History of Sundling Junior High School

Walter R. Sundling Junior High School 1100 North Smith, Palatine First day of attendance—May 1, 1973 Originally named Palatine Hills Junior High School. Named Walter R. Sundling Junior High School—August 1977

The early 1970s was a transitional period for District15 as the community matured and enrollment declined. Walter R. Sundling Junior High, originally named Palatine Hills Junior High, was built in 1973 to accommodate a quickly maturing student population.

The school’s design initially duplicated that of Carl Sandburg Junior High. Plans were eventually changed, however, to accommodate a larger number of students—a projected 960—and also to include an updated, flexible space concept.

Financing the new school became a real concern when bids came in well over the $2,060,000 available for construction. Faced with the prospect of building a school with limited physical potential along with plans to construct two new elementary schools in the west and northeast sections of the district, the Board of Education requested approval for a $3 million referendum, according to the September 10, 1971, edition of the Daily Herald. Voters approved the request to issue bonds to build and equip the new junior high and prospective elementary schools on October30, 1971, thus allowing the behind-schedule construction on the junior high to continue.

In a move that turned into an adventure, students and staff moved into the building in the spring of 1973. Everyone got lost in the maze of open rooms. Classrooms had no doors. Three rooms on the second floor were separated only by portable curtains. Junior high students coming from traditionally rival schools—Sanborn and Winston Park—converged on not-yet carpeted cement floors. Construction dust was everywhere. One can almost imagine the cacophony of sound and stress. But everyone survived ... and in style.

Renamed Walter R. Sundling Junior High in 1977 for the Board of Education member with the longest tenure (26 years), the school has established an enviable reputation. It has consistently garnered some of the highest assessment scores in the district. In May 1996 students and teachers traveled to Washington, D.C., to accept the 1995 National Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence in Education. Sundling was the first school in District15 to receive the award, and also received the 1995 Blue Ribbon Award for Technology.

When the school was renovated in June 1994, the Sundling staff once again performed admirably amid the chaos. Teachers dismantled classrooms in just two days, storing most of the furniture and equipment in the gym, while workers moved in immediately and with clockwork timing completed the project in seven weeks. Of course, days before school was to open, there was a snag—in the carpeting, of course. But installation occurred in the nick of time, and Sundling staff and students began the year in “plush” new surroundings that included an expanded learning resource center, two new computer rooms, five new classrooms, and wider hallways. The dedication ceremony was held October 10, 1995.

Walter R. Sundling

This school was named in honor of Walter R. Sundling who served as a member of the Board of Education for 26 years, from 1950 to 1976. Occasionally criticized but seldom publicly praised, the men and women who have served on District15’s Board of Education have shown exceptional dedication in providing the best education for all children. Members have served an average of more than 6.82 years. Walter R. Sundling holds the distinction of serving the longest, an exceptional 25 years and 7 months. Mr. Sundling was selected by his peers as president of the board for 21 of those years.

Paladins

What, exactly, is a paladin?

pal·a·din (PAL uh din)
n.
1. A paragon of chivalry; a heroic champion.
2. A strong supporter or defender of a cause: “the paladin of plain speaking” (Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.).
3. Any of the 12 peers of Charlemagne's court.
[French, from Italian paladino, from Late Latin pala¯ti¯nus, palatine.]

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