Peirce Panther Post
November 2018
In this issue...
- Events for Parents and Families
- In-Person Volunteer Opportunities
- Things to Donate/Lend/Bring/Trade
Peirce Events for Parents and Families
TOMORROW: Subtraction Math Workshop (especially for parents of children in K-2)
- November 20, 2018, 8:05-9:30 am
- Library
In this fun and interactive workshop, parents and families will learn powerful strategies for helping their children master addition facts. We will also review some fun math games and activities that families can use at home to make practicing fun and effective. Ideal for parents of children in grades K-2. Spanish interpretation provided.
International Family Dance Night
- November 29, 5-7 pm
- Enter at main entrance
This year’s International family dance night will include an International Foods Tasting as well as numerous dance classes offered throughout the building. The event is $5 per person, and is a benefit for the 7th-8th grade trip to NYC.
Race, Culture and Equity Parent Resource Group Meeting
- December 5, 7:00-8:30 pm -OR- December 13, 8:15-9:30 am
- Fieldhouse
The Race, Culture and Equity Parent Resource Group is working to create a culturally responsive anti-racist parent community to support authentic inclusion and racial equity at our school. Our next meeting will be repeated twice -- choose the time most convenient for you. All are welcome. Translation will be provided and there will be a space for children to play. We value your experiences and insight into race and culture at Peirce. Please take a few minutes to complete the Race & Culture Parent Resource Group Survey.
Positive Parenting Workshop
- December 6, 8:15-9:15 am
- Location TBD (inside the school)
The Diverse Learners Parent Resource group will be honoring Inclusive Schools Week with a free Positive Parenting Workshop by Tuesday's Child immediately after drop off on Dec 6th.
Annual Regional Analysis (ARA) Workshop
- December 11, 6:00-8:00 pm
- Sullivan High School
The Annual Regional Analysis (ARA) supports the district’s mission to provide every student with a high-quality education in every neighborhood by giving stakeholders a common set of information regarding: school quality, enrollment patterns, school options, and program offerings by region. In order to ensure communities have access to this information, CPS is leading a series of ARA workshops this fall. Each meeting will begin with a short presentation by CPS leadership on the ARA and conclude with facilitated table discussions to brainstorm ways to invest in and strengthen schools throughout Chicago. If you are interested in attending, please register here.
SPEAK UP’s 7-Week Parent Workshop Series: How Do We Talk With Our Children About Race?
- Dates TBD in early 2019, please complete the interest/registration form below by Nov. 30
Children are internalizing implicit messages about race everyday. Research shows that children internalize racial biases even when their parents don’t share those biases. Talking with children explicitly about race and racism is the only thing that has been proven to interrupt racist socialization. In our 7-week workshop series, participants reflect on their own experiences, deepen their analysis of power and privilege, explore the research on race and children, practice meaningful responses to challenging situations, and learn about developmentally appropriate resources for teaching and raising anti-racist children. We will be piloting the program with a small group beginning in January or February. If you are interested, please complete our interest/registration form by November 30th.
In-Person Volunteer Opportunities
Team Up to Clean Up Peirce!
A message from parent Tracy Didriksen: “Hello all! Just a reminder and call-out for more folks to join the awesome playground clean-up crew! Literally, all it takes is 5 minutes - within that amount of time you will have made a measurable difference, gotten a good sweaty work-out and will feel great about your fantastic contribution to our school. Join anytime you can - we’re out there every Monday after drop-off (or Tuesday if school is closed on the Monday like this week). I’ll bring gloves and bags. A huge thanks to the amazing folks who came out last week, and all the weeks before that. Let’s keep teaming up to clean up!”
Welcome Prospective Parents to Peirce!
Peirce will be holding an Open House for prospective parents on Wednesday, November 28, at 8:30am. Parents will tour the facility and meet the staff, students, and fellow parents. Sign up to help greet prospective parents and/or provide tours of the school.
Teach a Dance Class!
International Family Dance Night is an important fundraiser for the MYP trip to NYC. It will be on Nov. 29, 2018, from 4: 30-6:30 PM. In order to make this event happen we rely on volunteer dancers/dance artists/ and choreographers to donate 40 min - 1 hour of their time to teach 2-3 mini-classes (20 minutes) representing any genre of dance. In the past, some of the dance genres that have been represented include Caribbean Dance, Salsa, African Dance, Irish Step Dance, Zumba, Greek dance, Egyptian Dance, Hip Hop, Disco, and MORE! Sign up to teach a dance class.
Things to Bring, Donate or Trade
Recyclables
The art department is in need of materials for students to make collaborative sculptures. Please empty and wash any donations! Donations should go to the PYP or MYP art rooms. The items needed include: plastic water bottles, plastic tops/caps of any kind, paper towel rolls, laundry detergent containers, milk or water gallon containers, liter plastic soda containers, discarded CDs or DVDs, egg cartons, plastic containers for yogurt, sour cream, etc. Contact Ms. Buchbinder (PYP Art) or Ms. Zapata (MYP Art) with any questions.
Shoes
Middle Schoolers are raising money for their New York trip with a shoe drive, extended through the end of November. You can bring gently used shoes and drop them off at the collection box in the main lobby any time! Questions about the shoe drive can go to Tanya Larson (tanya@friendsofpeirce.org).
Remember to check the Peirce website regularly for updates and news!
Other great ways to keep up on Peirce happenings: