Book Fair 5/21 - 5/25

Come and buy your summer reads and support your school library at the same time!

Book Fair all next week in the Library (hours will vary)

Interested in volunteering?Contact Mrs. Martin This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

End of the Year PBIS Carnival

Come and Have A Blast!!!

Face painting Table Games Carnival Games

Wednesday, June 13, 2012
9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Main Building

If you are interested in volunteering

Please contact Ridda Therriault at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CampUs & National Youth Advisory Board (NYAB)

For entering Freshman

CampUs

CampUs is a free, one-week high school and college readiness camp designed for graduating 8th graders. Camper applications can be found on the school's website here. Applications should be filled out online (using the link provided in the application), or paper applications can be turned in to a school representative. CampUs will run from June 24 – June 28 and applications are due by May 22. Please contact BJ Lohr if you have any questions ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ). Campers will know if they are accepted by June 1st and a parent information session will be held the following week.

National Youth Advisory Board

Applications are also being accepted for the National Youth Advisory Board Members (NYAB). NYAB members are rising 8th graders who have demonstrated leadership potential. If selected, your nominated student will have the opportunity to attend a free leadership conference in Washington, D.C. You can find more information in the nomination form. Please submitted your nominations to Allie Miller ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) by May 25, 2012.

South Loop Students Say "Happy Mother's Day"

ALERT: Head Lice Prevention

We have experienced a few cases of head lice in the primary grades. Please use the information below to help us to prevent the head lice from spreading.

Useful information for Treating Head Lice

Check out the CDC website for head lice treatment information: http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html

Please remember if buying over-the-counter medications and shampoos like Rid or Nix, they only kill LIVE lice; they do not kill eggs.Daily head checks and further treatment are necessary. There is a prescription shampoo called "Ovide;" however, you need to contact your pediatrician to obtain a prescription for it. You may have heard of Lindane (it was probably used when you were children)--it is no longer recommended by the AAP, as most pediatricians will not prescribe it due to concern of toxicity if over-used, or swallowed.

Lastly, because lice is such a common problem and can spread through schools so fast, there are numerous locations/salons in Chicago that specialize in lice treatment. One such place--Hair Fairies--specializes in lice removal and you can find more information about them at http://www.hairfairies.com. Also, a simple Google search should help you find a lice removal salon if Hair Fairies is not near where you live.

Ensure that your child does not contract head lice by checking your child's head each night and discourage your children from sharing hats, combs, hairbands, etc. Lice cannot live off the human body for long but when kids are in close contact with each other it gets transmitted easily.

Classroom Basket Contest Results

Congratulations to Room 208 for collecting the most items for our Spring Benefit classroom baskets. You donated 92 items and will be enjoying a pizza party this Thursday!
Congratulations to Room 130, our runner-up winner, for donating 57 items. You are the winners of a popcorn and movie party!

Here are the results of our collection:

Room 101, Mrs. Pierce: 30 items
Room 102, Mrs. Harder: 25 items
Room 103, Mrs. Herron: 28 items
Room 104, Mrs. Simmons: 8 items
Room 105, Mrs. Brown: 7 items
Room 107, Ms. Ahmad: 5 items
Room 107- main, Ms. Streiter: 33 items
Room 124, Ms. Benitone: 40 items
Room 127, Ms. Sainsbury: 53 items
Room 130, Mrs. McMillan: 57 items
Room 131, Ms. Mystry: 45 items
Room 205, Ms. Reynolds: 42 items
Room 207, Ms. Denman: 11 items
Room 208, Mrs. Kim: 92 items
Room 209, Mr. Fanning: 14 items
Room 214, Mr. Fiorenza: 0 items
Room 215, Ms. Menoni: 0 items
Room 216, Ms. Gay, 0 items
Room 217, Mrs. Yokley, 40 items
Room 219, Ms. Bodnar: 31 items
Room 220, Ms. Jenkins: 26 items
Room 221, Ms. Chan: 12 items
Room 224, Mrs. Chen: 4 items
Room 225, Ms. Garcia: 16 items
Room 226, Ms. Thompson: 4 items
Room 229, Mr. Kacena: 5 items
Thank you parents for your generosity and ongoing support of South Loop School! Come bid on these incredible baskets at the Spring Benefit Silent Auction!

You're Invited - Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2012
6:15- 8:00 P.M.
TAPAS VALENCIA
1530 S. STATE STREET

Did you work on a school committee, cut apples with Cafe Crew, stand curbside at Kiss & Go, chaperone a Field Trip, Clean & Green our park, coach Saturday basketball, encourage a student to buy a book at the Book Fair, sell wrapping paper for Innisbrook, contribute to a benefit basket or in any way support a volunteer activity during the school year at South Loop School?

JOIN US!
ALL VOLUNTEERS WELCOME!
Please let us thank you for your contribution to our school, the community and most of all our students!
Appetizers, Drinks, Fun & Celebration
Free babysitting at the main building provided by extended day
Ages 3 and older (must be potty trained)
Students & siblings must be picked up by 8:00 p.m.

