RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, In 2013, James G. Blaine Elementary School's faculty, student and community welcomed Mr. Gary Norcross as an Assistant Principal. He was then named Co-Intern Principal in April of 2016 and then became Co-Principal with Ms. Angela Brito in February 2017; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Norcross came to Blaine from Walt Disney Magnet School where he taught 1st and 2nd Grades before becoming the Early Childhood Director and Assistant Principal; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Norcross thinks of himself as a lifelong learner, and brings decades of varied experiences to his position as Co-Principal at Blaine; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Norcross is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, joined the Air Force and lived in some exciting places like Las Vegas, Sicily, and Cairo. He was a business manager at Washington National Cathedral, worked for a film production company that won an Academy Award, and started a business unit for a Fortune 50 company; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Norcross has always been intrigued by education and felt the calling to be a teacher. Hence, he moved to Chicago as part of the inaugural class of Chicago Teaching Fellows and began teaching in Chicago's west side and years later, received his Masters in Educational Leadership from National-Louis University; and
WHEREAS, At Blaine, Mr. Norcross has forged strong relationships with students, parents and staff to ensure students learn in an environment that values respect, rapport, and strong and engaging instruction; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Norcross who enjoys travel, photography, and long walks by the Lake with his miniature Schnauzer, Robert, is never without Babybel cheese in the office; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Norcross is known as the supreme scheduler of classes; teacher prep periods and specials; creator of profitable after-school program; Tea Dance czar where he gave Blaine the great memory of him learning to dance to be able to have the last dance with Ms. Angela Brito; and overall, Blaine's best cheerleader; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Norcross is the perfect school administrator. He arrived to school every day with a shirt, a tie, and a smile. He is approachable and professional with everyone - students, teachers, staff, parents, and the community. He is a leader, mentor, and great example for his students; and
WHEREAS, Friday, March 31, 2017 will be Mr. Norcross's last day at Blaine. He will be moving to New York with his husband Reverend John David van Dooren, who has been chosen as the eighth rector of The Church of The Transfiguration. Father van Dooren has served as rector of The Church of The Atonement in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago since 2005; and
WHEREAS, Students and parents will miss seeing Mr. Norcross at the end of the day where he takes the time to say goodbye to students, wishing them well and giving them high fives as they walk, thus ending their day on a high note and with a smile on their face; and
WHEREAS, Students will miss seeing Mr. Norcross searching for mischievous leprechauns on St. Patrick's Day; they think that it's cool that their buttoned up and reserved co-principal is running around with green binoculars and a special catcher contraption to catch these tiny green guys; and
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this 29 day of March, 2017, do hereby join the James G. Blaine School community in wishing Mr. Gary Norcross well wishes in his future endeavors and know that he will be an asset in whatever road he follows even though he will be greatly missed by his Blaine family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Gary Norcross as a sign of our respect and admiration for his work at Blaine and the immeasurable impact he has had in the community as a whole.
