District 70 Hosts Book Drive For Flood-Damaged School

LIBERTYVILLE, IL - Libertyville School District 70 is rallying to help out a Lake County school damaged by recent flooding. The library at W.J. Murphy Elementary School in Round Lake Park was destroyed by flood waters last month. As the school continues to work to clean up, District 70 is hosting a children's book drive to help out, according to District 70's website.

The book drive will run through Aug. 9. Residents can drop off new or slightly used books at District 70's ERC on Lake Street. The books are meant for students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade.

"Our hearts go out to D70 families dealing with the aftermath of the recent flooding. Wonderful community response of neighbors helping neighbors has inspired us to reach out to help our neighbors after the school library at W.J. Murphy Elementary School in Round Lake Park was destroyed by the flooding," according to information posted on District 70's website.

Extensive work continues at the Round Lake Park elementary school after the school, and two other Round Lake Area School District 116 schools, were damaged by flooding. In the past week, the contractors removed debris, removed floors and drywall, began drywall replacement and abatement.

It's unclear if Murphy Elementary will be ready to open on Aug. 21, which is the school's set opening date. A 6-room mobile classroom has been ordered and school officials anticipate that it will arrived and will be prepped prior to the start of school, according to an update on the District 116 website.

The school district also plans to conduct air-quality testing in recent weeks.

Photo via District 116