RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Kevin Ryan, Dean of Students at CICS Northtown Academy, is retiring after forty-one years of providing educational leadership; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has been informed of this special occasion by the Honorable Margaret Laurino, Alderman ofthe 39th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Kevin Ryan, a graduate of Saint Patrick's High School, received a Bachelor of Science and Secondary Education degree from Northeastern Illinois University on Chicago's great northwest side; and
WHEREAS, In 1977, Kevin began his career as a Social Studies teacher at Good Council High School in Chicago, Illinois. During his long and successful academic tenure at Good Counsel High School, Kevin dedicated countless weekends coaching basketball and softball; and
WHEREAS, Kevin accepted the position of Dean of Students at Good Counsel High School and remained in this role until the school's closing in 2003. In the Fall of 2003, Kevin joined the team of educators at CICS Northtown when the charter school opened at the corner of Peterson and Pulaski. He has been their Dean of Students for 14 years and an educator in this building for forty one years; and
WHEREAS, Kevin made it his mission to know all incoming freshman's names prior to the start of the school year. As he passed students in the school hallway he would address each of them by name. He mentored, encouraged, inspired and was notorious for pushing students to their full potential. Kevin was known for being strict but caring, stern but fair, with an outstanding sense of humor; and
WHEREAS, A dynamic and popular leader, Kevin Ryan is beloved by students, staff, alumni and parents for his commitment, his infectious enthusiasm, and his disciplinarian role. He is always swift to share credit with CICS Northtown Academy's outstanding faculty and everyone else who works to make the school successful; and
WHEREAS, Among Kevin's accomplishments was receiving the Crystal Apple Founder Award from the CEO Advisory Team. Even more gratifying to Kevin was witnessing the accomplishments of his students and receiving respect from his colleagues; and
WHEREAS, Kevin touched the lives of numerous students and families through his years in education. He played an integral role in the formation of the future of young adults throughout the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, The leaders of this great city of Chicago are cognizant of the great debt owed to our educators; now, therefore,
Be it resolved, that we, the Mayor and members of the City Council ofthe City of Chicago gathered here the twenty-fourth of May, 2017, do hereby express our gratitude and heartiest congratulations to Kevin Ryan as he retires and we extend to this fine citizen our very best wishes for continuing success and fulfillment; and