PMSA Python Press
December 8, 2024
Greetings PMSA!
We are one full week out until the last week of Semester 1. Students and Staff are wrapping up instructional content from second quarter, and some classes have even begun reviewing material for Final Exams - which are Wed-Fri, Dec 18-20. The official Final Exam schedule will be emailed to all families and posted to the PMSA website at the end of this week. There will be bus transportation on each day of Final Exams. This is the last full week of after-school tutoring, and next Saturday, Dec. 16, is our last Saturday School Tutoring Session in the library from 8am-12pm before Exams. Please encourage your student to attend any/all of these free resource opportunities.
Although everyone is looking ahead to Winter Break, there is still a lot to be done and a lot to be celebrated before we depart. On Wednesday of this week, our Counseling/Academic Advising Team will be meeting with our Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors in the Auditorium to go over SY25-26 courses – in particular, AP, IB, and elective options. This is an important frontloading step before students begin selecting their courses for next school year. The following day, each Counselor will push into our Wellness classes to work in a smaller setting so that they can guide students through the preliminary Power School course request process. We want to thank those who will be leading this charge: Ms. Jarmoc; Ms. Mejstrik; Ms. Paprocki; Ms. Paulus; and Mr. Weres.
Parents, please note that on Thursday, Jan 9 @ 5:30pm, there will be an information night on Advanced Placement (AP) classes and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBPD). Since junior year is when the bulk of AP courses open up and when the two-year IBDP begins, the program will be most relevant for current sophomores (also referred to as rising juniors), although parents with students in any grade level are welcome to attend. It is our intention to ensure that students and their parents are armed with as much information as possible so that a student’s course selection for SY25-26 is one that has collective input by the counselor/academic advisor, current teachers, and the student’s family. This is part of setting our Python scholars for success!
In terms of celebrating, what better way to head to wrap up first semester and head into Winter Break than with some joyful music from our Performing Arts Department? This week, our PMSA Winter Band Concert will be on Wednesday, Dec. 11 from 6:30-7:30pm. The following evening on Dec. 12, our PMSA Winter Chorus Concert will take place during the same time slot. Get ready to clap, tap your feet, and/or sing along. Put some hot cocoa in a thermos and make your way to our auditorium for back-to-back evenings of festive fun!
Even better, come to PMSA early on Dec. 12 for the annual Taste of PMSA, where several of our student clubs sell various food items in the cafeteria beginning at 3:30pm and running all the way until 6pm. There will be plenty of variety to suit all taste buds, so why not have dinner at school and then head right to the Chorus concert? If the evening does not work with your schedule, the Band will be performing again on Sunday, Dec. 15 at a Toys for Tots Community Service Event in Villa Park.
Also in this issue, there are more important dates to be mindful of, including a Parent & Community Social with our new visionary and District 209 Leader, Superintendent Krish Mohip, on Monday, Dec. 16. The following evening, 12/17, is an Open House for incoming freshmen (current 8th graders) about the Math and Science Application and Admissions process, which is currently underway. And on Wed. 12/18, our PTO & PAC are hosting a Holiday Social for all PMSA families. Details for all of these events are included below!
Wishing you all a warm week, and I hope to see you at school over the next two weeks at some of our extra-curricular events!
Principal Chiganos
Mr. Porter
Mr. Porter is a Science teacher who recently joined the PMSA faculty. He previously had been teaching high school Biology in CPS for six years. Since his arrival, he has hit the ground running with the support of his mentor teacher Ms. Huels and his fellow partner in "crime scenes", Forensics teacher Dr. Wardisiani.
A: I am completing my second week as a teacher at PMSA.
Q: Classes/grade levels that you have taught while at PMSA?
A: IH Biology to Juniors and IH Forensic Science to Seniors.
Q: What activities and/or sports/clubs do you sponsor?
A: None at this time, but I want to in the future.
Q: What do you love most about teaching here at PMSA?
A: Both the staff and the students have been very accommodating and helpful as I have started my new position.
Q: What is your most memorable moment while teaching here at PMSA?
A: So far, I have enjoyed the fitness experience during my first PLC.
Q: What is an interesting fact(s) that many do not know about you?
A: I can speak some French.
Q: What book(s) are you currently reading for pleasure?
A: I am just about to finish 1356 which is an historical fiction about the Battle of Poitiers during the Hundred Years War.
Q: Anything else you would like to tell the school community about yourself?
A: I want to start a rugby team and need student interest in order to do so.
Ericka Jones
Ericka Jones is a junior at PMSA. She participates in PMSA's Intramurals Club and Art Club. Outside of PMSA, she is a member of Accolade where she has an upcoming Cotillion. As a member of this organization, she has participated in several community service activities. Ericka does all of this while maintaining a 4.4 GPA!
