Schools

Dale Roeing Has Playground Dedicated in His Honor

Wilmot Elementary School holds special ribbon cutting ceremony for former teacher and principal in a truly wonderful way

For 30 years, former principal and teacher Dale Roeing gave back to the community of Deerfield.

On Wednesday afternoon, the community gave something truly special back to him in return.

In front of a large crowd of current teachers, former students, current students and their parents, Roeing had a large playground named in his honor during a ribbon cutting ceremony that gave everyone involved plenty to smile about.

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The playground, dubbed "The Dale Roeing Playground," will now be available for children to use for years to come just outside Wilmot Elementary. The Wilmot Parent/Teacher Organization and Deerfield Park District will soon work together to have a permanent sign for the park installed as well.

"I'm truly honored and blessed for so many people to think so highly of me," Roeing said with a smile. "A playground is one of our most important social laboratories, and it is here where we first learn how to treat people with respect and dignity."

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"It was very much of a surprise when I found out they were naming this park after me," Roeing added. "They had named another old building after me a while back, and once it got torn down I figured 'that's the end of that.' "

 

Former Student, Current Principal Praise Roeing

Beth Merkes, who currently has a son in first Grade at Wilmot, fondly recalls having Roeing as an eighth grade science teacher.

"The fact that I had brothers who also had him in classes made him feel special to me," Merkes said. "The closeness he had with my family at school events like science fairs and other events was wonderful. He is a great person who really cares about kids."

Current Wilmot principal Eileen Brett says Roeing was a principal for 18 years at Wilmot, and a teacher at Wilmot Jr. High for 12 more.

"Dale was probably one of the most loved principals I have ever seen," Brett said. "When he retired, they named an old building in Deerfield after him, but then they tore it down. After that, we all knew we had to do something."

After much discussion, school officials and members of the PTO received approval from the school board to name the new park after Roeing, which stretches along a huge part of the south part of Wilmot Elementary.

 

More Fond Memories

Brett told the crowd that gathered outside the park for the ribbon cutting ceremony about Dale's personality.

"He is famous for his Halloween costumes each year, like Uncle Sam or a mad scientist," Brett said. "But most of all, Dale is known for his great big heart."

"When I arrived at Wilmot to become the new principal (to replace Roeing), I said, 'wow, I have some big shoes to fill,' " Brett added.

Roeing has three grandchildren of his own, and was asked what some of his best advice was for young kids growing up in a constantly changing society.

"I would tell them to look for ways of enjoying school," Roeing said. "Enjoy it, but at the same time, take it very seriously. When kids enjoy learning, it makes it so much easier and enjoyable for them. They need to be able to enjoy it."

Roeing added that he thinks educational services for special needs students have grown leaps and bounds.

"It's truly amazing how mainstream they've made the educational opportunities for those kids," Roeing said. "I'm just so blessed to have been part of such a wonderful community and school district."

Wilmot Elementary is the oldest public school in West Deerfield Township. After Roeing cut the ceremonial ribbon, a number of kids flocked into the playground to put it to use, as smiles and laughter could be seen and heard almost immediately.

"Thirty years is a lot of longevity in one school district," Brett said.

Roeing was also part of a group of people who buried a time capsule in 1997 on the school's property that is scheduled to be opened in 2047.


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