Work continues at Ross School

Homer Glen’s one-room schoolhouse will be saved because of the generous support of Richards Building Supply Company and Homer 33C parents, students and staff.

Volunteers have raised just over $5,000 so far and installed a new roof with materials donated by Filotto Construction and Richards Building Supply Company.

This summer, volunteers will replace the rotted siding and trim with assistance from Crockett Construction. They’ll also replace the two weather-beaten doors.

One door was donated by Richards Building Supply Company; the other was purchased with donations.

Ross School, which stands at the entrance to Homer Junior High School and Hadley Middle School, was built in the 1850s and served generations of area students up until 1956 when Homer Community Consolidated School District 33C was established with the consolidation of six one-room schoolhouses.

The school was once used for live history lessons but had to be closed due to safety concerns.

In 2017, Homer 33C embarked on a mission to restore the school by launching a $10,000 fundraising campaign.

Among those who have donated to the restoration project are: Quest Food Management Services; Old Plank Trail Community Bank; Mesirow/Alliant Insurance Services; Midland Federal Savings and Loan; Big R; and A Beep, LLC.

Also supporting the restoration project are Homer CCSD 33C parents, students and staff who have contributed nearly $2,000 to the project through EZSchoolPay, PTO fundraisers and dropping loose change into collection jars.

In April, the Schilling School PTO raised $965 by selling popcorn, Smencils (scented pencils), Smickers (scented stickers) and gel crayons during lunch periods.

Earlier, the Hadley Middle School Student Council raised $500 for the restoration project and the Butler School PTO donated $50. The Young School PTO donated $63.09.

“We’ve heard stories from Schilling parents and former teachers about Ross School and how its history once played a role in academics,” said Schilling PTO Secretary Barb Koutsky. “Teachers and students have memories of taking a break from the normal school day to hold a reading class in the one-room schoolhouse. By coming together as a community, memories like these can be made once again. We wanted to help play a role in making that happen.”

“Part of our mission as a PTO is to foster a relationship between our families, the school and the community,” added Butler School PTO President Megan Majchrowicz. “We strive as a PTO to inspire our youth to make the world a better place, and hopefully that inspiration carries over. By donating to the Ross School Restoration project we, as a PTO, hope it motivates our students and families to do more and get more involved in their community to make a difference.”

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