Students Bring 'Hawthorn Cares' Message to the Community

This past week, students and teachers at Hawthorn School District 73 came together to spread the message that "Hawthorn Cares." They drew posters and hung them in their windows. They sketched chalk signs on their driveways. They hung colorful collages on their doors. Within little time, hundreds of signs featuring the theme "Hawthorn Cares" popped up throughout neighborhoods and streets in Vernon Hills, Mundelein, and Libertyville where Hawthorn students live. Teachers also shared photos of the signs through social media.

"I hope these messages bring a little bright spot to people as they go about their daily routines," said the District's Superintendent Dr. Peter Hannigan. "It is important for the community to know that their school district cares, and that our Hawthorn spirit is still alive and well despite the closure of our school buildings."

The District is assisting community members in a variety of ways. It continues to provide free breakfasts and lunches to students 18 years and younger. Hawthorn staff members recently prepared and deployed over 400 electronic devices to students in early childhood through fifth grade who lacked this resource. The District's Key to 73 Education Foundation donated $18,000 toward the purchase of Wi-Fi hotspots for 150 Hawthorn families. These actions are in keeping with the District's goal to ensure that its Remote Learning Plan serves all students. Each week, the District's social workers and psychologists send out a message to promote social and emotional wellness. The school's social workers are also available on an ongoing basis to provide assistance.

Hawthorn School District 73 is a preschool through eighth grade public school district serving approximately 4,200 students. It serves all or portions of the communities of Vernon Hills, Mundelein, Libertyville, Indian Creek and unincorporated areas of Lake County, Illinois.