FORT DEARBORN
Elementary School
HOME OF THE OWLS
Fort Dearborn Elementary School
Owls Press
Main Office 773-535-2680
Fax 773-535-2891
Monthly Parent Newsletter
Friday, December 8, 2006 (Issue 3)
PTA / PAC – by Indigo Austin
Please see Ms. Lofton, PTA or Ms. Brown PAC in Room 108 to join and volunteer at your child’s school. PTA Membership is $5 per family. Volunteers are always welcomed and needed to assist with fundraising and chaperoning field trips. Next month, they will resume holding meetings and will have a workshop geared at finding employment. In the spring, they will host a computer class for parents and community members.
Mathematics Department - by Tony Ingram
All students should be reviewing the standards covered on the ISAT exams. All assignments, including homework should be completed and ready to turn in everyday. Parents please review your child’s homework and assignments to make sure he or she understands what is required and what is being taught.
Reading Department – by Tony Ingram
All students should be reviewing the standards covered on the ISAT exams. All assignments including homework should be completed and ready to turn in everyday. Please review your child’s homework and assignments to make sure he or she understands what is required and what is being taught. In addition, every student must be reading a current novel.
Student Activities – by Shawnte’ Lawson
Mr. Stanley, thanks everyone for signing their child
up for one of the ten free after school tutoring programs. Classes began, Wednesday, November 15th. We now, have seven different programs here at the school (onsite) and three programs (offsite), two of the classes are (on-line) classes. The 8-week 4th & 8th grade NAEP enrichment/ support program is held on Mondays and Thursday until 4:45 and the Supplemental Educational Services (SES) program for all grade levels is held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until 4:45p. Mr. Stanley says, “We have over two hundred students enrolled in the after school-tutoring program”. Parents, please encourage your child to participate in the many student clubs our school has available. This month, we will begin our gospel choir, and our new drama club will perform its second play “Holiday Gathering for the Soul”, on Wednesday, Dec 21st. Lastly, we will hold our annual school Science Fair the week of Dec 19th. All of our programs are geared toward the continued focus on the artistic talents and prowess of our students. For more information, about the free after school tutoring programs and students club details, please contact Mr. Stanley 773-535-0269 in Room 201 or email him at bsstanley@cps.k12.il.us.
Main Office - by Shawnte’ Lawson
I spoke with Mrs. Peterson, in the main office. She informed me “All early dismissals require an early dismissal slip to be filled out”. “Also, an emergency form should be completed when there’s any change of a students address or telephone number”. Parents, please make sure your child’s teacher has an updated emergency form on file. Lastly, tardy passes are issued after 9:10 am.
Special Education – by Tony Ingram
I spoke with Mrs. Dunne, the case manager. She informed me that our school has recently developed a parent resource library. This library provides information on the least restrictive environment (LRE) and inclusion. For more details, please feel free to contact Ms. Dunn at
773-535-2686 in Room 601 or by email at
Cafeteria - by Shawnte’ Lawson
Ms. Allen the lunchroom manager wants to encourage the parents to tell their children to “treat the lunchroom as a respectable place for dining for them and everyone else”. I also learned that students cannot walk around the lunchroom unless given permission from the school staff. In addition, students cannot bring glass bottles and cannot share food or snacks.
Engineering/ Custodian – by Indigo Austin
Mr. Crosby, the engineer wants you to encourage your child to keep the school restroom, cafeteria and areas in and around the school clean and to report any spills or cleanups needed.=
Library/ media center – by Shawnte’ Lawson
Ms. Taylor, the librarian thanks all of the parents and students for participating in the annual Scholastic Book Fair. She wants all of the students to “visit the library in a quiet and orderly manner, be prepared, and follow instructions and learn, while keeping the noise level to a minimum”. I found out that all students should have library card and that teachers are welcomed to check out books for students as a classroom.
Athletics/ Physical Ed - by Indigo Austin
Mr. Stanley and Mr. Labon the gym teacher are happy to announce that we will have a variety of intramural athletic tournaments this school year. We will have a champion in Volleyball, Basketball and Flag Football. More details to follow. However, in order for your child to participate, they must purchase a school & gym uniform. Please see the attached. Payments are accepted for the gym uniforms throughout the school year. Your child must see
Mr. Stanley in room 201, during the lunch periods to turn in the order form and make payment. The gym uniform set cost $10. According to Mr. Stanley, “The gym uniforms will be delivered and ready to be worn two to three days after payments has been received”. In addition, you can purchase gold polo shirt with the Fort Dearborn emblem and sweat suits to continue to show school spirit”. Furthermore, parents, you are more than welcomed to go directly to:
(Wright Fit, located 1800 W. 95th street, 773-779-9560 95th street/ just west of Ashland) to purchase more items.
Security - by Indigo Austin
All students must report any suspicious or illegal behavior to any member of the Fort Dearborn Staff. This includes arguments, rumors of a fight, fights, illegal substances, dangerous weapons and any other items or information that is inappropriate for our learning environment. All students must be in uniform. All visitors must enter the main building and pass through the metal detectors before checking in at the security desk. Parents and visitors cannot go directly to classrooms. Any irate behavior is subject to arrest and prosecution. Students are not allowed to throw snowballs or throw fellow students in the snow. These are grounds for disciplinary actions. Lastly, all students must be off school grounds by 2:55p. These are also grounds for disciplinary actions.
Special Report
Fort Dearborn’s security is one of the best. All of our security guard’s try as hard as possible to keep everyone safe. We have added security cameras and metal detectors to assist us in our school’s operations. For this special report, I asked Ms. Meeks a security guard from the 400 building the following questions:
Q: Do metal detectors make the school more secure?
A: “Yes, they pick up any weapons that a person may have. In addition, the cameras pick up any intruders that may be in the school or on school grounds”.
Q: What is the overall duty of a security guard?
A: “To be watchful and to make sure the students are safe. I also have to make sure no one enters the building who is not supposed to be in the building, also we are responsible for breaking up fights”.
Q: Do you enjoy being a security guard and why?
A: “Yes, I get to interact with a lot of the students”.
Mark Your Calendars
Friday, 12/8/06
Half-Day Dismissal at 12:15p
Please ensure proper arrangements for your child. Students are discouraged to use the telephone in the main office after school dismissal.
Tuesday, 12/19/06
CAPS meeting – cafeteria 6 pm
Monday, 12/25/06 – 1/5/06
Holiday Break
Eighth Grade Students – by Tony Ingram
All 8th grade students should be keeping a track of High School open house dates, entrance exams and other important dates. In addition, all students should be preparing their eighth grade paperwork for high school to Ms. Keith in the main office by Friday, December 15th.
Application period for Magnet schools
Deadline 12/22/06
Principal’s Message
Please adhere to the information provided in this newsletter. This monthly parent newsletter is used to enhance the communication in and around our school and community. Thank you for signing your child up for the free after school tutoring services. During this season of giving, please suggest to relatives and friends to purchase a gym uniform for your child. Also, please encourage your child to become involved in the many school clubs and activities. If there are any questions, suggestions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at the school.
Thank you,
Arey DeSadier, Principal
Kimberly Porter, Vice Principal
Minnie Jackson, Vice Principal