West Cook News

Lincoln Elementary will host District 90’s Inclusion and Pride Walk according to an announcement from the school’s Parent Teacher Organization publication the Lincoln Log.  

The walk will begin at Village Hall and Lincoln Elementary on June 1 at 6 p.m.

“Join District 90 families and the River Forest community on June 1st at 6 p.m. in a walk to celebrate Inclusion and Pride! Meet at Village Hall to raise the Pride Flag then walk around The Lincoln Elementary block to end on the Franklin Playground with music and Kona Shave Ice!” An announcement from River Forest 90 reads.

The event is sponsored by River Forest Township Youth and Family Services, Lincoln PTO Belongingness and Inclusion Committee, Willard PTO Belongingness Committee, Roosevelt PTO Committee for Inclusion and Belonging.

A similar event was held last year which included students ages 6-14, in grades kindergarten through eight, and was organized by the River Forest School District 90 "Belonging and Inclusion" committee.

River Forest Village Board Member Erika Bachner on Facebook, who is a self-described bi-sexual, has been behind many of the community’s LGBT-themed events.

"Hundreds showed up-- beyond any of our wildest imaginations-- and we celebrated the beautiful diversity and uniqueness of all people!!” Bachner said of last year’s walk.

Last winter she congratulated Willard School for introducing a Rainbow Club to discuss LGBT topics with children.

Casey Godfrey, principal of Lincoln School, which serves grades K-4, was part of the planning committee.

The Inclusion and Pride Walk is seeking volunteers to join.

“We need help with set-up, handing out flags, and traffic control during the event,” event planners said on a volunteer board.

“The event will begin with a flag raising at Village Hall and proceed to walk around the Lincoln Elementary block once. We will end on the Franklin side playground with music and the Kona Shave Ice truck (with sugar-free options)!  Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign-up. Thank you for volunteering!”

The City of River Forest itself has been advocating for the walk as well.

“We will raise the Pride Flag, say a few words at the school and then set out on our walk (the walk will take approximately 15 minutes),” an announcement from Trish Ivansek, HR Manager of Village of River Forest, reads. “Route: We begin by crossing Lake Street to Park Ave and then we will proceed north on Park to Oak, Proceed east on Oak to Franklin, Proceed south on Franklin to the playground for refreshments, music and mingling.”  

According to Ivansek, there would be “a large progress pride flag to lead the walk, small progress pride flags to hand out, stickers and temporary tattoos available for the kids.” They will also be serving "Kona Shave Ice in a rainbow of flavors!” for refreshments.