Betsy Ross School unites to help out fire victims

The Betsy Ross Elementary School staff, Parent Teacher Organization and families all joined together to support the families affected by the April 2 fire in the Pheasant Run condominiums in Wheeling.

At Betsy Ross, three families were directly affected. The PTO donated $300 to each family, and the staff and Ross families collected $1,700 in cash and gift cards to donate to the families.

In total, $2,600 was collected and distributed to the three Ross families affected by the fire. In addition, the PTO collected gently used clothing items.

"The outpouring of generosity was amazing," said Betsy Ross Principal Claire Kowalczyk.

"My students came back to school (after the fire) very sad and scared. Many of the children saw the burning and the experience left them feeling anxious," said Lauren Kirk, a bilingual kindergarten teacher at Betsy Ross.

"The visit from the Prospect Heights Fire Department helped relieve some of the lasting anxiety. The students asked questions that they had been thinking about since the fire and learned basic fire safety. It is all part of the healing process."

The students not only learned a lot about fire safety, but they had fun.

"It was the best day ever," said kindergartner Jair Rivas.