South Cook News

Patti Thanos is running for a seat on the Orland School District 135 school board.

Thanos is a mother to two children who attended D135.

“Nothing is more important to me than the future of our children,” Thanos told South Cook News. “Not only my own, but all of them. Our children will grow up together, and I want them to be successful. They deserve the same opportunity we had growing up, which includes being rewarded for hard work and good character. I would like to develop programs to motivate and encourage children to participate in afterschool activities. I believe social engagement and healthy competition will improve their social skills, as it has been proven in the past.”

Thanos plans to reinstate ABC grading. She said she believes in encouraging and rewarding hard-working students. She said she intends "to enhance the peer-to-peer tutor programs for students who may be struggling, and celebrate students who take on these challenges," believing this strategy will "ultimately lead to higher test scores overall.” 

She said, "Experiencing the 8-year cycle twice, I am confident I can relate to and understand issues from all grades.”

“Instead of adopting global, federal and state policies, I will listen to our community, parents and local taxpayers," Thanos said. "I will work to implement and/or re-instate strategies that work for our children.”

Thanos is a member of the 135 United slate. She is running alongside Ryan Valan and Iwona Piwowarczyk. She pledged "to bring leadership skills with a strong desire to negotiate terms respectfully, not maliciously." 

"I have been able to bring teams together in the past, and I believe this quality can add value to the current board,” she said.

The group is running under a three-pillar platform including “Education First,” “Transparency” and “Community.” 

“Focus on providing a quality education that prepares students for the future. We represent children, parents and families to ensure proposed curriculum continues to advance academic growth and personal success,” the group’s website reads. “Welcome and encourage parents to participate in school activities, engage in student success planning and be a voice for policy improvements. We believe in open communication between parents, teachers, staff and local residents.” 

The group says it will “Empower communities with a bottom-up approach to policy improvements." 

"We believe in creating a partnership with our local residents to improve schools, resulting in lower taxes and rising property values,” the website reads.

Orland SD 135 is headquartered at 15100 S 94th Ave. in Orland Park. It oversees 10 schools including 5,210 students and 396 classroom teachers, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.