VILLA PARK : Teachers High on Message of Support

Teachers at Villa Park Elementary School knew something was up Wednesday when an unscheduled fire drill forced them and their students out of their classrooms.

Once outside, their suspicions were confirmed. But they weren’t expecting to see a small plane towing a “We The VPE Staff” banner.

The message was sent from parents, who did not want their identities revealed, to thank teachers for their work during Teacher Appreciation Day.

“Sometimes you have to look up in the sky to get the message,” Principal Joe Fortier said, his voice booming from a megaphone as the Cessna 150 flew overhead.

“This is so sweet,” said Suzanne Scheidt, a second- and third-grade teacher.

“It was a total surprise,” fourth-grade teacher Judy Taylor said. “When I looked up, I just got goose bumps.”

One parent said that although teachers might have been able to better use the money spent renting the plane on classroom necessities, “sometimes they need a little pat on the back.”

The parent added: “We just wanted to show that even though the state’s not behind them, the parents are. We think these teachers are terrific.”

The flying message was “nice for them,” said 10-year-old Joey Burgess. “Teachers work hard, and they’re nice to everybody. They deserve it.”

Fortier said the school’s parents buy classroom and playground equipment and pay for special programs.

“We are spoiled here,” he said.