HR0061 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0061 LRB104 08060 ECR 18106 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Leyden Community High School District 212 on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Leyden Community High School District 212 serves the residents of the Village of Franklin Park, the Village of Melrose Park, the Village of Northlake, the Village of River Grove, the Village of Rosemont, the Village of Schiller Park, and Leyden Township; and

WHEREAS, For nearly a century, the story of Leyden Community High School District 212 has been one of constant expansion and progress; and

WHEREAS, In 1913, a two-year high school was started in a portable building, and by 1918, there were 20 students enrolled; and

WHEREAS, In 1924, Leyden Community High School was organized as Leyden Community High School District 212, and in 1927, a 16-room building was completed; and

WHEREAS, In 1930, Leyden Community High School District 212's population was 4,000 with 246 high school students; and

WHEREAS, In 1940, Leyden Community High School District 212's population grew to 10,000 with 600 high school students; and

WHEREAS, In 1950, rapid post-war growth brought Leyden Community High School District 212's population up to 45,000 with 1,100 high school students; and

WHEREAS, From 1954 to 1955, over 60% of East Leyden High School's construction was completed; and

WHEREAS, In 1957, West Leyden High School's construction began, and the school opened its doors to welcome freshmen and sophomore students on September 8, 1959, relieving overcrowding at East Leyden High School; and

WHEREAS, In 1962, West Leyden High School celebrated its first graduating class; and

WHEREAS, From 1965 to 1969, West Leyden High School housed Triton Junior College; and

WHEREAS, In 1972, East Leyden High School gained a three-story addition, housing the media center, the social studies department, and EL support; and

WHEREAS, From 1974 to 1975, Leyden Community High School District 212 celebrated "Fifty Years of Excellence"; and

WHEREAS, In 1977, Leyden Community High School District 212 won state championships in wrestling and football; and

WHEREAS, In 1981, Leyden Community High School District 212 combined its schools' athletic and fine arts programs; and

WHEREAS, Leyden Community High School District 212's two schools enjoy the highest accreditation given by the AdvancED and the Educational Service Region of Cook County, and during the 1983-1984 school year, East Leyden High School was recognized as one of the State's finest high schools; and

WHEREAS, During the 1984-1985 school year, both East Leyden and West Leyden High Schools were recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan as Blue Ribbon Schools; and

WHEREAS, In 2010, Leyden Community High School District 212 achieved district accreditation status due to its commitment to continuous improvement and was once again awarded district accreditation due in part to it promoting genuine care and concern for students, creating a pervasive culture of trust and personal bonds between staff and students; and

WHEREAS, During the 2012-2013 school year, all Leyden Community High School District 212 students received a computer as an instructional tool to foster an environment of critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity; and

WHEREAS, In 2014, Leyden Community High School District 212 was recognized by the College Board as the National Advanced Placement School of the Year; and

WHEREAS, In 2015, Leyden Community High School District 212 was selected as one of three school districts in the State of Illinois to pilot e-learning days; and

WHEREAS, In 2016, Leyden Community High School District 212 updated its mission and vision statement, gaining the term "Educate, Enrich, and Empower: Students and Communities" as its mission and the Board of Education's vision of "Doing what's best for the kids" as its motto; and

WHEREAS, On May 18, 2017, West Leyden High School broke ground on its $35 million construction project, and on March 15, 2018, East Leyden High School broke ground on its $55 million project to provide for additional classrooms, student common spaces, renovated cafeterias, and more; and

WHEREAS, Leyden Community High School District 212's schools are steeped in excellence, tradition, diversity, and opportunity, and they currently have approximately 3,600 students and 237 teachers, of whom 82% hold master's degrees or higher; and

WHEREAS, Leyden Community High School District 212 offers something for every student through its wide range of gifted education programs, honors and advanced placement courses, and comprehensive vocational and career education programs; and

WHEREAS, Leyden Community High School District 212 students also have the opportunity to participate in 29 interscholastic sports and over 100 clubs and activities; and

WHEREAS, By constantly upgrading its curriculum, programs, resources, and supports and by working in partnership with students, parents, and the Leyden community, Leyden Community High School District 212 will continue to create a positive learning environment consistent with the district's mission statement, "Educate, Enrich, Empower: Students and Communities"; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Leyden Community High School District 212 on the official celebration of its 100th anniversary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Nick Polyak, the Superintendent of Leyden Community High School District 212, as an expression of our esteem and respect.