Peirce School Family Newsletter
April 2019
Principal's Message
Greetings Peirce Families,
As an IB School, we work to create an inclusive, supportive environment for all students and families. A school that is well-balanced, focusing on the development of the whole child through rigorous instruction, social emotional learning and enrichment opportunities within the school day and beyond. We are also proud of our work with Restorative Practices - the language we use when communicating, the development of community via talking circles and the use of restorative conversations and peace circles when navigating conflict. I am proud to serve Peirce School and excited about the work happening within our Race & Equity Parent Resource Group - a group that was formed this school year as a sub-group within the Parent Advisory Council.
In collaboration with the Race & Equity Parent Resource Group, I have volunteered to participate in a Racial Equity Impact Assessment - after completing the REIA, the Race & Culture Parent Resource Group will continue to collaborate with the school in following through on recommendations, implementing improvements, and evaluating progress in order to create optimal experiences and opportunities for students of color. In the sections that follow you will find more information on the parent focus groups and a FAQ on the work that is happening - I hope that you will consider either attending a focus group, encouraging a Peirce parent to attend, or volunteer to support the focus groups.
Just as our work has evolved over the last four years with the use of inclusive practices in the context of Special Education, I look forward to seeing where our work takes us as we take a closer look at Race & Equity at Peirce - with the end goal of creating the best educational opportunities for all students.
I hope that you have a wonderful Spring Break (April 15th-19th) and that you enjoy time with friends and family.
Happy Spring!
Lori Zaimi
Principal
Parent OR Staff Shout Outs
There are always great things happening that often do not go recognized. Send a shout out to a fellow Peirce Parent or Staff Member to be included in upcoming newsletters! Please submit any shout-outs here. Take a look at a few parent shout outs below:
- Emily Chastain - Emily has taken on a leadership role in PSO this year, her first year of active involvement in the group, and her work and effort has been outstanding. She's been so friendly and innovative and is really someone you can count on.
- Carla Galdo Boykin - Carla went above and beyond when she chaperoned the most recent 6th Grade Dunes trip. She took the time to keep parents at home updated via pictures, videos, and posts on the PSO page on Facebook. Thank you, Carla! It is so very appreciated! (From Cecilia Bocanegra & 6th Grade Parents)
- Please make sure to thank all of the wonderful parents in the coming weeks who helped with Fiesta de Arte - Manini. Rao, Bestsey Brommel, and Erin Payne especially, for their collaborative efforts putting up all of the artwork and organizing the event. We are so lucky at Peirce to have parents like them! (Meredith Buchbinder)
Chicago Public Schools 5 year Vision
Thanks to our students, families, educators, partners, and city leaders who have given their all to lift CPS to new heights, we have so much to be proud of as a district. Our graduation and Freshman OnTrack rates are at an all-time high, and more CPS students than ever are enrolling in college, with nearly half of them earning college and career credentials before they even finish high school. We have made unprecedented investments in early childhood education and school facilities. We’ve also brought our families and school communities into the academic investment process and have expanded high-quality academic programs such as STEM, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual credit, and dual enrollment opportunities. And perhaps most importantly, we overhauled our security procedures and launched our new Office of Student Protections and Title IX as part of our unwavering commitment to protecting students from sexual harassment, violence, and abuse.
As CPS graduates and lifelong educators who have spent our lives serving Chicago students, we are incredibly proud of the historic academic progress that has taken root in our district. However, there remains an unacceptable difference in achievement outcomes for our students of color, English Language Learners, and diverse learners, and our new strategic plan will focus on promoting equity and narrowing the opportunity gap for students most in need.
Following an extensive engagement process, we launched a new five-year vision on Tuesday that incorporates feedback from families and educators. This vision builds on the core commitments that remain at the heart of who we are: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Driving academic progress will remain the primary focus of our work, and it will be rooted in long-term fiscal stability and a culture and climate that respects and values the contributions of all stakeholders.
