District 300 students write letters to overseas troops

Students at some Community Unit District 300 elementary schools are writing letters to troops deployed overseas as part of the 10,000 For The Troops campaign.

It started with students in Emilee Gajewski's first-grade classroom at Liberty Elementary School in Carpentersville who have written 115 cards and letters.

The goal of the campaign, launched by US 99.5 radio station morning show hosts Lisa Dent and Ray Stevens, is to collect 10,000 letters to send to the troops who cannot come home for the holidays.

"I put out this goal to Liberty and it has spread to several other schools in the district," Gajewski said. "The students have loved this project and it shows the community support for our veterans and current military."

The letters were picked up by a radio station representative Thursday.

District 300 Superintendent Fred Heid said every school tailored lessons and activities this week to connect with veterans in honor of Veterans Day.

"Every school kind of puts their own spin and flavor on it," said Heid, adding the letter-writing campaign is one way students can show their gratitude.

"They were able to apply their learning in a really meaningful way," Heid said. "I am thrilled because part of the role of public education is (by law) civics (which) is a requirement now. We are showing our students their civic responsibility and giving them opportunities to demonstrate that."

The Algonquin-based school district employs about 33 veterans and some teachers have family members who currently are serving, Heid said.

Letters and cards can be sent directly to the radio station: 10,000 For The Troops, Attn: Lisa & Ray, 180 N. Stetson Ave., Suite 1000, Chicago IL 60601.