February 2, 2010

CONGRATULATIONS to GWEN GINOCCHIO who has secured a $3,000 grant for our school library.  This grant was given to Norwood Park School in recognition of our school's demonstrated commitment to improving its library program and resources.  These resources encourage reading and enhance teaching and learning in our school.

THANK YOU to all our parents who attended parent conferences last Friday.  If you have not completed the parent survey, I encourage you to do so.  We are working on our School Improvement Plan for 2010-2012 and the committee would appreciate your comments.

VALENTINE CARNATIONS are being sold by Mrs. Gemmati's Advisory. Students, staff and parents can send a flower to their favorite "school friend" for just a dollar.  Orders are being taken this week.  Flowers will be delivered to the classroom next Wednesday, February 10th.  Proceeds will benefit the victims of the Haiti Earthquake.

DIBELS WORKSHOP FOR KINDERGARTEN, FIRST AND SECOND GRADE PARENTS will be held on Thursday, February 4 at 2:00 p.m. in the kindergarten classroom, room 112.  Mrs. Sharon Davis and Mrs. Susan Stephan will present an overview of this assessment program which is used in kindergarten, first and second grades.  The intent of this workshop is to give parents a better understanding of this city-wide CPS test. 

SUPPLEMENTAL SPANISH ASSISTANCE is being offered for students in grades 5-8 on Tuesdays, 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. under the direction of Ms. Carolina Compos, Spanish teacher, in room 210.  This is part of the After School All-Stars program. 

CONGRATULATIONS, KIERA!  On Tuesday, January 19, the Region I Spelling Bee was held at Portage Park School.  Our school winner, Kiera, from 7th grade, made it to the 12th round and is in fourth place.  She will be able to take an online spelling test in February to qualify in another CPS Bee. Good luck, Kiera!  Thanks to Carol Klein for overseeing this activity. 

I would like to make you aware of the following new law which took effect on January 1, 2010, Senate Bill 72 titled "Vehicular Phone Use in School Zones".  According to the new law:  "A person, regardless of age, may not use a wireless telephone at any time while operating a motor vehicle on a roadway in a school speed zone."

ISAT Testing:  All students in grades 3-8 will take the ISAT tests beginning Tuesday, March 2 - Friday, March 12.  Most of the testing sessions will be held in the morning.  I am requesting that staff keep homework to a minimum.  It is important that students come to school well-rested with a nutritious breakfast.

AFTER SCHOOL ALL STARS:  Last session will be Thursday, February 25.  This program was funded by a grant from the Chicago Public Schools. 

At its meeting on November 4, the LSC voted to use the SGSA rollover funds to support the Before School Counts program for students this year.  As a result, this program began on January 4 and will conclude on February 26.  Beginning on Tuesday, March 2, we will return to the 8:50 a.m. start time.  This includes the 3-and 4-year-olds participating in the Pre-K program.

After-School Homework Club meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.  Students seeking assistance must stay for the entire hour.  Students are always permitted to call home informing parents that they are staying after school for academic support.  Third, fourth and fifth-graders meet in Room 202.  Sixth, seventh and eighth graders meet in Room 210.  These rooms will be staffed by Norwood Park teachers.

CALENDAR:

Wednesday, February 3 - LSC meeting, 6:00 p.m., room 203

Thursday, February 4 - Market Day internet orders due

Friday, February 5 - Eighth grade graduation pictures

Monday, February 8 - Market Day pick-up

Thursday, February 11 - Staff Development Day - Non-attendance day for students

Friday, February 12 - Lincoln's Birthday - No School

Monday, February  15 - Presidents' Day - No School   

Friday, February 19 - First Semester Awards Assembly, 1 p.m., auditorium

Thursday, February 25 - "May I Have This Dance?" competition.  Details to follow

Friday, February 26 - Spring pictures, individual and siblings    

Monday, March 1 - Casimir Pulaski Day.  No School

Wednesday, March 3 - LSC meeting, room 203, 6 p.m.

Friday, March 5 - Graduation retake pictures

   

GRADE SCALE CHANGE

With some modifications in the grading scale at the district level, we have been permitted to make the following changes in our grading scale for grades 3-8:

1. 90-100 = A

2. 80-89 = B

3. 70-79 = C

4. 69 and below = D/F

As indicated in our promotion policy, a letter grade of D is not considered "Passing" at the Benchmark Grade Levels which are grades 3, 6 and 8. In keeping with the philosophy of Norwood Park School, letter grades will not be given in kindergarten, grades 1 and 2. Hopefully, the face-to-face parent/teacher conference and narrative comments on the report will give parents valuable information.*

ALUMS! ALUMS! CPS has launched a web site for alumni of Chicago Public Schools, www.cpsalumni.org which connects an estimated 3 million people who were students or employees of Chicago Public Schools. Norwood Park alums are invited to access the website and then click on "Norwood Park School" to enjoy events and activities currently taking place at our school.

NON-ATTENDANCE DAYS FOR STUDENTS, 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR

January 29      Report Card Pick-Up

February 11     Staff Development

February 12     Lincoln's Birthday

February 15     President's Day

March 1           Casimir Pulaski Day

March 29          Spring Break Begins

April 9              Staff Development Day

April 21             LSC Election/Report Card Pick-Up

May 28             12:15 Dismissal

May 31              Memorial Day

June 14             8th Grade Graduation

June 17             Teacher Institute Day

June 18             Last Day of School