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The ribbon gets cut on four new 5th grade classrooms , which were dedicated in December 2015 .
Team ’ s work has also enabled Mr . Wilburn to be actively engaged in leadership at the Sacred Heart Network level and within the local independent school consortium .
Mr . Wilburn has served on the Board of the Network of Sacred Heart education and was Chair of that Board from 2013-17 . In 2018 he was elected to be Chair of the ISACS Board of Trustees , a role he will complete on June 30 . Situated within City bounds , the school ’ s collaborative relationship with the Archdiocese of Chicago is also highly valued , particularly with the prepa-ration for the Sacraments of Reconciliation , the Eucharist and Confirmation . Dr . Jim Rigg , Superintendent of the Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese , commented that Sacred Heart Schools-Sheridan Road is a “ flagship school ” within the Archdiocese . And Cardinal Blase J . Cupich , Archbishop of Chicago , has been named the recipient of this year ’ s Goal Award ( see page 6 ).
Fostering relationships beyond our campus has been a hallmark of Mr . Wilburn ’ s headship . Alderman Harry Osterman of the 48th Ward , in which Sacred Heart is situated , has been a keen supporter of education , including Sacred Heart Schools . With his assistance , a section of Sheridan Road abutting campus was named St . Madeleine Sophie Barat Way and our Primary School students were granted garden space at nearby Berger Park for their experiential learning . The relationship with the Alderman ’ s office was also instrumental as the school prepared to open Sacred Heart Preschool at Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church . This relationship allowed for dedicated outdoor space , providing our youngest students ample room to learn and explore out of the classroom . The Alderman ’ s office also supported the school when the Edgewater Youth United ( EYU ) program was launched in 2015 , a collaborative effort between the 48th Ward Alderman ’ s office , local school leaders and youth-focused non-profits in Edgewater .
Mission
The educational vision of all Network Sacred Heart schools , as articulated in the Goals and Criteria , forms the backbone of the Sacred Heart mission . When in 2009 then-Director of Schools Susan Maxwell , RSCJ , was to retire and it became apparent that another RSCJ would not be stepping into the role , the need for fitting leadership and a true understanding of the educational vision were critically important . After conducting a nationwide search , Nat Wilburn , who had been serving as Principal since 2004 , was appointed to be the new Head of Schools . He was the first lay person ever hired to fill that role at Sheridan Road . His background as a leader , a seasoned Sacred Heart educator , and demonstrated commitment to the Goals were compelling . And his strong spirituality , as well as numerous other gifts , made him the perfect choice .
Nat has excelled in his administrative tasks , in bringing students and finances to a strong position for the future , in developing the campus and learning spaces , keeping the Sheridan Road family an important contributor in the broader community . He has enhanced diversity , equity and inclusion of the school , worked collaboratively with several Boards of Trustees , and contributed mightily to the world of education through various educational and accrediting agencies where he has held leadership roles . Nat has been a positive force and leader in the Network and Conference . And above all , he has lived the mission of Sacred Heart .
– Sheila Hammond , RSCJ , ASH ’ 59 , Provincial of the Religious of the Sacred Heart United States-Canada .
Since arriving at Sacred Heart , Mr . Wilburn has seen three evaluations by the Sacred Heart Commission on Goals ( SHCOG ) in 2006 , 2011 and 2016 . He was Head of Schools for two of the most recent assessments of commitment to mission that were highly positive . Also noteworthy , he came to Sheridan Road when the 2005 version of the Goals and Criteria was in place ; he leaves with the 2020 Criteria having been published in January 2021 . This re-visioning takes place every 15 years ( see page 7 ) to ensure its applicability given the changing times .
2015
• Purchase of Granville Parking Lot .
• Masterpiece Campaign begins .
• Dedication of 5th grade classrooms .
• Mr . Wilburn elected to serve on Independent Schools Association of the Central States ( ISACS ) Board of Trustees from 2015-21 , serving as Board Chair the past three years .