Bill Text: IL HR0876 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulates Christine Zelenka, Ed.D. on her retirement as principal of John B. Murphy Elementary School. Thanks her for her dedication to the students and the community. Wishes her success in her future endeavors.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-11-15 - Resolution Adopted [HR0876 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-HR0876-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives wish to congratulate Christine Zelenka, Ed.D.
on the occasion of her retirement as principal of John B.
Murphy Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Zelenka is retiring after leading John B.
Murphy Elementary School for over 14 years, making her only
the eighth principal in the school's almost 100-year history
of serving the children of Irving Park; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Zelenka received her Bachelor of Arts in
Early Childhood Education & Teaching from the University of
Michigan; she received her Master of Education in Education
Leadership & Administration from National Louis University;
she earned her Doctor of Education in Urban Education
Leadership from the University of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Zelenka began her distinguished career with
Chicago Public Schools as a classroom teacher at Onahan
Elementary School in 1988; she became assistant principal of
John B. Murphy Elementary School in 1997; she was selected to
become principal by the Local School Council in 2008; and
WHEREAS, During her tenure at John B. Murphy Elementary

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School (Murphy), Dr. Zelenka has hosted developing resident
principals as they completed principal readiness training at
Chicago Public Schools, woven social and emotional learning
(SEL) into Murphy's school culture by sustaining a 25-year
practice of Responsive Classroom and close affiliation with
CASEL, championed the return of middle school and building out
of Pre-K programming to ensure that Murphy provides an
inspiring and encouraging learning environment for all
neighborhood children in grades Pre-K through 8th, led the
school's Fine & Performing Arts magnet cluster program to
ensure that all students experience the arts, and fostered
community and ritual as part of school-life through annual
traditions, including Career Day, the Spelling Bee,
Bike-Fix-It Day, Twins Day, History Fair, Clothes Swap, and
the Oceanarium; she also oversaw the recruitment and retention
of exceptional faculty in addition to the renovation of
Murphy's gymnasium, stage, and outdoor gardens; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Zelenka has not only devoted herself to the
development of John B. Murphy Elementary School's students but
also the parents and the community at large; she identified
and encouraged parent leaders to serve as advocates,
educators, and organizers within the school community; she
built relationships, hosted events, and provided resources to
community members and groups; more recently, she kept students
and the community safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,

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school-reopening, and ongoing recovery response; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Zelenka has served on National Louis
University's Teacher Preparation Advisory Board for 8 years,
where she is a strong advocate for authentic and effective
teacher preparation that meets the needs of today's young
people, particularly in urban environments; she also served as
a first-year principal mentor for new principals at Chicago
Public Schools as they took on full administrative
responsibility while leading their new schools; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Zelenka has been noted for excelling as a
transparent, accessible, and empathetic communicator at all
times; she has also inspired generations of students,
families, and neighbors by modeling positivity, resilience,
and inclusion; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Zelenka and her husband, Rich, have two
children, Phil and Beth; her parents live in the neighborhood,
and she regularly cares for them and their interests;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we congratulate Christine Zelenka, Ed.D., on her retirement as
principal of John B. Murphy Elementary School, thank her for

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her dedication to the students and the community, and wish her
success in her future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to Dr. Zelenka as an expression of our esteem and
respect.