Illinois Park Elementary School in Elgin unveils new multipurpose room

Two months after welcoming students back, Illinois Park Elementary School in Elgin unveiled its new 6,500-square-foot multipurpose room with a celebratory ribbon cutting Tuesday.

The newly renovated school, which had served as an early learning center for the past two decades, reopened to about 300 students from preschool through fifth grade in August but the addition needed more time to be completed. The space will be open to students next week.

Visitors were met by bright colors and high ceilings as natural light poured in through large windows in the space where kids will eat, have assemblies and make memories.

Principal Cody Papp said she walked a few students who were a part of Tuesday’s celebration through the space and “watched their faces light up” as they noticed every detail, such as the ceiling colors matching the floor and the view of the playground through the windows.

“That excitement said more than I ever could about what this space means to them,” she said.

The school at 1350 Wing St. opened in 1998 as an elementary school before transitioning to an early childhood center in January 2006.

Its renovation and return to an elementary school was part of the district’s Unite U-46 initiative to update buildings to better accommodate changing enrollment and modernize facilities.

“The result of all of this work is a brand new school community where students can learn, grow, build friendships and discover their strengths from preschool through fifth grade,” U-46 Superintendent Suzanne Johnson said.

School board President Melissa Owens acknowledged it took a lot of flexibility and courage from students and families who were “leaving behind familiar classrooms, teachers and traditions” to move to the new school.

“But it also creates a wonderful opportunity. Together students and families and employees are building something very, very special here — a school community with its own identity, its own traditions and a sense of belonging,” she said.

In addition to the new space revealed Tuesday, the building’s interior was upgraded throughout, new playgrounds were installed and improvements were made to its drop-off and pickup system for parents and buses that had caused traffic backups in the past.

Papp, who had served as an assistant principal at Sunnydale Elementary School in Streamwood last school year, started her career in 2019 as an early childhood special education teacher at Illinois Park. She was excited about the community they’re building.

“Illinois Park is a school where every child's language, culture and identity are celebrated as strengths,” she said. “Where every staff member feels responsible for ensuring all students thrive in a place that brings joy to all who step through our doors.”

rwest@dailyherald.com