Friends of Coonley

Friends of Coonley Friends of Coonley is a not-for-profit org dedicated to supporting John C. Coonley Elementary School. Our first auction was held in 2006 at Mrs.

Friends of Coonley was founded in 2005 by local parents Linda Lesondak and Kathie Bock, then principal Kathy Kennedy-Kartheiser, and other community members. Murphy's Irish Bistro. The goal was to raise awareness of the school and any financial support they could get. More than 150 friends attended, exceeding all expectations, and the new organization was thrilled to raise enough funds to support

a Spanish Language program. In 2007, the annual auction moved to DANK Haus where it remained through 2019. Over the years, FOC has supplemented Teaching Assistant positions; Arts, Language, Technology, Athletic and Library enrichment programs; instructional programs like social studies and so much more for all Coonley students. Coonley shows its giving spirit every day—inside our school and community, and beyond. In 2017, we launhed the Coonley Cares program, to highlight opportunities for students, parents and staff to share kindness, community-building efforts, service projects, and fundraisers that support fellow Chicago Public School students in need throughout the city. Thanks to your generosity, Coonley Cares has donated more than $75,000 for outside organizations and schools since its inception.

Look at what our community made possible this year. 🐾💛💙Thanks to FOC donors, 2025-26 brought ~$360K for essential staffi...
06/04/2026

Look at what our community made possible this year. 🐾💛💙

Thanks to FOC donors, 2025-26 brought ~$360K for essential staffing, ~$117K in campus improvements, ~$25.6K for student & staff programs, and ~$28.5K for community building. Every single dollar fills gaps that the standard school budget simply can’t cover.

From a the new Middle School Lounge to Special Olympics uniforms to Teacher Appreciation Week — this is your impact in action. 📬 Check your inbox for the full year-in-review with all the details on what we raised and how it was spent. Thank you, Coonley community. 🏫✨

Can you believe it?! We made it to the last week of school. 🥹☀️ From Kindergarten Celebration to Field Day to popsicle p...
06/01/2026

Can you believe it?! We made it to the last week of school. 🥹☀️ From Kindergarten Celebration to Field Day to popsicle parties - it’s going to be a great one. Thursday is the Last Day of School - enjoy every minute of it. Happy last week, Coonley families! 💛💙🐾

Caps OFF to our 8th graders! 🎓🐾 Today we celebrate YOU — the memories made, the goals achieved, and all the big things s...
05/29/2026

Caps OFF to our 8th graders! 🎓🐾 Today we celebrate YOU — the memories made, the goals achieved, and all the big things still ahead. Coonley will always be home, Cougars. Now go show the world what you’ve got! 💙💛 Sending so much love to our grads and their families on this special day! 🥹🎉

🎉 Mark your calendars — Meet & Greet is Thursday, August 20, 3:30–5PM!But first… we need someone amazing to help make it...
05/28/2026

🎉 Mark your calendars — Meet & Greet is Thursday, August 20, 3:30–5PM!
But first… we need someone amazing to help make it happen. 🙋 We’re looking for parent volunteers to chair this year’s event — you’ll put your own creative stamp on one of Coonley’s favorite traditions, with full FOC support behind you.
Interested or want to know more? DM us! 💛💙

A new chapter at Coonley is taking shape — and you can be part of it. 🧱We’re thrilled to launch the Coonley Legacy Brick...
05/26/2026

A new chapter at Coonley is taking shape — and you can be part of it. 🧱

We’re thrilled to launch the Coonley Legacy Brick Project as part of the newly dedicated Kartheiser Family Rock Garden, named in honor of former principal Kathy Kennedy-Kartheiser, who founded Friends of Coonley and helped start the very first Spring Fling.

