Parent Volunteers Needed for Prospective Parent Open House

Please help us greet and present Peirce to fellow parents & neighbors who are interested in our school.

Peirce's Fall Open House is Tues. Nov. 8th , 9:15 am.      


We are in need of:


Greeters to welcome and guide visitors to the gym (9:00 am - 9:30ish)
Tour Guides to accompany visitors on the building tour (10 am - 11 am-ish)
Folder Stuffers to put together info packets (Monday Nov. 7th 1:30 pm - dismissal)
Parent Statement to provide a "2-minute elevator speech" at the top of the program (approx. 9:30 am)
Post Flyers if you have a favorite local bulletin board (physical or electronic) 


To help with any of the above, please contact Kathryn (kahitow@hotmail.com or 773.944.5761)


Thank you to the parents who have already offered assistance.  We hope to show-off our school, students & faculty as they deserve to be shown!  

Parent Volunteers Needed for Middle School Learning Celebration - Wed. Nov. 9th

Volunteers Needed!

First Quarter Learning Celebration:  Team Building

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Sessions at: 9:00-10:30; 10:20-11:40; 12:15-1:35 

For the Team Building Learning Celebration we need help with setting up "The Biggest Board Game Ever," leading student teams, judging the Alphabet Assembly, and running games in the Math Olympics. 

It's a fun day for students and adults!  We need 10 volunteers at each of the three sessions. 

You are welcome to sign-up for one or stick around for all three. 

If you are interested please contact Ms. Foss at jafoss@cps.edu or 773-534-2564.

MPTSO at Night ! Meeting Reminder - Thurs. Nov. 3rd, 6:30 pm

 Reminder - This month's parent organization (MPTSO) meeting is held at night.

MPTSO will hold their November meeting at 6:00 pm on Thursday November 3rd in the Peirce Fieldhouse.

Please join us... we will report on ongoing projects (Childcare Co-op, Room Parents & Student Directory, Peirce Apparel) & also review past/current/upcoming events (Walk A Thon, Open House, RAVEN Theatre Benefit & Faculty/Staff Luncheon).

If you are interested in supporting efforts on any of the these causes, please join us.  Also scheduled, will be the Principal report that will provide information from our Administrators concerning all-things Peirce.

Spanish translation is provided, a playroom is available within the fieldhouse for playtime.  Encourage your fellow parents to join us !

Fun under the 'chute at Walk A Thon

Two friends at Walk A Thon.

Parents Vie for the Open Parent Seat on the LSC

Peirce's Local School Council (LSC) filled the vacant parent seat during the Oct. 27th meeting.  Six parent candidates presented themselves, to the council, in hopes of being selected to fill the remaining 7 months of a 2-year term.


Beth Tenney, parent of 3rd & 7th grade students, was chosen.  Peirce Post salutes Beth and the LSC members for their contributions & efforts on behalf of Peirce.


Post Post would also like extend its appreciation to the candidates - Jack Dogs, Jeff Korte, Beth Mroz, Lucretia Platt, & Max Weinberg - Peirce is fortunate to have dedicated parents who are interested in participating on the LSC.  Thank you for your candidacy!


To all Peirce parents, there will be LSC elections held Spring 2012 for the next council.  Please watch backpacks for information sent home regarding candidacies and/or voting.   

Prospective Parent Open House - Tues. Nov. 8th

Peirce School is holding a Prospective Parent Open House                                          

Date: Tues. Nov. 8th

Time: 9:15 a.m.

Location : Peirce School, 1423 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

Come meet our parents, teachers, principal and learn about our PK -8th grade offerings.

Parents will hear a presentation that details curriculum, enrichment activities, parent organizations, and our new IB (International Baccalaureate) Candidate status; followed by a building tour with current parents.

Please RSVP to 773.534.2440.

(Please forward to your neighbors, friends, block clubs & community boards.)

Sun and Smiles and Great Strides: Peirce Walk-a-Thon

Mrs. Fitzgerald leads her Kg class around the bend during the Annual Peirce Walk-a-Thon Fundraiser.

Peirce Soccer Goes to City Wide Final 8

 

5th and 6th grade Peirce boys soccer team continue to move through the playoffs!  They defeated the Field Bulldogs in a shoot-out 4-3 on Tuesday 10/18.  They play in the Regional Finals tomorrow against Stone Elementary at 3:45 pm at Cricket Hill, between Wilson and Montrose at the lake.

If they win tomorrow, they will be in the final 8 city-wide!

Let's cheer them on!  Let's Go Panthers Let's Go!!!

