 25 April 1945.[63] In March 1946, the school hosted a two-day conference to discuss the future of the Soviet Union in world affairs which was chaired by William McGovern and Maynard C. Krueger.[64] Eugene List performed on piano on 29 October 1946.[65] Will Durant, philosopher and historian, gave a lecture on 17 October 1949.[66]

The 1950-51 school year opened with a $200,000 renovation of the school's auditorium.[67] While the auditorium's capacity dropped from 1,300 to 1,200, the renovations included a new stage and dressing rooms.[67]

Two communities which had been sending students to OPRF withdrew from the district in the early 1950s. Elmwood Park incorporated its own high school district and constructed Elmwood Park High School in 1954, while the east part of River Grove was incorporated into Leyden High School.[68][69]

1954 saw an addition to the field house and an additional $200,000 in improvements.[70]

In 1956, voters rejected a bond issue, which requested permission to raise $2.8 million for renovations and expansion.[71] A $2 million bond issue was approved for renovations in 1957.[72] A new wing including ten classrooms and a new library was finished in the spring of 1959.[73]

The 1950s saw more notable lecturers and performers take to the stage at the school. Princess Ileana of Romania gave a talk about the effects of communism on her country on 8 October 1951.[74] Claude Raines performed readings of literature on 19 October 1953.[75] The former crown prince of Austria, Otto von Habsburg lectured on Europe and world security on 18 October 1954.[76] Lt. General Mark Clark discussed a recent book he had written on 1 November 1954, while Willy Ley talked on the new space program on 7 February 1955.[76] Polar explorer and president of Carleton College, Laurence McKinley Gould spoke on 28 October 1957.[77] Vance Packard an author and social critic talked about his book, The Hidden Persuaders and American morality on 17 November 1958.[78]

1961-1980

In July 1966, preliminary plans were announced for a US$5.7 million, 300,000-square-foot (28,000 m2) addition and remodeling of the school which would include three air conditioned floors, a 1,700 seat auditorium, a 400-seat theater, and a 200-seat forensics theater were all part of the plan.[79] Bidding for the addition opened in September 1966.[80] In conjunction with the new construction, the school received a US$ 1.5 million Title III grant to expand and redevelop the school library.[81] Construction was underway by November, with the price tag now standing at US$10.4 million.[82] The project was not complete when the district was required to ask the residents for a US$2.9 million bond issue, which was approved in December 1967.[83] In 1967, there was discussion of the Oak Park Elementary School District merging with the high school district to form a unit district.[84][85]

In the summer of 1969, the school's orchestra planned to take a 22-day 8 city tour of Europe that was to include stops in Moscow and Leningrad, becoming the first American high school orchestra to perform in the Soviet Union.[86] However, the group's itinerary was forced to change. The tour included a concert in St Mark's Square and an audience with Pope Paul VI, as well as a concert at Beethovenhalle in Bonn.[87] The tour to Moscow and Leningrad (and Amsterdam and Vienna) took place over the 1970-71 winter break.[88]

In December 1976, voters approved a 77 cent-per-US$100 assessed property value increase to improve the school's educational fund.[89]

The school continued to host a number of notable visitors. In February 1961, the school hosted alum, Illinois Governor Otto Kerner, Jr. and General Alfred Gruenther on the topic of national goals.[90] Congressman and staunch anti-communist Walter Judd spoke at the school in 1962.[91] Broadway producers José Quintero and Theodore Mann presented the play Under Milk Wood in October 1962, followed a week later with a talk by Baroness Maria von Trapp, and in November with a talk on contemporary problems by U.S. Senator John Tower.[92] In October 1963 the importance of education was the emphasis of a talk by former heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Dempsey.[93] The remainder of 1963 and into 1964 saw visits from former Cincinnati mayor Charles Taft, MP Fergus Montgomery, naturalist and author Joy Adamson, and writer Art Buchwald.[94] Winston Churchill, grandson of the British Prime Minister, spoke in 1965.[95] The 1969-70 lecture season included talks by Percy Julian on the race crisis in America, Dr. David E. Smith on drug abuse, and Bruno Bettelheim on the generation gap.[96] The 1970-71 lecture season included William F. Buckley, Jr., Roger Hilsman, and Bill Veeck.[97] Senator Charles H. Percy lectured on current Congressional issues in October 1971.[98] Governor Richard B. Ogilvie made a campaign stop at the school in 1972.[99] March 1976 saw a performance by Count Basie and his orchestra.[100] Dr. Carolyn R. Payton, director of the Peace Corps spoke at a benefit hosted at the school in November 1978.[101] On 1 October 1980, three days before the 1980 presidential election, Vice President Walter Mondale gave a talk to 1,000 students and a press conference at the school.[102]

