Palatine High School Brings Touch of Home to Those Serving In Military

Spare change turns up in all sorts of places – between couch cushions, under car floor mats, in pockets, on dresser tops – and, for the last few weeks, in re-purposed Pringles potato chip “collection” cans on teachers’ desks at Palatine High School.

The coins collected in those cans added up to quite a lot, more than $2,000. The money was collected as a fundraising effort by a student interest group named R.O.P.E.S. — Respecting Our Pirates’ Excellent Service.

 R.O.P.E.S. was formed to send care packages to Palatine High School graduates serving in the armed forces. R.O.P.E.S.’ sponsors, PHS Guidance Counselors Shannon O’Brien and Jamie Jennings, advise the group of students, some of whom have siblings serving in the military.

O'Brien said that each year former students, now in the military, return to visit her. This past fall, she was particularly impressed by the transformation of one of her former students. She began to think about all that is done to honor those who die in service, and thought that something should be done to recognize and thank alums in active duty.

“We feel that these young men and women deserve our respect and appreciation,” O’Brien said. After presenting the idea for the service club to school administrators and senior service hour coordinators, R.O.P.E.S. was underway.

O’Brien and Jennings coordinated R.O.P.E.S.’ efforts with the school’s Social Studies Club and its sponsors, Social Studies teachers Chris Bays and Anita Lee.

Fundraising efforts in the social studies classes took place from Feb. 8 to March 5.  The top two social studies classes won a pizza party for their efforts, with the top class bringing in about $700. A school wide fundraising campaign took place during student lunch periods in the cafeteria from Feb. 22 to Feb. 25. The total amount raised was more than $2,000.

 R.O.P.E.S. and the Social Studies Club didn’t stop with raising money. Coaches and activity sponsors were asked to donate leftover Palatine Pirate gear such as t-shirts and hats. The efforts of a wide-range students, staff, and faculty are borne in these care packages. Last week R.O.P.E.S. students shopped for the items, and on March 18 they packed, filled out customs forms, and shipped the care packages in what they intend to become an annual service project.

Jennings, whose fiancée served overseas, was familiar with the items that can bring a touch of the familiar to those serving overseas. O’Brien said each package contains an item of Palatine High School gear, the latest Cutlass (the school newspaper), personal letters, as well as candy, snacks, wet wipes, crossword puzzle books, and playing cards. O’Brien also wrote a newsletter updating military alums about Palatine High School.

 So far, R.O.P.E.S. has the names of about 40 alums who are serving. Anyone who would like to provide the name and contact information for a Palatine High School alum currently serving in any branch of the military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, or Coast Guard – can send an email to sobrien@d211.org, jjennings@d211.org, or call the school at (847) 755-1630. Monetary donations are also welcome, O’Brien said.

From classrooms to military theaters far away, R.O.P.E.S. and a proud school send tokens of concern and appreciation, and a little touch of home.