News Release
Homer CCSD 33C
Goodings Grove Luther J. Schilling William E. Young William J. Butler
Hadley Middle Homer Jr. High
Contact: Charla Brautigam, Communications/Public Relations Manager
cbrautigam@homerschools.org | 708-226-7628
For Immediate Release:
Nov. 30, 2016
Reading Gazebo takes shape at Hadley Middle School
Student Council celebrates with ribbon cutting ceremony
Determination and patience have paid off for Hadley Middle School students and staff.
On Monday (Nov. 28), the Hadley Student Council officially opened the school’s Reading Gazebo with a ribbon cutting ceremony. It took nearly four years to complete the project.
“Today, we celebrate another milestone in our program to create an outdoor reading and learning center for Hadley students,” student council members told a group of administrators as they gathered at the gazebo for a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The metal roof gazebo, with its three mesh picnic tables, was added near the school playground, giving students a place to read during recess and gather for classroom activities.
The project began four years ago when student leaders approached then Hadley Principal Kathleen Robinson with a plan to improve Hadley’s recess area by improving the surface area, adding new games and equipment for students, and building a reading and learning area.
While the district was able to resurface the area and add a few new games for student enjoyment, it lacked the funds to create the outdoor reading and learning center.
Determined to see their outdoor space come to fruition, students began raising money for the gazebo and picnic tables by conducting an annual “Pennies from Hadley” competition and other fundraising efforts to support their goal.
Their efforts continued each year — even when council membership changed with each graduating class.
So impressed by the students’ ongoing commitment, the Hadley PTO and district administration decided to assist and help make the dream a reality.
“I am happy to see the pavilion finished,” said Robinson, who now serves as the district’s assistant superintendent for instruction. “You finally have your outdoor space.”
She went on to explain how the Reading Gazebo will serve as a classroom extension, enabling groups of students to use it for outdoor reading, science experiments or STEAM classes.
“I can’t wait to see you in here using the space,” she added.
Students thanked the district’s buildings and grounds department for making their vision come to life, using their knowledge and skills to create specifications for the site, ordering the appropriate materials and installing them.
“Without them, the reading pavilion would not exist,” said Hadley Middle School teacher and student council sponsor Alison Pikus.
Principal Kristen Schroeder congratulated students for their perseverance and team effort.
“This is what can happen when a group of people come together and work as a team,” she said.
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