Facility upgrades in the works for Palmer School
by BRIAN NADIG
City and school system officials are scheduled to make an announcement this weekend about facility upgrades to Palmer School, 5051 N. Kenneth Ave.
A ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, July 8, outside the school, according to Alderman Margaret Laurino’s web site.
In a June 19 letter to neighbors, Laurino wrote the following: “Work is beginning this year on a new $14 million roof for the school; funding is in progress to give the school a new $1 million playground and turf field.”
Half of the roof will be replaced this summer and the other half next summer, according to Laurino spokesman Manuel Galvan.
Also in the letter, Laurino said, “I am working to finalize funding for a new addition to replace the school’s modular units.”
Palmer is a Level 1+ school, which is the highest status awarded by the Chicago Public Schools.
“Palmer celebrates the fact that it has one of the most diverse student bodies in the city. Its nearly 900 students speak more than 20 languages and come from all over the world.
“Palmer teaches them to be proud of their own heritage, while loving, respecting and learning from the heritages of others,” Laurino said.
Friends of Palmer was created in an effort to bring facility improvements to the school. More information is available at friendsofpalmer.org.
