March 14 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tag: lvhs
It’s time for one last celebration of the Halloween season—the annual Pumpkin Smash!
Thanks to the incredible community spirit and effort, everyone’s commitment has made the Lake View High School location the largest smash and compost event in the city! Last year, with the help of our partners like Lake View High School, their JROTC, and the 47th Ward, we composted over 19,000 pounds of pumpkins, keeping a huge amount of organic waste out of landfills.
This year, we’re challenging ourselves to reach a new milestone: Let’s double the tonnage! Join us in this fun, eco-friendly way to green your Halloween and support the environment.
Event Details
- When: Saturday, November 8, 10 am – 2 pm
- Where: Lake View High School parking lot, Greenview entrance from Irving Park
How to Participate
- Bring Your Pumpkins and Gourds: All decorative squashes are welcome.
- Prep Your Pumpkins: Please ensure you remove stickers and candles first!
- Show Your Spirit: Halloween celebrants are encouraged to wear their costumes one more time.
- Go Green on Transport: We love how many neighbors biked or brought their pumpkins in Radio Flyer or other wagons—it’s the best way to get them to the smash!
Let’s beat last year’s record and make an even bigger impact on our composting efforts!
November 8, 2025 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Everyone’s efforts have made this pumpkin smash location one of the largest smash and compost events in the city. Let’s double the tonnage this year! Saturday, November 8, 10 am – 2 pm at Lake View High School parking lot, Greenview entrance from Irving Park. Halloween celebrants are encouraged to wear their costumes one more time. Bring pumpkins and gourds. Remove stickers and candles first.
Thursday, June 19 | Time: 6–7:30 PM | Location: Warner Park & Gardens (1444 W Warner)
Join the Graceland West Community Association for an evening of updates, conversation, environmental inspiration, and a delicious summer solstice potluck. Let’s come together to celebrate what we’ve accomplished and look ahead to what’s next.
Meeting Agenda Highlights
Annual Environmental Program & ECO Updates
We’ll hear from:
- Olivia Reda of Alliance for the Great Lakes on microplastics, health, and the actions we can take.
- Kevin Serena of EXO Building Solutions will discuss green roof and water proofing solutions.
- Our GWCA ECO Committee on our growing network of 14 native plant pollinator and stormwater absorption sites, including two new ones at Lake View High School planted by JROTC.
- Updates on our Earth Week ’55 projects including our first ever Celebration of Cycling, the Pollinator sites at LVHS and the Warner Park Kid’s Pollinator site.
Garden Walk Planning
Calling all gardeners! Our 43rd Annual Garden Walk is coming up on Sunday, July 27. Want to help organize it, show your garden or just be part of the fun? Come learn more and sign up!
Council Election
Three of your neighbors—Bruce, Colin, and Janice—are running to serve on the GWCA Council. Interested in joining too? Let us know! (Eligible voting members must reside in the neighborhood and be current on dues.)
Community Thanks & Neighborhood Projects
- Big thanks to volunteers helping with bioswales and traffic circles—your work helps reduce flooding and beautify the neighborhood.
- We’re also fundraising to support continued planting at Lake View High School—every dollar helps create more green spaces.
Summer Solstice Potluck
Bring a dish to share, your own beverage + container, and reusable utensils. The pot luck will begin as soon as the meeting concludes. We’d love help setting up tables at 5:25 PM and putting them away at 7:30 PM. Volunteers are also needed to help run the potluck!
How You Can Get Involved
Reach out to info@gracelandwest.org to:
- Help organize or participate in the Garden Walk
- Volunteer for bioswale cleanups or potluck setup
- Join the Council or serve as a Block Rep
- Donate to support our native plant and stormwater projects
Let’s keep Graceland West beautiful, green and connected.
We can’t wait to see you on June 19 at Warner Park!
Celebrate Earth Week with Us – Saturday, April 26!
Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to dust off the pedals and join your neighbors for a morning of community and cycling. GWCA, in partnership with Lake View High School, Pedalheads, The Recyclery and Quantum LEEP Academy, invites you to our Celebration of Cycling on Saturday, April 26, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Lake View High School’s parking lot (4015 N Ashland Ave).
