Monroe School completed its annual “Stuff the Squad” event in partnership with D181 schools and local police departments to support HCS Family Services, according to an April 22 announcement. The Monroe Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and Student Council joined forces this year to boost student involvement, leading to what organizers called a record-setting effort.
The initiative aims to encourage students and families to donate goods that are then loaded into police squad cars for delivery. Students participated by shopping at the Monroe Market, selecting items that would go directly toward filling the vehicles. In addition, families contributed cash donations used to purchase further supplies for HCS Family Services.
On Tuesday morning following the drive, all collected items were brought together at Monroe School. The Hinsdale Police Department arrived with four squad cars, which were filled completely thanks to the contributions from students and parents. Organizers described the outcome as outstanding.
Special recognition was given to PTO president Emily Grzelakowski and PTO vice president of communications Susie Thorpe for their leadership during the event. The Monroe Kids Care Club and Student Council also played active roles in coordinating volunteers.
Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181 represents schools across DuPage and Cook counties, including Monroe Elementary School according to Illinois Report Card. The district employs 282 teachers who earn an average salary of $94,227 before pension contributions; most are women, with no teacher exceeding ten absences in a school year according to Illinois Report Card. Demographically, about 69.8 percent of students are White, while Asian students make up roughly 15 percent according to ISBE.
In terms of spending, Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181 spent $31,308 per student in 2020 for a total expenditure of over $117 million according to Illinois Report Card. Chronic truancy rates remain low within the district: only four chronically truant students were recorded in the 2020 school year—just 0.1 percent compared with a statewide average of nearly ten percent according to Illinois State Board of Education.
With an enrollment of approximately 3,743 students during the last reported school year, Hinsdale Community Consolidated School District 181 serves grades pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade in Clarendon Hills and DuPage County according to Illinois Report Card.
