The sudden death in June 2016 of Katherine “Kate” Babich, who had attended kindergarten and first grade at Field School, shocked and saddened the entire District 64 community. "While she is no longer with us, her memory lives on with her family, Field classmates, and entire community," according to Principal Katie Kelly.
Donations from the Field School staff and PTO provided for the recent planting of a red bud tree near the play area at the school. "Every spring this tree will flower in a beautiful purple color that will remind us of Kate since purple was her favorite color," Mrs. Kelly said. "As students play soccer and other games on the field, they can rest in the shade of the tree as it grows bigger," she added.
In addition, a Midway Garden Sprite statue was installed in the school reading garden. Kate’s passion for art led her to Iannelli Studios, where she discovered the work of Alfonso Iannelli. "When vacationing with her family in Arizona, she was proud to see the Sprite statues created by Iannelli on display at the Biltmore Hotel," Mrs. Kelly said. "Kate would probably have loved to have one of these overlooking the reading garden at Field School," she noted.
To share this legacy with all District 64 elementary students, the Babich Family worked with the Kalo Foundation to donate Sprite statues for the other four elementary schools. All have now been installed in similar garden settings, along with a plaque identifying the connection to the local artist and the donation in memory of Kate as an "inspired learner, leader and friend."
