Solomon Principal Newsletter: January 26, 2018
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Dear Parents and Community,
Teachers and staff are in the middle of CIWP planning, which is the district's school improvement process (Continuous Improvement Work Plan). Every two years, we come together as a staff to collect data on our own progress over 17 different measures; additionally, we work with our LSC and PTO to get feedback on some measures that are specific to parents and the community. From that data, we identify priorities that will drive our own professional learning, budget priorities, and collective work over the next two years. It is difficult work, but it is important for us to reflect on both our strengths and areas of opportunity. Being named a National Blue Ribbon School is a wonderful accomplishment, one that we are proud of, but we know that there are always ways to improve how we support our students.
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- As an important reminder, there is no school for students on February 2 (School Improvement Day).
- Another reminder for 8th graders: Graduation pictures are on Wednesday, January 31. This is an out-of-uniform day for 8th graders only.
- This week we had thousands of books delivered to groups of students in PK through 6th grade, courtesy of Bernie's Book Bank. For more on their tremendous program and mission, which fits hand-in-hand with our goal of creating joyful, independent, and proficient readers, click here.
- We are pleased to announce that the district has released the academic calendar for the 2018-2019 school year. You can find your digital copies here in English and Spanish.
- Thanks to a grant from the district totaling nearly $8700, we will be able to offer a homework-help tutoring program for Solomon students beginning in mid-February. We will be sending invitations to individual students in the next two weeks, so please be on the lookout for a letter in your child's book bag. The program will be completely staffed by Solomon educators!
- For girls in grades 3 through 8 that are interested in participating in Girls on the Run (3-5)/Girls on Track (6-8), an informational sheet has traveled home in backpacks and a digital copy is available here. This sheet has the information that you need to officially sign up, so don't delay!
- Interested in serving as a candidate in the upcoming elections of parent or community representatives for the 2018-2020 Solomon Local School Council (LSC)? Click here for information about the process, here for the timeline of when materials need to be submitted, and here for a copy of the application itself. The election will be on April 18, 2018, and we depend on highly-motivated stakeholders that are committed to the success of our children as we strive to make our school the best neighborhood school in the city!
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Parent Teacher Organization Updates
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There are two fun events coming up in the next few months that we want to highlight. First, our social event of the year, the Solomon Soiree on
Friday, April 6.
Our fundraising priorities this year include technology upgrades and classroom library purchases, and you can help support those goals AND have a great evening with friends. Planning is underway to make this an exciting evening, with great items and experiences to bid on. This year the event will be at Moretti's in Edison Park, 6727 N. Oliphant. Don't miss the event of the year--get your babysitting lined up now!
Also, you can save the date for a FUNdraiser on
Friday, February 23 from 5-8pm at Cary's Lounge (2251 W. Devon). 50% of sales from those hours will come back to Solomon. Parking is available a few blocks away at 6445 N. Western after 5pm. This is a great opportunity to socialize with other parents and friends, so invite anyone and everyone!
Cleaning out your closets? Get ready for another shoe drive this year at Solomon. Start collecting those old, but wearable, shoes, and we will let you know soon when they can be dropped off at school, all to raise funds for our students!
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National Blue Ribbon School links
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Before- and After-School Programming
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Click below to register or get more information for fee reduction.
- Offered Monday through Friday starting at 7:00am (BeforeSchool) until 6:00pm (AfterSchool).
- For further information please call the J at School Team at 312.775.1848 or [email protected]
Illinois Action for Children
J at School partners with Illinois Action for Children to help over 150 J at School families receive partial or full state funding for services ranging from Early Childhood, Camp, and After School. If you would like to learn more about Action for Children please visit their website at
http://www.actforchildren.org/. If you would like to inquire about eligibility to receive Action for Children Assistance please contact J at School at
312-775-1848.
Interested in childcare programming for the School Improvement Day on February 2? Check out
this flier with information on where JCC is offering local services.
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Don't miss these upcoming events!
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February 1: Last Day of 1st Semester
February 2: School Improvement Day--no school for students
February 9: Report Cards distributed
February 19: Presidents' Day--no school for students or staff
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Looking for more dates? Check our community calendar on our website (
www.solomon.cps.edu), which is updated in real time!
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Questions or concerns? Please feel free to reach me at any time--email me at [email protected] or call me at (773) 534-5226 (school) or (773) 805-0844 (cell).
Didn't receive this as an email? Email [email protected] to have name added to distribution list. The newsletter is always available on our website,
solomon.cps.edu.
Enjoy your weekend,
Chris Gamble
Principal
Hannah G. Solomon Elementary School
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Hannah G. Solomon Elementary | (773) 534-5226 | solomon.cps.edu
6206 N. Hamlin Avenue
Chicago, IL 60659
2017 National Blue Ribbon Award Exemplary High Performing School Winner
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