Letter to the Editor: DHS Senior Supports Referendum

Dear Readers, 

As most of you are aware, District 113 is seeking an $89 million referendum to make significant improvements Deerfield High School and Highland Park High School.  ADA Accessibly, infrastructure, physical education/athletic facilities, HVAC systems, security, as well as others will be improved for the benefit of students, athletes, teachers, and the community. 

I am overseeing a student group at DHS that is promoting the referendum.  This has involved a lot of my time outside of school.  Over the past several weeks, some students have asked me a few questions about my involvement.  “Why are you so involved in leading a student group promoting the referendum? You are graduating in May, right?  You will not benefit from the improvements to the school, so why bother getting involved?”  My answer…it’s not about me.  Just because I won’t directly benefit from the improvements doesn’t mean I can disregard the plan completely.  The first thing that comes to my mind is the students in my Freshman Advisory and my Sophomore Girls PE class.  The intangible lessons they have taught me is a solid reason why I come to school every day with a jovial attitude.  Each of those students give me daily motivation, and promoting the referendum is one way I can give back to them. 

In addition to my students, I'm also devoting a significant amount of time to this project because it will benefit future DHS generations.  With changes being put in place in time for the school year in August, students will be able to enjoy the improvements right away.  Out of everybody, your students will benefit the most. 

The days of keeping students’ attention while they are sweating in an 85 degree room will be a thing of the past.  Athletic practices in D-hall or X-hall will be obsolete.  Students with accessibility issues will be able to move throughout the building without any problems.  But this is only possible through public support of the District 113 Referendum, and we need YOUR help.

With the election just over a week away, we need YOUR support.  We need you to VOTE on April 9th.  I'm sure one of the main reasons you moved to the Deerfield community was the quality of education the students receive.  A vote for "YES" is a vote for reinvesting in your child's education. 

As you sit and reflect on the cause at hand, I want you to think about your students and how they will benefit.  It doesn’t have to affect my time at DHS.  It affects Phoebe, Zach, Eric, Haley, Elizabeth, Kyle, and the rest of the 1,700+ students that will be at DHS next year and years to come.  I’m working hard to benefit the current and future students at DHS.  I hope your reasons are similar to mine. 

I hope you will support our campaign towards a better future in District 113!

With Warrior Pride,
Jake Porento
DHS Class of 2013