The ambitious goals outlined in the five-year vision were developed in partnership with the University of Chicago’s Education Labs. Through a rigorous, data-informed goal-setting process and individualized success metrics tailored for each school community, the vision will offer schools a clear roadmap to success while helping the district meet our collective goals by 2024.
Achieving the goals set forth in this vision will take a commitment from all of us — students, families, educators, Central and Network Office staff, and supporters of Chicago Public Schools. It will require examining every inequity, mining every resource, and engaging every community until students in all corners of our city have access to the high-quality education they deserve.
We are committed to providing a high-quality education for all children, regardless of their race, zip code, ability, or country of origin. We are inspired every day by the talent and tenacity of our students, and by the families and supporters who are working so diligently to meet their needs and help them reach their full potential. You are valued partners on this journey. We hope you will embrace the new CPS vision and join us on the road to success. To learn more about our vision and all that we plan to accomplish over the next five years, please see cps.edu/vision and watch our accompanying vision video, available in English and in Spanish.
Sincerely,
Janice K. Jackson, EdD
Chief Executive Officer
Chicago Public Schools
LaTanya D. McDade
Chief Education Officer
Chicago Public Schools
Peirce Parent of Color Focus Groups
Why should I attend?
The stories, feedback, ideas, and suggestions from these groups will be anonymously compiled and used to create a set of recommendations for the school. These focus groups are a critical part of our Peirce Principal Racial Equity Impact Assessment (REIA), which is a collaborative project of the Race & Culture Parent Resource Group and Chicago United for Equity. Principal Zaimi has volunteered to be the first principal to undergo this process because of her strong commitment to racial equity. After completing the REIA, we will continue to hold the school accountable and collaborate in following through on these recommendations, implementing improvements, and evaluating progress in order to create optimal experiences and opportunities for students of color.
Focus Group Options (Please attend one)
FREE FOOD FREE CHILDCARE
Mornings in the Field House: Coffee, bagels, and childcare provided.
Tuesday, April 2, 8:15-9:45am Padres que Hablan Español (no translation)
Wednesday April 3 at 8:15-9:45am Black or African American Parents (no translation)
Thursday April 4 at 8:15-9:45am Any Parent of Color (Spanish translation available)
Evenings in the Peace Room (2nd floor): Pizza & childcare provided.
Wednesday April 3 from 5:30-7:00pm Any Parent of Color (Spanish translation available)
Thursday April 4 from 5:30-7:00pm Any Parent of Any Child of Color (Spanish translation available)
What do you mean by “Parent of Color”? Any parent or caregiver (including grandparents or other adult family members) who self-identifies as a person of color. This includes people who identify as Black or of African descent, Asian, Latino/a or Hispanic, and Native American.
What about white parents of children of color? White parents of children of color will be included in the focus group session on Thursday, April 4 from 5:30-7:00pm, along with any other parents of children of color.
Why only parents of children of color? This is a Racial Equity Impact Assessment and is designed to look at the opportunity gap being experienced by students of color. Parents of all races are welcome and invited to attend our Parent Race & Culture Resource Group meetings on April 25 and May 30.
Do I need to RSVP? No. However, RSVPs are helpful for letting us know how much food we will need. RSVP here: https://goo.gl/forms/gVjhTB91Nyz9wxrm2
How can I get more involved? A team of parent volunteers is helping to make this possible. Please contact Megan Brand at antibiaseducator@gmail.com or 773-633-8411 to get involved.
Report Card Day
Wednesday, April 10, 2019 is “Conference Day” for all Chicago Public Elementary Schools. There is no school for students on this day, however, we encourage parents to bring their child(ren) to the Conferences.
Report cards will be distributed in two conference sessions. The first session will last from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and the second session is from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. *Please do not come to school from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Teachers will not be available during that time. Please sign up below, and you will receive confirmation of the time block to attend from your child’s teacher.
Parents who are unable to attend either of these two sessions on this day are asked to schedule a separate conference with their child’s teacher.
Please see the file attached that was sent home with students.
Senn High School Parent Tour for Peirce Families
Please RSVP below.
Thursday, April 4th
9:00am
Meet at Senn High School
5900 N. Glenwood
Thursday, Apr 4, 2019, 09:00 AM
Nicholas Senn High School, North Glenwood Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
5th & 8th Grade Illinois Science Assessment
Attendance Update
Since returning from winter break, Peirce staff have been developing attendance plans with students who are chronically truant in 4th-8th grades and have been making phone calls to families of students in Kinder-3rd grade. The goal of these conversations is to understand the cause of absence - reasons have ranged from sickness to school-based anxiety to lack of motivation among other challenges - we are here to support students and families by creating plans that will be meaningful to each student.
Please note the following school and homeroom year to date attendance percentages
School Goal: 96.3%
Current Year to Date: 95.93%
Last year at this time: 95.87%
Pre-Kindergarten: Room 121 (91.98%), Room 122 (91.45%), Room 123 (90.93%)
Kindergarten: Room 101 (94.29%) Room 110 (96.08%), Room 126 (93.81%), Room 128 (95.13%)
1st Grade: Room 102 (94.43%), Room 103 (95.25%), Room 104 (95.86%), Room 105 (95.4%)
2nd Grade: Room 223 (96.08%), Room 224 (95.64%), Room 225 (95.61%), Room 228 (95.33%)
3rd Grade: Room 201 (95.21%), Room 202 (96.25%), Room 203 (95.89%), Room 210 (96.62%)
4th Grade: Room 204 (97.12%), Room 207 (96.41%), Room 208 (96.61%), Room 209 (95.87%)
5th Grade: Room 323 (95.13%), Room 324 (95.85%), Room 325 (96.56%),
6th Grade: Room 303 (96.24%), Room 304 (96.71%), Room 307 (96.17%), Room 308 (97.45%)
7th Grade: Room 301 (95.74%), Room 302 (97.1%), Room 309 (95.38%), Room 310 (96.89%)
8th Grade: Room 305 (93.8%), Room 320 (98.28%), Room 321 (96.42%), Room 329 (97.05%)
April 2019
2nd - Groupo de Enfoque: Padres Que Hablan Espanol, 8:15am, Fieldhouse
3rd - Black or African American Parent Focus Group, 8:15am, Fieldhouse
3rd - Any Parent of Color Focus Group, 5:30pm, Room 206B
4th - End of Quarter 34th - Small Group Parent Tour, 8:15am
4th - Any Parent of Color Focus Group, 8:15am, Fieldhouse
4th - Senn High School Parent Tour, 9:00am - meet at Senn HS
5th - No School, Professional Development Day
5th - Friends of Peirce Babysitting Night, 6:00pm
7th - World Health Day
7th - Mattress Sale (Friends of Peirce Sponsored)
9th - Student of the Month, 8:15am
9th - Friends of Peirce Meeting, 6:30pm
10th - Report Card Day/Student Led Conferences (11:30am - 3:00pm and 4:00 - 6:30pm)
11th - Local School Council Meeting, 6:00pm
11th - Math Parent Workshop, 5:30pm
12th - Career Day for MYP (6th-8th Grades)
12th - 5th Grade Musical Performances for Parents
12th - Parent Advisory Council Meeting, 8:15am, Fieldhouse
12th - Parent Basketball League, 6:00pm
15th - 19th Spring Break
22nd - Illinois Science Assessment for 5th & 8th Grade students
24th - Parent Session: New York City Travel Meeting for 7th & 8th Grades
25th - Race & Culture Parent Resource Group Meeting, 8:15am, Fieldhouse
25th - STEAM Night, 5:00 - 6:30pm
26th - MYP High Honor Roll Luncheon
26th - Peirce Service Organization Meeting, 8:15am, Fieldhouse
26th - Parent Basketball League, 6:00pm
27th - 48th Ward Clean & Green Day
28th - Peirce Day at Hopleaf - 100% of all sales go to benefit Peirce
May 2019
Teacher Appreciation Week May 6th-10th
2nd - Student of the Month, 8:15am
3rd - Parent Advisory Council Meeting, 8:15am, Fieldhouse
3rd - Spring Concert, 9:30am & 1:30pm
