Peirce School Family Newsletter
May 2018
Principal's Message
Greetings Peirce Families,
Hopleaf hosted another successful fundraiser for Peirce on Sunday, April 29th with $20,898 raised for Peirce School! We are very grateful for the support of Michael Roper and Louise Molnar - long time supporters of Peirce School. Money raised goes directly back to our work with students in the arts, sports, technology and more!
Spring is a busy time for us at Peirce! The end of the year also means that we begin planning for next school year. On May 2nd at 5:30pm there will be a special LSC Meeting to vote on the school budget and school improvement plan. The school improvement plan is used to determine budget allocations.
The three areas of focus in our school improvement plan for the 2018-2020 school year are:
- Instruction: delivering high quality instruction for all learners
- Multi-Tiered Systems of Support: ensuring academic and behavioral supports are in place for all students, along with appropriate tools to monitor progress
- Restorative Approaches to Discipline: implementation and monitoring of school-wide social emotional learning and community building through second step, the IB learner profile and restorative practices.
Budget Updates
While we received no reductions in school funding for the 2018-2019 school year, we also are operating under a very tight budget. We received an additional $160,000 in revenue, but anticipate having an additional 40 students in the building next school year which leaves minimal funds to do anything additional with. Note the following updates:
- Increase of 1 homeroom in middle school
- Specials Classes will allow for a similar program to this year - students will continue to have access to Spanish, Music, Art, Dance and PE. We are also looking to have an elective model in middle school for arts based classes where students can focus on 1 content for a longer period of time.
- Special Education Services remain in tact (12 teachers and 11 Special Education Classroom Assistants)
Please reach out if you have any questions.
Happy Spring!
Lori Zaimi
Principal
Teacher Appreciation Week!
In addition, the Peirce Service Organization is hosting a breakfast on Tuesday, May 8th and are seeking donations, consider signing up here.
Supportive Schools Certificate
The picture above shows staff participating in a Talking Circle, Talking Circles are being used in some classrooms to help develop community. Over the next two years, all classrooms will be using talking circles as one form of building a positive and supportive school culture.
Magnet Schools Tour of America
Makers Space Update
Attendance Update!
MAP Testing
3rd, 6th, 7th & 8th grades will test the week of May 22nd
5th grade will test the week of May 29th
2nd & 4th Grades will test the week of June 5th
We All Live Here Project
Parent Volunteer Celebration
Playworks Parent-Student-Staff Kickball Game
Join us Friday May 4th after school (3-5pm) for Playworks Student/Staff/Parent Kickball game! We hope to see many families there to cheer on both teams!
Progress Reports
Now Enrolling!
Kindergarten-8th Grade
Spread the word - we are now enrolling for next school year! Encourage any family that you know of in the neighborhood to begin the registration process. More information can be found on the school website by visiting here.Pre-Kindergarten
There pre-school application is now live and can be found by visiting chicagoearlylearning.org more information can also be found by visiting here.
Kindergarten Orientation - for new families
KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION - 6/1/18
We invite all parents and guardians of incoming Kindergarten students for the 2018-2019 school year to attend our K indergarten Orientation. The meeting will provide an opportunity for you to learn about the Kindergarten program, meet the teachers and current parents, ask questions, and connect with other incoming Kindergarten parents.
Date: Friday, June 1st, 2018
Time: 9:15 a.m.
RSVP to: bmfabianski@cps.edu
Kindergarten Playdates!
Get to know other incoming Peirce families. Join us for Kindergarten playdates on the Peirce playground.
Sunday, July 29 from 10 a.m. - .12 p.m.
Sunday, August 5 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Saturday, August 18 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Thursday, August 23 from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
2018-2019 Classroom Placements
Friends of Peirce Upcoming Events
Friends of Peirce has several upcoming events, please note the following ways to help raise funds for Peirce Programs such as Arts Partners, Technology, Sports, Field Trip Subsidies, Teacher Stipends and more!
