Tuesday, October 11, 2011

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.
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Taken with a cellphone, doesn't do the game justice.  Well played! 
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Policy Forum on the New Curriculum Standards Coming to CPS....


2011 Chicago School Policy Forum Series: Common Core Standards and te PreK-12 Learning Continuum




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. 





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

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

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.