Following a unanimous vote of the Local School Council,  Jaime Jaramillo became principal on July 1. Mr. Jaramillo worked at Steinmetz for 16 years as teacher, attendance coordinator and assistant principal.

“I depart Steinmetz feeling confident that the school will make incredible progress under his leadership,” former principal Stephen Ngo wrote in an email on June 30.

(At right: Mr. Jaramillo speaks at the June 30 LSC Principal Selection Forum. More photos by Erika Carrasco at the bottom of this article.)

After Mr. Ngo announced his retirement in late May, the LSC advertised the position and accepted resumes, interviewed five candidates and held a forum with two finalists on June 30. Following presentations and a question and answer session with Mr. Jaramillo and Dr. LeVis Haney, a former principal of Lovett elementary, the LSC moved to offer the Steinmetz principal’s contract to Mr. Jaramillo.

Mr. Jaramillo wrote to teachers, other administrators, staff and local school council members on July 2:

Hello everyone,

I am very honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead Steinmetz on the next phase of our journey together. During the next few weeks I will be working hard to put together our administrative team, organizing the framework for next school year and reaching out to share and discuss how we are going to move forward to make Steinmetz the school all stakeholders can be proud of. I look forward to sharing my vision for Steinmetz with you during our first few days back, as well as hearing your feedback. During the principal selection process I shared my vision with the Local School Council and all members have expressed genuine excitement and support for my vision. Please rest assured knowing Steinmetz is on an upward trajectory and we will look at preserving what works well while also changing what does not.

I am optimistic our school community will rally around what is best for our students and we will start the school year in an upbeat, energized and refreshed frame of mind.

Please enjoy your well-deserved vacation and I look forward to seeing everyone soon.

Sincerely,
Jaime G. Jaramillo Jr.
Principal

Principal Stephen Ngo at the LSC principal forum, June 29.

New Steinmetz principal Jaime Jaramillo

LSC community members Matthew Morganthal and Jose Quiles, parents Edeau Long Oden and Marisela Bazan

Teacher Robin Russo, parent and LSC president Vanessa Valentin, teacher Lorraine Frierson, parent Cassandra Hernandez and staff Claudio Mendrano

Dr. Levis Haney, former Lovett principal and finalist in Steinmetz candidate forum

Teacher Robin Russo, who is in charge of the SCORE program, and Assistant Principal Jaime Jaramillo joined forces to highlight Steinmetz to the community.

“Honestly, it had to be the best Steinmetz Fest ever,” Mr. Jaramillo said.

Highlights of the day included tribute singer “Hugo’s Elvis” and a break dancing exhibition hosted by teacher Renato Roldan. Steinmetz students participated in the Drumline performance and by helping with games and activities. Several students played in the Chicago Policed Department basketball game.

 The program (see below the photo gallery) lists dozens of events that were enjoyed by hundreds of community participants.

Star photos by Jesus Cortez and Angel Chavez.

[See image gallery at steinmetzstar.com]