Peirce Kg and Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm

A favorite Peirce kindergarten field trip:  Goebbert's Farm

Peirce School Could Win a New Playground! Play Danimals Rally for Recess

Play for Your School/Danimals Rally for Recess – Visit www.rallyforrecess.com

Our school could win a $20,000 playground makeover and ultimate recess day!  All you have to do is purchase specially marked Dannon Danimal Yogurt products and get the code off of the cardboard container.

Or, better yet,  you can get a FREE CODE just by sending in a 3X5 card or paper with your date of birth and email address on it. Put it in an envelope & mail to: Dannon Danimals Rally for Recess Free Code  Request, PO Box 1941, Danbury, CT 06813-1941.

Limit one code request and must be sent in by 1/31/12 & received by 2/7/12.

Codes will be sent to your email address to be entered at www. rallyforrecess.com

Thanks and pass this onto your friends and family!

Cara Rudolph

Walk-A-Thon Rescheduled to Friday Due to Rain

"Houston, we have a problem."  All astronauts need the correct conditions on their outings.  "Mission control" has determined that the Peirce Walk-A-Thon will be held on the rainout date of Friday October 21st.  

This is a tough call to make as there are some impacts but for the enjoyment and safety of all students - the weather forecast for Friday contains sun & warmer temps.

• Pre-School students (AM & PM) are invited to join in the activities at 11 a.m. on Friday.  Pre-school students don't otherwise have class on that day.

• Parent Volunteers will be needed for Friday.  We have parents who can't commit to the rainout date of Friday.  Please check you calendars...and consider joining in the fun.  Contact Susan Christmas (susanxmas17@gmail.com) or Kate Merrill 773.480.6030. 

Thank you for all your support and pledge collection efforts. 

Peirce Panthers Run With Pride !

Last Thursday (10/13) may have been a little wet, as the Cross Country Meet for our Area was held at Amundsen H.S. but that didn't stop the Panthers from giving it their all!    Jasmine Smyles, Peirce 8th grader, won the Area event 2 weeks in-a-row.  Good luck to Jasmine as she represents Peirce in further competition!       

Peirce Panther Jasmine Smyles runs away with it.  Placing 1st in the Area, 2 weeks in a row.

Some Peirce Panther runners wait in the drizzle during the Area meet.

 You may have noticed our Cross Country runners taking practice laps around our campus in the afternoons.  Coach Dietz & Coach Roche have 39 runners in their pack representing grades 5 - 8.  Go Panthers!

Kailee Carro (l) and Sonia Wanberg (r)  sandwich a competitor.   

And the 7th/8th grade runners are off!

Thank you to Mrs. Wanberg and her team for the field reporting.

Step - Up for Peirce.... Volunteers Needed for the Walk-A-Thon

  

Peirce School MPTSO sponsors a Walk-A-Thon to help raise money for Peirce's Athletics program.   In the past, our Walk-A-Thon has been held in the Spring however; this year we are shifting the Walk to the Fall.  That way we can more clearly determine our funding levels for Athletics and we can balance our volunteer needs more evenly.  

Volunteers are needed throughout the day -

Thursday, October 20th 

Morning Session 9:00 am - 11:30 am

and/or

Afternoon Session 12:00 - 2:30 pm.

Assistance is needed to cheer the students on, support the Walk-A-Thon & fitness games, water & granola bar stations, set-up and clean-up.

Join fellow parents for a good cause.  

Lunch sandwiches are provided to those who stay through lunch.  Childcare will be provided in the fieldhouse for siblings.  (Thank you Ziehyun Huh, Heather Gregg & Yazulin Lima)  

Please contact Susan Christmas at Susanxmas17@gmail.com

Thank you  for your support    - 

Kate Merrill , Walk A Thon Chair

Principal Mendez Thanks Parents & Supporters !

Dear Parents, Friends, and Community Members,

I would like to extend a most heartfelt and cordial thank you to each of you for your hard work and dedication to the success of our fall fundraiser, Kegs for Kids.  There are simply not enough words to express my deep gratitude for your positive commitment to this enormous endeavor.

A picture is worth a thousand words.  A quick look around the room [Saturday] spoke volumes to the sense of community and pride for our school.  We, at Peirce, appreciate the continued support of our parents and community members.  Our school is a better place because of all of you!  Our students will have access to twenty first century learning tools as a result of your steadfast devotion and perseverance.  Truly, without the support of our parents and community members, we would never be able to achieve high test scores and promote the development of a well-rounded student body.  It really does take a village and we are proud to have all of you working with us to achieve our goals for academic excellence.