Q: What is your most memorable moment as a student at PMSA?
A: Getting a 4 on the AP Government exam!
Q: What do you love most about PMSA?
A: Meeting new friends and my teachers. They are very friendly and easy to talk to.
Q: What are your plans post high school?
A: I plan to attend college at a four-year university.
Q: What is your number 1 college choice?
A: Illinois State University. I would love to study in the field of Art.
Q: What is your favorite subject(s)
A: History.
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.
Q: What is something interesting about yourself that you want to share with the PMSA school community?
A: I love fashion! My sense of style is a way for me to show off my personality.
MONDAY
- Black Student Union (Multi-Purpose Room) 3:30-4:30
- Medical Club (422) 3:30-4:30
- Multicultural Club (214) 3:30-4:30
- Student Council (400) 3:30-4:30
- Theology Club (507) 3:30-4:30
- Yearbook Club (305) 3:30-4:30
TUESDAY
- Art Club (504) 3:30-4:30
- Chess Club (500) 3:30-4:30
- Debate Club (Library) 3:30-4:30
- Intramurals (Wellness Area) 3:30-4:30
- Math Team (418) 3:30-4:30
- Robotics (507) 3:30-4:30
- World Language NHS (211) 3:30-4:30
WEDNESDAY
- Bible Club (005) 3:30-4:30 - Every other Wednesday
- Class2025 (College & Career Center) 3:30-4:30
- Class of 2026 (211)- 3:30-4:30
- Class of 2027 (400)- 3:30-4:30
- Culinary Club (Cafeteria) 3:30-4:30
- Girl's League Club (217) 3:30-4:30
- Key Club (2nd Floor Wellness Area)-3:30-4:30 - every other Wednesday
- Self Defense (Multi-Purpose Room) 3:30-4:30
- The Voice - Newspaper Club (316) 3:30-4:30
THURSDAY
- Chess (500) 3:30-4:30
- Fantasy Gamers (307) 3:30-4:30
- Gamers (401) 3:30-4:30
- Intramurals (Wellness Area) 3:30-4:30
- Mental Health (200) 3:30-4:30
- Raza Unidos (213) 3:30-4:30
- Robotics (507) 3:30-4:30
FRIDAY
- AcaPythons & Gospel Choir (008) 3:30-4:30
- Astronomy Club (409) 7:00-7:45am
The PMSA PTO is a volunteer organization of parents and teachers that strives to make a positive impact in our school for our students.
HOLIDAY SOCIAL: Please join us this month for our Holiday Social on Wednesday, December 18, from 6 PM to 8 PM. See flyer below for details.
RSVP here:
MEMBERSHIP: Please see attached jot form to sign your family up now.
https://www.jotform.com/form/242517206936155
Our monthly membership meetings are optional but encouraged. (Offering both an online option and in person at the school.)
DUES: Your membership fees help support a variety of non-funded school activities and programs for our children. Membership fees for each PMSA family is $10 each school year. An additional $10 is suggested as a fundraising fee. Cash, check (PMSA PTO), Zelle (thepmsapto209@gmail.com) can be used.
LEADERSHIP ROLES: We need your help. The Vice President position and committee chair volunteers are needed for this school year! Interested in getting more involved in our PTO? Please let reach out and let us know if you think you have the time and talents to get more involved. Thepmsatpo209@gmail.com
YARD SIGNS: We officially launched our PTO Yard Sign Fundraiser last spring, and it was highly successful. One of our goals as a Parent Teacher Organization is to increase school pride in our communities. We hope that the yard sign project helps us achieve this goal, as well as serve as a fundraiser for future projects for our school. Yard signs are 20 dollars apiece and can be delivered to your home or picked up at our next PTO meeting. If you are interested, please fill out the google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGpFlD2heUgdQoTjVD9rblWGfMaf3NvR_eKGAtilkhhN71LA/viewform.
Payment must be received before sign delivery. Cash, check (made out to The PMSA PTO), or Zelle (thepmsapto209@gmail.com) are accepted. You are NOT required to join the PTO in order to purchase a sign.
MONTHY MEETINGS: The PMSA PTO will be holding their monthly meeting the THIRD Wednesday evening of each month at 6:30 PM at the PMSA Library Resource Center. (Please note that in lieu of the December meeting, we will have an in-person holiday event) (See attached graphic for all meeting dates). Can’t meet in person? Join us remotely on ZOOM.
Any questions? Thepmsapto209@gmail.com or text President Anissa Butler at 630-240-2191.
PMSA Club and Activity Bus
Arrives at PMSA at 4:45 pm
Departs PMSA at 5:00 pm
The activity bus will drop the students off at their bus stop location.
It is important that all students know their bus stop location and that they share it with the bus driver.
Click the button below and visit the Proviso Transportation page to find your bus stop location.
