Flossmoor Veterans’ Memorial Creates Local History Unit For D161

FLOSSMOOR, IL — District 161 students will focus on the contributions of Flossmoor veterans to the community this fall, in a new partnership with Flossmoor Veterans’ Memorial, Inc. (FVM).

Retired Flossmoor Mayor Paul Braun, who serves as FVM president, and FVM Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Kristine Condon introduced a specially designed local history curriculum to Parker Junior High social studies faculty during the District’s fall Teacher Institute. The curriculum, called The Flossmoor Veterans’ Time Machine, is based heavily upon Fragments of Flossmoor, Condon’s 2024 book benefiting the FVM Wall of Honor project. The curriculum was designed in conjunction with District 161’s shift to standards-based learning and grading, which is a new approach to assessing the knowledge, skills, and abilities that students should be able to demonstrate after learning new curriculum material.

"Since our 2021 incorporation, FVM’s goal has been to build a Wall of Honor that recognizes the service of nearly 1,000 Flossmoor residents who have served our Armed Forces with distinction," said Braun. "However, the second portion of our mission statement focuses on community engagement, education, and civic awareness of this effort. Our corporate Board of Directors believes that sharing these contributions with District 161 students will enhance our children’s interest in our Village and make them more engaged citizens. This is an excellent complement to the events and activities we’ve already seen in Flossmoor’s centennial year."

District 161 Superintendent Dr. Dana Smith agreed.

"Our ‘Portrait of a Graduate’ encompasses the skills and competencies FVM’s curriculum promotes," Smith said. "We design activities to foster inquiry, to encourage critical thinking, and to engage in our community as thoughtful global citizens. In conjunction with our shift to standards-based grading, this curriculum prepares our junior high students to enter high school with a strong foundation in the service of our local veterans. We’re delighted to partner with FVM on such a meaningful project."

District 161’s Director of Learning and Instruction Amabel Crawford also voiced her support.

"Our faculty have done a terrific job this summer in mastering the Illinois Learning Standards in all of our content areas," Crawford said. "With the shift to standards-based grading this fall, all of our activities will focus on areas where students have mastered content and areas where they will benefit from support and additional work."

Condon, a retired community college legal studies and civics educator, agreed that civics literacy begins in our neighborhoods and communities.

"District 161 is to be commended for its creativity and commitment to local history,” she said. "It will set the standard for other history-based nonprofit partnerships with school districts. The Flossmoor Veterans’ Time Machine education curriculum takes our Wall of Honor efforts to a whole new level."

FVM expects to construct the Veterans’ Wall of Honor on a 9,500 square-foot parcel located north of Flossmoor Road and east of the Metra/CN tracks. Designed by Flossmoor architect Michael Matthys, the Wall of Honor will be a tribute to all current and former Flossmoor residents who are serving or have served our nation’s Armed Forces.

For more information, visit @honoringflossmoorvets on Facebook/Instagram, @FlossmoorVWH on Twitter, https://flossmoorvets.square.site on the Web, or flossmoorvets@gmail.com via e-mail.