A year after we moved to Highland Park, my husband and I adopted our daughter from China, and I soon gave birth to my second daughter. I have called this city my home for 10 years, but I come from a family far less settled.
My relatives attended schools in various countries and states. My Puerto Rican abuela rode horses to school in the 1920s in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. My Greek yia-yia attended school in the 1910s in Lemnos, Greece. As a child, I attended many configurations: K-12; K-3; fourth grade center; 5-8 middle school; K-6; 7-9 junior high; and 9-12 high school.
This history helped me know what I wanted for my daughters –– third and fourth graders at Ravinia –– and I was thrilled to find it in District 112’s small schools.
I understand District 112 needs to consolidate, and I believe in investing in education. However, I cannot support the $198 million referendum that includes one big-box middle school.
I’m concerned about the educational and social impact for children being together from grades 5-12. Labels and cliques form early, and it’s difficult to erase those labels when you’re with the same people. I worry about reduced participation in sports and performing arts. Will we have one play and one soccer team from a pool of 1,800 students?
The proposed middle school will be two wings of one building on a single campus. That doesn’t reassure me. It’s like saying New York isn’t a big city because it’s divided into 5 boroughs.
And don’t tell me that there’s no “Plan B.” As an ex-journalist, I know that even the best story can be edited. And this plan needs creative editing and a new lede. Let’s try this: We can have a better story, but we have to vote “No” to get there.
Kelly Haramis
Highland Park
Editor’s Note: Kelly Haramis was a features writer and editor for the baiduhai, Pioneer Press’ parent publication, from 2002 to 2008.
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