DrumBeat: Drummond LSC and PTO News & Views

Hi all,

It was discovered that there were two mistakes in yesterday’s backpack news. Please adjust accordingly.

1. In my newsletter yesterday I stated that LSC applications would be accepted up to March 5th. This date is if you are turning the application in through the Board of Education. If you hand it in directly to the school (Mrs. Bago) you have until March 12th at 3pm. I’m sorry for the confusion.

2. When looking over the March calendar it was discovered that the LSC meeting is posted as Wednesday, March 12th. Please switch that to Tuesday, March 11th. The next LSC meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 11th at 5pm. Please join us.

Thank you,

Mr. Neidlinger

Drummond Montessori Magnet School
February 28, 2008

Dear Drummond Families,

Surely by now you have heard all about the Pasta Palooza event that is taking place next Friday. I want to mention one last time the variety of events leading up to the actual event that parents can get involved in.

February 21, 2008

Dear Parents and Students,

A diversity committee is forming at Drummond. Your participation to create language for the meaning of diversity is greatly appreciated. We need you and your family to work together to respond to this question: What is unique about your family? Display your representation of family by creating an art project incorporating a few written sentences, poetry, draw a picture or create a collage onto the sheet of paper provided. Please keep to the one sheet provided so that we have a uniform display of all Drummond families.

Allow us to share our differences and similarities together during Pasta Palooza, where artwork submitted by families will be displayed. We encourage everyone to celebrate the gathering of a unique collection of art when we come together as a community for an exquisite meal. Submit your response no later than February 29, 2008 by returning your creation to the classroom teacher.

Sincerely,

Diversity Committee: Mr. Martin-Hayes, Ms. Tajeda, Mrs. Barrett, Mrs. Cantello, Mr. Zielinski, Ms. Craig and Mr. Neidlinger

The 2008-2010 SIPAAA Pages has lots of information to help you understand and comment on the parent involvement portion of our School Improvement Plan.  Please take a moment to review the draft and SIPAAA schedule at http://www.drummondlsc.org/main/2008-2010-sipaaa-page/.  All comments on the current draft can be emailed to or dropped in Laura Kuzniar’s mailbox in the office.

Dear Parents,

Our Early Childhood team will be presenting “Cultural” items to their parents on Tuesday, April 8th from 5:30 - 6:30. We are moving the date one last time so that it will not interfer with all the Pasta Palooza events that are scheduled for next week. You will get further notification later this week, but please change your calendars accordingly.

Thank you,

Mr. Neidlinger

Dear Parents,

Here is yet another opportunity for you to get involved and help out the school. Monica Lasky is opening up her house (and her kitchen) to parents that are interested in baking desserts for Pasta Palooza. Rumor has it that the fine smell of brownies can be found at 1836 N. Honore on Sunday March 2nd from 2 - 5pm. Monica and Jonathan are welcoming children to this event as well, but please take a moment to RSVP first. You can do so at 773.252.6290 or .

Please partake in this delicious event.

Sincerely,

Mr. Neidlinger

Thanks and congratulations to Ms. Kerber and all the volunteers for terrifically organized and wonderfully fun event today. I know my family had a blast. Just got word from Jane Boal that Fox News picked up on the press release and will run a story on channel 32 at 9 pm tonight. Tune in. Not only did the event raise money for research but the press coverage will also go a long way raising awareness of MLD. (I just hope they don’t use the footage of me in the dreadlocks dancing to “YMCA”.)

February 22, 2008

Dear Drummond Families,

Family Reading Night was a blast. Thank you PTO for sponsoring this fantastic event. I know that there were a number of folks who played a role in making all of this happen, but I specifically want to acknowledge Melissa Stern, Maria Holstead, Sarah Landichio, and Alexandria Hischen-Dombroski who put in countless hours for planning and preparing this wonderful evening. There were over fifty families in attendance to enjoy the Arts based evening that culminated in the gym with Circesteem and their dynamic performance. It was really great watching our students throughout the evening.

In other news…

Jump, Jive and Jiggle for Jasper

Tomorrow afternoon, February 23, from 11-2pm please come and join this fundraising event that will benefit one of Drummond’s own. The price for the whole family is $30. There will be plenty to eat, drink, raffle upon and to dance to. Thank you Ms. Kerber, for heading up this event, you are a clear example of what we value so much here at this school, a sense of giving back and pitching in to make a big difference in the lives of others. I know our parents and your colleagues join me in this sincere thank you.

