DrumBeat: Drummond LSC and PTO News & Views

A huge thank you to the Drummond community for helping make the PTO’s Family Reading Night a wonderful evening! Over 100 families attended….the 8th graders raised $180 for their Washington DC trip (thank you to Laura Dolly for donating the basket of Peet’s Coffee goodies)….the book swap raised $70 for Drummond’s Library.

A special thank you to the planning committee who have been working since December to pull the evening together:
Perform-A-Mystery: Monica Castle and Bonnie Kenaz-Mara
History Mystery: Maria Holstead and Mollie Stromberg (art by Evelyn Curry)
Nature Mystery: Sherry Coleman, Kristine Greiber, and Christina Perez
A Sense of Mystery: Lukia Artemakis, Ivy Rejman, David Calloway, Julianna Kuzniar, Mario Rodriguez, Theresa Juliano, Dawani Warren, Romello Robinson, Monica Melendez, Destiny Rodriguez, Ashley Medina, Ms. Rejman, Mr. Daube, and Ms. Wheatley
The Case of the Missing Detective Kits: Cindy Nicita, Lisa Wright and Mary Zerkel
Food: Pam Anderson, Grace Kwon, and Mollie Stromberg
Graphic Design: Lisa Wright
Library: Mrs. Steiger
Co-Chairs: Bonnie Kenaz-Mara and Melissa Sterne

And to the many volunteers who made the evening run smoothly:
Rachel Kelly-Gross, Linda Szabo, , Megan Hinschliff, Holly DuPart, Julie Fisher, Diane Gansho, Brandy, Liliana Piccinini, Sarah Landicho, Laurel Dettman, Nick Charo, Malefia Emiru-Charo, David Askew, Neha Gandhi, Doug Hinckley, Jennifer James, Aimee Kam, Melisa Latorre, Chrissy Rockrohr, Elsa Rivera, Kyle Peterson, Marijana Erceg, Simone Widney, and Yuvette Owens.

Thank you for the delicious food donations from:
Icream, Via Carducci, Club Lucky, Lottie’s, Beat Kitchen, Piece, Eli’s Cheesecake, and Drummond’s own Neswold and Stromberg families.

And last but certainly not least, thank you to Ms. Espada and Mr. Neidlinger for their support and help throughout!

Drummond PTO Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
7:00 P.M. – The Hideout

Present: Grace Kwon, Pamela Anderson, Megan Hinchsliff, Simone Widney, Mark Neidlinger, Bonnie Kenaz-Mara, Mollie Stromberg,

1. Welcome/Introduction

2. Principal’s Report
• ISAT
o ISAT testing will begin in next week.
o Students who are relaxed and not stressed about the test tend to do the better.

• Technology Night, Thursday March 25th
o Another technology night for parents will be held at Drummond March 25th
o Great opportunity for parents to learn new educational websites for their children

• Montessori Info
o Teachers and Mark went to a Montessori school in Milwaukee that goes all the way to 8th grade. Great experience.
o Drummond is committed to staying true to pure Montessori all the way to 8th grade.
o Currently Drummond goes to 6th grade with Montessori. Within 2 years, we will be full Montessori to 8th grade.
• Technology Night, Thursday March 25th
o Another technology night for parents will be held at Drummond March 25th
o Great opportunity for parents to learn new educational websites for their children

3. Treasurer’s Report
• $4,710 currently in account.
• 2 receipts outstanding for reimbursement of pizza and coffee
• Upcoming expenses: $1,000 – database, $400 Family Reading Night, $150 Report Card Lunch, $1,000 (max) – 8th Grade Trip, $400 Teacher Appreciation

4. Old Business / Updates
• DrummondSchool.org Website – Mark Neidlinger
o Due to ISAT prep, website updates have been pushed back. Should be up in 3 weeks.

• Family Reading Night – Bonnie Kenaz-Mara
o Thursday, February 25th at 5:30 pm
o 4th room added, no outside entertainment
o Pizza will be served in the cafeteria and limit number of pieces to ensure everyone receive pizza. Volunteers will be served pizza first
o Several local businesses are making food donations.
o All business/corporate donations will be recognized in a thank you flyer after the event. Logos for donors are due to Simone Widney by February 25th.
o Parents are asked to donate beverages (not soda) and deliver to the main office prior to the event or bring the night of the event. Extra beverages will be used for our spring social event.

• Newsletter – Sarah Landicho
o No updates

• Book Fair – Sarah Landicho
o No updates

5. New Business – Committee Reports
• Drummond Montessori Matters 2010 – Mollie Stromberg
o Tag Line: Funding Our Future
o Have a really neat logo
o Using Montessori Pink Tower which relates back to how kids count in class room
o Fundraising methods includes corporate, family pledges, possibly raffle instead of silent auction – raffles possibly at 2 different levels so everyone can participate

• PTO Elections – Grace Kwom
o Elections will be held in April of this year
o Anyone interested in running for any position, please contact Grace
o Outgoing person will work with incoming person for 2 months until July when the new person will take their post.

