Dupage Policy Journal

The iconic rock at Willowbrook High School has been recently repainted after students previously adorned it with pro-Palestinian messaging.

The rock, positioned in the center of a concrete ring, was previously spray-painted to resemble the Palestinian flag, with the words "Ceasefire Now" adorning the surrounding ring and "Slava Ukraini" painted on the concrete sidewalk below.

“We are aware the rock has been painted by students and includes the flag of Palestine and the words ‘Cease Fire Now.’ We also are aware this is a very complex and emotional situation for many, and we are here to support our students as they process this difficult issue,” DuPage High School District 88 Director of Community Relations Dani Brink said in a letter to community members.

“Our No. 1 priority is the safety, security and well-being of our students and staff. It is our focus, as well as our policy, to make sure there are no disruptions to school operations and the educational process. For this reason, the rock has been repainted. While the message the students created was intended to promote peace and to end conflict, we understand it was not interpreted that way by all. We have worked with the students who painted the rock originally to inform them we have repainted it with a school-related message.”

This move follows a series of pro-Palestine and pro-Hamas protests across the Chicagoland area in response to the recent Hamas terrorist attack.

The incident at Willowbrook High School serves as a local manifestation of the ongoing tensions in the region.

This weekend in downtown Chicago two pro-Palestinian groups rallied, emphasizing their immediate goal of achieving a ceasefire amid the ongoing conflict.

Willowbrook High School is located at 1250 Ardmore Ave in Villa Park. Nearly 2,000 students attend the high school.  

Wirepoints reports that in DuPage High School District 88, which includes Willowbrook High School, only 21% of students read and perform math at grade level.

The breakdown by race reveals disparities, with 35% of White students reading at grade level compared to 9% of Hispanic students and 8% of Black students.

Despite a 90% graduation rate, concerns arise as only 21% of graduates are proficient in reading. The district's teachers, however, boast a 100% rating of "Excellent or Proficient.”

Wirepoints contrast the district's spending per student, which has increased from $16,208 in 2010 to $20,480 in 2021, with the seemingly poor outcomes.