NORWOOD PARK — Taft High School principal Mark Grishaber will take a medical leave of absence for "three to four weeks" starting Monday, he announced via the school's website Friday.
Grishaber did not give the reason for his time away, but he wrote that the school would "be in good hands with our wonderful leadership team," including retired principal Bob Guercio, who will help lead the school in Grishaber's absence.
Guercio had been principal of Alexander Graham Bell School, 3730 N. Oakley Ave., before stepping down in 2010.
Grishaber framed his announcement as a call to action for the school's nearly 3,300 students, writing that the "best way for you to help me get healthy and back to work is to be the most successful students you can be."
If students keep up their attendance and show up to class on time, "not only will I be back in the halls again telling you to get to class, but we will have a party like no other party you have experienced!" he wrote.
With more than 50 percent more students than the school was built to accommodate, Taft is the city's most overcrowded high school. Last month it was named a Level 1 school for the second consecutive year.
Grishaber has been principal of the school since 2014.
