Peirce School Family Newsletter

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November 1, 2016

Greetings Peirce Families,

This school year our we have two major milestones in our work within the IB Program. Our Primary Years Program is going through the final stages of the authorization process - our application has been submitted and we will have a site visit in the Spring - we expect to be fully authorized in the Primary Years Program before the 2017-2018 school year. Our Middle Years Program is undergoing the self-evaluation process - this is a self study process designed to evaluate our progress in implementing the MYP and develop an action plan for growth.

This year, alongside of our Parent Advisory Council (PAC) we are hosting a series of parent workshops and IB Behind the scenes tours as an opportunity to engage our parent community in understanding the IB Program and our students experience(s) in IB along with how to support children at home. Our first round of workshops will focus on PK-5th grades, with each meeting having a classroom visit for parents alongside of information on IB and an action plan to support learning at home. Please note the following dates & times:

Pre-K - November 16th, 8:00 - 9:15am (AM Group), 12:30 - 1:45pm (PM Group)

Kindergarten - TBA

1st Grade - November 7th, 9:15 - 10:45am

2nd Grade - November 17th, 12:30 - 1:45pm

3rd Grade - November 3rd, 8:30 - 9:45am

4th Grade - December 5th, 8:15 - 9:30am

5th Grade - November 1st, 1:45 - 3:00pm

The month of October was a busy one, below are a few of the highlights:

• Peirce School is now Level 1+, we achieved the highest rating on the CPS rating policy. We made significant growth in Reading & Math and are excited to continue that growth throughout this school year. Be sure to congratulate your child’s classroom teacher on their hard work in supporting each of our students.

• Our 6th-8th grade students participated in a high school fair at Senn High School - I encourage all Peirce families to consider Senn as a school of choice after graduating from Peirce - Senn has both an exemplary Fine & Performing Arts Program along with an MYP and Diploma IB Program - all of which develop students to be college ready.

• 10 students on our cross country team advanced to the City Finals - Congratulations! Our Flag Football, Soccer & Girls Volleyball teams are wrapping up their seasons with playoffs in sight for a few teams.

• Our Middle School Debate team began participation in the citywide debate league, good luck to our students as they continue to grow and develop while also advancing into a higher competition category!

• We hosted a series of parent meetings ranging from informational sessions on our Behavioral Health Team & Restorative Approaches to discipline along with Coffee with the Principal - we will continue with parent education around IB & Restorative Approaches to Discipline throughout the year, sponsored by the Parent Advisory Council.

• After School All Stars began with over 500 students enrolled in programs Monday-Friday!

• Literacy Night was a huge success as Peirce Families engaged in a series of activities related to literacy - thank you to all of the parents and teachers who made this event possible.

• Thank you to our Garden Volunteers who helped with our final harvest and putting the garden to rest for the winter.

• Our 4th grade students began their work with Barrel of Monkeys - their arts partner for this school year - this project will run through December with a final performance in January.

• For the first time, 7th & 8th grade students have been invited to attend a trip to Washington DC - our goal is to offer this trip every year - rotating locations between New York & DC. Students will begin fundraising shortly - be on the lookout for more information. If you are interested in making a cash donation to support the students fundraising please write a check to Peire School with “Washington DC” in the memo line.

Each month a separate communication will go home which gives updated information on our IB program - this along with teachers classroom websites/newsletters are intended to give an inside look to the learning happening at school. To visit the last edition, click here. The next edition will be out shortly.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016 is “Conference Day” for all Chicago Public Elementary Schools. There is no school for students on this day.

Report cards will be distributed in two conference sessions. The first session will last from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and the second session is from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 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. Families are welcome to come in at the time of your choice, no RSVP is needed this year.

Parents who are unable to attend either of these two sessions on this day are asked to come to the main office any morning after November 9th to receive the report card, it is also highly encouraged that an alternate conference be scheduled between the parent and teacher.

All students in Kindergarten-5th grade will participate in a student-led conferences and 6th-8th grade students and parents will have a chance to meet with the team of teachers by signing up for appointments upon arrival at the school.

Student Led Conferences are designed so that conversations are focused on student growth, successes and goals. In order for this day to run smoothly, you will have the following responsibilities:

1. Bring your child with you on Student Led Conference Day.

2. Give yourself and your child at least 20 minutes for the conference.

3. Work with your child to complete the Parent/Student Reflection Form after the conference.

Your child’s teacher will be available during the conference if you have any further questions regarding his/her progress.

