The District 200 Board of Education held its Sept. 10 meeting at Whittier Elementary School and heard remarks marking the school building’s 100th anniversary, student reflections and a principal‑led recognition of PTA volunteers.

Whittier Principal Bob Cerny welcomed the board and described recent facility improvements, including a new library and a playground installed this summer. He introduced two fifth‑grade students, LaBelle Lee and Cece Morris, who read brief essays about what makes Whittier special; both students highlighted school activities, music, library programs and a sense of belonging.

Why it matters: The board periodically meets at schools to spotlight community partnerships and student work. At Whittier the centennial celebration provides a moment to highlight investments in school facilities and parent‑led PTA activity that supports programming.

Principal Cerny said the building’s original portion was built in 1925 and traced the school’s history to an earlier building on Roosevelt Road that was known as Southside School. He invited school staff and long‑tenured teachers to speak briefly; a fourth‑grade teacher, Kim Kern, described generations of families returning to the school as both students and staff.

The principal used the occasion to recognize Whittier’s PTA leadership for recent work that re‑energized parent engagement and organized community events. He named Michelle Potter, Lauren Self and Amanda Petri for recent leadership contributions and acknowledged the continuing role of current PTA co‑presidents Colleen Henry and Sandy (last name not specified) in ongoing PTA efforts.

The school displayed artifacts and local history materials at the meeting; the principal and staff asked the board and community to join anniversary events this year. No board action was taken on the recognition; the segment was part of the meeting’s communications from the host school.