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:
Jan. 18, 2017
Help Hadley students build a brighter future for others
Donations now being accepted
Hadley Middle School students are building a brighter future for others by collecting donations that will enable a Joliet day care center and preschool to become a 21st century learning center.
Students recently “adopted” the Vilaseca Josephine Center (VJC), a non-profit school run by nuns, and began collecting crayons, markers, paints, toys and learning tools for the center.
Their goal is to help VJC build a curriculum that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Math (STEAM) to guide student inquiry, dialogue and critical thinking — just like they do at Hadley.
“Most of the students (at VJC) come from modest homes and many of the students do not speak English,” explained Charlie, a sixth-grader at Hadley Middle School and co-president of the school’s Student Council.
“The center stays open by individual donations and through funding by the United Way,” he added.
Under the direction of Hadley Principal Kristen Schroeder and Student Council Sponsor Alison Pikus, the Student Council launched a campaign in November to raise money and supplies for the school.
They created a video (viewable a https://youtu.be/5ZcfDQ3tfes) and placed collection boxes at each of the Homer 33C schools and invited students and their families to donate school supplies, learning games and technology items, such as iPads.
In December, they asked Homer 33C employees to donate to the center on a regular basis by signing up for a payroll deduction to the United Way.
Their goal is to raise $45,000 annually.
“This is a great opportunity for our school community to reach out and make a difference in the lives of others,” said Pikus, who has been humbled by the students’ efforts. Together, they have:
- Created a bilingual website for the center
- Created and donated flyers
- Partnered with Homer 33C’s technology department to donate recycled technology
Students in Catherine Clayton’s Spanish class at Homer Junior High School, Jamie Bouche’s Spanish class at Hadley Middle School and Laura Collins’ Spanish class at Homer Junior High School joined the effort by creating bilingual preschool learning books for each VJC student.
In January, Hadley’s Student Council launched a “Pennies from Hadley” competition with a portion of what they raise going to purchase more learning tools for VJC.
“As you can see, this is more than a month-long campaign,” said Mia, a Hadley Middle School sixth-grader and co-president of the Student Council.
“So please help the children of VJC,” she added. “Help us build the future day-by-day … helping others the Hadley Way.”
If you would like to join the effort, please contact the school at 708-226-7725.