1981-onward

In the autumn of 1983, the school inducted the first members of its alumni hall of fame.[103]

1983 also saw OPRF among 32 Chicago-area school districts who had members of Lyndon LaRouche's National Democratic Policy Committee run for their school board.[104] Among the changes these candidates supported are an end to "the hoax of new math", the end of all ecology classes, the elimination of non-classical music, and the end of vocational education classes.[104] In Oak Park-River Forest, as with most of the districts, the candidates were not elected.[105] By the 1990s, the concern over this, which began to include concerns over violence spreading from other schools, even required the hiring of private detectives to investigate student residency.[106]

1983 also saw OPRF join a trend in identifying students (42 in 1983) who were nonresidents of the district (mostly from Chicago), and dismissing them.[107] In some cases, this involved sending security guards to the local elevated train platforms to identify students arriving from the city.[107][108]

The autumn of 1983 also saw the school caught up in the deportation of an employee of 25 years. In 1982, the school's head custodian had admitted to the U.S. Justice Department that he had not been open about his tenure as a member of the Waffen-SS at the Gross-Rosen concentration camp during World War II. After the Justice Department initial deportation hearings ended, the school opted to dismiss the custodian. While there was general community agreement, there were those who opposed the dismissal (including at least one Jewish student), citing his exemplary behavior, caring for students, and hard work.[109][110] The former custodian was deported to West Germany after his final appeal was denied by Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens in 1987.[111]

Walter Mondale returned to the school as a presidential candidate, making a public call for Ronald Reagan to suspend underground nuclear testing.[112]

Former U.S. Senator Adlai Stevenson III announced his second-time candidacy for Illinois governor during a speech at the school in October 1985.[113][114]

In 1987, the school board considered a proposal that would have mandated testing for AIDS in any student (with parental notification) or staff member whom the superintendent had "reasonable cause" in being infected.[115]

In 1989, the OPRF school board drafted a fourth revision of its anti-discrimination policy, and for the first time included sexual orientation as being protected from harassment.[116] At the next board meeting, there were passionate voices both approving and disapproving of the new policy.[117] In December, the board approved the policy, and became the first high school in Illinois to extend protection to homosexuals.[118]

The 1990s saw the school go through financial difficulties. 68 employees, including tenured teachers faced layoffs in 1991.[119] By 1994, the school was facing a US$3 million deficit, and approached the voters to ask for an 18% tax hike to cover the deficit.[120] By a 7,190-5,960 vote, the tax increase failed.[121] While the money was needed, the board opted against moving too quickly for another tax referendum, and decided to not ask for a referendum in the November election.[122] The school attempted a second tax increase referendum in the spring of 1996, this time asking for a 6.75% increase after having made US$5 million in cutbacks and emphasizing the reduction in workforce.[123] Just weeks before the referendum, the district and teachers negotiated a contract which called for a partial wage freeze as well as the assumption of more health care costs by teachers.[124] Days before the referendum, the Illinois State Board of Education announced that the school was on the state's "financial watch list".[125] The referendum was successful.[126]

In 1998, it was reported that the school was in need of US$18 million in repairs.[127] The board responded by selling US$19 million in bonds to raise money to make repairs, including a new roof, general upgrades to come into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, new ceilings, new windows, and new insulation.[128] The monies would also be used for moving the tennis courts and baseball field, as well as demolition and reconstruction of the football stadium to give it a north-south orientation.[128] As a part of the athletic field upgrades, the school was able to purchase neighboring property, and then went to court to secure more property from the village.[129] The school paid US$800,000 for the property from the village.[129]

