DrumBeat: Drummond LSC and PTO News & Views

The students have voted and the theme for this year’s Family Reading Night is “JOY”. What a great way to start off the new year! FRN is an annual evening of free family fun centered around literacy, held right here at Drummond, brought to you courtesy of the PTO. FRN will be the evening of Thursday, February 23rd. Please join us on Thursday, January 19th at 3pm in the Library to find out the many fun and exciting ways that you can get involved. Any time you can give, before or during the event, is appreciated. Please contact Cindy at with any questions. JOY to you all!

Still spaces for the following quarter III and school break programs.   Click on the links below or contact the instructor to register.

Youth Karate

Tues & Thurs * Contact Sedrick *  * 773-326-2840*click Karate Form

Multilingual

Spanish on Mons & Weds * French on Tues & Thurs

Click Multilingual form or go to http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=13593&stype=-104&sTG=30&sVT=130&sView=day&sDate=1/23/2012 

Li’l Buds

Basic Acting on Tuesdays * Advanced Acting on Thursdays

Click  Drama Form for details

 Yoga

Tues slots still available *

Journey World – 1/27 

Your kids are invited to join us for a workshop on Friday, Jan. 27. Here are the details –

Next Journey World Star!

Do you ever dream of being a star? Compete against fellow participants as you sing, dance and perform on stage. If you don’t want to be in the spotlight, work behind the scenes of the competition as a judge, costume designer, host or film crew member!

WHO: Girls and boys grades K-6^th grade

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 27, 2012

TIME: 9:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.

WHERE: Journey World, Suite 600

COST: $18/child

NOTES:

-          Pack your own lunch

-          Snacks will be provided

-          Child care available from 3-6 p.m. for $6/child

-          Reserve your spot and sign-up by completing the attached registration form today!

Julie Fisher, chair of the Green Team, will be at Kiss-n-Go to collect recycled materials brought in by Drummond families on Thursday 12/15.  Batteries, cell phones and cans earn cash for Drummond School. Contributions are welcome!

Happy Holidays!
Many of us have relatives who want to give our children meaningful gifts, and nothing is more powerful than giving to their education. This year we are making it easier than ever to share the opportunity to make a difference in your kids’ education with your family and friends. In 5 minutes, you or your child (if age appropriate) can create your own pre-made webpage to easily share through email, Facebook, Twitter, etc… . With a few clicks you can share the page, and gain much needed support for Drummond in a low pressure way. It’s a great project to do with kids over the break and a fun way for children to learn about giving and charity. Plus all donations are tax-deductible.

See an example of a family page here

Create your own DMM family fundraising page
1) GO TO https://drummond.ejoinme.org/family
Select “Click Here to Join”
To login you will either create a new username and password for Join Me or use Open Id (your email sign in) You will confirm your username through email and then be able to edit your page.
2) EDIT YOUR PERSONAL FAMILY FUNDRAISING PAGE- Click Edit your fundraising page and you can add a photo and your own Drummond Story. You can personalize your page or just send the standard page already created. After editing scroll all the way down and press DONE!
3) EMAIL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND/OR PROMOTE YOUR PAGE ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, BLOGS, etc. right from your page in about 3 clicks.
4) VIEW YOUR FUNDRAISING PROGRESS AND THANK DONORS- each time you sign in you can see who has donated & with a few clicks personally thank them.

QUESTIONS OR NEED ASSISTANCE?
Email Jenny Anselmo at or Emily Greenfield at

Here is a link to a Catalyst article about a new report from the VIVA Project of Chicago and National-Louis University that outlines teacher recommendations for the longer school day.
The article includes a link to the actual report.

http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/notebook/2011/12/12/19701/chicago-teachers-give-ideas-longer-school-day?tr=y&auid=10002256

I am forwarding this notice from the Blaine PTA.  There have been efforts to bring the film “Race to Nowhere” to Drummond, but so far, that’s not been scheduled.  In the meantime, here’s an opportunity to see this film about the U.S. education system (note: to my knowledge, the movie is NOT otherwise available on DVD or through iTunes).