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Possible Questions to ask your child during Student- Led Conferences:

1. What did you learn during your inquiry unit?

2. What was your unit about?

3. Why did you choose to share this piece of work?

4. What does your work show that you can do?

5. What does your work show you still need to work on?

6. What can you do at home to help you do better?

7. What can you do at school to help you do better?

Help spread the word to prospective families - our annual large school open house and tour will take place on Thursday, November 10th at 8:15am in the gymnatorium. This is an opportunity for incoming families to learn more about Peirce while also touring the school.

Thank you to Clark/Devon Hardware for donating all materials towards the garbage can renovation project. Also, a huge thank you to Laura Meyer, Pegeen McGhan, Lupe Garcia & Molly Roudebush for their work in sanding & painting the cans.

Parents - please remind your children to throw garbage away, it is up to all of us to keep the playground clean.

Be sure to visit Hopleaf (5148 N Clark) and purchase a drink from the Kegs for Kids menu - 100% of the cost of each drink goes to support Peirce School.

Giordano’s Pizza (5207 N Clark) is giving Peirce 15% of all proceeds raised during the Peirce Nights - upcoming dates are November 3rd for 1st & 5th grades and November 10th for 2nd-4th grades. Flyers will be coming home and must be presented at the time of purchase.

All money raised goes towards Arts Partnerships, Sports, After School Programs, Teacher Stipends, Garden & Technology.

Peirce’s attendance is 1.5% points lower than last year - please help us keep our attendance rate over 96% which gives us all points on our school rating policy. We have a classroom attendance incentive going right now - for every 10 non-consecutive days of perfect attendance at the classroom level, classrooms will receive an additional recess period. Be sure to have children at school daily and on time, but please keep children home when they are running a fever/are contagious to the school environment.

This school year we have seen a higher number of lice cases being reported to the school - please make sure to check your child’s head regularly and treat for lice when found. Also please notify your child's classroom teacher and the main office when a case of lice has been found so that we can notify families promptly, reducing the opportunity to spread.

Box tops are collected on a regular basis and bring in additional dollars to the school - please save box tops throughout the year and turn in during the box tops collection time periods.

If you were not satisfied with your child's classroom picture, retakes will be on November 14th.

Be sure to “like” us on Facebook - Helen C Peirce School of International Studies is Peirce’s official Facebook Site. In addition, the “Peirce School PSO” has a site along with a closed group “Parents of Peirce” there is a lot of information shared on all 3 sites and are great opportunities to share and receive information along with networking with other parents.

Follow us on Instagram at peircecps.

November

1st Pulitzer Speaker for students in MYP

Girls Volleyball Game @ Peirce, 4:30pm

2nd 6th Grade Indiana Dunes Parent Informational Meeting, 5:45pm

3rd End of the 1st Quarter

4:30pm Girls Volleyball Game @ Peirce, 4:30pm

4th No School - Professional Development Day

7th-10th Scholastic Book Fair

8th Election Day

Friends of Peirce Meeting, 6:30pm, Fieldhouse

9th No School - Report Card Day/Student-Led Conferences

10th End of Quarter Learning Celebrations

School Tour & Open House for prospective families, 8:15am

Student Council Pinning Ceremony, 5:00pm

11th No School - Veterans Day

14th Picture Re-Takes

16th 5th Grade Musical, 6:00pm

17th 5th Grade Musical, 9:30am & 1:30pm

Peirce Service Organization Meeting, 8:15am

Local School Council Meeting, 6:00pm

18th Parent Advisory Council Meeting, 8:15am, Fieldhouse

23rd-25th No School, Thanksgiving Break

December

1st No After School All Stars Programs - Teacher PD after school

3:30pm 48th Ward Holiday Celebration

9th Parent Advisory Council Meeting, 8:15am, Fieldhouse

12th MAP Testing Begins, More information to come

13th Friends of Peirce Meeting, 6:30pm, Fieldhouse

15th Box Tops Collection

Local School Council Meeting, 6:00pm

16th Peirce Service Organization Meeting (PSO), 8:15am, Fieldhouse

19th-23rd Classroom Spelling Bees

22nd Winter Concert, 9:30am & 1:30pm

December 26th-January 6th - Winter Break

*Please visit our school calendar on the Peirce website for more events happening throughout the year - please note that some dates/events might change throughout the school year.

Email: lzaimi@cps.edu
Website: peirce.cps.k12.il.us
Location: 1423 W Bryn Mawr Chicago, IL
Phone: 773-534-2440
Facebook: facebook.com/peircecps