The wage freeze and higher health care benefits had been negotiated by faculty representatives, because the school's teachers were not unionized. In 1998, as a result of these actions, there was enough interest among the faculty to vote on unionization.[130] In February 1998, 117 of the 176 voting teachers approved ending the informal teachers; senate and joining the Illinois branch of the National Education Association.[131]

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the African-American population of the school increased. In 1992, the Oak Park NAACP called for an independent citizens group to investigate the disproportionate number of suspensions and expulsions given out to African-American students, because there were teachers who were not familiar with working with African-American students.[132] The situation escalated in 1993 when two teachers were found to have been involved in an altercation, with the white male receiving a letter of reprimand, and the African-American woman receiving the support of the NAACP and NOW, among others.[133] In May 1994, the school closed a mentoring room set up by an African-American parents' group, and, citing an "internal leadership issue" with the organization, denied further use of school facilities for their meetings.[134] Nonetheless, the group defied the ban, and met at the school in October.[135]

Homecoming 1994 added to the issues the school was facing. Initially, two young ladies were refused the right to purchase tickets to a "couples only" dance, the school quickly changed the policy and permitted single ticket sales.[136] Despite the quick change, minority parents, and members of the gay and lesbian community formed a new organization to address issues of race and sexual orientation at the school.[137] Specifically, the group demanded an increase in minority hiring (17 of the school's 157 teachers were minorities, compared to almost 36% of the student population) and a revision of the most recent code of conduct.[137] When the school board members were invited to meet with the group (as well as with teachers, students, and two trustees of the town), no members of the board appeared.[138] In 2004, the African-American parents organization was able to convince state legislators that an investigation of the school's discipline system was necessary, and the Illinois State Board of Education was charged with doing that.[139]

Despite some parents' and students' complaints regarding an infringement of students' privacy in a public place, the school installed security cameras as a part of a technology infrastructure upgrade in the summer of 1996.[140]

A long-standing tradition at the school called for young women to wear long, white gowns and carry a dozen red roses, and for young men to wear a dark sports jacket, white dress shirt and red necktie at graduation exercises.[141] In 1998, one potential valedictorian refused to wear a dress.[141] Even after she was named valedictorian, the school refused to change tradition, forcing her to receive her diploma from the principal's office, and forego giving her address.[142]

In 2003, the WB Network aired the reality series of High School Reunion, featuring alumni of OPRF.[143][144]

