HR0643 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0643 LRB098 14544 MST 49313 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Kim Angela Murph-Sims on the occasion of her retirement as principal of Bouchet International School and recognize her nearly 34 years of being dedicated to education within the Chicago Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, Kim Murph-Sims has served as a teacher, reading specialist, curriculum coordinator, TESL teacher, and assistant principal and is currently the principal at Bouchet International School (formerly Bouchet Math and Science Academy, formerly Bryn Mawr Elementary); she has been the instructional leader at Bouchet International School for the past 7 years and her educational experience has enabled her to craft a curriculum that strategically drives instruction; her commitment to help all students reach their best potential has been the cornerstone of her ongoing success; as an administrator, she has mentored countless numbers of teachers, overseen a diverse staff, and facilitated professional development specifically designed to close the achievement gap; and

WHEREAS, Kim Murph-Sims always has a visible presence in her school as principal, but she is, at her core, a teacher; it is not unusual to see her taking part in classroom discussions and challenging students to continue their learning outside of the school; and

WHEREAS, Kim Murph-Sims has crafted and sustained numerous programs at Boucher International School such the Academic Olympics, the Young Authors Competition, the annual Spelling Bee, Singapore Math, lesson studies, horizontal and vertical articulation of curriculum using a transdisciplinary approach, Parent University workshops, Creative Curriculum for Preschool, Fuel Up to Play 60 (Healthy Choices Program), a Garden Room that bridges science and agricultural awareness, a Chicago Bulls grant-Energiza Bulls Fitness Center, Youth Guidance, Check and Connect (Attendance Incentives Program), a Gospel Choir, Chinese Kite Making, world language studies in Spanish, an Art Link Program that includes video conferencing with students in other countries, and the Children's Literacy Initiative; and

WHEREAS, Kim Murph-Sims believes that the connection between school and community is essential for educational development and success; she has worked closely with the Black United Fund of Illinois, Fulfilling Our Responsibility Unto Mankind, the RALD Institute, the Allstate Insurance Company, the Chicago Police Department-District 3, 5th Ward Alderwoman Leslie Hariston, and many education advocacy groups to achieve this goal; and

WHEREAS, Kim Murph-Sims time at Bouchet International School has seen tremendous advancement; student growth has increased by double digits on standardized tests and the school has been transformed from a math and science academy to an institution with a more global perspective towards education; the school is in its candidacy phase to become an authorized International Baccalaureate World School that provides a Primary Years Programme and Middle Years Programme, with a continuum of the MYP and Diploma Program; and

WHEREAS, A reception honoring Kim Murph-Sims's retirement will be held on October 25, 2013 at The Beverly Country Club in Chicago; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Kim Angela Murph-Sims as she retires from her position of principal at Bouchet International School after 33 years in education; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Kim Murph-Sims as an expression of our esteem and respect.