CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — Chicago Heights School District 170 and Bloom Township, in partnership with the Jewel-Osco Company, recently hosted an event at which staff and community members received the initial dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccination.
Nearly 650 eligible staff and educators, and senior citizens participated in the February 4th event held at CHSD170's new middle school.
The second immunization will be dispensed on February 25th.
"As I've said before, vaccinating our staff was one of our district's top priorities during the ongoing pandemic," said CHSD170 Superintendent Tom Amadio.
"Today's event was a vital step in protecting our students, their families, and our community and, in conjunction with safety procedures already implemented district-wide, paves the way for a return to in-school instruction."
According to Bloom Township Supervisor Thomas "TJ" Somer, the senior citizens who attended the event registered through the township's Department of Senior Services.
"This event provided a wonderful opportunity for the township to continue its commitment to providing exemplary service and to work hand-in-hand with District 170 to provide a wide-ranging vaccination opportunity to the peoples of our community," Somer said.
"It is extremely gratifying to see civic and corporate entities come together to afford a vaccination opportunity to so many people. Vaccinating the members of our community is probably the most important thing we can do at this time and place in the country right now," he added.
Dr. Vanessa Kinder, Executive Director of the South Cook Intermediate Service Center, was quick to praise the efforts of those who united to make the event such a great success.
"This amazing event is a wonderful example of the symbiotic relationship between School District 170, Bloom Township, and the Jewel-Osco corporation," Kinder stated.
"I commend each of the partners for providing an essential service that will bring our community a step closer to the resumption of its normal, pre-pandemic routine."
Amadio ended his comments by acknowledging the district staff responsible for organizing and running such a complex event.
"I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our district's Angela and Nick Novak, to CHMS Principal Will Seidelmann, his administrative team of Kiki Panos, Nick Novak, Nick Pezzuto, and Anthony Sanchez, ELL Director Shannon Vera, and to our nursing, security, maintenance, custodial, technical, and food service staff for their amazing efforts to make yesterday's dreams become a reality," he stated.