Notable alumni


Writing

Media

Acting and comedy

Politics and law

Phil Radford, environmental leader

Sports

Basketball

Football

See also

References

  1. "Other suburbs: park ridge. palatine. barrington. montrose. arlington heights. lake forest. lake. highland park. oak park". Chicago Daily Tribune. 24 December 1876. Retrieved 5 August 2009. The closing exercises of the fall term of the Oak Park schools took place Friday afternoon in the High School room.
  2. "Other suburbs: barrington. oak pamk. highwood. riverside. mount forest. winnetra. rogers park". Chicago Daily Tribune. 8 August 1875. Retrieved 5 August 2009. The subject of erecting a High School in Oak Park has occasioned some lively discussion ...
  3. "JUST OUTSIDE THE CITY :EVENTS OF LOCAL INTEREST TO RESIDENTS OF THE SUBURBS. South Chicago. Lake View. Evanston. South Evanston. Eaglewood. Late. Oak Park ...". Chicago Daily Tribune. 30 June 1889. Retrieved 5 August 2009. The Oak Park School Board has made the selection of a site for the proposed new high school ...
  4. "Outside the old limits :news and gossip from towns on chicago's borders". Chicago Daily Tribune. 9 November 1890. Retrieved 5 August 2009. The Board of Education will in the spring begin the erection of a handsome high school building.
  5. "ACTIVITY ABOUT JACKSON PARK: Real-Estate Brokers Report Sales and Renewed Inquiry in This Section". Chicago Daily Tribune. 18 January 1891. Retrieved 5 August 2009. Thomas & Rapp have had their plans accepted by the Board of Education at Oak Park for a high-school building on the southwest corner of East avenue and Lake street; to cost $40,000.
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  9. Decide Oak Park School Site Today; Chicago Daily Tribune (1872-1963); 27 February 1904; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849 - 1986), ProQuest. Web; p. 9; accessed 5 August 2009
  10. VOTERS SELECT SCHOOL SITE: Oak PArk Election Fixes Choice of East and Ontario Streets for $160,000 Building; Chicago Daily Tribune (1872-1963); 4 December 1904; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849 - 1986), ProQuest. Web; accessed 6 August 2009
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  19. "Push the fraternity fight". Chicago Daily Tribune. 9 September 1908. p. 10. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
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  21. "OAK PARK FRAT EXPELLED :Gamma Sigs Accused of Breaking High School Rule". Chicago Daily Tribune. 27 February 1909. p. 3. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  22. "FARSON ENGAGES ATTORNEY TO PROTECT EXPELLED FRAT: Gamma Sigs Will Hold Conference This Afternoon to Plan Return to Oak Park High School". Chicago Daily Tribune. 28 February 1909. p. 6. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
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  26. "EXPELLED PUPILS NOT WANTED HERE: Vain Pleas Made to Chicago Education Board for Four Oak Park Boys. JOINED "FRAT"; OUSTED. Dean Sumner Leads in Rejecting Petition of the Rev. W. E. Barton for His Son". Chicago Daily Tribune. 29 March 1912. p. 11. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
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  31. ""FRAT" WITHOUT A LEADER IN OAK PARK SCHOOL WAR: H. P. Magill Withdraws from Race for President of Board--States His Position". Chicago Daily Tribune. 9 April 1916. pp. A4. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
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  33. "OAK PARK OPENS NEW GYMNASIUM: Basket Teams Feature Dedication by Dividing Games with Evanston. HOME HEAVIES LOSE, 30-27". Chicago Daily Tribune. 17 January 1914. p. 14. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
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  38. "53 SUSPENDED OAK PARK HIGH BOYS SUE BOARD: Say They Were Tricked Into Frat Confession". Chicago Daily Tribune. 16 May 1926. p. 5. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
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  42. "JUDGE TERMS OAK PARK FRAT CASE AN OUTRAGE: Criticizes School; Starts Hearing Tomorrow". Chicago Daily Tribune. 27 August 1926. p. 11. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  43. 1 2 "OAK PARK FRAT BOYS WIN BACK PLACES IN SCHOOL: Barred from Athletics; Agree to Stipulations". Chicago Daily Tribune. 5 September 1926. p. 4. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
  44. 1 2 "OAK PARK HIGH BOYS AND GIRLS TO HAVE GYMS: To Be Comparable to Most Colleges". Chicago Daily Tribune. 6 November 1927. pp. b1. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
