Hello and Welcome to the start of an amazing school year!
Each new year provides us with an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to providing the best possible education for the students enrolled in our school. Your interest and support throughout the year will help to make this rededication as meaningful and productive as possible. Thank you in advance for all that you do!
We welcome new staff members this year:
· Ms. Dana Menefee – School Counselor/Disciplinarian
· Ms.Megan Merony – 2nd Grade
· Ms. Lauren Telander- Departmental Reading
And Michigan State Interns:
· Christina Muri- Kindergarten – Ms Patrick & Special Education Mrs. Lofton
· Jessica Jones- K-1 Developmental Center – Mrs. Stuttley & Mr. Crystal
· Kelly Lane- 3rd Grade – Mrs. Wood
· Ashley Keine- 3rd Grade – Mrs. Walker
Our Open House will be held on Wednesday, September 30th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. I hope you will come to meet with your child’s teacher and learn about the activities, programs, and instruction that we have planned.
Shoesmith serves grades Kindergarten to 6th and is a member of the Hyde Park Magnet Cluster Program. Our focus is math and science. We utilize Everyday Math for grades K-5 and Connected Math for grade 6. The FOSS Science Program is used in grades K – 5 and Investigating Earth’s Systems (IES) in grade 6.. In addition to our focus on math and science, students are exposed to a broad curriculum that includes explicit instruction in reading, writing, Spanish, music, library science, character education, and computer technology.
Shoesmith is a balanced literacy school. Our staff of “highly qualified” teachers keeps Routman’s Optimal Learning Model (demonstration, shared demonstration, guided practice and independent practice) in mind when planning and delivering instruction.
Teachers and administrators regularly participate in professional development throughout the year sponsored by CNTC, CPS Language Arts Department, Area 15, Chicago Math and Science Initiatives (CMSI), external providers and site-based staff. Shoesmith is also is one of thirteen schools in Chicago to implement Illinois A.S.P.I.R.E, an RtI (Response to Intervention) Initiative.
We offer our students a variety of extra-curricular activities before, during, and after school which include: Flag Football, Track and Field, Girls and Boys Basketball, Band and Choir, Math, Science and Spanish Clubs, Junior Beta Club, MAPS Program, Museum Connections, Winning Words Debate Team, Young Authors, Battle of the Books, and an Art Resources in Teaching (A.R.T.) residency. Other programs available include: Girl and Cub Scouts, Park Kids, and The Rockets before and after school program.
We are a 2009 Certified AVID School and proud to have community partnerships with University of Chicago, Old Town School of Music, Merit School of Music, Chicago Park District, St. Paul and the Redeemer and The First Baptist churches, Kenwood Improvement Association, the Hyde Park Kenwood Community Council and Michigan State University. Additional resources include the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Field Museum of Natural History and the Kohl Children’s Museum.
Shoesmith’s goals for the 2009-2010 school year are:
- To continue to improve student achievement in math
- To continue to improve student achievement in reading and writing
- To continue to improve student achievement in science
- To expand and differentiate professional development opportunities for teachers.
- To continue and increase collaboration with community agencies
Additionally all staff is trained to implement the LRE Mandate:
“That to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities…are educated with children who do not have a disability. Special classes, separate schooling or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular educational environments occurs only when the nature or severity of the disabilities is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.”
The Shoesmith K-1 Developmental Learning Center!! (DLC)
The Developmental Center is a multiage/multigrade classroom for kindergarten and first grade students. Students will be instructed from their developmental level through the goal of second grade. The academic program for students enrolled in the DLC will include: reading, math, science, social studies, Spanish, computer education, library and physical education, Additional resources include an A.R.T. Residency, Peggy Notebaert and Kohl Children’s Museum in school programs.
Calm Classroom
Teachers will implement an organized system of research-based techniques that help reduce stress, anxiety and disruptive behavior. These practices comprise both a classroom management strategy and a universal intervention that supports the Illinois State Board of Education’s guidelines for the development of social and emotional learning. The principle training program is called Calm Classroom. This program helps students remain focused, manage stress, effectively comply with assignments, and smoothly navigate transitional cycles The techniques are comprised of a combination of age appropriate stretching exercises, breathing techniques, concentration practices, visualizations, and creative games. The teacher chooses which exercises will be most age appropriate and beneficial for the current classroom situation.
Principal Monthly Newsletter
In an effort to bring activities , programs and events to our service families, a parent newsletter will be published each month. The newsletter, ‘It Takes A Village’ will also outline programmatic thrusts and educational strategies that may be practices at home.
Parent Involvement at Shoesmith
Parent support is an important component to the success of Shoesmith Elementary School. From fund raising to classroom volunteer activities, parents are a welcome part of our school climate and are key to our continued success. At Shoesmith School, parents are expected to participate in school and are encouraged to attend:
- Side-By-Side Day
- Open House
- Family Winter fest
- Local School Council Meetings
- PTA Meetings
- NCLB Parent Advisory Council
- Report Card Pick Ups
Together we will continue to build a school community that fosters creativity and a love for learning. Again, thank you very much for visiting our website; and if I may be of any assistance to you, please feel free to email me at ppwatson@cps.k12.il.us
Patricia P. Watson
Principal
‘It takes a Village to Raise a Child’
Welcome to our Village