• Go Bananas Fundraiser – Mollie Stomberg
o Location: Lottie’s. Date to be determined
o Kids have fun
o Give Drummond ½ proceeds for night

6. Kudos / Thanks

7. Announcements

8. Adjournment

At tonight’s meeting, the LSC reviewed the principal applications and narrowed to field to one candidate, Mark Neidlinger, and we subsequently conducted an interview with him.

We also moved forward with some points for the principal contract that will need to be approved by the CPS Law Department before we can vote to offer Mr. Neidlinger a contract. We are hoping that this will be resolved within a week or two, and that a final vote on a contract could happen at the next LSC meeting on March 8th (mark your calendars!), or potentially at another special meeting, depending on the Law Department’s turnaround time.

I’ll share the schedule as soon as we know it.

Best,

Jonathan Goldman
LSC Chair

Just a reminder that the LSC is meeting this evening regarding principal selection.

This morning the LSC received from CPS nine applications for the principal position. However, only two of them are currently eligible to be selected as principal. One candidate is Mr. Neidlinger.

The LSC has a number of procedural options to consider at the meeting tonight, one of which could be a decision to select a new principal for a four year contract.

The meeting is at 6:00 pm in room 007. The full agenda is below. Please feel free to attend – refreshments and childcare will be provided.

LSC AGENDA

I. Call Meeting to order/ Se abre la sesion

II. Discussion of Next Steps of Principal Selection Process, Part I

III. Review and Discussion of Principal Applications – Closed Session

IV. Discussion of Next Steps of Principal Selection Process, Part II
- Approve next steps and schedule, including possible interview with finalist

V. Interview of Finalist and Discussion – Closed Session (if needed)

VI. Discussion of Next Steps of Principal Selection Process, Part III
Possible Actions include:
- Selection of Drummond Principal
- Approval of Contract Addendum
- Schedule Public Forum with New Principal

VII. Adjournment/Se cierra la sesion.

The Drummond LSC will hold a special meeting on Monday February 22nd at 6:00 pm in room 007, for purposes of taking the next steps in the principal selection process. Over the past two months we have moved forward with the necessary steps to install a permanent principal at Drummond. All of these actions are as required by state law or CPS regulations.

On February 3rd, the LSC ran a job announcement in the CPS Bulletin, and we are taking applications through tomorrow. On Monday we will receive the applications from CPS, and at the special meeting we will review them and decide on what next steps to take in the process. The LSC is committed to ensuring that this process is open and transparent to the school community, and as always, your input is invited and welcomed.

Also at the meeting, we will discuss an important bill that was introduced last week in the Illinois Senate (SB 3063) that would strip all LSCs of their legal authority. The LSC may decide to respond to this at the meeting.

Anyone may attend the meeting, although the discussion about the applicants will be held in closed session. Refreshments and child care will be provided.

Jonathan Goldman
LSC Chair

ISATS! Homework!  E1 OH MY!

Have you ever wondered about how to support your Montessori educated child?  Come in have some coffee and watch an 18 min. video,”Montessori for Elementary Age Children.”  Casual parent led discussion/questions welcomed!  An administrator will stop by to answer questions!

Children Welcomed! 

Sponsored by NCLB

The Drummond PTO meeting will be held Tuesday, February 16th, 7:00 pm at The Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia. We hope you can make it!

All:

Ultimate is canceled this Wednesday, 2/10, the last day before the President’s Weekend break.  Ultimate will resume for students on 2/17/10 at 2:45pm.

Thanks!

“Coach Nicole”

Drummond PTO Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
7:00 P.M. – The Hideaway

1. Welcome/Introduction

2. Principal’s Report

3. Treasurer’s Report

4. Old Business / Updates
• Drummondschool.org website – Simone Widney
• Newsletter – Sarah Landicho
• Book Fair – Sarah Landicho

5. New Business- Committee Reports
• Drummond Montessori Matters – Mollie Stromberg
• PTO Elections will be held in April of this year

6. Kudos / Thanks

7. Announcements
• Volunteers needed for Family Reading Night

8. Adjournment

Drummond PTO Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
7:00 P.M. – The Hideaway

1. Welcome/Introduction

2. Principal’s Report

3. Treasurer’s Report

4. Old Business / Updates
• Family Reading Night – Grace Kwon
• The Big Non-Event – Grace Kwon
• Drummondschool.org website – Simone Widney
• Newsletter – Sarah Landicho
• Book Fair – Sarah Landicho

5. New Business- Committee Reports
• Drummond Montessori Matters – Mollie Stromberg
• PTO Elections will be held in April of this year

6. Kudos / Thanks

7. Announcements
• Volunteers needed for Family Reading Night

8. Adjournment