SIPAAA

The SIPAAA committee has been working diligently to put forth an honest and true document that will guide Drummonds growth over the next two years. We will be accepting input from families through March 13^th. You can view the document on-line via the LSC website or ask for a copy in the office. The teachers will be working on the academic and curricular input that will guide student learning. If you wish to share some thoughts or ideas please write a note and place it in Mrs. Kuzniars box in the main office. Mrs. Kuzniar is the chair of this committee. Thank you in advance for your ideas.

Pasta Palooza

Please reserve the night of March 7^th to join other families and faculty members for this free event. I know that it will be a great time. The Pasta Palooza is co-sponsored by our PTO and our FOD. I very much appreciate both committees coming together to celebrate our school and our community. If you are interested in helping with preparation please plan to attend either of these PARENT ONLY cooking classes. Wednesday (3-7pm) Pasta Sauce in the making by Mr. Rick Shaughnessy. Thursday (3-7pm) Bread Making with Jennifer James and Kristine Greiber. Look for more information early next week.

Sincerely,

Mark Neidlinger

Drummond parent and WGN News Reporter Jane Boal (mom of Owen Walther in Ms. Kerber’s class) put out the following press release today regarding Jump Jive Jiggle for Jasper.  What Jane wrote gave me so much more insight into what the Lipe family has been going through.  Please read it, forward to everyone you know, and consider attending this worthwhile event this Saturday. 

Thank you, Monica Lasky

———–

For Immediate Release                   Contact: Steve Lipe (312) 925-2960
February 18, 2008                                                           Kathleen Kerber (773) 802-2231                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                            
     
Jump, Jiggle & Jive for Jasper
 
Local school teacher invites everyone to Dance-A-Thon.  Neighborhood joins in to help two year old boy who has Metachromatic Leukodystrophy or MLD
 
(Chicago, IL- February 23)  Kathleen Kerber teaches 3 to 5 year olds at the Drummond Montessori Public School in Bucktown.  One of her students has a very sick little brother.  His name is Jasper Lipe.  Although Jasper is not yet three years old, he’s already spent one third of his life in the hospital.  During the past nine months he’s had surgery, chemotherapy and a stem cell bone marrow transplant made possible by the cord blood of his baby sister.  He’s had numerous tests and treatments all in an effort to stop the debilitating MLD disease that (as of now) has no cure.  Currently, Jasper has lost most of his abilities and is often in a great deal of pain.  Although he can hear, he can not eat; sit up, walk, talk or crawl.  He is fed through IV’s overnight.  While he heals from the transplant, his parents continue to search desperately for ways to relieve his discomfort and pain.
 

THE GOOD NEWS:  The transplant has actually slowed the progression of the disease and perhaps stopped it.  Most recently Jasper has started “tracking” and his eyes are sometimes “following”.  He is also responding positively to physical, massage and music therapy.  
 

Prevention and Awareness
Jasper’s parents, Susan and Steve Lipe do not want this to happen to other children.  If any ONE of the numerous doctors they had taken Japser to during the nine months of weekly visits would have been aware of the disease and tested him… Today Jasper could be a functioning two and half year old boy. 
DANCING FOR HOPE
Kids, teachers, and community members will dance to raise money for research and awareness.  They want to let people know there is a simple blood test that can be performed to give an early diagnosis (and therefore treatment before rapid deterioration begins) with this most often deadly disease.
                                          
Where and When
11-2 PM Saturday, February 23^rd 2008
Drummond Montessori School
1845 W. Cortland Street Chicago, Illinois 60622
 
PICTURES, HOME VIDEO AND INTERVIEWS available upon request.
“Jasper’s situation has touched me, personally, and our school.” Ms. Kerber says, “The fact that he is fighting so hard has given everyone in our school hope.  His struggle has become a rallying point for all of us and today’s program, while fun for the kids, is also designed for parents learn more about MLD and how a child can potentially avoid it with proper screening.”
100% of proceeds benefit research and the non-profit MLD Foundation                 http://www.mldfoundation.org/index.html
 

The boxes of books are starting to pile up for tomorrow night’s Family Reading Night Book Swap!  Get in on the action by bringing books you and your family have outgrown to the Gallery either today or tomorrow.  Then at Family Reading Night, you can swap your old books for some new reads! 

Don’t forget- Family Reading Night is tomorrow, Thursday, 2/21 from 5:00-7:30!  This year’s theme is The Arts and between “Peter and the Wolf”, Ballet Chicago and CircEsteem it promises to be the best FRN yet!  See you there!