TRIBUTE TO LaSHAWN RAY, PRINCIPAL OF JOHN M. PALMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
WHEREAS, LaShawn Ray is leaving John M. Palmer Elementary School on June 30, 2016 after three years as Principal; and
WHEREAS, When Mr. Ray took the helm of Palmer on July 16, 2013, he began setting and exceeding goals for the school. Under his leadership, Palmer Elementary improved from a Level 3 to a Level 1 school, the school's attendance rate rose to 96%, and suspensions lowered from 5 per 100 students to 2.17 per 100 students; and
WHEREAS, A dynamic and popular leader, Mr. Ray is beloved by students, staff and parents alike for his leadership, generosity and infectious enthusiasm. He is always generous in sharing credit with Palmer's outstanding faculty and everyone else who works to make the school successful; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ray worked tirelessly to build a closer relationship between the school and the surrounding community. He established new partnerships between Palmer Elementary and Northwestern University, Urban Initiatives, Chicago Cares, North Mayfair Community Association, Achievement Network, Lutheran Social Services, North River Commission, WGN and others; and
WHEREAS, Although LaShawn Ray is a proud Chicagoan, he is also a dedicated family man who accepted a Principal position in his wife's home state of Minnesota so she and their three young sons could be closer to her family; and
WHEREAS, LaShawn Ray received his Bachelors Degree in Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from St. Cloud University and has worked in public education since 2003; now, therefore
BE IT BE RESOLVED, That we, The Mayor and members of the City of Chicago, gathered here on the twenty-second of June 2016, do hereby extend our deepest appreciation to LaShawn Ray for his service and dedication to Chicago's children, and wish him well on his future endeavors; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suita...
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