1. education
2. school

Mary Gage Peterson Elementary
March 23, 2015
PETERSON PARENT PERIODICAL
College Graduates. Community Leaders. Cultural Ambassadors.
Celebrating Peterson
Congratulations to the Peterson
Concert Band!! The Concert Band,
led by Mr. Anand Sukumaran,
performed at Allstate Arena on
Thursday evening. It was a debut
performance for the band and a
great opportunity for aspiring
Peterson musicians. Thank you
families and Mr. Sukumaran for
making this happen for kids!!!
PARCC 2015
The PARCC (Partnership for
Assessment of Readiness for
College and Careers) Assessment
will be administered throughout the
District for students in grades 3-8.
CPS has made this decision in order
to avoid financial cuts threatened by
the Illinois State Board of
Education. Peterson has been
working to put a plan in place for
administration well before this
announcement was made. Grades 3,
4, and 5 tested the week of 3-16-15,
and grades 6, 7, and 8 will test the
week of 3-23-15. For more
information please contact Michael
Coleman, Counselor.!
End of 3rd Quarter
and Spring Break
The end of the 3rd quarter is
Thursday, April 2, 2015. There is no
school for students 4-3-15 to 4-10-15.
The building will be closed for
Spring Break.!
Letter from the Principal
Dear Peterson Families,!
!
Even though spring officially started on Friday, it looks like
winter is going to stick around Chicago for just a bit longer. I hope you
all are staying safe and warm in the snow.!
!
While warmer days may be taking longer to arrive, there is as
always a lot happening at Peterson. The Peterson Concert Band played
a fabulous set in support of the Chicago Wolves at Allstate Arena last
Thursday. This was a debut performance at Allstate. It was a wonderful
time of camaraderie and music. Thank you to all families and Mr.
Sukumaran for providing students with this opportunity!!!
!
On Friday, 4th graders brought different individuals from the
past to life through their History Alive presentations. Thank you to all
families and to the 4th grade team for giving students the opportunity
to experience history in exciting and new ways.!
!
Several students who participated in PTA Reflections also
received awards from the local PTA district for their photographs that
went on to the competition at the State. Congratulations to Stephanie
Zajczenko, Kaia Kelley, and Linnea Holcomb for their hard work and
for representing Peterson so well!! Thank you to Mrs. Karla Holcomb
for coordinating this effort.!
!
Peterson Parent Periodical
This week is another busy week. Students in 2nd grade are
Website: peterson.cps.k12.il.us
Twitter: @MGPPrincipal
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Mary Gage Peterson Elementary
March 23, 2015
studying fairytales and will be taking a field trip to see Cinderella on
Thursday. On Friday, 5th graders will be going on a walking field trip to
NEIU Children’s Theatre. The end of the 3rd quarter is next Thursday,
April 2, 2015. Please make sure that you are checking the grades of your
daughter or son in parent portal and are encouraging her or him to get
the support needed to be successful. !
A couple of friendly reminders: !
Upcoming Events
3-24 to 3-26: PARCC Administration
Grades 6, 7, and 8
3-24: Parent Tea @ 8:15am
3-24: Green Team Meeting @ 3:45pm
3-24: LSC Closed Session @ 6pm
3-26: 2nd Grade Field Trip to Cinderella
3-27: 5th Grade Walking Field Trip to
NEIU
3-30: Rooms 205 and 118 Walking Field
Trip to NEIU Theater
4-1-15: Rooms 209 and 211 Walking
Field Trip to NEIU Theater
4-2: End of Third Quarter
4-3: No School for Students
4-6 to 4-10: Spring Vacation School
Closed
4-13-15: 7th Grade Health Education
Starts on Mondays
4-14-15: 8th Grade Health Education
Starts on Tuesdays
4-16-15: Report Card Pick-Up: No
School for Students
4-22-15: Earth Day
4-22-15: Registration for Mather (8th
Grade)
4-22-15: No Afterhours due to Staff PD
4-23-15: STEAM Night at Peterson (PAC)
!
Peterson Parent Periodical
•Box Tops for Education Pick-Up: There will be a box tops
collection this Thursday, March 26, 2015. Please send box tops
with your children to give to their teachers.
!
•My Voice My School Parent Survey: The My Voice, My School
Parent Survey will be available between April 1, 2015, and April
30, 2015. Please take the time to give your feedback that will aide
in school improvement. I will share more information as it
becomes available.
!
•Student Make-Up Days: To ensure that students receive the
valuable instructional time that was intended for February 2 and
19, CPS has made changes to its academic calendar for this school
year without disruption to graduation schedules or the start of
summer school. The changes are as follows: Thursday, June 18,
2015, which was scheduled to be the first day of summer break,
will now be a regular attendance day. Friday, June 19, will now
be a regular attendance day for all students. Students’ summer
break will begin on Monday, June 22.
!
•PARCC: The PARCC assessment is a criterion referenced,
standardized assessment that determines how students are doing in
regards to the Common Core State Standards. The PARCC
replaces the ISAT at elementary schools. At Peterson, there is a
plan in place to allow for efficient and effective administration that
minimizes the loss of instructional time. Students in 6, 7, and 8
will take a computer based assessment the week of 3-23-15.
Please note that as testing starts on Tuesday, no opt-out forms
will be accepted later than Monday afternoon due to the need to
plan for an orderly and safe environment.
!
•Health (Sex) Education at Peterson: All parents of children in grades 5
to 8 should have received permission slips regarding participation in sex
education at Peterson. Sex Education will take place in single sex classes,
and it will be provided by professionals from Chicago Women’s Health
Center with teachers in the room. Sex education is required by CPS, and it
is also important information for all students. Please contact Counselor
Carina Martino with questions.
•Childcare at Peterson: The Peterson PAC is aware that many of you seek
care for your children after school, and we would therefore like to hear your
thoughts about the possibility of providing additional after-school care.
Please note that this is in regards to after-school care that would be effective
next school year (2015-2016).
Please access the survey here: http://tinyurl.com/mek9njb
Have a great week,
Kate Kane, Principal
Website: peterson.cps.k12.il.us
Twitter: @MGPPrincipal
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