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A.N PRITZKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Monday September 21, 2009
Volume 1, Issue 1
From the Principal’s Desk
Dr. Joenile S. Albert-Reese
Dear Pritzker Parents/Guardians:
The FY 09-10 school year got off to a great start. This year, every homeroom had a teacher on the first day, transportation issues were minimal, and our September 3rd Parent/Student Orientation was a tremendous success. We truly appreciate everyone’s support, partnership, and dedication as we continue to help our students achieve “Academic Excellence!”
VISITORS POLICY
Communication between parents and teachers is vital to help children reach their full potential in learning. Often busy schedules limit the time that parents and teachers can share information, so making the most of opportunities such as conferences becomes even more important.
Parents are always welcome to visit Pritzker. However, we ask that you adhere to the following established guidelines for visits by parents and visitors.
· With the exception of Pre-K parents dropping-off or picking-up their children for the morning or afternoon session, no one is permitted to enter the building and go directly to a classroom. Visitors must enter the school through the Main Entrance located on Schiller Street.
· Upon entering the school, all visitors must first stop at the Main Office to obtain an official pass before visiting a teacher for a conference.
· A visitor who reports to a classroom for a conference unannounced or without an office pass will be asked to report to the Main Office to comply with this important security procedure.
· Please note that because of the school security, teachers have been advised to signal the office and ask unannounced visitors or those without an official office pass to return to the Main Office for proper classroom admittance.
· The pass issued to the parent or visitors is only good for the class for which it was originally issued.
Important Dates to Remember
Sept. 24th Mandatory Open House for
7th and 8th Students/Parents
5:30 p.m. in the Aud.
Sept. 25th Staff Development/No Classes
Oct. 1st Options for Knowledge Application
Window Opens
Oct. 3rd Option for Knowledge Fair @
Malcolm X College
PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (PAC)
September 24th at 3:45 in Room 111
Childcare Available
The Parent Advisory Council is the avenue to supporting parent involvement in the school in areas of academics, communication, etc. We will be voting on the offices for the year: Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. We will also be looking at starting a parent newsletter and educational events parents would be interested in participating in. Please join us to get more information.
12th ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL FAIR
McCormick Place Lakeside Center - Hall D 2301 South Lake Shore Drive Saturday, October 10, 2009 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Free Admission
PLAYGROUND SAFETY
Parents can prepare their child with Safe Skills on our playground by:
· Take a morning to help your child identify “Safe Adults” who are on duty on the playground. Every morning there are teachers and staff on the playground who are assigned to monitor the students. Help your child identify these individuals.
· Identify safe areas your child should be and stay in and the “No Go Zones” they should stay out of.
· Get to know the parents who volunteer regularly, or whose children are in the same class as yours. Who are the LSC, FOP, PAC, BAC, PTO, and POP members? …they can help you identify Safe Adults.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING STUDENT SAFETY
· Parking Lot: Per directives from the CPS Department of Operations, school parking lots are for use by authorized school personnel only when students are present. Unauthorized cars will be ticketed or towed. All parents and visitors must park on the streets adjacent to the school on regular school days. However, do not block neighboring garages; and please abide by posted street signs.
· Parents and visitors are welcome to use the parking lot on days when students ARE NOT in attendance (i.e., Report-Card Pick-Up, Open Houses, and evening activities, etc.)
· Alley Closures: Effective Monday, September 21, 2009, the alley between Damen Avenue and Hoyne Avenue (connecting Schiller St. to Evergreen St.) will be closed in the morning from 9:00 –9:30 am and in the afternoon from 3:00 pm- 3:30 pm. Only local traffic will be granted entrance and exit privileges. All parents and visitors should park on the streets adjacent to the school on regular school days.
EARL Y ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL
School personnel are not available for supervision before 9:00 a.m. and after 3:45 in the afternoon. Students should not be on school property prior to 9:00 am or after 3:45 pm unless they are officially enrolled in a before/after school program (i.e., PTO’s 8 to 9, Music House, Chess Wizards, Mad Science, athletics, and or a tutoring class). This policy is in effect to ensure students' safety; students must be supervised. Thanking you in advance for your cooperation.
DISMISSAL PROCEDURE
Only persons listed on the Emergency Form are allowed to pick up a student. Please be sure you have listed all necessary persons on this very important form. This is for your child's safety!!! Please cooperate in this matter!!!
UNAUTHORIZED POSSESSION OF PAGERS
OR CELLULAR TELEPHONES
· A letter from a parent or legal guardian and approved by the principal for the FY 2009-10 school year must be on file in order for your child to have a cellular telephone. Students should turn-in their cell phones to their homeroom teachers in the morning and it will be returned at the end of the day. In the event of any emergency during regular school hours, parents should contact the Main Office @ 773-534-4415.
· Unauthorized items will be confiscated. STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT 2-12.
· Unauthorized activation or use of a cell phone will result in disciplinary actions. STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT 3-11.
LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL (LSC) VACANCY
The LSC has an open parent position. Applications can be obtained in the office and they are due October 9th. Completed applications can be turned into the office. Meetings are generally the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
ISAT SCORES - 2009
Scores from the ISAT testing in the Spring 2009 were sent home with your child last week. Please review this important information with your child.
STUDENT FEES
The student fee for the FY 2009-2010 is $50.00. The fees cover the cost for workbooks, consumable supplies that support the science curriculum, technology upgrades, and printing and/or postage to support school/parent communications. Student fees are due by September 25th. If using PayPal (paypal.com) to pay fees, please send payments to jsreese@cps.k12.il.us and include your child(s) name, homeroom #, and purpose of payment. Fee waivers applications are also available in the Main Office.
GYM UNIFORMS AND PRITZKER APPAREL
All orders for gym uniforms or Pritzker apparel received by Friday, September 18th will be delivered on October 6th. Orders can still be placed but will not be delivered on the 6th. If using PayPal to purchase uniforms, please send payments to jsreese@cps.k12.il.us and include your child(s) name, homeroom #, and purpose of payment. Please attach a copy of your PayPal receipts to your order form.
SCHOOL WEBSITE
The school website is currently under construction.
PRESCHOOL/ 8th GRADE GRADUATION/AND FALL PICTURE RETAKES
Pre-School, 8th grade graduation, and Fall picture retakes are scheduled for November 9th.
APPLICATIONS FOR FREE AND REDUCED PRICE LUNCH
The deadline for entering lunch applications into the system is September 25th. After this date, any student who does not have an application on file must bring a lunch or purchase lunch @ $1.80 p/day.
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