Free guide to top independent schools
Families looking for help in choosing an outstanding school for their children should look into the resources provided by the Lake Michigan Association of
Independent Schools.
The association distributes a free directory of Chicago area independent schools and has arranged an Independent Schools Fair for Sunday, Oct. 23, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Chicago Historical Society, Clark and North avenues. The association also has links to its member schools through its Web site, www.independentschools.net.
At the Fair, families may visit with representatives of more than 20 schools, gather material on the schools, and narrow their choices. There will be entertainment for children, and afterwards families may visit the museum free of charge.
In order to help families get an early start on looking for schools, the association is publishing in August its 2006 Parents Guide to Chicago Area Independent Schools.
Parents may request a free copy of the guide by writing to the Chicago Area Independent Schools, P. O. Box 558007, Chicago, IL 60655 or by sending an email to
info@independentschools.net.
Independent schools offer a wide variety of programs. Some have a classical curriculum, while others emphasize innovative approaches to learning or are focused on the needs of
especially talented students.
All of the schools provide personalized attention for students through small classes and a great variety of opportunities for students to develop their individual talents.
Free health fair offers back-to-school physicals
Attend the Ravenswood Health Fair, 4600 N. Ravenswood Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, sponsored by Hispanocare and Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. The following booths will be offered.
* back-to-school physicals (limited to 100)
* immunizations (bring shot records)
* dental check (limited to 100)
* blood pressure check
* cholesterol check
* diabetes screening (light breakfast okay)
* child development screening
* Kid Care application and information
* pregnancy tests
* community resources and much more
For more information, call Estela Espinosa of Hispanocare at (773) 296-7194.
Passages Charter School makes case to CPS Board
Representatives from Passages Charter School, 1447 W. Montrose Ave., a refugee and immigrant-based school serving students from Pre-K through fifth grade, discussed the vital role of charter school parents and the community at the Chicago Public School (CPS) board meeting July 27. Barbara Mazur, director of instruction, and Mahriba Amin, parent of a fifth grade student who came to the United States seven years ago from Bosnia, touted the importance of charter schools in helping refugees and immigrant children get off to a good start in their new county.
The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) plans on participating at the monthly CPS board meeting to highlight the accomplishments of the charter model and the positive experiences of charter families.
"I want the Board to hear and understand what is going on inside our charter schools," said Elizabeth Evans, executive director of INCS. "I think it is important to show the board how our students and families are positively impacted by charter schools on a regular basis."
Mazur told CPS board members about Passages’ success in creating an engaged community by detailing activities that incorporate the family. One of the school’s most successful and popular efforts is the "Family Fun on the 21" program. On the 21st evening of every month, students, teachers and parents gather to celebrate the school. Activities ranging from curriculum nights to ethnic dining, to family bowling, are planned by teachers and parents.
"Community engagement is a core value at Passages," said Mazur. "Our parents are a key reason students have found the level of success they have. When parents support their child and their child’s teacher, it creates a win-win situation for us."
Passages has also created a multi-cultural curriculum that draws on the vast cultural resources of their ethnically diverse families. Parents and community members are regularly invited to share their knowledge and customs with Passages students in the classroom setting. Additionally, three times every year, Passages holds a school-wide culminating event, "Passport through Passages," where hard work and ethnic diversity are recognized. Passages aims to educate parents who can then help educate their children.
As a Chicago public school, Passages Charter School was opened in the fall of 2001 by the Asian Human Services in order to meet the educational, social, and health needs of immigrant and refugee children living in Chicago’s North Side neighborhoods. Adding a class every year, Passages now serves over 200 students from Pre-K through fifth grade. Passages relies on the extensive network of social services available through Asian Human Services. Passages is an English immersion school designed to support students in their learning of English to ensure that immigrant and refugee children, who make up the majority of the student body, mainstream easily into other public schools.
Charter schools are public schools that operate free from many regulations that apply to traditional public schools, but they are held to the same academic standards. Charter schools enjoy more flexibility and innovation in setting curriculum and designing programs. Charters also do not limit enrollment due to location
or academics.
The voice of the state’s charter schools, INCS advocates for legislation to strengthen charter school; educates the public about the value of charter schools; and supports the dissemination of best practices throughout the system. INCS is dedicated to improving the quality of public education by promoting and invigorating the charter school concept.
For more information on INCS, visit www.incschools.org. For more information on Passages, visit www.asianhumanservices.org/passages.html.
Congrats to Northside teacher
Catherine Woodward, a history teacher at Northside College Prep High School, has been chosen from more than 50,000 nominees nationwide to receive the 2005 Disney Teacher Award in celebration of her creativity, innovative teaching methods, and ability to inspire her students.
As one of only 45 Disney Teacher Honorees, Woodward received $10,000 from The Walt Disney Company and a trip to Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, for a week of fun and celebration from July 23-28. In addition, Disney awarded $5,000 to Northside College Prep High School.
In her history class, Woodward breaks through the traditional blackboard-and-textbook style of history teaching. "I try to get the kids as involved as possible," she said. "I try to build on their own experiences. We use role-playing, simulation, and all that good stuff. You don't always know what is going to happen."
Counseling kids on nutrition, obesity
Meghan Kostyk, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, received a $10,000 grant from General Mills for a Nutrition and Obesity program that she is starting at the Children's Memorial health center based in Arai Middle School in the Uptown neighborhood. The Champion's Youth Nutrition and Fitness Grant from General Mills funds Healthy Teens, which serves 120 African-American and Hispanic 12- to 15-year-olds.
Obese teenagers meet with physicians, social workers and registered dietitians for a healthy lifestyle assessment at the Arai School Based Health Center. The teens are encouraged to train for the Chicago Junior Triathlon and receive fresh fruits and vegetables through the Farmer's Basket program. Patients keep health logs and receive follow-up visits to the clinic for two additional years.
DePaul gets $2 M gift
The Real Estate Center at DePaul University in Chicago has received a $2 million gift from Douglas Crocker II, retired president and chief executive officer of Equity Residential Properties Trust, and his wife, Cynthia. The gift will fund the directorship of the center, which manages DePaul's wide-ranging and highly respected real estate education, research and professional development programs. With the gift, DePaul Finance Professor Susanne Cannon, who founded the center in 2002, becomes the Douglas and Cynthia Crocker Endowed Director of the Real Estate Center at DePaul.
"After working with Susanne, I knew that we were on the right track to develop a top-notch program at DePaul," Crocker said. "Education is the door to opportunity and I am proud to help support the Real Estate Center."
Host exchange student
Pacific Intercultural Exchange (PIE) is looking for caring American families to host high school students from various countries for the 2005-2006 school year. Students from Brazil, Germany, South Korea, and Norway had been staying with local families since last August. Now past students will be replaced by record numbers of new students from as many as 35 different countries.
More volunteers in the community are desperately needed to help with the new arrivals. PIE is currently looking for volunteers to mentor students and for host families. Experience is not necessary, as training will be provided.
Bring the world to your doorstep! Call the Pacific Intercultural Exchange at (800) 631-1818.
Still time to apply
Northside Catholic Academy (the Anchor School for the northeast region of the Chicago Archdiocese) continues to accept applications for Preschool and 2nd through 8th Grades. The school is accepting names on the waiting list for Kindergarten and 1st Grade. To schedule a convenient time to tour the campuses (5525 N. Magnolia Ave. and 6216 N. Glenwood Ave.) or to enroll your child, please call (773) 271-4310 by Aug. 12. |
