Sydney Golliday, EdD Student in Administration and Supervision
Left to right: Sydney Golliday, Gov. Bruce Rauner, Jake Steinfeld, Forest Claypool
On Thursday, October 8, 2015, John B. Drake Elementary School, hosted a Meet and Greet, School-Wide Assembly and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the opening of their new State of the Art Fitness Center, “The New Drake.” Interim Principal, Sydney J. Golliday, was instrumental in securing the Fitness Grant that provided funding for the Center. Since her arrival her collaborative, passionate and strategic leadership style have been the catalyst for school-wide improvements that are positively impacting the culture and climate of the school and student achievement.
The New Drake was one of three Illinois School recipients of a Fitness Grant sponsored by the National Foundation of Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC). This grant is funded by Coca Cola Company and The Anthem Foundation in order to provide fitness equipment that is specifically designed for youth. The New Fitness Center at Drake Elementary School and the purposeful utilization of this space for all stakeholders are a testament of what can be achieved when we maintain focus on our most precious resource…our students.
Drake Elementary School was the only Illinois School selected to receive a visit from Governor Bruce Rauner and Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the NFGFC. Governor Rauner and Mr. Steinfeld visited several classrooms and attended the assembly with more than 400 students, staff, parents, and community partners. The assembly served as a venue to promote Healthy Living, Healthy Choices and Healthy Movement. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony occurred on the steps of the new fitness center.