HONORARY RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, After almost ten years of service and leadership of the highest quality as Principal of Kilmer Elementary in the Rogers Park neighborhood, Jean Papagianis is stepping down from her post, leaving behind a legacy of accomplishment and excellence; and
WHEREAS, When Ms. Papagianis first took the position of interim principal in April of 2013, the school was literally in shambles, from having received the lowest school rating of "Probation" to a building in such bad repair that barrels caught water in the halls and walls were held up by duct-tape; and
WHEREAS, Principal Papagianis worked tirelessly to create a school that could be the pride of the faculty, the neighborhood, and most importantly, the students; and
WHEREAS, After just four years of her leadership, Kilmer rose from probationary status to Level 1 - a school that now offers geometry, STEAM, and Spanish, and is recognized as one of Chicago's highest performing schools; and
WHEREAS, In August of 2013, Principal Papagianis oversaw the opening of an Advocate Health Clinic and its expansion in 2018 by Tapestry (formerly Heartland Health), providing students with annual physicals, immunizations, and immediate assessment of illness and school-related injuries, thereby significantly improving their health, and reducing school-time missed; and
WHEREAS, Needing to create a school building that is warm, safe, and dry, Principal Papagianis and her LSC won funding in the Fall of 2018 for a $7 million restoration project to install a new roof, refurbish masonry, repair and paint interiors, and more; and
WHEREAS, Principal Papagianis recognized that an International Baccalaureate Programme would best serve Kilmer's diverse and motivated student body, she persisted for three years, writing applications with her faculty and LSC; and in 2021, Kilmer was selected for the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) - the first-ever special academic program awarded to any Rogers Park school; and
WHEREAS, During ...
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