“Blaine School PTA is proud to present a 4-part film festival with official selections including Race to Nowhere, Miss Representation, Louder than a Bomb and Lunch Line. The goal of the 2012 series is to bring together parents and educators to view and discuss controversial, inspirational and empowering films that impact our our children. Blaine PTA is fully funding this series, so all tickets are complimentary to the parents, teachers and greater Blaine community. All movies will be shown in the Blaine auditorium.

The series kicks off on Thursday, January 19 with the showing of Race to Nowhere. This film is lauded as “perhaps one of the most important films created in recent memory…that asks the tough questions and provides real solutions for the problems plaguing the education system in America.” The movie is free, but registration is required to reserve tickets, as seating is limited. The direct link to the ticket registration page is: http://www.racetonowhere.com/epostcard/5579.

We recommend you reserve your seat sooner rather than later. We look forward to welcoming you to the first movie of the film festival.”

My kids have really had fun with this; each session culminates with a short play that is based on ideas developed by the students.

Li’l Buds Drama Classes at Drummond!

All students will have a blast expressing themselves creatively, using their imagination, and learning to work together. All classes end with a presentation for families and friends! These classes fill up fast so sign up today!

Basic Acting for ages 7-9yrs

Tuesdays 2:45pm -4:15pm

Through acting games and exercises, students will hone basic acting and theatre skills such as vocal production and character creation, and will master the art of creative collaboration.

Quarters 1, 2, 3 and 4 (each Quarter is a 6 week session)

Q 3 dates -1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28 and 3/6

Q 4 dates – 4/17, 2/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15 and 5/22

Advanced Acting for ages 10yrs+

Thursdays 2:45pm – 4:15pm

More intensive acting training, with students working on creating original stories and plays and the art of improv. Students hone their performance abilities and learn to create original characters.

Quarters 1, 2, 3 and 4 (each Quarter is a 6 week session)

Q 3 dates – 2/2, 2/9, 2/26, 2/23, 3/1 and 3/8

Q 4 dates – 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17 and 5/24

About Li’l Buds

 - Li’l Buds Theatre is a six year old company dedicated to enriching the lives of children of all backgrounds through theatre and the performing arts. Each year we produce two main stage shows for families including our extremely popular original holiday musical series in the winter and a play in the spring. Li’l Buds also holds classes, workshops, camps and residencies at many schools including Frances Xavier Warde, Catherine Cook, Polaris, West Belden and Sacred Heart and Li’l Buds a resident company at the Greenhouse Theatre Center. Our ensemble of artists have worked with such companies as Broadway in Chicago, Drury Lane, Porchlight, Blindfaith, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, Lifeline, Dog and Pony, A Red Orchid, Pegasus, Black Ensemble, Theatre Building, Congo Square and ATC.

Cost is $100 for 6 90-minute sessions.

For information and to get sign up forms, contact

773.334.4543

Forms and checks can be returned to the school office

It’s time for the kick-off meeting for Family Reading Night 2012 and you’re invited! FRN is an annual evening of free family fun centered around literacy, held right here at Drummond, brought to you courtesy of the PTO. This year’s big event will be the evening of Thursday, February 23rd, so mark that on your calendar!

Thursday (Dec 8th) after pick-up (3pm) in the library, is the place to be: We’ll discuss some great teacher input that will help us to put together a theme, so please come and participate! There is much planning and fun to be had, so please c’mon over after school this Thursday to meet me and my co-chairs, Cindy Nicita and Mary Zerkel to get in on the ground floor of planning the festivities. Questions? Email me @: . thanks!

It’s time for the kick-off meeting for Family Reading Night 2012 and you’re invited! FRN is an annual evening of free family fun centered around literacy, held right here at Drummond, brought to you courtesy of the PTO. This year’s big event will be the evening of Thursday, February 23rd, so mark that on your calendar!

Thursday (Dec 8th) after pick-up (3pm) in the library, is the place to be: We’ll discuss some great teacher input that will help us to put together a theme, so please come and participate! There is much planning and fun to be had, so please c’mon over after school this Thursday to meet me and my co-chairs, Cindy Nicita and Mary Zerkel to get in on the ground floor of planning the festivities. Questions? Email me @: . thanks!