Academics

PTO Meeting Agenda for September

We hope you can join us for the first PTO meeting of the year, which is this week on Thursday, September 6 at 6:30 in the Library/Media Center on the second floor. As always, free child care is provided.

This month we will focus on a back-to-school update from Principal Hodge and a review of the PTO budget, which is presented for a vote by the general membership. There will be a presentation of the capability of Elmo Document Cameras, which are an item for the PTO to purchase this year.

We hope to see you there. If you are unable to attend and would like to discuss anything on the agenda, please contact Laura Crawford at lauracrawford47@gmail.com, Jodie Ackerman at jodiepto@yahoo.com, or any of the other PTO board members (click here for contact info).

Irving School PTO
Agenda for Monthly Meeting
September 6, 2012
6:30PM
Irving Media Center/Library

  1. Welcome
  2. Principal’s Report (40 minutes)
    1. Welcome back to school
    2. Demonstration of Elmo Projectors capability
  3. Treasurer’s Report (30 minutes)
    1. Presentation of budget for 2012-2013 school year
    2. Vote on budget for 2012-2013 school year
  4. Committee Reports: (30 minutes)
    1. Schoolyard Project Update
    2. Fun Run pledges start 9/17, with event on 10/16
    3. Different Together Potluck Dinner on 9/21 at 6:30pm
    4. Bags on the Blacktop on 9/29 at 2pm
    5. Grade level potluck dinners in October
    6. Other committee reports
  5. Eagle Extras Update: (15 minutes)
    1. Vote on changes to policies
  6. Approve minutes from 5/31/12
  7. All other business

Notes on next meeting (October 4):

  • Kathy McNamara from Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory will briefly discuss their work
  • Mr. Hodge will present on ISAT testing
  • Review fully revised by-laws

Sustainable Teachers Network (STN)
Seven Generations Ahead regarding the Sustainable Teachers Network (STN) that has been formed under the sustainability plan for OPRF called PlanItGreen. Currently, the STN is planning a lecture and networking series focusing on sustainability curriculum, geared toward OPRF teachers, called GreenEd (flyer attached).

In advertising GreenEd and getting the word out about the progress of the STN, we’re looking for an individual liaison at every school in Oak Park and River Forest. The sole responsibility of this person would be to distribute flyers and outreach material regarding STN events. We want to ensure that every school in OPRF receives outreach materials about STN events.

Here is what I’m asking of you: If you are interested in becoming the STN liaison for your school (or know someone the STN can reach out to ask if they’re interested), please reply to me with your name, school and grade level by Friday August 31. We need your help advertising GreenEd so the sooner you reply the better!

Also: The STN is trying to round out the STN committee with a variety of teachers from across OPRF, and are specifically looking for high school representation. The responsibility of a committee member is to attend monthly meetings discussing event planning and outreach. Responsibilities will vary due to individual availability, as well as time of year. Please reply to this email if you’re an interested high school teacher.

Thank you for your time and help. And of course, if you’re an OPRF teacher you’re invited to participate in GreenEd starting September 18 at the Marion Street Cheese Market!

—
Erin McMillan
Program Associate

Seven Generations Ahead
642 S Lombard Avenue | Oak Park, IL | 60304
office (708) 660-9909 x4

Congratulations to Mr. DiPaolo!

As you may recall, the Irving PTO nominated Mr. Frank DiPaolo last spring for the Illinois State Board of Education’s “Those Who Excel Awards.” Frank
recently received word that he won an Award of Meritorious Service in the Educational Support Personnel Category of these awards.

Congratulations, Frank!

Here’s an excerpt from his nomination:

While his official job title is ‘Building Engineer,’ to those of us in the Irving School community he is so much more.

All of the students know him, and he knows each of them, treating each student individually and with respect. In countless ways he shows dedication to our school above and beyond the norm. In academics, he has participated with students in extra-curricular Italian classes, played a critical role in the installation of solar panels, and mentored students who struggle with behavior. He goes out of his way to assist and develop relationships with our special needs students. In fundraising, he has offered martial arts instruction as a Silent Auction item, choreographed dance routines for many contests, and coordinated the set up of numerous special events. For school spirit, he has dressed as Elvis for an end-of-year celebration, leaving a legacy at Irving for years to come. Mr. DiPaulo is also an example to other maintenance staff, who are all so friendly and helpful to our students. He keeps our 100 year old building well maintained and welcoming.

In his 8 years at Irving (15 years in District 97), Mr. DiPaolo has become our school’s backbone. Every day he supports our building, but more importantly, he supports our students. He is a key part of why they are excited to come to school each day and why they remember Irving so fondly after they graduate.

Elvis would be proud…and we are too!

4th Grade Instrumental Music Enrollment due Friday, August 31st

In order to enroll for Instrumental Music, you and your student need to complete the three steps below by Friday, August 31 (All of the below will be available at the two open houses):

1. CHOOSE AN INSTRUMENT – During the first week of school, 4th graders will see an assembly demonstrating all of the available instruments. At the open house, each student will receive three tickets, which they may exchange to try three instruments. When making a choice, it is important to consider how the instrument sounds, how it feels to play it, and how it will be transported to and from school on lesson days.

2. RENT AN INSTRUMENT – District 97 does not supply the instruments for students. You may sign-up with representatives from Music & Arts Center or Kagan & Gaines Music Company at the open house, or contact Austin Music or another reputable local dealer on your own. If your student qualifies for free or reduced lunch, PING is group that can provide an instrument at a reduced cost.

Although instruments may be rented, purchased, or borrowed, the District 97 instrumental music staff highly recommends that beginning students rent their instruments. Most music merchants will apply the rental fee toward the purchase price of the instrument and will provide instrument repair for their customers. We specifically warn against buying an instrument from vendors who are not music merchants. These vendors include department store catalogues; discount membership warehouses, and on-line sales. An instrument purchased in this way may be of low quality and can cause playing problems for the children.

3. FILL OUT D97 ENROLLMENT FORM – This is an online form, and our computer lab will be open at the enrollment nights, or you may access it via the main district web page. Please fill this out AFTER you have arranged to rent an instrument.

FLYER

Summer Reading Incentive

Irving kids love to read!  That’s why we are taking a page from Scholastic and getting involved in the Global Literacy Campaign.  Have you ever wondered which books helped shape the lives of your favorite stars?  Do you have books that have meant a lot in your life?  Take part in Irving’s Summer Reading Incentive and share your favorite books with us!

Take a look at www.scholastic.com/readeveryday to see what people all over are saying about reading.  Read through the Reading Bill of Rights and check out celebrities “bookprints.”  Did you know that Tony Hawk really liked the book Green Eggs and Ham?  Or that Taylor Swift loves Charlotte’s Web?  After you’ve checked out the site you can make your own bookprint or add your own recommendations.

Then share your favorite books with us.  Create a bookprint poster of five books that mean a lot to you.  Bring your poster back to school in the fall and we will display it for the whole school to see! Check out the examples that we attached to this sheet.  Be sure to include your name and your teacher’s name on your poster.

Remember to read all summer long.  You can read in the car, on the beach, in your room, at the pool or on a plane.  You can read anywhere!  Enjoy the summer, and we will see you in the fall!  Questions?  Contact Mrs. Chinn achinn@op97.org.

Thanks!

Irving Reading Committee

FLYER