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.

• 
  Burglars hit at least 9 businesses in Edgebrook, Jefferson Park, Portage Park early Wednesday
  by BRIAN NADIG At least nine smash-and-grab-style commercial burglaries in Edgebrook, Jefferson Park and Portage Park were reported to have occurred early Wednesday morning, Oct. 14, in the 16th (Jefferson Park) Police District, and there apparently were additional break-ins in at least two other districts and possibly the suburbs, according to Chicago police. The incidents
• 
  CTA targets fare evaders to reduce violent crime; disappointment expressed in release of suspected shooter at Jefferson Park terminal
  by BRIAN NADIG Violent offenses reportedly are down 34 percent on the CTA from a year ago as the agency targets a section of the Red Line where criminals are boarding, while a shootout at the Jefferson Park CTA Terminal last summer remains under investigation. CTA security vice president Kevin Ryan addressed many crime and
• 
  Crime Watch: gunfire reported on Berteau, car break-ins reported, robbery reported in store lot
  Two men reported that a man fired shots at them at about 12:15 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, in the 5300 block of West Berteau Avenue, according to 16th (Jefferson Park) District police. A 25-year-old man reported that he was talking to a neighbor, who was sitting inside his parked vehicle, and two men walked toward the vehicle and another man approached and
• 
  Sip & Shop set for Oct. 17 in ‘Jeff West’; NW Side Halloween events also set
  The second annual “Sip and Shop” in “Jeff West” will start at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, running along Lawrence Avenue from Austin Avenue on the west and Major Avenue on the east. The event had been scheduled for Sept. 19 but was postponed due to rain. It will feature many of the existing businesses
• 
  Entertainment industry trade union seeks zoning change for former car repair garage on Montrose Ave.
  by BRIAN NADIG The site of a former auto repair garage at 4301 W. Montrose Ave. would be used for storage and outdoor training for an entertainment-related trade union under a zoning proposal. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 2 of Chicago has a facility at 4300 W. Montrose Ave. and is looking

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