DrumBeat: Drummond LSC and PTO News & Views

Please contribute to Drummond’s “joy-gallery” for Family Reading Night (Thursday, Feb. 23 5:30-8:00 pm)

The gallery will be a showcase of artwork, photography and poetry done by Drummond students, teachers and families about what makes them joyful!  Here is how to participate:

1. Make your fabulous art, photo or poem about what brings you joy.  Please include your name/family name and child’s room number on the front.*

2. Turn it in to the PTO mailbox (located in the main office) by Valentines Day, Tuesday Feb. 14th

3. Have fun seeing your work on display at Family Reading Night!

* We will try our best to return contributions, but make no promises!

 Your child will be introduced to basketball basic skills. They will learn the basics of passing, dribbling and shooting. They will participate in drills and scrimmage. The goal is to teach the exercise, teach the basics and have fun.   

Session begins the week of February 8th and runs through March 23 rd.  Fee: $40 for 7 week session.  Registration open click   Drummond__Basketball_2012_REGISTRATION_FORM  for registration details or contact Sedrick Davenport at 773.326.2840 or

• Basketball Clinics– Ages 5 – 7:  Wednesday, 4:15 pm– 5:30 pm
• Basketball Clinics–  Ages 8 – 12:  Friday, 3:00 pm– 5:00 pm

Thank you to everyone who took Drummond’s survey about the CPS extended day plans.

The LSC took the results, along with feedback from our administration and teachers, and yesterday we sent a letter to CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard and the members of the Board of Education, sharing with them our hopes and concerns about the proposed extended day.

The survey results sent a clear message, with 91.5 percent of respondents preferring a school day shorter that the 7.5 hours proposed by CPS. Of special concern was the length of the school day for our youngest students, with 70 percent expressing support for Early Childhood having a shorter day than our older students. There were also clear concerns about the future of afterschool activities and homework if a longer day is adopted.

We also appreciated the preferences about how the additional time should be used, with Recess, Science, Foreign Language, Math, Montessori Work Period and Art topping the list.

The letter to CPS expressed our desire to collaborate with CPS to make a longer day a success, as they have collaborated with us to make our Montessori program successful. However we were clear about our parents desires as communicated in the survey, and about our practical concerns, primarily that no funding has been identified by CPS for implementing this program.

I encourage you to check out the letter and the survey results. A copy can be downloaded here: Drummond LSC Extended Day Survey and Letter.

Just a reminder to gather your aluminum cans, old cell phones, ink cartridges, batteries, plastic bags and more for our monthly Drummond Recycling collection at drop off next week (Tue. the 31st)! Look for Julie Fisher and kids from the conservation club in the morning!

I know most of us get the very informative Backpack Express updates from Mr. Neidlinger, but in case you missed it, here’s the information he sent regarding a very important survey that the school is conducting.  Please complete the survey before Monday if at all possible!  This survey may be used, in part, by our LSC to draft a letter to CPS regarding our school’s priorities.  It also may inform our administration’s planning for a longer day.

“Full Day Planning: Tomorrow morning I will be holding the last of our Longer School Day Planning sessions and, as always, I welcome your input. Our
meeting will start promptly at 8am in the gymnasium on the third floor.

Our LSC is planning to address the Longer School Day with the Board of Education and would appreciate your input. Please take a moment to complete the survey
below before Monday, January 23. If you are a Drummond parent who did not receive a copy of the BackpackExpress Survey, please contact Jonathan Goldman at for the link.

All are invited to a meeting of Drummond’s Green Team tonight at 7:00pm at the Starbucks on North and Sheffield.

Here’s the agenda:

Drummond Green Team Meeting    Jan. 19, 2012        7:00pm

Location- Starbucks at North & Sheffield (1001 W. North Avenue)

 I.                  Welcome

II.               Year Long Activities Planning

1.    School-Wide Activities (Update on Recycling)

a.     “Tip of the week”

b.      Newsletter

c.      Biking Program

Spring- Two Bike Trains

3.    Earth Day- Choose Date/Coordinate with Mr. G

1. a.     Choose emphasis
2. b.    EC/E1 activities
3. 4.    “Green Ribbon” School

III.           School Lunch/Salad Bar

1.    Go for the Gold Campaign

 IV.           Environmental Action Plan- with Garden Club

 1.    Rain Barrel

2.    Compost

1. V.              Adjournment

Reminder: You’re Invited to the Family Reading Night meeting after school today at 3pm in the Drummond library

No experience necessary! Family Reading Night will be February 23rd— A night filled with Joy! This is an evening for pre-readers as well, so if you have students at the PreK level your input is essential.

If you cannot attend today’s meeting, but want to be involved please contact Cindy Nicita@

Thanks!

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Administrative
1. Qtr III Updates
2. Vendor revenue recommendations to LSC
3. Account balance 
4. 2012 Survey
4. YMCA –Programming
1. Before care update

2. Curriculum
3. Offerings
4. Meeting Adjourned