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  46. "Mrs. Roosevelt Makes Plea for Ardent Citizens: Talks in Community Series at Oak Park". Chicago Daily Tribune. 10 November 1936. p. 19. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
  47. "FORTIETH YEAR OF LECTURES TO OPEN IN SUBURB: Archduke Felix First on Oak Park Series". Chicago Daily Tribune. 13 October 1940. pp. W4. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
  48. "Cornelia otis skinner to give benefit recital". Chicago Daily Tribune. 18 August 1940. pp. NW3. Retrieved 11 August 2009. Miss Skinner will maker her only Chicago area appearance that evening in the Oak Park and River Forest Township High School auditorium ...
  49. "Recital by Zimbalist to Aid Infant Welfare". 8 November 1940. p. 20. Retrieved 11 August 2009. Efrem Zimbalist will be soloist tonight in the second concert of a series ... The recital will be held at 8:30 o'clock in the Oak Park High School auditorium.
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  51. "U. OF I. PLANS WAR WORK CLASSES IN WEST SUBURBS: State College Expects to Enroll 1,500". Chicago Daily Tribune. 16 August 1942. pp. W2. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
  52. "SEPARATE HIGH SCHOOL SOUGHT IN RIVER FOREST: Would Be Branch in Oak Park System". Chicago Daily Tribune. 18 August 1940. pp. W1. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
  53. "Puffer report to approve new school district". Chicago Daily Tribune. 13 March 1946. p. 15. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  54. "River Forest to Begin Plans for High School". Chicago Daily Tribune. 19 March 1946. p. 5. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  55. Atkinson, Leigh (8 May 1949). "HOW SCHOOL DISTRICT IS SPLIT TOLD :Recent Cases Are Cited". Chicago Daily Tribune. pp. NW 1. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  56. "SCHOOL UNITY UP AGAIN IN RIVER FOREST: To Vote on Return to Oak Park". Chicago Daily Tribune. 29 May 1949. pp. W 1. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  57. "SCHOOL ELECTION SET FOR NEW OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST AREA". Chicago Daily Tribune. 26 June 1949. pp. W3. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  58. "EVE CURIE TALK OPENS OAK PARK LECTURE SERIES: Program Starts in High School Tomorrow". Chicago Daily Tribune. 11 October 1942. pp. W6. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
  59. "Carmen Amaya to Open Benefit Program Series". Chicago Daily Tribune. 16 October 1942. p. 20. Retrieved 12 August 2009. ... The programs ... are presented in the Oak Park and River Forest High school auditorium.
  60. Cass, Judith (20 March 1944). "Future Events". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 19. Retrieved 13 August 2009. ... Oak Park-River Forest center of the Infant Welfare society is presenting this winter will be a concert by Helen Jepson, soprano on Friday at the Oak Park High School.
  61. Cass, Judith (3 April 1944). "On the Calendar". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 19. Retrieved 13 August 2009. A talk by Ilka Chase at 8 pm on April 21 in the Oak Park and River Forest High school, sponsored by Circle 29 ...
  62. "Name magician for suburban benefit show". Chicago Daily Tribune. 8 October 1944. pp. W3. Retrieved 13 August 2009. Harlan Tarbell, magician, will appear on the program at the annual benefitof the Suburban Protestant Guild of Oak Park and River Forest Wednesday night, October 18, in the Oak Park-River Forest High school.
  63. "Benefit Tonight". Chicago Daily Tribune. 25 April 1945. p. 21. Retrieved 13 August 2009. The circle is presenting Dr. Franz Polgar in a benefit program at 8 pm today in the Oak Park and River Forest High school auditorium.
  64. "RUSSIA'S PLACE IN WORLD TOPIC AT CONFERENCE: Oak Park High Sponsors Two Day Meeting". Chicago Daily Tribune. 17 March 1946. pp. W4. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  65. "Infant welfare unit of oak park sponsor of musical program". Chicago Daily Tribune. 27 October 1946. pp. W11. Retrieved 13 August 2009. First program will be given Tuesday night in Oak Park High school auditorium by Eugene List, concert pianist ... who played at the Potsdam conference.
  66. "Oak Park Lectures". Chicago Daily Tribune. 15 September 1949. pp. C11. Retrieved 13 August 2009. ... Dr. Will Durant, historian and philosofer, speaks at 8 pm Oct. 17 in the Oak Park-River Forest High school auditorium.
  67. 1 2 "SPEND $200,000 ON OAK PARK'S H. S. AUDITORIUM: Emerson School Also Brightened". Chicago Daily Tribune. 20 August 1950. pp. W6. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  68. "DECIDE FUTURE OF W. SCHOOL AREA JULY 10: E. River Grove District Expires June 30". Chicago Tribune. 18 June 1953. pp. W1. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  69. "ANNEXATIONS ENLARGE HIGH SCHOOL AREAS: Abolish Nonhigh Groups in Realignments". Chicago Tribune. 16 July 1953. pp. W2. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  70. Hutchinson, Louise (22 August 1954). "SUBURB HIGH SCHOOLS PLAN FOR EXPANSION :See Large Jump in Enrolments". Chicago Tribune. pp. W A1. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  71. "BOARD PUZZLED BY REJECTION OF SCHOOL BONDS: Oak Park-River Forest Plans Stalled Defeat Stalls Oak Park High School Building Plan". Chicago Tribune. 8 November 1956. pp. W1. Retrieved 14 August 2009.
  72. "Oak Parkers Approve 2 Million for School". Chicago Tribune. 4 November 1957. pp. A9. Retrieved 14 August 2009.
  73. Avery, Suzanne (29 March 1959). "SLATE TOURS OF 1.7 MILLION SCHOOL WING: Oak Park High Will Welcome Public Plan Open House in New Wing of Oak Park-River Forest High". Chicago Tribune. pp. W4. Retrieved 14 August 2009.
  74. "TELL LECTURERS FOR OAK PARK'S 51ST SEASON: Romanian Princess Is to Talk Oct. 22". Chicago Tribune. 14 October 1951. pp. W10. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  75. "Claude rains to open forum series in fall". Chicago Tribune. 26 July 1953. pp. W3. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  76. 1 2 "SCHEDULE 54TH OAK PARK CIVIC LECTURE SERIES: Royalty, Drama Critic to Open Season". Chicago Tribune. 12 September 1954. pp. W10. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  77. "Explorer will talk monday at oak park". Chicago Tribune. 24 October 1957. pp. W4. Retrieved 14 August 2009.
  78. "'The Hidden Persuaders' Author to Give Talk". Chicago Tribune. 17 November 1958. pp. B16. Retrieved 14 August 2009.
  79. "Plan School Addition, Will Cost 5.7 Millions". Chicago Tribune. 24 July 1966. pp. R4. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  80. Harrison, James (8 September 1966). "Legal Notices - Notice to Bidders". Chicago Tribune. pp. D10. Retrieved 16 August 2009. Notice is hereby given that the Consolidated High School District Number 200 ... will receive sealed bids ... for the construction of an addition ...
  81. "School Head Gets 1.5 Million to Double Size of Library". Chicago Tribune. 23 October 1966. pp. S5. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  82. "District Building Wing on School in Oak Park". Chicago Tribune. 13 November 1966. pp. P7. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  83. "Bond Issue OK'd in River Forest, Oak Park". Chicago Tribune. 7 December 1967. pp. W4. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  84. "Consider Schools Merger :Consider Combined District". Chicago Tribune. 21 May 1967. pp. P1. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  85. "Schools to Discuss Unified District". Chicago Tribune. 28 May 1967. pp. O10. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  86. "School First: Group to Tour Russia". Chicago Tribune. 27 October 1968. pp. W B6. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  87. "High School Orchestra Takes Music to 7 European Countries". Chicago Tribune. 29 June 1969. pp. W3. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  88. "50 Chicago Teens End Soviet Tour". Chicago Tribune. 3 January 1971. pp. A22. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  89. "Oak Park, River Forest OK tax hike". Chicago Tribune. 5 December 1976. p. 2. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  90. "OAK PARK EYES U. S. GOALS AT MEETING TODAY: Gen. Gruenther and Kerner to Talk". Chicago Tribune. 25 February 1961. pp. W A10. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  91. "700 hear judd at suburban hospital fete". Chicago Tribune. 26 April 1962. pp. D3. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  92. "Start lecture series with thomas play". Chicago Tribune. 11 October 1962. pp. N20. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  93. Mastro, Frank (15 October 1963). "Education Is Key, Says Ex-Champ". Chicago Tribune. pp. B2. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  94. "Culture Programs Will Begin :Opening Session Is Monday". Chicago Tribune. 17 October 1963. pp. W A6. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  95. "Lectures Planned in Oak Park". Chicago Tribune. 14 October 1965. pp. W1. Retrieved 15 August 2009. Other presenters will include ... Winston Churchill, grandson of the late prime minister of Great Britain.
  96. "Lectures to Begin in Oak Park Tomorrow". Chicago Tribune. 19 October 1969. pp. W8. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  97. "Oak Park Lectures Start 70th Year". Chicago Tribune. 8 November 1970. pp. W5. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  98. "Oak Park Lecture Series Scheduled". Chicago Tribune. 24 October 1971. pp. W A14. Retrieved 18 August 2009. Sen Percy [R, Ill.] will speak at the Oak Park Community Lecture series which begins at 8 pm tomorrow in the Oak Park-River Forest High School ...
