CONGRATULATING H ANNAH G. SOLOMON SCHOOL ON BENING NAMED AS AN
EXEMPLARY HIGH PERFORMING BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL FOR 2017
WHEREAS, For more than thirty years, the United States Department of Education's National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized outstanding public and non-public schools. In identifying several hundred outstanding schools annually, the program celebrates school excellence, turn around stories, and closing subgroup achievement gaps. The Award is both a high aspiration and a potent resource of practitioner knowledge; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Margaret Laurino, Alderman of the 39th Ward, has apprised this august body of the significant honor bestowed upon the Hannah G. Solomon Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, The Hannah G. Solomon Elementary School, located in the Hollywood-North Park neighborhood of Chicago's 39th Ward has been named Education as an Exemplary High Performing Blue Ribbon School for 2017; and
WHEREAS, Principal Mr. Chris Gamble and teacher Ms. Alena McCarthy will travel to Washington, D.C. to accept the award on behalf of the entire Solomon community; and
WHEREAS, As a small neighborhood Chicago public school with tremendous ethnic and abilities diversity, Solomon continuously seeks ways to celebrate what makes the school unique. Solomon has developed a close relationship with its community, and students feel valued. With this established, the school has established high expectations, coupled with high levels of supports, for all students, from recent arrivals to the United States to students who gain entrance to the most competitive high schools in the United States; and
WHEREAS, High expectations are rooted in a foundation of literacy, where all staff seek to create "joyful, proficient, and independent readers", beginning with pre-Kindergarten learners. An accelerated math program for students in fifth grade and higher prepares students for success in 8th grade Algebra; and
WHEREAS, Diversity is celebrated through Solomon's curricula and in partnership with the community. Events like International Night highlight the student population, where 39 different languages were spoken at home in 2016-2017. The school's Mandarin and music program provide daily reinforcement of arts and culture; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the Chicago City Council, gathered here this eleventh day of October, 2017, do hereby congratulate the Hannah G. Solomon School, and all its students, faculty, staff, parents and community for being named as an Exemplary High Performing Blue Ribbon School for 2017, and extend our very best wishes for their continued success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the Hannah G. Solomon Elementary School.