Families, alumni, staff, and local businesses can purchase a custom-engraved brick that will be permanently installed in this beautiful new outdoor space. ✨

Brick options:
🔹 4x8 — $50 (3 lines)
🔹 8x8 — $75 (6 lines)
🔹 12x12 — $150 (10 lines)
➕ Add the Coonley or business logo for $50 more

⏰ Deadline to order: June 4, 2026

Order at the link in bio — or go directly to bricksrus.com/donorsite/coonley
Questions? Email [email protected]

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A big week ahead at Coonley! Here’s what’s on the calendar 📅💛🚫 Monday 5/25 — No school for Memorial Day🏫 Tuesday 5/26 — ...
05/26/2026

A big week ahead at Coonley! Here’s what’s on the calendar 📅💛

🚫 Monday 5/25 — No school for Memorial Day

🏫 Tuesday 5/26 — Local School Council Meeting @ 6PM
In person in the Makerspace (Rm 007) — enter through Door #1 on Leavitt St

🎶 Wednesday 5/27 — 8th Grade Luncheon @ 9AM + Concert/Symphonic Band Spring Concert @ 6PM

👏 Thursday 5/28 — 8th Grade Clap It Out @ 3:15PM + Friends of Coonley Meeting @ 6PM
FOC meetings are open to all — Room 104, main entrance. Come hear updates and learn how funds raised support our students & staff!

🎓 Friday 5/29 — 8th Grade Graduation @ 9:30AM

Save this post and we’ll see you out there, Cougars! 💙

🏅 Score savings AND support Coonley at the same time!Friends of Coonley has partnered with i9 Sports — and it’s a win-wi...
05/26/2026

🏅 Score savings AND support Coonley at the same time!

Friends of Coonley has partnered with i9 Sports — and it’s a win-win for our community. When you register using code CoonleyPTA, you save $5 on registration and Coonley earns $10.

With summer camps and fall leagues coming up, now is the perfect time to sign up! i9 Sports offers fun, low-pressure youth sports programs right here on the North Side.

👉 Register at: https://www.i9sports.com/franchises/chicago-northside-il/276

Use code CoonleyPTA at checkout — it’s that easy. 🐾🏆

🗓️ Here’s what’s happening at Coonley this week! Save this post so you don’t miss a thing. 👇📅 Mon 5/18 – 5PM Sports Banq...
05/17/2026

🗓️ Here’s what’s happening at Coonley this week! Save this post so you don’t miss a thing. 👇

📅 Mon 5/18 – 5PM Sports Banquet
🎸 Tue 5/19 – 6PM 8th Grade Rock Band Concert @ Trigger
📚 Wed 5/20 – 4:30PM Kindergarten Sneak Peek + 6PM Beginning Band Concert
🎭 Thu 5/21 – 9AM & 12PM 8th Grade Children’s Performance
🎓 Fri 5/22 – 9AM 8th Grade Reality Fair + 9:15AM School Tour for Prospective Families (register on the Coonley site!)

🚫 No School Monday 5/25 – Memorial Day!

Have a great week, Cougars! 💛💙

05/12/2026

Big things are coming to the Coonley Cougars spirit wear shop! 👀🐾

We’ve been working hard behind the scenes on some seriously fun designs — and now it’s YOUR turn to weigh in. 🗳️

Starting this week, we’re dropping a series of polls so you can vote on your favorites across tees, bottoms, sweatshirts, accessories, and hats. The community decides — we deliver! 💛🏫

Stay tuned and keep watching our stories so your voice is heard. Let’s build the ultimate Coonley spirit wear collection together. 🐯✨

🎓✨ Calling all Kindergarten Cougars! ✨🎓It’s almost time to celebrate our little scholars — and we’re going OUT with a BO...
05/08/2026

🎓✨ Calling all Kindergarten Cougars! ✨🎓
It’s almost time to celebrate our little scholars — and we’re going OUT with a BOUNCE! 🏀🎉

Join us for the Kinder Cougars End-of-Year Bash at Fit City Kids, where the kids run wild and the parents get a well-earned toast to surviving — and absolutely loving — this incredible year at Coonley. 🥂💛

📅 Friday, May 29th
🕔 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
📍 Fit City Kids · 2540 W. Lawrence Ave
🎟 $65/ticket · 1 Kindergartener + 1 Parent
Tickets >> https://friendsofcoonley.ejoinme.org/BuyParties2026

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Www. Friendsofcoonley. Org
Chicago, IL

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