RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon To Visit Locke School In Chicago On May 22 As Students Celebrate Success In Reading Challenge

Program Sponsored By RE/MAX Northern Illinois Real Estate Network

The students at Josephine Locke Elementary School, 2828 N. Oak Park Ave., in Montclare neighborhood of Chicago, IL, will get an exciting introduction to hot air ballooning when the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon and its crew visit the school on May 22. The visit is part of an on-going interactive educational program developed and sponsored by the RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network.

The 1,260 students at Locke earned the balloon visit by conquering a challenge from their teachers to read 40,000 books during the school year, which they first accomplished during the 2007-2008 school year by reading 48,320 books. The goal for the current school year was also 40,000 books, and it looks as if the students will exceed it. To learn about the reading challenge, visit the school’s Web site: www.lockeschool.org.

The balloon visit is one of many activities planned for the students that day – an all day recognition/celebration of the students’ achievements.
The presentation by the balloon crew will teach the students about various aspects of ballooning, including its history, the scientific principles involved and a demonstration on how the balloon functions.

The program will be presented at 9 a.m. outdoors on the school playground, weather permitting, but can be moved indoors if required. The balloon envelope will be inflated with hot air to its full 75-foot height if the program is held outdoors. If the program moves indoors, the envelope is inflated with cold air so that students can walk inside it.