Event Schedule:
- 10:00 – 11:00 AM: Bike Decoration Station
Join students and staff from Quantum LEEP Academy to add some flair to your bike and get parade-ready! - 10:00 – 11:30 AM: Kids’ Obstacle Course
Guided by the Pedalheads team, young riders can build confidence and have fun navigating a safe and exciting course. - 10:00 – 11:30 AM: Bike Donation & Swap
The Recyclery will be accepting bikes and parts for donation. It’s a great opportunity to give unused items a new life or find something new-to-you. - 11:00 – 11:30 AM: Bike Parade
An all-ages neighborhood ride to showcase our bike infrastructure and celebrate cycling together. Safety volunteers will guide the route.
Why Attend?
This event is a fantastic way to engage with the community, promote sustainable transportation, and enjoy a fun-filled morning with activities for all ages. Whether you’re looking to donate a bike, help your child gain confidence on two wheels, or simply enjoy a leisurely ride through the neighborhood, there’s something for everyone.
Get Involved:
If you’re interested in assisting with setup, guiding the parade, or spreading the word, please reach out to us.
Stay Connected:
For more details and updates, visit our event page.
Let’s celebrate cycling, community, and Earth Week. See you there!
GWCA is hosting a Celebration of Cycling from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM on Saturday, April 26 at Lake View High School, and we’d love your help! The event will feature a bike donation + swap, bike decorating, an obstacle course for kids, and a bike parade through the neighborhood—all aimed at dusting off the pedals and showcasing our bike infrastructure.
We’re looking for volunteers at the event. If you can help, reach out to info@gracelandwest.org. Even a little help goes a long way in making it a success!
Details & flyer here:
https://gracelandwest.org/calendar/celebration-of-cycling-bike-donation-swap-obstacle-course-bike-parade/
On Tuesday April 8th and Thursday April 10th, our students will be engaged in high-stakes testing from roughly 8am until 1pm. While we’re generally glad to have children play in our playground during school hours, during those two time periods, we’d really appreciate quiet so that students can focus on their ACT and Pre-ACT testing.
We will be posting signs on the playground asking community members not to use the space during those two times.
Paul J. Karafiol, Ed.D.
Principal
Lake View High School
April 26, 2025 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Celebrate Earth Week by giving bikes a second life! Join us for a community cycling event focused on sustainability and fun.
♻️ Bike & Bike Parts Swap & Donation – Give unused bikes and parts a new home with The Recyclery
🚴 Kids’ Obstacle Course – Hosted by Pedalheads to help young riders gain confidence
🎨 Bike Decoration Station – Mike your bike parade-ready. Join students and staff from Quantum LEEP Academy in giving your wheels a new look!
🎉 Bike Parade – A fun, all-ages ride through the neighborhood to celebrate cycling as a green way to get around
Whether you’re looking to donate, swap, or just ride, this event is a great way to support sustainability and connect with fellow cyclists. All ages welcome!
Colin McLeod
Support our local students and enjoy a morning of crafts, food, and community spirit!
Lake View High School is hosting a German Market Fundraiser on Saturday, January 25th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the school’s cafeteria at 4015 N. Ashland Ave.
This festive market will feature handmade crafts and delicious treats, all available for purchase at this cash-only event. Every dollar raised will help fund a life-changing opportunity for 8 Lake View High School students as they prepare to embark on a Cultural Exchange Program in Germany, starting in less than two months.
Let’s rally together to support these young ambassadors and celebrate the incredible programs Lake View High School offers. Whether you’re stopping by for unique finds, tasty snacks, or just to show your support, your participation makes a big difference!
Mark your calendars, and we’ll see you at the market!
January 25, 2025 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
This festive market will feature handmade crafts and delicious treats, all available for purchase at this cash-only event. Every dollar raised will help fund a life-changing opportunity for 8 Lake View High School students as they prepare to embark on a Cultural Exchange Program in Germany, starting in less than two months.
