North Cook News

Athena Arvanitis leaves no doubt about what she sees as the most pressing issue in her run for the Elmhurst School District 205 board.

"My goal is to work quickly toward fully and safely reopening our schools,” Arvanitis told the North Cook News. “Recent studies have provided ample information supporting the opening of schools and their ability to implement safeguards that limit transmission.”

One of six candidates vying for three seats, the 41-year-old Arvanitis said she feels her current post as assistant principal for Student Programs and Operations for New Trier High School puts her in a class for the board spot she’s seeking that few of her rivals can match.

“As a mother of two elementary school students and a seasoned school administrator, I would bring valuable experience to the Board of Education for Elmhurst Community Unit District 205,” she told Patch.com. “I have a wide lens and ample understanding of how to implement effective change in schools to meet student needs while tackling the variety of challenges schools are facing today. My experience as both an educational leader and as a parent is more important now than ever as we face a continuing pandemic and the need to address its impact on student learning and well-being.”

Through it all, Aravantis said she remains focused on doing what’s best for the student.

“I am running for Board of Education because I believe my experience would be of great benefit to the school board, and I want to give back to a community that is so important to my family,” she said.