District 200 Schools Honor Veteran's Day

Students in District 200 schools will honor Veteran's Day with a variety of classroom and school-wide activities, including visits from local war veterans who will talk about their experiences. This is the first year that District 200 students will be attending school on Veteran's Day.

“Being in school on Veteran’s Day gives schools an excellent opportunity to help our young people understand the vital and important role our service men and women have in protecting our democracy,” Superintendent Gary T. Catalani said. “We are grateful to the many veterans in our community who have volunteered their time to talk with students about their military service.”

Members of local VFW’s, American Legion Posts, and other veterans’ groups, will visit schools throughout the district on Thursday. In addition to these visits, schools are planning other recognition activities, including patriotic color guards, speakers, and photographs and memorabilia that illustrate the historical significance of Veteran's Day. All schools will be reciting the pledge of allegiance, having a moment of silence to honor Veterans who have served and who are currently serving our country and hearing a message explaining the purpose and reason for Veteran's Day.

Following is a snapshot of what schools are planning to honor our veterans.

Jefferson Preschool: created and colored postcards that were sent to military.

Bower Elementary: Individual learning events in classrooms; Veteran's Day video from U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs shown in classes. Bower Elementary School-- 4 S 241 River Road, Warrenville. Kevin Kane, principal: 393-9413.

Emerson Elementary: Color guard from Wheaton Fire Department posts colors for pledge at assembly (11 a.m.); Veteran's Day video from U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs shown in classes; names and photos posted of current and former military of Emerson family; USA flag made up of over 450 cupcakes served at lunch (11:45-1 p.m.). Emerson Elementary School -- 119 S. Woodlawn Street, Wheaton. Contact: Dan Bostrom, principal or Beth Gunther, teacher at 682-2055.

Hawthorne Elementary: Red, white and blue day; rally around the flagpole for pledge (9 a.m.); Veteran's Day video from U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs shown in classes. Hawthorne Elementary School--334 E. Wakeman, Wheaton. John Patterson, principal: 682-2065.

Johnson Elementary: Assembly (2:30 p.m.); Warrenville's VFW will present the colors; patriotic songs; Cliff Johnson, school's namesake and long-time Warrenville resident, community leader and WW II veteran will speak. Johnson Elementary School-- 2 S 700 Continental Drive, Warrenville. Contact: Tim Callahan, assistant principal: 393-1787.

Lincoln Elementary: All school assembly with Lincoln dad who served in Afghanistan; reading of Project Wisdom; many classrooms participating in Adopt a Solider program. Lincoln Elementary School--630 Dawes, Wheaton. Contact: Kathy DeMarzo, principal: 682-2075.

Longfellow Elementary: All school assembly (9 a.m.); Girl Scout color guard raises flag for pledge; 5 th grade student reflection time; America the Beautiful sung by all; Franklin Middle School student plays taps. Photo wall of Longfellow family vets displayed in school. All classrooms incorporating Veteran's Day in lesson plan. Flag etiquette taught by Boy Scouts. 4 th and 5 th grade classes walk to Wheaton's Memorial Park (10:40-11 a.m.) to watch ceremony led by VFW, American Legion and their auxiliaries. Longfellow Elementary School, 311 W. Seminary, Wheaton. Contact: Paul McKinney, principal or Marianne Novak, 4 th grade teacher at 682-2080.

Lowell Elementary: Veterans speaking to fourth and fifth grade classes. Lowell Elementary School, 312 S. President, Wheaton. Contact: Denise DeSalvo, principal: 682-2085.

Madison Elementary: Individual classroom activities and veteran visit to 4 th grade class. Madison Elementary School, 1620 Mayo, Wheaton. Contact: Gene Sikorski, principal: 682-2095.

Pleasant Hill Elementary: Individual classroom activities. Pleasant Hill Elementary School, 1 N 220 Pleasant Hill Rd. Winfield. Contact: Mark Kohlmann, principal: 682-2100.

Sandburg Elementary: All school flag raising and pledge (9:15 a.m.); veterans visit classrooms; individual classroom activities. Sandburg Elementary School, 1345 Jewell Road, Wheaton. Contact: Aaron Bacon, principal: 682-2105.

Washington Elementary: All school assembly (11 a.m.); Girl and Boy Scout presentation of the colors; veteran speaks; patriotic songs; Character Counts pillar of citizenship. Washington Elementary School-- 911 Bridle Lane, Wheaton. Contact: Laura Wojdyla, teacher head of planning: 682-2222.

Whittier Elementary: All school at flagpole for pledge; Whittier Cub Scout den will present the colors; "God Bless America" and "I'm Proud To Be An American" sung by all; two students read the day's Words of Wisdom (short story/poem with positive message). Whittier Elementary School-- 218 S. Park Avenue, Wheaton. Contact: Joanne Hall, principal: 682-2185.

Wiesbrook Elementary: Veteran color guard assisting Wiesbrook patrols with all school flag raising (9:20 a.m.) and pledge; National Anthem sung by all. Wiesbrook Elementary School-- 2160 Durfee Road, Wheaton. Contact: Dianne Thornburg, principal: 682-2190.

Edison Middle School: Eighth grade assembly (10:45-Noon); brass ensemble plays civil war song; former Edison parent and volunteer from Cantigny's Museum of the First Infantry Division will be the master of ceremony; photo montage from all wars presented; four veterans from WWII, Korean, Vietnam and Blackhawk Down era introduced; student council president leads pledge; question/answer time; award presentation. Individual classroom learning activities also planned. Edison Middle School-- 1125 S. Wheaton Avenue, Wheaton. Contact: Bethann Bray, 8 th grade teacher or David Kanne, principal : 682-2050.

Franklin Middle School: Seventh and eighth grade assembly (11:55 a.m.); three veterans share experiences--WWII D-Day/ Utah Beach survivor; Vietnam paratrooper/medic; and Iraq conflict (first unit to reach Baghdad). Franklin Middle School-- 211 E. Franklin Street, Wheaton. Contact: Joe Donato, 8 th grade teacher: 682-2060.

Hubble Middle School: Red, white and blue day. Individual classroom learning activities. Hubble Middle School-- 603 S. Main Street, Wheaton. Beth Sullivan, principal, 682-2160.

Monroe Middle School: Individual classroom learning activities; Adopt a Troop Program. Monroe Middle School-- 1855 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Wayne Spychala, principal: 682-2285.

Wheaton North High School: All school assembly in gym (1:30 p.m.); Army color guard; band, orchestra and choir will perform patriotic music; veteran guests will speak; slide show of veterans related to Wheaton North staff and students. Wheaton North High School-- 701 W. Thomas Road, Wheaton. Contact: Phyllis Kidd, social studies teacher: 784-7443.

Wheaton Warrenville South High School: Individual classroom learning activities. Veterans will speak to social studies classes. Wheaton Warrenville South High School—1993 Tiger Trail, Wheaton. Contact: Joe Kish, Dean, at 784-7050 of Dawn Snyder, Principal, at 784-7228.