Sauganash principal reflects on 25 years at NW Side school

by BRIAN NADIG

During her nearly 25 years at Sauganash School, principal Christine Munns has overseen the construction of two additions, a new artificial turf athletic field and an enrollment increase from 280 to 700 students.

Munns, who became an assistant principal at Sauganash in 2000 and principal in 2001, is retiring on Jan. 3. Her assistant principal, Sean Kennedy, has been named her successor.

Munns reflected on her time at the Northwest Side elementary school, whose test scores and percentage of local students attending the school increased during her tenure.

“I made decisions on what is best for the students … not necessarily for the teachers and parents,” Munns said.

Listening to all stakeholders is key and then decide, “What is the plan moving forward?” Munns said. “You have to be patient and listen. A lot of times parents just want to be heard. … It’s really a people person’s job.”

She added that she has been fortunate to have a “great team” at the school and had strong overall support from parents and local elected officials.

One of Munns’ goals when she first became principal was to increase local enrollment, as the Sauganash community includes Queen of All Saints, one of the most popular parochial schools in Chicago. Many Northwest Side public schools struggled to attract local students during the 1980s and 1990s

By 2005, the incoming class at was 100 percent from the neighborhood, Munns said, crediting the previous administration for making inroads with the community.

“I really think it was important to be a neighborhood school, and  the school to be the center of the community, and the community supporting the school,” Munns said.

The curriculum, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and arts programs, made Sauganash strong academically, and efforts have intensified to bring enhanced extracurricular activities including sports to the school, Munns said. “I believe we’re a well-rounded neighborhood school … with technology, robotics … and the arts.”

Munns began her teaching career in 1991, instructing first through sixth grades. She also served as a lead teacher for the Pathways and Gifted schools program within Robert Healy School. She also was a curriculum director and participated in the LAUNCH Program for aspiring principals and was chosen for the Chicago Education Fund’s Fellowship Principal Program.

Munns said that she believes Sauganash is in good hands, with Kennedy at the helm, and believes he will take the school to the next level.

• 
  Police search for reported suspects after exchange of gunfire between group and security guard working at Jefferson Park CTA terminal
  A private security guard working at the Jefferson Park CTA Terminal, 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave., reportedly returned fire after a group of three people started harassing him and then fired their guns toward him during an incident at about 5:15 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, according to Chicago police. Officers reported finding 23 shell casings and
• 
  Man stabbed on CTA Blue Line near Harlem Ave.; suspects arrested in connection with car break-in on Victoria; man steals from car at gas station in Forest Glen
  A man was stabbed in his hand at about 4:50 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, on a CTA Blue Line train near the Harlem station, 5550 N. Harlem Ave., after a man with a knife allegedly stole his belongings and attacked him, according to 16th (Jefferson Park) District police. The 31-year-old man reported that he was
• 
  45th Ward Dems endorse S Gronkiewicz-Doran for alderperson
  by BRIAN NADIG 45th Ward Democratic Committeeperson Michael Rabbitt and his Dems 45 organization have endorsed Jefferson Park resident S Gronkiewicz-Doran in the ward’s aldermanic race, which will be held on Feb. 23, 2027. Incumbent Alderman James Gardiner, who is on leave from his firefighting job while he serves on the City Council, is seeking
• 
  New business in the works for former CVS site at Milwaukee & Lawrence in Jefferson Park
  by BRIAN NADIG A new business, possibly a daycare, is in the works for the former CVS Pharmacy at the southeast corner of Milwaukee and Lawrence avenues. The pharmacy closed in January of 2020, but CVS reportedly continued to pay rent for several years after the store’s closing. The site includes an approximately 10,000-square-foot building
• 
  Gunfire reported at Jefferson Park CTA Terminal on Saturday morning
  by BRIAN NADIG A possible suspect is in custody after gunfire was reported at or near the Jefferson Park CTA Terminal, 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave., at about 5:20 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, according to Chicago police. Officers recovered four shell casings, and detectives are reviewing area surveillance footage, according to police. It’s not clear at

This is just part of today’s coverage. Get the full story - every article, every ad, every page. Subscribe now.

The Latest From Our Community