Last week, preschool students in Miss Shirkey’s class learned about Veterans Day and its significance. The lesson focused on thanking those who help keep the country safe. Students discussed the role of veterans and explored why red poppies are worn as a symbol of remembrance for their bravery and kindness.
As part of the activities, children created their own poppy flowers to wear. They practiced saying phrases such as, “We remember you” and “Thank you for helping our country.” The class also learned that there are six different groups within the military, each with members who work to assist others. These lessons were connected to broader themes like kindness, bravery, and gratitude through stories, pictures, and hands-on projects.
Coal City Community Unit School District 1 includes several schools across Grundy and Will counties: Coal City Early Childhood Center, Coal City Elementary School, Coal City High School, Coal City Intermediate School, and Coal City Middle School (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to state data from the Illinois State Board of Education, the district employs 153 teachers with an average salary of $69,297 before pension contributions; 77.9 percent are women while 22.1 percent are men. There have been no reports of any teacher in the district having more than ten absences in a school year (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).
The student population is composed primarily of White students at 86.9 percent; Hispanic students make up 9.6 percent; Black students represent 0.6 percent; Asian students also account for 0.6 percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In fiscal year 2020, spending per student was $21,619 for a total expenditure of $47 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).
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