DeWitt Clinton Elementary School
January 2019 Newsletter
Principal's Message
I hope you were able to stay warm during this frigid weather! Students are excited to have an unexpected five day weekend and I am sure many are enjoying their video games, binge watching tv shows, and the lack of homework. Teachers have had two days off and will be back for a professional development day tomorrow. The construction has also halted for a few days. The building is quiet, but warm and comfortable. The engineer and custodians have been completing many tasks and getting the building ready for students to return on Monday.
Our construction work continues and work is progressing on the front of the building and in the basement. We are eager to see the work completed this summer and share pictures with all of you.
During the past month, I am reminded of how special Clinton School is. Despite a large snowfall, more than 900 students walked to school and were engaged in their lessons throughout the day. Several of our students competed at the Regional Science Fair and are moving on to the City Science Fair. Our teachers continue to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to our students. Several of our teachers have presented workshops at the District level to other CPS teachers. Former students continue to come back to thank teachers for the strong foundation they were given in order to excel in high school.
We are a neighborhood school and welcome in families from around the world throughout the school year. We are a diverse school with over 45 languages represented. We are a school community who believes in our students and works to support them while at Clinton and even after they graduate. We are committed to the work we do and strive to our best every day to provide a safe, nurturing, challenging, and engaging school experience for all our students.
Stay warm,
Maureen Delgado
Principal
Clinton Teachers Making a Difference
Mr. Jason Zak - IXL Elite 100 Teacher
Every time Mr. Jason Zak makes it to Clinton's Facebook or Instagram the likes increase and comments are made about what a fantastic math teacher he is. This year Mr. Zak was honored by IXL which is an online program our school and 350,000 other classrooms worldwide use to provide students additional practice in math, literacy, social science, and science.
Mr. Zak has been named an Elite 100 Teacher for 2017-2018. The Elite 100 represents IXL's highest achieving classrooms worldwide and demonstrates an exceptional commitment to enhancing learning through technology. Clinton is fortunate to have a teacher who can balance technology with other instructional strategies in order to meet the needs of all students and provide them with a strong foundation in Algebra before heading off to high school.
Ms. Sophia Logothetis - Facing History Spotlight
While attending the session, Ms. Sophia Logothetis, a Clinton alum and now Clinton teacher, was interviewed for a segment on Chicago Tonight on PBS. We are proud to be a Facing History school and strive to give our students the knowledge and tools they need to make positive changes in our community and nation.
The project titled Small Groups Need More Space by Ms. Susan Thomas was also funded. Ms Thomas will be receiving a table and several stools. Thank you to the donors who helped to fund this project for $494.
Today's Readers Become Tomorrow's Leaders! - Project by Mary Icho
Thank you to the donors who have partially funded this project. Ms. Mary Icho only needs $216 more to have this project fully funded!
Through Mrs. Icho's project, students will be provided the chapter book "Sylvia and Aki." They will have the opportunity to read a chapter book in which they can relate to. Sylvia and Aki is a story about two girls who have experienced racism, segregation, and relocation. These are many issues Clinton students face. Whether its coming to a new country or being treated differently because they speak another language.
Consider donating to Mrs. Icho's project so that children are given opportunities to discuss and share their ideas around powerful topics: https://www.donorschoose.org/project/todays-readers-become-tomorrows-leader/3767443/.
Congratulations to Rachel Tarnoff and Peter Mariani!
Community Fundraiser
Dear Friends & Family,
I am so excited to announce that I am a part of the 2019 Students of the Year campaign. Starting January 26, I will hold a 7-week campaign to raise money and awareness for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). LLS has been on a huge mission to find a cure for blood cancer and I’m joining this mission to let people who are suffering know that they are not alone.
I am honored to work with LLS staff, as well as blood cancer survivors and their families to be able to create a change in the community. Personally, I am fundraising in honor of my friends who have gone through the hardship of seeing their family members and relatives suffer from blood cancers. Not only did my friends watch their loved ones pass away, but they suffered mental pain that they are still recovering from. I don’t want anyone to go through the pain they went through and I am dedicated to helping resolve the problems of many families worldwide.
Why LLS you might ask? LLS has raised over $1.2 billion dollars for cancer research. Their research has gone on to save many blood cancer patients. In the last decade, 40% of ALL cancer treatments and drugs came from LLS funded research, which is not only being used to treat blood cancer patients, but also patients with other cancers and diseases, such as breast and liver cancer, Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s Disease.
My personal goal is to raise $25,000 during this campaign, but this goal can be even higher with your help! We can raise more money than my goal, but for this to happen I need your help to make my efforts go even further! Here are a few ways you can make a difference:
- Starting January 26th, donate via my personal fundraising page: https://events.lls.org/il/illinoissoy19/zaryaabkhan
- Reach out to your friends and family – send them my message and fundraising link!
- Donate a silent auction item that can be used at the Grande Finale Celebration Auction
- Help me secure a sponsor (Sponsorships start at $3,500 and sponsors receive many benefits)
The Students of the Year campaign not only supports the cancer community in so many ways, but it also is an amazing leadership opportunity. Students receive scholarship opportunities and are acknowledged for their great efforts. But, I need your help along the way!
Your generosity and support towards my campaign are truly appreciated. When kickoff begins on January 26th, I hope you will consider becoming a donor and join me in fighting for those with cancer. I will keep you updated during the next 7 weeks and tell you all the accomplishments that YOU AND I have worked together to succeed. Thank you for your support!
Warmest regards,
Zaryaab Khan
DeWitt Clinton Elementary School
Website: Clinton.cps.edu
Location: 6110 North Fairfield Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA
Phone: (773)534-2025
Facebook: facebook.com/cps/clinton