Falcon Families Newsletter
April 12, 2024
Upcoming Events
Spring Thaw is only ONE WEEK AWAY!
Next Friday night, you could be sipping cocktails and listening to the classical and hip-hop fusion sounds of the Chicago native and classically trained violinist Windy Indie as well as playing casino games and eating gourmet tacos, appetizers, desserts and late-night pizza. Come and socialize with the LaSalle II adult community. Everyone is welcome...feel free to invite other friends and family for a fun night out!
All money earned goes directly to school activities and projects that are outside the scope of the CPS budget. The PTO, which is all of us, is the secret sauce that can elevate a great school to a fantastic school! Get your tickets and preview the auction items now! This year's auction goes live Monday at 8AM and is currently planned to end Friday at 9:30PM. Auction participants do not need to be present at the event. The Spring Thaw committee worked diligently behind the scenes to plan a great event and solicit donations for the auction. Sign up here to help at the event.
THANK YOU to the Spring Thaw Sponsors!
Save the Date- World Language Community Night!
Mark your calendars for a celebration of culture and language at our upcoming World Language Community Night on May 8th from 4-6PM!
PTO Event Success
Teachers Thank You Lunch
LaSalle II Teachers & Staff—thank you for your commitment, passion, and dedication to our school community - we are so lucky to have you! The LaSalle II PTO provided a special treat on behalf of the entire LaSalle II student and family community, catering Moroccan food from the Marrakech restaurant for teachers and staff on last Wednesday's parent/teacher conference day. Thank you Marrakech Restaurant for helping us support our teachers!
Gather the Grade- 6th Grade's Minute to Win It
A big THANK YOU to everyone who joined us before Spring break for 6th Grade's Gather the Grade! Your support and presence made it truly memorable. It was a great night of games, pizza, laughs, and way too much candy! Thank you to all the incredible volunteers who helped bring everything together. And a special round of applause for Rosie Diaz and Dipty Krishna who worked behind the scenes planning it all to make the night so much fun.
New LS2 Banners Installed
Thank you Ryan Jones and Angela Liegel for your efforts on this project.
Volunteers Needed
Do Division - Family Fun Fest
The Family Fun Fest is a separate area inside of the annual Do Division Street Fest managed by volunteers from LaSalle II and Pritzker schools. We work with the West Town Chambers to put this event together each year. Proceeds from the Street Fest and Family Fun Fest area are divided between our two schools.
Volunteer work is in two-hour increments and could include fest set up, overseeing a ticketed game, assisting with ticket sales, or helping with clean up at the end of the event.
Family Fun Fest Hours
June 1 - Saturday 12pm - 6pm
June 2 - Sunday 12pm - 6pm
School Spirit
Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week: Snack Drive
Calling all supporters! As Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week approaches, we're gearing up to show the incredible LS2 teachers & staff just how much they mean to us. We're aiming to transform their lounge into a haven of treats and snacks to express our gratitude for their dedication and hard work. Help us fill our Teacher & Staff Lounges with snacks for Appreciation Week (May 6-10th)!
We're seeking donations of a variety of snacks to ensure they have a well-deserved break during their busy days. Whether it's a savory pick-me-up or a sweet indulgence, every contribution will make a difference! Pease sign up here and drop off your donations at the LS2 front desk on Monday, May 6th or Tuesday, May 7th. Full details are available in the sign-up form.
Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week: Seeking Floral Partners
We're in search of florists or individuals with access to purchasing flowers in bulk to partner with us for a special treat for the staff. If you or someone you know can help the PTO with purchasing flowers wholesale, please reach out to Sarah Indovina at vpoutreach@lasalle2pto.com.
LaSalle II Upcycle EXTENDED!
Have a LaSalle II t-shirt, sweatshirt or other apparel that doesn’t fit anymore? Drop off your gently used LaSalle II apparel in the upcycle donation bin near the security desk anytime until Friday, April 19th. Upcycling your LaSalle II garments ensures they’ll be passed on to other LaSalle II students!
Student Council Food Drive
The LaSalle II Student Council is collecting items for the Northwestern University Settlement House Pantry! They service nearly 300 people weekly. The collection is happening now through Tuesday, April 16. Please bring donations to school where there will be drop boxes at the security and on each floor of the branch. The pantry is specifically looking for items on the attached flier. Please stick to the lists, so we can provide them with items that they really need.
Call for Photos! 📸
Vendor Spotlight
Camp Galileo
Camp Galileo donated a one-week pass that you can bid on during the upcoming Spring Thaw auction. If you don't score that free week at the auction, Galileo is offering a $50 discount on any camp purchase with code LASALLE50. Any for any family that registers for camp and gets that $50 discount will also earn $50 for LaSalle II!
Around Town
Family Day at the MCA | Journey into the World of Alebrijes
Family Day at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (220 E Chicago Ave), free
Saturday, April 13, 11AM to 3PM
https://visit.mcachicago.org/events/family-day-spring-blooms/
Ms. Bucciarelli, one of LaSalle II's K-8 Spanish teachers brings to our attention this weekend's family day at the MCA -- a fantastic journey into the world of alebrijes! Students study alebrijes in the Spanish curriculum primarily in 1st grade, but this activity looks fun for any age.
Renowned masters of folk art from Oaxaca, Mexico, Jacobo and Maria Angeles, and their son and daughter Sabina and Ricardo Angeles experts in wood carving and creators of the popular figures known as alebrijes, will guide you through a unique experience of color and creativity. In this interactive hands-on workshop, you will learn to color your own Tonas and Nahuales using natural pigments and dyes while exploring authentic techniques passed down through generations.
Artist Moises Salazar will leads a hands-on workshop as part of this month’s Family Day and create your own figures and characters through puppet making.
Designed and led by Chicago artists, Family Day is a monthly program that allows families and youth to connect and engage with contemporary art through activities and performances for all-ages. Enjoy FREE admission while taking part in workshops, open studio sessions, gallery tours, performances, and more. Activities are facilitated in English and Spanish with ASL interpretation provided.
Ancient Earth Day - April 20, 2024
University of Chicago - Hyde Park Campus (1155 E. 58th St.)
Saturday, April 20, 1PM to 4PM
https://events.uchicago.edu/oi/event/230527-ancient-earth-day
Come celebrate Earth Day in an ancient way! Join engaging gallery tours about recycling and sustainability in the ancient world, earth-day themed crafts downstairs, the opportunity to take home plants in a recycled container, and gallery activities and puzzles to enjoy!
New this year: TED-talk style presentations about the environment, climate, and archaeology! Register for one of these family-friendly presentations here! Each is around 30 minutes long. This event is free, family-friendly, and great for all ages to enjoy and learn! Feel free to drop in at any point to learn and explore.
EARTH DAY IS APRIL 20
The Chicago Park District, in partnership with Friends of the Parks, hosts the citywide Earth Day Parks Clean Up on Saturday, April 20. Join thousands of volunteers in parks across Chicago in picking up litter and putting down mulch to give our precious green spaces a fresh start for the season.
If there is a relevant announcement or feature you’d like to have included in an upcoming newsletter, please contact Pamela Bertucci at secretary@lasalle2pto.com.