Please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to accept this invitation & reserve babysitting

A Message from the CEO: Full School Day

April 23rd, 2012

Dear CPS Parents and Guardians:

In an effort to more fully engage parents throughout the District, I intend to update you regularly through letters like this one to better inform you on issues that directly impact your child’s education and school community. In addition to monthly parent tele-townhalls, a new parent-focused newsletter, and continued listening tours with parents throughout the city, I hope these letters and other efforts will provide greater insight into the priorities and investments we are making to improve the quality of instruction and academic achievement of every student.

Last Wednesday, I had the pleasure of speaking to a number of CPS parents during a tele-townhall where we discussed the Full School Day. It was clear from our conversation—and the conversations I’ve had with parents across the District over the past several months—that you want your kids to have more time in the classroom and you want that time to be quality time. I could not agree with you more.

As you know, with the Full School Day, CPS students will move from the shortest day and year of all large US cities, at 5 hours and 45 minutes to a full 7-hour day for elementary students. This means that every year elementary students will receive the equivalent of 40 additional days of instruction focused on core subjects like reading, math and science, as well as enrichment, such as art, music and PE. In high schools, the 7.5-hour day and a weekly 75-minute early release will provide students with the equivalent of 21 more instructional days.

A great deal of research suggests that the additional time in the classroom will increase student achievement, but that research is also careful to point out that the additional time must be quality time if the desired result is boosting academic achievement. That’s why the Full Day is not just about more time, it’s about improving what we teach, how we teach and the time dedicated to provide students with a better quality education than they’ve ever had before.

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) – Every school next year will have a new more rigorous curriculum designed to better prepare students for college, fundamentally changing and improving ―"what" we teach in our classrooms.
Instructional Framework – Next year all teachers will also be operating under a new framework that will provide them with the support they need to deliver higher quality instruction to our students. This will change ―"how" we teach in our classrooms.
Full School Day –Along with CCSS and the framework, we will ensure that students receive not only more time, but more ―"quality time" in our classrooms.

To further ensure the quality of education in all schools, the District has set minimum guidelines for the number of minutes each student should receive in core subjects like reading, math and science as well as enrichment such as art, music and PE at each grade level. Also, with the Full Day next year, all elementary students will receive time for a full lunch and recess each day to provide them with the time they need to relax, reboot and return to the classroom ready to learn.

We’re also going to give principals far more flexibility and control at the local level in structuring how their school day will look. Every school is different and has unique student needs, and we’re working to move more control from the Central Office to our schools and principals as they know what’s needed most to boost their students’ academic achievement. The role of the Central Office is becoming more focused on giving school leaders the tools and support they need to structure a day that best meets the needs of their students.

As always, I want to thank you for your ongoing dedication and passionate commitment to supporting the success of your child and our schools.

Sincerely,

Jean-Claude Brizard

CEO, Chicago Public Schools

South Loop Elementary School - 2012 Career Day – May 31 and June 1

We are so excited to announce our plans for this year's 2012 Career Day. It will be two-day event focused on sparking student interest and potential in future work and careers.

The 1st – 4th Grade program will be on May 31. We are seeking Career Day speakers for:

Police Officer
Firefighter
Doctor
Airline Pilot/Flight Attendant
Veterinarian
Barber/Hair Stylist
CTA – Bus Driver/Train Conductor
Waste Management/Sanitation Worker
Singer/Dancer
Zoologist/Shedd Aquarium

The 5th – 8th Grade program will be on June 1. We are seeking Career Day speakers for:

Criminal Lawyer/Judge
Entrepreneur/Business Owner
Restaurant Owner
Newscaster/TV Personality
Technology/Software
Sports Owner/Sports Agent
Wealth Manager/Money Manager/Trader
Real Estate Developer or Agent
Surgeon
Zoologist/Shedd Aquarium
Scientist/Physicist
College Professor

Students will also get a chance to learn about how to build a mock resume, how to communicate during an interview and how to grow their professional skills. If you are interested in volunteering or speaking at Career Day, please contact Kathy Smith – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by May 1st.

Registration for new K-8 families will begin on March 26th from 8AM to 2PM in the South Loop School Main Office (1212 South Plymouth Court).

Registration for new K-8 families will begin on March 26th from 8AM to 2PM.

Registration for new K-8 families will begin on March 26th from 8AM to 2PM in the South Loop School Main Office (1212 South Plymouth Court). Also remember the school is closed for Spring Break from April 2nd- April 6th. Early registration is advised so that a child's place is reserved and accounted for. Unsure if South Loop School is your neighborhood school? Click here for the CPS School Locator. K-8 registration is for the Neighborhood Program and in-boundary residents only. Click here for more information and forms regarding new student enrollment.

Documents needed to enroll:

1) child's original birth certificate

2) parent/guardian picture id (must show neighborhood address as proof of residence)

3) child's updated medical, eye and dental records (due the first week of school--school starts Tuesday, September 4th)

4) 2 forms of proof of residency (electric, gas, landline phone bills only, lease agreement)

Subscribe to our Prospective Student Mailing List

Questions for K enrollment? This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Questions for 1-8 enrollment? This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Registration for Summer Camp now open!

It's that time of year again - time to plan ahead for Summer Break! Youth Guidance provides a full 8-hour day program for students in Pre-K through 8th grade. Click here to learn more and download 2012 Summer Camp Registration forms.