PMSA Weekly Update
November 21, 2023
Greetings PMSA Students and Families,
We had a great turnout at Thursday evening's Parent/Teacher conferences. Almost 300 families were in attendance to meet their child's teachers and receive feedback about ways to support them as we move further into the semester. Along with report card pickup, parents received a copy of their child's STAR Reading and Math score reports from the Fall testing administration. The reports show a colored bar graph with five performance levels. The goal is for students to be in the light green (met expectations) or dark green (exceeded expectations) for both Math and Reading. There are additional details on the reports that include specific skills within each subject along with a QR code that provides information on how to interpret the scores.
Mr. Bokar
Q: How long have you been a teacher at PMSA?
A: This is my 3rd year at PMSA! I taught for 13 years in Chicago Public Schools on the west side and then took my talents down Roosevelt Road in 2022. It’s great to be here on the other side of the big city limits.
Q: What classes do you teach/have you taught at PMSA?
A: I teach AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, and IB Math AA Year 2. I have also taught Pre-Calculus Honors. It’s super cool how many college level mathematics options we have for our students here!
Q: What activities/sports have you sponsored?
A: I am the Class of ’24 sponsor! Shoutout to my seniors! I’m the luckiest guy because I’ve been blessed with an amazing group of students who are planning an awesome prom and I just sign documents for fundraisers and supplies.
Q: What do you love most about teaching here at PMSA?
A: It’s legit hard to put into words how fun it is to work with such collaborative students on crazy difficult math topics daily. If you walk into my classroom at any point, you will see students problem-solving together on mathematics that will prepare them for a variety of majors and careers in the STEM field. I have a great gig and it’s enjoyable to be at school.
Q: What has been your most memorable moment while teaching here at PMSA?
A: A student last year thought it was a great idea to challenge me to a dance competition at an assembly. Let’s just say it ended badly for them. These old knees can still bop.
Q: What is an interesting fact (s) that many do not know about you?
A: I get asked “Do you know you walk on your toes?” a lot as if I’m not really self-aware that I’ve walked on my toes my entire life. So, most folks are not aware that I’m very aware of how goofy I look walking the PMSA hallways, thanks!
Q: What book (s) are you currently reading?
A: I have an amazing 4-year-old daughter named Fiona who I read 2-3 picture books to a night. The last time I read a book without pictures was 4 years ago. I now am disgusted when a book doesn’t rhyme.
Q: Is there anything that you would like to tell the school community?
A: My first name is Mike and I like to bike. The bike part would be true even if it didn’t rhyme with my first name.
Luke Voegtle
Luke Voegtle is a junior at PMSA. He was on the tech crew for two years and on the Proviso East Volleyball team. He is working to bring back the Economics Club at PMSA.
Q: What is your most memorable moment as a student at PMSA?
A: Supporting the teachers during the teachers' strike. All of the students came together to support our teachers.
Q: What do you love most about PMSA?
A: I love the different viewpoints and cultures of the students. We are exposed to everyone from all different backgrounds.
Q: What are your plans post high school?
A: I plan to attend college. I want to get a bachelors in math or business. I want to eventually move on and get my MBA.
Q: What is your number 1 college choice?
A: The University of Michigan.
Q: What is your favorite subject(s)?
A: Math (Calculus)
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: Eleven Rings by Phil Jackson.
Q: What is something interesting about yourself that you want to share with the PMSA school community?
A: I like when people are open-minded. Everyone should be open and inclusive.
Shakespeare Theatre Field Trip
Mr. Rutstein accompanied his students to attend the play Twelfth Night at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. All PMSA students study Shakespeare in their IH freshman and sophomore English classes, and those who take IB Language and Literature will continue their Shakespeare studies in Year 1 of the Diploma Programme.
Monday:
Multicultural Club (214)- 3:30-4:30
Key Club (425)- 3:30-4:30
Genealogy Club (407)- 3:30-4:30
Yearbook Club (424)- 3:30-4:30
Tuesday:
Culinary Club (322)- 3:30-4:30
Black Student Union (307)- 3:30-4:30
Student Council (400)- 3:30-4:30
Art Club (504)- 3:30-4:30
Astronomy Club (409)- 6:45-7:30 am
Intramurals (Wellness Area)- 3:30-4:30
Robotics (Proviso West Manufacturing Lab)- 3:30-5:00
Wednesday:
Newspaper Club (316)- 3:30-4:30
Girl's League Club (217)- 3:30-4:30
Class of 2026 (210)- 3:30-4:30
Class of 2024 (421)- 3:30-4:30
Class of 2027 (400)- 3:30-4:30
Mental Health Club (213)- 3:30-4:30
Self-Defense (Multi-Purpose Room) - 3:30-3:50
Taikwondo (Multi-Purpose Room) - 3:30-3:50
Art Club (504)- 3:30-4:30
Chess Club (427)- 3:30-4:30
Thursday:
Gospel Choir (008)- 3:30-4:30
Class of 2025 (213)- 3:30-4:30
SASS (323)- 3:30-4:30
Video Gamer Club (306)- 03:30-4:30
Intramurals (Wellness Area)- 3:30-4:30
Robotics (507)- 3:30-5:00
MESSAGE FROM PMSA PTO
Our goal this year is grow our membership. By growing in numbers, forming committees, and planning events at our school, we can accomplish so much more to make PMSA great for our students.
This year we are asking for a $10 dollar membership fee per family. We are hoping to also collect an ADDITIONAL $10 fee for fundraising to allow us to do events, activities, and support our students and teachers without having to hold a formal fundraiser.
It’s not too late to sign up to be a member, pay your dues and participate. This year we are holding a raffle for membership.
If you have already filled out our membership form and paid dues for the 2023-24 school year, we thank you. If you have not, please see below.
To officially join the PTO for the 2023-24 school year, please click on this link to sign up: https://form.jotform.com/232345952911154
To pay your dues you can use Zelle (thepmsapto209@gmail.com), OR bring a Check (PMSA PTO) or cash to a meeting.
Our PTO Treasurer spot is OPEN. Please contact us if you would be interested in taking over the duties of treasurer for our PTO. We are so grateful for Ms. Chris Serrano for serving as our treasurer for the last year.
Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the first Wednesday of the month this year for our PTO meetings. All meetings will be held in person and virtually on Microsoft TEAMS. The remaining dates are as follows: December 6, 2023, January 10, 2024, February 7, 2024, March 6, 2024, April 3, 2024, and May 1, 2024. Any questions? Thepmsapto209@gmail.com or text President Anissa Butler at 630-240-2191.
Thanks for your support,
Anissa Butler, Maria Barba, Chris Serrano, and Kathleen Franzwa
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.
