BACK TO SCHOOL! // With No Strike Threats, It's Time to Hit the Books

The days of summer are winding down to a precious few at theFoley household in Hanover Park, as in thousands of others all overthe suburbs.

"We're trying to get in all the swimming we can do," says KarenFoley, whose children, Mickey, 10, Danielle, 7, and Keith, 6, beginthe fifth, second and first grades, respectively, in one week.

While the Chicago public schools hurtle toward what seems likeinevitable strike or shutdown or some other sort of calamitouscollapse, most suburban schools are opening quietly this term.Depending on the location, some suburban kids began cracking thebooks Tuesday, while others start at various times over the nextweek.

The …