Peirce School Family Newsletter
February 2016
Principal's Message
Para ver este boletin en espanol click aqui.
Dear Peirce Families & Friends:
The New Year is underway and our young people have been hard at work - check out this article on Peirce students and families who took action over MLK weekend by collecting coats and winter gear for Care for Real.
Taking action is a component of our IB program, other examples of action over the last month include our student council meeting with Aramark to express concerns over school lunch, students in Middle School have developed service projects ranging from implementing a school recycling program to feeding the needy to hosting after school tutoring classes for their peers. We are very excited to see our students engaged in their school and local communities - working to make them a better place.
Below are other highlights for the month of January:
- Peirce published its second IB Parent Newsletter - The Communicator.
- 5th and 6th grade students participated in a week long basketball tournament.
- Peirce's Principal and IB Coordinators visited Ogden and Wildwood schools - each school provided a different perspective on IB implementation, the good news is that Peirce is headed in the right direction - the IB communicator, class websites and talking with your children are a few ways that you can learn more about IB at Peirce.
- Congratulations to our Spelling Bee Winners:
1st/2nd Runner Up: Greer Kane
3rd-5th Winner: Harris Omerovic
3rd-5th Runner Up: Elliot Topp
6th-8th Winner: Marlene Benitez
6th-8th Runner Up: Nicholas Cruz & Max Polancic
- We received 3 additional Sp.Ed. teaching positions and are in the process of hiring.
- Nancy Kolontouros joins the Peirce Team as our new Case Manager and EL Liaison- Ms. Choe will help with transitioning Nancy into her new role so that Ms. Choe can continue focusing on counseling and student supports.
- Students participated in the Steel Drums performance through Urban Gateways.
- Ms. Graney hosted our Sexual Health Info Session, if you were unable to attend, you can find the presentation here.
- 6th Grade students spent 2 days at the Indiana Dunes learning more about our environment and team building.
- Pre-K teachers hosted a parent informational session on building student independence - thank you to those that were able to attend.
Sincerely,
Lori Zaimi, Principal
CIWP (Continuous Improvement Work Plan)
There are two stages to the plan - a school effectiveness framework which is due by February 15th and the strategy development which will be due early April. The entire plan must be reviewed and approved by the Local School Council by April 14th.
Be on the lookout for the parent survey and more information about focus groups.
IB Learner Profile - February
"We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences."
Giordano Jazz Dance Company Tickets
Report Cards
Arts Partners at Peirce
1st grade - Raven Theater
2nd Grade - Dream Big
3rd Grade - Lookingglass Theater
4th & 5th Grades - Giordano Dance
5th Grade - May I Have This Dance
6th-8th Grades - Argument Centered Writing and Writers Theater
Parent Workshops
There is also a series of workshops for parents held by psychologist Ferney Ramirez on February 26th, March 18th, April 22nd, May 20th and June 3rd from 12:30 - 2:30pm in the Fieldhouse.
Childcare will be available during each of these workshops.
Friends of Peirce - Upcoming Events
February 18th @ 8pm - Dad/Uncle/Male Guardian/Friend event at Hopleaf to promote Kegs for Kids program.
February 28th from 2:00 - 5:00pm, Annual Oscar's Fundraiser at Marty's Martini Bar,
Local School Council Elections
Applications for the 2016-2018 Local School Council are now available in the main office. If you are interested in being a part of the council, please have applications turned in to the main office by March 4th at 3pm.
Parent Portal
If you are not yet signed up for parent portal, please email Assistant Principal Nanavati at vcnanavati@cps.edu to learn how to do so. All parents can use parent portal to monitor student attendance and grades.
Social Media & Peirce Website
Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Facebook.com/peircecps and Instagram.com/peircecps.
Also, be sure to visit the peirce.cps.edu site regularly with updates to our calendar, backpack mail and other events going on at the school.
Suggestion Box
If you have suggestions on ways to continue to support/improve Peirce, please share via the Suggestion Box, also found on the Peirce homepage.
Electronic Request
Please share with families who may not be receiving the newsletter online that they can request access here, also found on the Peirce homepage.
Upcoming Events
February
4th End of 2nd quarter
4th Parent Computer Class, 8:30am, Fieldhouse
5th No School, Teacher Professional Development Day
5th Parent Computer Class, 8:30am, Fieldhouse
11th Report Cards Distributed
11th PK-5th Grade Learning Celebrations
12th 6th-8th Learning Celebrations
12th PAC Meeting, 8:15am, Fieldhouse
12th BAC Meeting, 9:00am, Fieldhouse
12th Puente Valentine's Day Dance
15th No School - President's Day
16th 8th Grade Picture Re-Takes
17th 6th-8th Assessment Parent Meeting
17th Friends of Peirce Meeting, 6:00pm, Fieldhouse
18th No After School All Stars Programming
18th Local School Council Meeting, 6:00pm
18th Dads/Mens of Peirce @ Hopleaf, 8:00pm
19th Box Tops Collected
19th PSO Meeting, 8:00am, Fieldhouse
26th PAC Workshop with Psychologist Ferney Ramirez, 12:30 - 2:30pm, Fieldhouse
28th Friends of Peirce Fundraiser, Marty's Martini Bar, 2:00 - 5:00pm
Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies
Email: lzaimi@cps.edu
Website: peirce.cps.k12.il.us
Location: 1423 W Bryn Mawr Chicago, IL
Phone: 773-534-2440
Facebook: facebook.com/peircecps