  99. Jones, William (3 March 1972). "Gov. Ogilvie Takes It Easy in West Suburban Campaign". Chicago Tribune. pp. A4. Retrieved 18 August 2009. The afternoon also was devoted to appearances before the student bodies of Fenwick and Oak Park-River Forest High schools.
  100. Daly, Maggie (11 March 1976). "Julie will play Las Vegas". Chicago Tribune. pp. A12. Retrieved 18 August 2009. Count Basie and his orchestra (will be) in concert at Oak Park-River Forest High School in Oak Park March 18.
  101. "Peace Corps chief to speak here". Chicago Tribune. 9 November 1978. pp. W4. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  102. Axelrod, David; Strong, James (2 October 1980). "Mondale stumping in Illinois". Chicago Tribune. p. 2. Retrieved 18 August 2009. "Yesterday our opponent again said that if he is elected he would pull down the SALT II treaty," Mondale said at a press conference at Oak Park-River Forest High School ... During the press conference and the talk to about 1,000 student in the high school's auditorium ....
  103. Ryan, Jeanette Mines (21 October 1983). "High school launches its alumni hall of fame". Chicago Tribune. pp. WCS 14. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  104. 1 2 Sullivan, Barbara (1 November 1983). "Rightists are school candidates". Chicago Tribune. pp. N1. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  105. Sullivan, Barbara; Davidson, Jean (10 November 1983). "City/suburbs :Ultra-right candidates fail to make their mark". Chicago Tribune. pp. D A18. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  106. Rubin, Bonnie Miller (3 March 1995). "Schools go after outsiders students don't live in districts". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  107. 1 2 Harms, William (16 December 1983). "Another suburb district dumps Chicago students". Chicago Tribune. pp. D1. Retrieved 18 August 2009. Oak Park-river Forest High School ... reported it had dismissed 42 nonresident students this school year ... Walker says his district sends security officers on spot checks to elevated train platforms in the community to see whether high school students are coming to the school from the city.
  108. Harms, William (8 February 1984). "City/suburbs :Suburban schools oust city students". Chicago Tribune. pp. D A6. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  109. Frantz, Douglas; Nelson, Eleanor (16 November 1983). "Nazi camp guard 'saw no evil' :School janitor's deportation hearings resume". Chicago Tribune. pp. D A3. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  110. Papajohn, George (25 January 1984). "Former SS guard loses school post". Chicago Tribune. pp. D1. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  111. Associated Press (27 October 1987). "APPEAL FAILS, EX-NAZI DEPORTED". Chicago Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  112. Axelrod, David (15 February 1984). "Mondale: Curb tests of weapons". Chicago Tribune. p. 4. Retrieved 18 August 2009. "Today with the selection of a new Soviet leader, there may now be a new window in U.S.-Soviet relations - a window not of vulnerability, but of opportunity," the former vice president told 1,700 cheering students at Oak Park-River Forest High School.
  113. Neal, Steve (20 October 1985). "Adlai ready to take on Hartigan". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  114. Neal, Steve; Franklin, Tim (23 October 1985). "Stevenson's 'clean-up' campaign". Chicago Tribune. pp. A1. Retrieved 18 August 2009. Launching his campaign at Oak Park-River Forest High School, Stevenson said ...
  115. Thomas, Karen M; Biddle, Fred Marc (29 January 1987). "School weighs plan to require aids test". Chicago Tribune. p. 2. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  116. Fegelman, Andrew (16 November 1989). "School policy sparks gay rights debate". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  117. Fegelman, Andrew (17 November 1989). "School's gay rights debate rages Revised policy on bias fails to calm critics in Oak Park". Chicago Tribune. p. 5. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  118. Fegelaman, Andrew (14 December 1989). "Oak Park Board OKs Gay Rights Policy". Chicago Tribune. pp. 3C26. Retrieved 19 August 2009. The Oak PArk-River Forest High School Board has decided homosexuals should be included among the groups afforded protection ... This is the first such ruling for the state of Illinois.