3rd - Playworks Community Event, 3:30pm
3rd - Parent Basketball League, 6:00pm
8th-10th 7th/8th New York City Trip
10th - Bilingual Advisory Council Meeting, 8:15am, Fieldhouse
10th - Peirce Service Organization Meeting, 8:15am, Fieldhouse
10th - Parent Basketball League, 6:00pm
14th - Friends of Peirce Meeting, 6:30pm, Fieldhouse
16th - Local School Council Meeting, 6:00pm, Gymnatorium
17th - Progress Reports Distributed
17th - Move-A-Thon
17th - Parent Basketball League, 6:00pm
22nd - Kindergarten Arts Partnership Performance
23rd - Friends of Peirce Day at Dollop Diner
24th - Small Group Parent Tour, 8:15am
24th - Parent Basketball League, 6:00pm
27th - No School, Memorial Day
30th - Race & Culture Parent Resource Group Meeting, 8:15am, Fieldhouse
31st - Parent Volunteer Celebration, 8:15am
31st - Kindergarten Orientation, 9:15am
June 2019
5th - Student of the Month, 8:15am
6th - 3rd Grade Lookingglass Performance
6th - Box Tops Collected
7th - Peirce Service Organization Meeting, 8:15am, Fieldhouse
7th - Friends of Peirce Babysitting Night, 6:00pm
11th - Peirce Day @ Chipotle on Broadway
11th - Friends of Peirce Meeting, 6:30pm, Fieldhouse
13th - Local School Council Meeting, 6:00pm, Gymnatorium
14th - Parent Advisory Council Meeting, 8:15am, Fieldhouse
18th - 8th Grade Graduation, 8:30am
20th - Last Day of School & Report Cards Distributed
Key Contact List
Recurring Information
Student Fees - Pay Online/Tarifas para estudiantes - Pagar en línea
Las familias de Peirce ahora tienen la opción de pagar las cuotas de los estudiantes en línea haciendo clic aquí y luego seleccionando la opción de pago por única vez. Los honorarios son de $ 50 por estudiante o de $ 100 como máximo para 2 o más niños.
No Dogs (Pets) on School Grounds/ No perros (mascotas) en los terrenos de la escuela
Ayúdenos a crear un espacio seguro para nuestros estudiantes al entrar y salir del edificio; no se permiten perros ni mascotas en el recinto escolar.
Breakfast & Lunch Menus/Breakfast & Lunch Menus/Menús de desayuno y almuerzo
El menú de desayuno y almuerzo de CPS se puede encontrar aquí, se actualiza regularmente, así que por favor vuelva a visitarlo con frecuencia. Estos menús están sujetos a cambios. Además, consulte el sitio web de CPS Nutrition Services.
Daily Specials Rotation/Rotación de especiales diarios
Se puede acceder al programa de especiales aquí: esto indica la clase que tendrá su hijo cada día de la semana (Arte, Música, Danza, Educación Física, Español).
Parent-Student Handbook/Manual para padres y alumnos
El manual para padres y alumnos se puede encontrar aquí. Por favor revise para familiarizarse con las políticas y procedimientos de la escuela.
Student Code of Conduct/Código de Conducta Estudiantil
La Escuela Peirce utiliza Prácticas Restaurativas que están alineadas con el Código de Conducta Estudiantil de las Escuelas Públicas de Chicago. Esta guía proporciona información sobre cómo se admite el comportamiento de los estudiantes en CPS. Haga clic aquí para acceder al Código de Conducta Estudiantil. Cualquier pregunta relacionada con las Prácticas de Restauración o el Código de Conducta del Estudiante puede dirigirse a Shelton Jackson por correo electrónico sjackson143@cps.edu o por teléfono al 773-534-2440.
Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies
Email: lzaimi@cps.edu
Website: peirce.cps.edu
Location: 1423 W Bryn Mawr Chicago, IL
Phone: 773-534-2440
Facebook: facebook.com/peircecps