Kirby School District 140 reported on April 27 that seventeen student-athletes participated in the 2026 Special Olympics Track & Field Spring Games, held at Busey Bank Field – Joliet Memorial Stadium on April 25 and 26.
The event was significant for the district as its athletes achieved notable success, earning a total of six gold medals, eight silver medals, and six bronze medals. In addition to these podium finishes, students also received three fourth-place ribbons, one fifth-place ribbon, one sixth-place ribbon, one seventh-place ribbon, and one eighth-place ribbon.
All gold medal winners from the district have qualified for the upcoming Special Olympics State Games scheduled for June 12–14 at Illinois State University. The district said it is proud of its athletes’ accomplishments: “We are so proud of our athletes. Congratulations to all!”
John A. Bannes Elementary School is part of Kirby School District 140 and had an enrollment of 433 students during the 2019-2020 school year. The school serves grades Kindergarten through five and is located in Tinley Park within Cook County according to the Illinois Report Card.
Student distribution data from John A. Bannes Elementary School shows that during the same year, grade three had the highest percentage of students at 18.9 percent out of total enrollment; grade two accounted for about 15.7 percent; grade four made up approximately fifteen percent; grade five comprised about fourteen point five percent; and grade one represented around fourteen point one percent according to Illinois Report Card.
Looking ahead, qualifying student-athletes will represent their schools and community at state-level competition in June.