  119. Christian, Sue Ellen (9 December 1991). "Oak Park teachers face layoffs". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  120. von Alroth, Joanne (24 March 1995). "FACEOFF ON A SCHOOL TAX HIKE OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST PROPOSAL HAS FRIENDS, FOES". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  121. von Alroth, Joanne (6 April 1995). "SCHOOL TAX HIKES REJECTED IN OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST". Chicago Tribune. p. 10. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  122. Dardick, Hal (31 August 1995). "TAX REQUEST WON'T MAKE NEXT BALLOT REFERENDUM NECESSARY, BUT HASTE MAY BACKFIRE, SCHOOLS SAY". Chicago Tribune. p. 6. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  123. von Alroth, Joanne (18 January 1996). "Oak park high going to voters district 200 to seek tax-rate hike". Chicago Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  124. Davis, Stephania H. (28 February 1996). "Teachers' pay frozen in new pact oak park district bidding for tax hike". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  125. Banas, Casey (6 March 1996). "Oak park district on watch list school had to borrow funds to pay teachers". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  126. Fegelman, Andrew; Miller, Sabrina L. (20 March 1996). "Oak park oks school tax hikes". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  127. von Alroth, Joanne (5 February 1998). "Oak park high school faces huge repair bills". Chicago Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  128. 1 2 von Alroth, Joanne (11 March 1998). "Oak park-river forest to have major repairs". Chicago Tribune. p. 4. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  129. 1 2 Hanna, Janan (2 December 1998). "High school wins battle over land in oak park parcel to be used for athletic fields". Chicago Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  130. "Teachers' vote on joining union slated for feb. 17". Chicago Tribune. 20 January 1998. p. 3. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  131. "Oak park teachers agree to join union". Chicago Tribune. 19 February 1998. p. 3. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  132. Kirby, Joseph (22 June 1992). "NAACP wants review of school suspensions". Chicago Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  133. Bradbery, Angela (1 March 1993). "Teacher quarrel fuels race debate". Chicago Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  134. Poe, Janita (26 September 1994). "Parents get boot at school mentors forfeit use of facilities". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  135. Poe, Janita (5 October 1994). "Parents group defies ban, meets in school". Chicago Tribune. pp. 2W1. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  136. Poe, Janita (14 October 1994). "Dance furor brings bias issue in open". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  137. 1 2 Poe, Janita (14 November 1994). "MINORITIES, GAYS JOIN TO WATCH SCHOOL MOVES". Chicago Tibune. p. 1. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  138. Van Matre, Lynn (27 January 1995). "School board skips forum in oak park". Chicago Tribune. p. 4. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  139. Baron, Matt (8 September 2004). "State to review school discipline ; Oak Park High's policies questioned". Chicago Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  140. von Alroth, Joanne (11 July 1996). "District 200 to beef up its security oak park-river forest to get monitor cameras". Chicago Tribune. p. 6. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  141. 1 2 Downey, Phuong Le Sarah (8 May 1998). "Oak park senior wants to set own graduation style potential valedictorian balks at white-gown rule". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  142. Bigness, Jon (12 June 1998). "Valedictorian sits out rite after clothes call". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  143. Possley, Maurice (3 January 2003). "'Sorry . . . I can't talk about it'". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  144. Nunn, Emily (8 January 2003). "Unreal TV: They know we're watching". Chicago Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved 19 August 2009. ... and episodes of the new shows "High School Reunion" (in which alumni of Oak Park-River Forest High School were brought together ...
  145. "Oak Park and River Forest High School Tradition of Excellence Past Award Recipients". Oak Park and River Forest High School. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
  146. "NBA Draft 2011: New York Knicks draft Georgia Tech's Iman Shumpert with No. 17 pick in first round". New York Daily News. 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2011.

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