Lake County Gazette

District 181 schools marked Veterans Day with assemblies and classroom activities aimed at honoring those who have served in the military. At the elementary level, each school organized a special assembly featuring patriotic music and speeches. Veterans who are family members of students attended these events, providing an opportunity for students to connect directly with them and learn about the significance of the holiday.

Middle school students participated in various activities designed to show appreciation for veterans. These included historical research, discussions, and community service projects. Hinsdale Middle School teacher Lauren Miller said, "We are writing letters to veterans in 7th grade advisory." The letters allow students to personally thank veterans for their service. At Clarendon Hills Middle School, Social Studies classes made “thank you” stars for veterans and displayed them in the lobby.

District 181 expressed gratitude for all veterans and emphasized its commitment to fostering honor, respect, and patriotism among students. The district includes schools such as Clarendon Hills Middle School, Elm Elementary School, Hinsdale Middle School, Madison Elementary School, Monroe Elementary School, Oak Elementary School, Prospect Elementary School, The Lane Elementary School, and Walker School across DuPage and Cook counties (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

According to state data from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), District 181 employs 282 teachers with an average salary of $94,227 before pension contributions; women make up 90 percent of teachers while men account for 10 percent. No teachers had more than ten absences in a school year (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The student population is composed of approximately 69.8 percent White students, 1.1 percent Black students, 6.8 percent Hispanic students, and 15.4 percent Asian students (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020, District 181 spent $31,308 per student for a total expenditure of $117 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).