Tinley Park area families in District 146 will face stricter residency checks for next year’s school registration.
The district also set key dates for kindergarten and online registration, including an April 29 kindergarten screening.
How district 146’s 2026-27 registration process is changing
Assistant Superintendent Kelly Voliva says the district launched a new registration webpage with “a clear, step-by-step guide,” document checklists, and answers to common questions.
District 146 also updated procedures by implementing CLEAR background check software to verify residency inside district boundaries using public records. The district will use the system to approve all initial enrollments and to verify residency before re-enrollment codes go out.
“We are excited to introduce our new registration webpage,” Voliva said.
Returning families must complete registration by entering a unique registration code received by mail into the district’s online system. Voliva said the mail-only code requirement is intended to support residency verification.
“Registration codes will not be provided in person, via email, or over the phone,” Voliva said.
The district will run returning-family information through CLEAR, and families that do not meet the verification threshold must re-establish residency before codes are mailed. Families enrolling students under unique or temporary guardianship agreements must re-verify guardianship and residency each year.
Families using residency affidavits, alongside a district resident, still must re-verify annually. The district will mail registration codes to the home address once residency and guardianship are confirmed.
Voliva directed families with questions to Registrar Karen Jemilo at 708-614-4500 or kjemilo@district146.org. More detailed requirements are posted on the district’s registration webpage.
When are district 146 kindergarten and registration deadlines?
District 146 extended the kindergarten registration deadline to March 30. New and returning student registration opens April 1.
Kindergarten screening is scheduled for April 29, according to the district’s trimester update.
Families planning around spring events and school schedules can also track local calendar items, including the Tinley Park Brew and Vine Festival on April 11.
What superintendent jeff stawick said about trimester 3
Superintendent Dr. Jeff Stawick said the district is entering the “third and final trimester” after a year that included student work in “math, the arts, science, and so much more.”
“As we enter the third and final trimester, I find myself filled with pride reflecting on all that our students, teachers, and staff have accomplished this year,” Stawick said.
Stawick highlighted end-of-year milestones coming soon, including kindergarten screening, fifth grade field trips, and Central Middle School graduation.
“Let's finish the year with the same energy and enthusiasm that has carried us this far,” Stawick said.
Let's finish the year with the same energy and enthusiasm that has carried us this far.
Who won the district 146 spelling bee and how the math challenge works
Curriculum Director Carey Radke said districtwide academic events give students extra chances to apply core skills outside the daily classroom routine.
District 146 held its 15th Annual District 146 Scripps Spelling Bee on Feb. 3, after each school ran its own bee. The top two finishers from each building advanced to the district competition.
Monica Jiang, a sixth-grader at Central Middle School, won the district title. Elliott Allphin, a fourth-grader at Fierke, finished as runner-up.
Monica went on to represent District 146 at the South Cook ISC Scripps Spelling Bee on March 5, Radke said.
The District 146 Math Challenge followed on Feb. 6. Students competed in individual Mental Math and Written Computation events, plus two team events focused on collaboration and problem-solving.
Scores are combined to name winning teams by grade level. The top two students at each grade level advance to the South Cook Math Bowl in late April or early May, according to the district.
Families looking for broader guidance on residency and enrollment rules in Illinois public schools can find statewide information through the Illinois State Board of Education.
Where central middle school’s new micro-pantry is located
At Central Middle School, the 7th grade ELA team partnered with the school’s STEM Advisory program to build an outdoor Micro-Pantry in the south parking lot.
The pantry holds non-perishable food, books, toys, and select household items. Community members can take items as needed or donate for others.
Students and staff plan a second phase, a Free Little Library on the CMS campus. The district did not announce an opening date.
Elsewhere in the district, third-grade students at Fierke Education Center visited Barraco’s Pizza in Evergreen Park to learn concepts tied to goods and services, multiplication, division, and fractions. Students toured the kitchen, visited the bakery, and used pizza dough for group activities.
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District 146’s next major registration milestone arrives April 1, when online registration opens for new and returning students.
