Lake County Gazette

Students at United Township High School received several updates and reminders as the new school year began on August 11, 2025. The cafeteria menu for the day included corn dogs, chicken strips with a whole grain dinner roll, oven-baked sweet potato fries, peas, and assorted fresh fruit.

Activity buses resumed service on Monday, with departures at 4:15 PM and 5:15 PM. Students are reminded that a pass from a coach or teacher is required to ride these buses.

Mr. W, the band director, asked students and staff not to park in the northwest corner of the school during the first quarter to accommodate Marching Panthers activities. "The Marching Panthers appreciate your help, and we can't wait to showcase our Panther Pride at our home football games and marching competitions! Thanks for your help!" he stated.

For those interested in music events, Mr. Davis, the College & Career Advisor, announced free student tickets are available for a musical extravaganza at the Adler Theatre in Davenport, Iowa on November 8.

Volunteer opportunities were also highlighted. The Hampton Youth Committee is seeking volunteers for its Color Run event on Saturday, August 16 from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. Volunteers will spray colored powder on participants as they pass by. Interested students can contact Mr. Davis for more information or to sign up.

In extracurricular news, Panther Players—the school drama club—will hold an informational meeting about their fall play on Wednesday, August 13 at 3:15 p.m. in the auditorium. This year’s production includes two one-act plays: "A Jury of Her Peers" and "Anybody for Tea." The club is seeking students interested in acting as well as various technical roles such as set design and lighting. For details or questions, students are encouraged to speak with Mr. Greer in room 224E or email Mrs. Julia Jackson.

United Township High School District 30 serves Rock Island and Henry counties (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district employs 96 teachers with an average salary of $65,666 before pension contributions; about half are women and half men, with no teachers exceeding ten absences per year (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The student body is composed of approximately 51 percent White students, 16 percent Black students, 25 percent Hispanic students, and nearly three percent Asian students (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In fiscal year 2020, spending per student was $19,622 for a total district expenditure of over $33 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).