To Danny Host, with Love: Students Plant Tree in Memory of Tinley Boy

Several students honored the memory last week of Danny Host by planting a tree at Liberty Grade School.

Former students of Annette Host wanted to do something to honor the memory of her son Danny, who lost his battle with brain cancer in February. Host's students planted a tree in the Tinley Park boy's memory Friday, Sept. 23 at Liberty School in Orland Park. The students—Jake Schab, Karissa Manolitsis and A.J. Svatos—read poems at the dedication, and with the help of Annette Host positioned the plaque naming the tree in Danny's memory. Earlier in the year, the students organized a fundraiser to buy the plaque that sits at the base of the tree. "I have a very tight bond with these students," Host said. "I've witnessed how my son's story has affected so many and appreciate the support." For Host, the tree is a daily reminder of the community'…

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Loved Ones Gather in a Room Brimming with Blue to Remember Danny Host

Mourners paid respects Tuesday to the local 7-year-old who died Saturday after battling brain cancer for 16 months.

Danny Host's favorite book was Mr. Happy, the tale of a character determined to make even the most miserable people happy, just like him. A copy of the book rested in Danny's casket beside him, along with a Teddy bear and stuffed owl, as dozens of mourners came to pay their respects Tuesday afternoon to the 7-year-old Tinley Park boy who died Saturday morning after a 16-month battle with brain cancer. Those who visited Danny's wake at Heartland Memorial found themselves surrounded by picture boards covered with images of a grinning, bubbly little boy. Many mourners found themselves smiling through tears. Draped over a couch in the viewing room was Danny's freshly stitched and washed blue-and-white quilt—one his mother Annette Host said was…

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Snow Cancels After-School Activities in Tinley: A District-By-District Breakdown

Here's what districts have canceled after-school activities because of predictions of major snow.

Updated at 4:58 p.m. Monday with information from Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210. Updated 10:19 a.m. Tuesday with Tinley Park High School. In response to predictions of heavy snow, several Tinley Park-area school districts have canceled after-school activities for Tuesday and Wednesday. Decisions on canceling school itself will be made in the morning. All after-school activities Tuesday as well as activities before and after classes on Wednesday have been canceled. All after-school District sponsored student activities are cancelled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade morning band practice on Wednesday has also been canceled. As of 2 p.m. Monday, the district had not canceled any planned after-school…

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VIDEO: Students Talk Memorial School

On Jan. 14, about 600 parents and students set to attend Memorial School next year got a sneak peek at the recently renovated institution. After a strike delayed renovation over the summer, students who were set to go to Memorial this school year ended up at Sandidge Elementary. But recently, work on Memorial was completed. And on Friday, students got a sneak peek at the new school during a sock hop and dance. Here's what they thought:

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Memorial School Construction Done

Delayed by a construction strike over the summer, work at the school is finally complete, pending a few final checks and "tweaks."

After having work delayed by a strike and having the entire student body moved to another school for a year, District 146's Memorial Elementary School is almost ready to go for the 2011-2012 school year. In still needs some "tweaks" and a final run-through by the architects, but Brian Scully of DLA Architects told the District 146 school board on Monday he expects to approach the Suburban Cook County Regional Office of Education for an occupancy permit for the school within the week. "For all intents and purposes if you had to occupy it today, you could go ahead and occupy it," Scully said. Superintendent Marion Hoyda praised the renovation work on the Memorial building. "I did a walkthrough today and it's just lovely," she said. "Very …

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