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.

08/21/2026

Back to School Meet & Greet was a HIT! 🎉📚 So good to see all our Cougar families back together to kick off the year — new friends made, old friends reunited, and that first-day-of-school energy already building.

A massive thank you to every volunteer who showed up to make this happen — setting up, greeting families, and making sure the afternoon ran smoothly. This event doesn’t happen without you. 💛💙

We also have to give a shoutout to our Coonley Core businesses who came out and made the event even more fun — thank you for showing up for our families and helping make this such a special afternoon!

And a huge shoutout to Meghan Kludt Altier for her leadership on this event, as always — and to Lauren and Tammy Song Boyer for co-chairing it this year and leading the organization of all the special details that made it such a great afternoon. Thank you all for everything you poured into this one!

Enjoy the last weekend of summer, Cougars — see you Monday! 🐾

Did you get one of the new Coonley yard signs at Back to School today? 🏡💛💙 Snap a pic with your family and tag Friends O...
08/21/2026

Did you get one of the new Coonley yard signs at Back to School today? 🏡💛💙 Snap a pic with your family and tag Friends Of Coonley — let’s see that Cougar pride all over the neighborhood! 🐾

Didn’t make it to the event? Signs will still be available — keep an eye out for the next chance to grab yours!

A huge shout out to Lisa Peppel for designing all of our new Coonley gear with that awesome vintage look and feel, and to Meg Spisich for designing these new yard signs! 🙌 Thank you both for making our Cougar pride look this good.

✨ Hey Coonley families! We’re lighting up something new…Our marquee is officially in testing mode — and we want your kid...
08/20/2026

✨ Hey Coonley families! We’re lighting up something new…

Our marquee is officially in testing mode — and we want your kiddo’s birthday on it! 🎂

If your student’s birthday falls between the first day of school and September 2, send us a note at [email protected] with their name, grade/teacher, and birthday. We’d love to get them up in lights! 💙

More details on the birthday shoutout program coming soon — stay tuned! 👀

08/20/2026

New Coonley gear alert! 👀💛💙

Fresh spirit wear — including the designs YOU voted as community favorites — drops tomorrow, Thursday 8/20 at the Back to School Meet & Greet, 3:30-5pm. Look for the FOC table!

And while you’re there… snag up to 2 FREE patches with any purchase at our new Patch Press Station — pick your patch, tell us where you want it, and we’ll press it on for you. Extra patches just $1. 🧵

See you tomorrow, Cougars! 🐾

“We ARE a part of it, 1st Grade, 1st Grade!” 🎶Our kiddos have officially leveled up — we’ve learned the Coonley ropes, w...
08/03/2026

“We ARE a part of it, 1st Grade, 1st Grade!” 🎶

Our kiddos have officially leveled up — we’ve learned the Coonley ropes, we know where Door 10 is, and we’ve earned a night out. No homework help, no early bedtimes, no morning rush required.

Join your fellow 1st grade parents for drinks, patio vibes, and grown-up conversation as we kick off the year together. 🥂

📅 Wednesday, August 26 · 7:30 p.m.
📍 Gideon Welles — 4500 N Lincoln Ave (new location!)
🎟️ $65 per ticket — all proceeds benefit Friends of Coonley

Grab your spot: https://friendsofcoonley.ejoinme.org/PartyDetails2026

Hosted by Marcie Barcenas, Esther Brown, Jill Freeman, Katie Lacy & Andria Winters

Join us Thursday 8/20 from 3:30–5:00 for the Back to School Meet & Greet, hosted by Coonley School + Friends of Coonley....
07/29/2026

Join us Thursday 8/20 from 3:30–5:00 for the Back to School Meet & Greet, hosted by Coonley School + Friends of Coonley. Meet your teachers, drop off supplies, and kick off the year together!

On deck this year:
🫧 An amazing bubble show
🍧 Kona Ice (on us!)
🎲 Games + a schoolwide scavenger hunt
👕 NEW spirit wear — featuring the designs YOU voted as favorites — plus our patch press to customize your gear
⭐ Meet the Coonley Core sponsors who help make our school shine

Enter via Door 4 near the playground. Bring the whole fam — we can’t wait to see you! 💛💙

🏀⚽ Fall League registration is open with i9 Sports Chicago Northside ! Use code COONLEYPTA to save $5 — and i9 donates $...
07/28/2026

🏀⚽ Fall League registration is open with i9 Sports Chicago Northside ! Use code COONLEYPTA to save $5 — and i9 donates $10 back to Coonley with every sign-up. 🐯💙💛

Register at the link in bio or scan the QR code!

Thanks to i9 Sports, a proud Coonley Core Business Supporter!

We’re so grateful to and Electric Ideas, a Coonley Core Sponsor, for inviting our Coonley moms to join their FREE Summe...
06/26/2026

We’re so grateful to and Electric Ideas, a Coonley Core Sponsor, for inviting our Coonley moms to join their FREE Summer Joy Challenge! 🌞

Moms, are you spending so much time creating a magical summer for your family that you’ve forgotten to include yourself in it? This free 8-week challenge is filled with simple, joyful invitations that fit into real mom life and help you savor the season alongside the people you love.

It’s hosted by Whitney Baker, founder of Electric Ideas and host of the globally-ranked top 3% podcast of the same name. As a coach, facilitator, and certified meditation teacher, Whitney helps women — especially mothers — reconnect with themselves so they can lead, love, and create from a place of clarity and overflow.

✨ Beginning soon — claim your spot today!

⏰ Last call for Coonley Legacy Bricks! 🧱We’re extending the deadline one final time — you now have until June 24 to orde...
06/21/2026

⏰ Last call for Coonley Legacy Bricks! 🧱

We’re extending the deadline one final time — you now have until June 24 to order your custom-engraved brick for the Kartheiser Family Rock Garden.

This is truly your last chance to leave a permanent mark at Coonley — whether it’s your family’s name, a tribute to your child, an alumni shoutout, or a business sponsorship.

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

⏰ Final deadline: June 24, 2026 — no more extensions!

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

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. 🏫✨

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4046 N Leavitt St
Chicago, IL
60618

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