First graders at North School continued the tradition of the “Wild Rumpus” on Feb. 26, welcoming seventh-grade buddies from Jefferson Middle School for a morning focused on creativity and connection.
The event is part of an ongoing tradition that brings together younger and older students to foster relationships and encourage artistic expression. In preparation, first graders painted “Wild Thing” characters, which were then shared with seventh graders at Jefferson Middle School. The older students created plush versions of these designs, and during the gathering, both groups exchanged their creations and participated in activities together. Adult volunteers provided snacks for those attending.
The Wild Rumpus has been held for many years, with many current Jefferson students having attended as first graders themselves. Organizers thanked parent volunteers and art teachers Laura Allan and Dave Johnson for their leadership in hosting the event.
Villa Park School District 45 represents DuPage County and includes Ardmore Elementary School, Jackson Middle School, Jefferson Middle School, North Elementary School, Schafer Elementary School, Stevenson School, Westmore Elementary School, and York Center Elementary School according to the Illinois Report Card. The district enrolled 3,306 students in the 2019-2020 school year and serves grades pre-kindergarten through eighth grade according to the Illinois Report Card.
Villa Park School District 45 spent $23,216 per student in 2020 for a total expenditure of $76,753,683 according to the Illinois Report Card. The district employs 224 teachers who earn an average salary of $74,159 before pension contributions; 82.8 percent are women and 17.2 percent are men. There are no teachers with more than ten absences in a school year according to the Illinois State Board of Education.
Demographically, Villa Park School District 45 is composed of 43.4 percent White students, 7.8 percent Black students, 35.4 percent Hispanic students, and 8.2 percent Asian students according to ISBE. In terms of attendance issues, there were 119 chronically truant students enrolled in the district during the 2020 school year—a rate of 3.6 percent—compared to a statewide average chronic truancy rate of 9.6 percent according to ISBE.
