Buy a Brick to Mark Indian Trail's 50th Anniversary, Build 'Harper's Hollow'

Indian Trail Middle School is looking to build a foundation for its future, and link to a key figure from its long, proud past.

District 202 businesses and residents – especially Indian Trail alumni and their families – are invited and encouraged to buy specially-engraved bricks to raise funds for a special “brick garden” to help celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary. Indian Trail opened in1964.

The brick garden will be built in the school’s newly-refurbished courtyard. The courtyard will give students the chance to read, learn, experiment, enjoy the outdoors and relax. The deadline to buy bricks is Monday, April 28, 2014.

The courtyard will be re-named “Harper’s Hollow” to honor Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Harper, who is retiring on June 30, 2014.

Harper started his education career in 1981 as a social studies teacher at Indian Trail. He also served as a coach, dean of students and assistant principal, before moving to Grand Prairie as principal in 1990.

“Harper’s Hollow” will be dedicated this spring to mark Harper’s retirement. The completed pavilion will be unveiled next fall.

Each brick can be engraved with the names of family members or businesses. The school’s “wildcat” mascot can also be added for an additional fee. Bricks for families are either $30 without the mascot logo, or $40 with the logo. Business bricks are $100 without the logo and $150 with.

Harper worked his entire 33-year career in District 202, including the last 12 as superintendent. He oversaw most of a decade of breathtaking expansion from about 1997-2008. During that time District 202 grew from 3,500 students in five schools, to about 30,000 students in 30 schools.

He and his staff also guided the district through the many financial challenges resulting from the recent recession, and ongoing problems with state funding.

Harper and his staff also initiated, oversaw and led a comprehensive revision of district curriculum, operational logistics and support services to better serve all students.

“Dr. Harper is respected and admired throughout this community as a man of great integrity, quiet strength and grace, with roots right here at Indian Trail,” said Principal Christian Rivara. “We are very proud to honor him in this prominent and permanent way,” he said.

“Indian Trail has a long and proud history, and our former and current students share many wonderful memories of their time in our school thanks largely to all of our great staff members over the last 50 years,” Rivara said.

“Each brick will be a very real part of a new memory and tradition, and will help us connect our past, present and future.”

To order a brick, please visit the Indian Trail Middle School website. Please contact Laura Burns for more information at (815) 436-6128 or lburns@psd202.org