Mattress Sale - May 5th
If you are in the market for a new mattress, join Friends of Peirce on Saturday May 5th from 10am-5pm in the Peirce lunchroom to view top brand name mattresses. A portion of all sales will go back to Peirce School. Delivery is available for all mattress purchases.
Move-A-Thon - May 18th
Move-A-Thon is Friday, May 18th and student fundraising packets have been sent home. Please encourage students to collect pledges from family and friends. This fundraiser is one of the few that are student-led and an opportunity for Peirce Students to give back to Peirce programs! More information can be found here.
Spring Fundraiser - Rock Out! May 19th
ROCK OUT is the spring event that you will not want to miss! Visit the Rock Out for Peirce site and purchase tickets here!. Rock Out will be held on May 19th from 7-10 pm at Fat Cat Chicago. The event will feature appetizers by Fat Cat, an open bar, an auction and raffle as well as a rockin' good time!
Local School Council Elections
Parent Representatives
John Azpeitia
Carl Coates
Joe Dunne
Eilene Edejer
Gina Eshu
Bill Kennedy
Community Representatives
Ariadna Ginez
Aisha Noble
Teacher Representatives
Geri Baumgarten
Evan Trad
Shelton Jackson (Non-teaching staff)
May 2018
****Teacher Appreciation Week May 7-11****
May 2 - LSC Special Meeting (Budget & CIWP), 5:30pm
May 2 - We All Live Here Project Presentations to K-8 students
May 4 - PAC & BAC Meetings, 8:15am, FieldhouseMay 4 - Parent-Teacher-Student Kickball Game, Organized by Playworks, 3pm
May 5 - Friends of Peirce Mattress Fundraiser, Lunchroom, 10am-5pm
May 8 - Teacher Appreciation Breakfast sponsored by PSO
May 8 - Friends of Peirce Meeting, 6:30pm, Fieldhouse
May 9-11 - 7th/8th Washington D.C. Trip
May 11 - Peirce Service Organization Meeting, 8:00am, Fieldhouse
May 17 - Local School Council Meeting, 6:00pm, Gymnatorium
May 18 - Move-A-Thon
May 18 - Progress Reports Distributed
May 19 - Friends of Peirce Fundraiser, "Rock Out" @ Fat Cat
May 22 - Social Emotional Learning Site Visit (Supportive Schools Certificate)
May 23 - 6th/7th Parent Travel Meeting re: next years trip to New York or DC
May 28 - No School, Memorial Day
May 31 - Algebra Exit Exam
June 2018
Jun 1 - New Kindergarten Parent Orientation, 9:15am, Gymnatorium
Jun 5 - Box Tops Collected
Jun 6 - Student of the Month, 8:15am
Jun 6 - 5th Grade PYP Exhibition
Jun 8 - PAC & BAC Meetings, 8:15am, Fieldhouse
Jun 12 - Friends of Peirce Meeting, 6:30pm, Fieldhouse
Jun 14 - 8th Grade Graduation @ Senn HS
Jun 14 - Local School Council Meeting, 6:00pm, Gymnatorium
Jun 15 - 5th to 6th Parent-Student transition meeting, more information to come
Jun 15 - Peirce Service Organization Meeting, 8:00am, Fieldhouse
Jun 15 - Kindergarten Sign, 9:00am
Jun 15 - 5th to 6th grade transition, Step up to MYP, 1:00pm (Parents and Students)
Jun 19 - Last Day of School, Report Cards Distributed
Save the Date!
August 24th - Classroom Placements updated in Parent Portal (still tentative)
August 30th - Back to School Meet the teacher/drop off supplies from 3:00 - 4:00pm, PSO Picnic from 4:00 - 6:00pm
August 30th - New Family Orientation, 3:00pm (If Kindergarten families missed the June 1st session, this is an opportunity to have a condensed version, and new families to grades other than Kindergarten are welcome to attend)
September 4th - First Day of School for the 2018-2019 School Year!
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