September 7, 2010

Dear Agassiz Parents,

Chicago Public Schools principals are hired under four year contracts, and in the fourth year of the principal's contract, the Local School Council must evaluate the principal's performance and decide whether or not to offer the principal another four year contract.  Mrs. Weber's contract began on July 1, 2007, so she is now at the beginning of her fourth contract year.

The Agassiz Local School Council has formed a Principal Evaluation Committee to gather input from Agassiz parents, teachers and community members about their satisfaction with Mrs. Weber's performance, in order to evaluate her performance since she became principal and make an informed decision about whether or not to offer to renew her contract.  The Principal Evaluation Committee is made up of three parent representatives and two community representatives from the Local School Council.

The Principal Evaluation Committee invites you to give us any input you may have, positive or constructive, about Mrs. Weber's performance as principal since 2007.  If you would like to give input, you may call or email any of the Principal Evaluation Committee members at the addresses/numbers listed below.  The input you share will be kept confidential--your name will not be shared with anyone other than the committee member you speak to.

You may also contact any of the Committee members if you have any questions about the contract year evaluation process.

Sincerely,

Tom Driscoll (Parent), This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 312-519-1015

Kate Goetz (Parent), This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 773-744-9090

Phil Isom (Community), This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 312-404-2975

Tal Pendo (Community), This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 847-373-2227

Paul Schearf (Parent), This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 312-636-9770

LSC MEETING, September 1, 2010, 6:30 PM (Music Room, 103)

1/ Call to Order

2/ Roll Call and Introduction of Guests

3/ Approval of Agenda

4/ Approval of Minutes, July 14, 2010 Meeting

5/ Public Comment

6/ Principal Report

•  Enrollment
•  After School Program
•  Test scores
•  Teacher organization

7/ Other Reports

•  Bilingual Advisory Committee
•  Friends of Agassiz
•  Parent Advisory Council
•  Professional Personnel Leadership Committee
•  Principal Evaluation Committee
•  Special Education Parents Committee

8/ Old Business

•  Schedule of subjects and special guests for future LSC meetings

9/ New Business

•  Checks
•  Budget transfers
•  Friends of Agassiz fundraisers

10/ Public Participation

11/ Next Meeting October 6, 2010

12/ Adjourn

Parent Advisory Council (PAC)

Every school that receives No Child Left Behind (NCLB), otherwise known as Title 1, funds must convene and maintain a Parent Advisory Council (PAC).  The main function of the PAC is to work with the principal to develop and, with LSC approval, implement a parent involvement strategy for the school using the portion of NCLB funds specifically designated for that purpose.  The PAC should also advise the LSC regarding the allocation of all NCLB funds received by the school.

Check out our page on Facebook to vote for our school and to see the latest pictures and videos 

We are looking for more painters…I’m sure there are still many of you who are DYI’s, artists, or just willing to have some fun with it.  Our children will appreciate walking through some freshly painted bright hallways this fall…for just as little as 1.5 hrs of your time.  Food/refreshments and paint/materials will be provided…we just need YOU!!!
 
Below is the latest update on the volunteer list.  For those of you listed, let me know if the time slots look ok…
 
PAINT A THON 2010

Sat, July 17th
 
9am - 10:30am
S Rosa + 3
Paul Schearf
Catherine Mascari + fam
Cassi Cohen
Lori & Larry
Ana

10:30 - 12noon
S Rosa + 3
Paul Schearf
Cassi Cohen
 
12noon - 1:30pm
S Rosa + 3
Paul Schearf
Guy Sandra + 2
 
1:30pm-3:00pm
S Rosa + 3
Paul Schearf
Kate Goetz + 1
Guy Sandra + 2
Irene Innes
Haky Im
 
Thanks,
Sam Rosa (paintathon organizer)

To view of download this month's newsletter, click this link:

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B_kza2zyprCQYTViNjNiZTctMmRmMS00ZGI1LTkwOGQtYTE3Mzc1ZDE4ODIw&hl=en

There is an open Friends of Agassiz board of directors position to be filled at the next meeting, Wednesday, June 30 at 6:30pm in the Music room (Room 103). In addition to electing a new board member, the board will also elect a new President. If you would like to serve as a board member and/or as President, please contact Pat McKenna, Secretary at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 312-543-6220 or contact any of the other continuing board members.

LaKeeta Mickens, Vice-President

Irene Innes, Treaurer

Amy Wilde

Michelle Shafer

Eynav Epstein

Mira Weber, Honorary Board Member (Principal)

Tom Driscoll, Honorary Board Member (Local School Council Chair)

On Saturday morning (6/5/2010), Agassiz participated in the "Girls on the Run 5K". Girls on the Run is a not for profit which delivers a self-esteem/running program to schools across the country. Ms. Medsker is the coach for the Agassiz runners and there were at least 5 other Agassiz faculty and staff members on Saturday morning. it was a great event!

It was at Montrose Harbor and the other people there were the running club (girls in 5-8th grade) and Ms. Wilkes, McNalley, Medsker, Purpura and Mr. Overway (that i saw). Ingrid Komer and I were the only RUNNING parents I recognized but Ms. Medsker would know better about other parents.

Posted on Friends of Agassiz page by Kathryn Jackson

Use the links below when you buy online. There is no additional cost for you and FOA will receive certain percentage of your total purchase. Ask your friends, parents, colleagues to do the same. If you would like to suggest other online merchants, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Until the end of the year we will get $65 per phone bought through this link!

Amazon will pay FOA 4-15% of the purchase when you enter the site through this link. Anything you buy within the next 24 hours adds to the total amount.

Barnes and Noble pays 6%

Abebooks sells used books and will pay us 5% of the purchase. It was recently bought by Amazon.

Patagonia pays 7%

** 15% coupon valid until 8/9/2010 on orders $50 or more, use code ISLAND22 during checkout

Oriental Trading pays 5%

Endless is an Amazon brand (similar to Zappos) and pays 15% of the sales generated from the following link

Abt will pay FOA 3% on electronics, 4% on appliances and furniture, and 1% on computers

Office Max will pay about 4% of the purchase but it doesn't seem to pay for gift card purchases.

Discount school supply will pay FOA 5%.

Land of Nod pays 7%

Best Buy

Crabtree and Evelyn pays 10%

Sears

Puma

Finish Line

Friends of Agassiz has teamed up with Bridgeport Coffee to create a unique Agassiz Blend, complete with the Agassiz logo on the outside of the bag.

Your child should have received an order form in his or her Tuesday Folder on April 20th. Please use the order form to record each of your customer's names and emails, and the number of bags of coffee they would like to purchase (including your own order!).

The coffee is $12 per bag, $5.50 of which goes directly to Friends of Agassiz. Both regular and decaffeinated coffee is available; in addition, the coffee may be purchased whole bean or ground. Loose leaf tea is also available for $6 per bag. Both the coffee and tea are Fair Trade Organic-certified.

Please contact Adam Shane ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) for more information.

A huge thanks to