Park Forest, Schools

Richton Square School Receives Friendship Bench From Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

Richton Square dedication
Pictured from left: Narishea Parham, associate principal, Richton Square School, Dr. Blondean Y. Davis, superintendent, Matteson School District 162, Rick Reinbold, Richton Park village president, Dr. Barbara McCreary, president Lambda Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alesia Dowell, bench project chairman, Marilyn Hamb, Lambda Tau Omega chapter Vice-President.

RICHTON PARK, ILLINOIS—(ENEWSPF)–September 18, 2017—An outdoor rainbow decorated garden bench, where Richton Square School preschool students can feel safe and comfortable, is the latest example of a growing partnership between Matteson School District 162, Southland College Prep Charter High School and the Lambda Tau Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a national sorority.

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A highlight of tonight’s Richton Square School Open House for parents was the unveiling and dedication of the gift bench by Dr. Barbara McCreary, Lambda Tau Omega chapter president; Mayor Rick Reinbold of Richton Park; Narishea Parham, Associate Principal; and Dr. Blondean Y. Davis, Superintendent of Matteson School District 162 and CEO of Southland College Prep.

“We are most grateful to the Lambda Tau Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha for its continued interest in the welfare and advancement of students enrolled in District 162 and Southland College Prep Charter High School,” Dr. Davis said. “The AKA partnership means building a strong community relationship that will continue to support student learning for years to come.”

On the first day of school, the southwest suburban chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority passed out 200 character-themed backpacks to Richton Square students. The sorority also donated blankets for each student as well as supplies for each classroom. In August, members of the sorority assisted in cleaning and freshening up Richton Square School’s playground where the bench will be used as a “friendship” bench.

“The generous donation of the Rainbow Friendship bench will allow Richton to expand our outdoor classroom,” said Narishea Parham, Richton Square’s associate principal.  “We will utilize the bench to build on and teach the children what it means to be kind, to give, and be a friend.  Just as Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Lambda Tau Omega Chapter has become a friend to Richton Square School.”

Earlier this year, the sorority provided a scholarship to a Southland College Prep Charter High School senior in honor of former NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, an AKA member who played a significant role in the U.S. space program and who is the great-aunt of a Southland College Prep student. The sorority will also be providing a grant to Southland’s Model UN program.

Source: Southland College Preparatory Charter High School

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