HR0484 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0484 LRB095 12343 GRL 37089 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Lincoln School in Spring Valley on the occasion of its 70th anniversary on June 1, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Lincoln School opened its doors for the first time in 1937; the first principal was Matilda Harmon, the school secretary was Frank Sharkey, the superintendent was James Nesti, and the school board president was Charles VanSchaicik; and

WHEREAS, Lincoln School has experienced several changes over the last 70 years; the original school consisted of eight classrooms, two offices, and a lunchroom; the remainder of the present day Lincoln School was added in 1956; a combination gym and cafeteria were added and the old cafeteria became the present stage; there were also three classrooms, an office for the secretary and principal, and two locker rooms added at this time; what was the original building now houses eight classrooms; the lunch room has become the stage and the principal and secretary's offices are now special services rooms; the 1956 addition now houses a combination gym and lunchroom, three classrooms, a physical education office, and the principal and secretary's office; the locker rooms of the addition have been transformed into a teacher's lounge, library, and computer lab; and

WHEREAS, There have been many other changes over the past seventy years; the graduation class of 1938 had 29 students; everyone walked to school as there were no buses; there were no snow days and school was in session regardless of the weather; there was not a hot lunch program, so everyone brought a lunch and ate in the lunchroom or walked home to eat; there were no kindergarten or preschool classes; the original building housed grades one through eight, with one class per grade; and

WHEREAS, The current school has an enrollment of 220 students; it serves an average of 120 student hot lunches and an average of 40 breakfasts everyday; the current building houses grades Pre-K through first; there are four sections of preschool and kindergarten and three sections of first grade; and

WHEREAS, The current principal is Kimberly Lisanby-Barber, the school secretary is Bobbi VanSchaick, the superintendent is Daniel Marenda, and the school board president is Ray Nolasco; Red Nestler, an original student of Lincoln School, is still at Lincoln School as a janitor; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Lincoln School for celebrating its 70th anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the day of June 1, 2007 be declared Lincoln School's 70th Birthday Celebration Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Lincoln School principal Kimberly Lisanby-Barber as a symbol of our esteem and respect.