On behalf of our entire student body and teachers, I would like to thank you, once again, for the many hours of meetings, phone calls, emails, donations, and energy that each of you put forth for this extraordinary fundraising event.

With warm respect,

Nancy

Kegs 4 Kids is a Succe$$ - A Beertasting & a Science Lab too!

After many months of parental and business community effort - Friends of Peirce produced a successful 2nd annual Kegs for Kids Fall Fundraiser.  

Saturday October 8th was a night to celebrate as parents, neighbors, community members, elected representative & local businesses came out in support of Peirce School.  

As part of a wonderful evening filled with beer tastings, silent auctions & never-ending food, we were all treated to a wonderful education-focused, student supportive announcement by Senator Heather Steans (IL St. Sen.), Rep. Kelly Cassidy (IL St. Rep.) & Ald. Harry Osterman.  They announced that Peirce is to be the recipient of a Capital Grant to build out Peirce's science lab.  

Expecting to cost around $75,000, our new Science Lab will be located in the new wing on the 3rd floor.  As part of the original building plans, this room was intended to become a fully appointed science lab but was never completed.  Ms. Mendez, since becoming principal, has made this "wishlist" item come true.  Congratulations Peirce & Ms. Mendez!   Look for future updates on our new Science Lab.

Also, Mr. Wanberg's blog has an entry & wonderful pics about the event.


Friends of Peirce (FOP) has posted pictures of the event here.

Meeting Announcement: Walk-A-Thon Planning Meeting

We will have a walkathon meeting Friday, Oct. 14th in the Fieldhouse at 10:00 a.m. 

If you are unable to attend but are interested in assisting the day of the walkathon, please let me know. Thanks!

Kate Merrill

Kateanddavemerrill@sbcglobal.net 

Meeting Announcement: Communications Committee

The Communications Committee will be having a meeting on Friday Oct. 14th at 9:15 a.m. in the Fieldhouse.  

Kate Merrill will be providing the agenda.  

If you are interested in the work of the Communications Committee, please stop by.  If you are unable to join, please contact Kate Merill - kateanddavemerrill@sbcglobal.net .

Peirce Panther Football Pulls Blaine's Flags

It was a beautiful Thursday afternoon, and a Peirce Parent (that would be your author), came upon an afternoon game of organized, inter-scholastic flag football between the Peirce Panthers and Blaine School.

Stopping for just a few minutes revealed a wonderful treat to a well-run, respectful game of flag football between these two teams.  Viewing 2 Panther touchdowns and a  spectacular Peirce interception made one think that the Panthers might be victorious.  Two days later, after tracking down Coach Parsons, it was confirmed - Peirce Panthers prevailed !  Well played team!  Go Panthers.

If anyone knows the schedule, please feel free to add it to the blog here.... we could all use a beautiful afternoon of respectfulness and touchdowns.

Taken with a cellphone, doesn't do the game justice.  Well played! 

Policy Forum on the New Curriculum Standards Coming to CPS....

You've heard of ISAT's and Illinois State Curriculum, right?  But there's something new on the educational curriculum horizon-Common Core State Standards - known as "Common Core" for short.     

The new CPS’ administration has embraced the Common Core as a reform centerpiece and plans to implement the new standards district-wide in 2012-13, one year earlier than required.   Peirce School has also embraced Common Core, and is currently working on moving to this standard.  Teachers were provided the new curriculum as part of their summer preparation.  Ms. Mendez reports that before-school development time was provided in order for teachers to adopt Common Core into their school-year planning.  

Adopted last year by Illinois and 43 other states, the Common Core State Standards are an ambitious effort to raise the bar of K-12 student achievement to one that is on par with the best education systems in the world.  Illinois is part of a 26-state consortium that is developing a new testing system for implementation in 2014-15. 

Do you want to know more about Common Core State Standards?  Public Forums (beginning Oct. 27th) have been scheduled by Business and Professional People for the Public Interest, Catalyst Chicago and the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research to help educate those interested.  

Also, The Chicago Tribune has provided a reporting about other "early adopter" schools and the quest for funding the transition to the new standards.  

Morning News WLS-ABC Spotlights Peirce Fundraiser ... Tune In!

The WLS ABC News Morning Show

Set your alarm early for Friday (10/7) morning.... at 5:45 a.m. our local news program ABC7 Morning News (WLS-TV) will be highlighting Peirce's Kegs for Kids Fundraiser.   


Tune in to see Mike Roper, Peirce's benefactor and supporter, showcase the K4K craft beers in the early hour segment at 5:45 a.m.  Watch it! Set the TiVo and share with friends and family.