CANCELED: Students in sixth through eighth grades invited to attend Friday Night Connect free ice skating event

CANCELED: DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED.

On Feb. 2, students in sixth through eighth grades are invited to get connected and attend a special Friday Night Connect event.

From 6 to 8 p.m., students can enjoy free ice skating and curling at Lombard Christian Reformed Church’s Corner Ice at 2020 S. Meyers Road in Lombard (pending weather conditions – go to www.lombardcrc.org for rink updates). There also will be free pizza and hot chocolate. If students have skates, it's recommended they bring their own pair. Participants must have a parent/guardian complete the consent and release form at www.dupage88.net/FNC2017-18.

The goal of Friday Night Connect is to provide a place where students can come together and help one another grow and develop, while enjoying a fun environment filled with friends, food and games. Participants are mentored by high school students (with adult supervision). The program is free and offers a safe place where kids can relax with their peers and take part in exciting activities to help them make positive decisions. Each session also consists of a seasonal “secret topic,” where the students complete an activity based on a given theme.

Friday Night Connect was launched in October 2016 as an initiative of Willowbrook High School, the Villa Park/Lombard Clergy Association, the Villa Park Police Department and local governmental officials. For their efforts, the group members earned a state-level Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (INSPRA) in May 2017. To read more about the program’s history, go to www.dupage88.net/FridayNightConnect.

While students are having fun on the ice rink on Feb. 2, parents/guardians are encouraged to attend a conversation that will provide more information about Friday Night Connect, as well as discussion about social media and supports available for students.