E l i W h i t n ey S c h o o l N ew s !
October 2013
Volume 1, Issue 3
Jorge Ruiz, Principal
Selena Estka, Assistant Principal
Dear Parents and Guardians:
October 15
Deadline to have physical and vaccines
October 21
Photos for Kindergarten
& 8th. grade
October 23-24
Photos for the rest of the
school
October 23
SES After School
Programs FAIR
3:00—5:00 p.m.
November 11
Veteran’s Day
I'm pleased to inform you that our school moved up to Level 1 demonstrating the excellent work of our students,
teachers, and school community members. Without a doubt, we will continue this quality work with our students
which demands hard work and effort from all of us. We've received letters from Mr. Vitale, President of the
Board of Education, Ms. Barbara-Byrd-Bennett, CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, and Mr. Rahm Emmanuel,
Mayor of Chicago, congratulating us for this achievement in becoming a Level 1 School.
Undoubtedly, reaching this goal has taken several years since my arrival at our beloved school and we are well
aware of what this recognition means. We must also have a humble attitude towards this accomplishment as we
know we must now maintain this high level. The parameters for schools this year are much more rigorous and
require an even greater academic effort as we prepare your children for the upcoming PARCC assessment during
the 2014-15 school year.
I thank you for sending your children to school every day; together, we can maintain our goal of a 97% minimum
attendance rate for the 2013-14 school year.
Another primary factor is your child's health in terms of immunizations for your child during the 2013-14 school
year. Parents have until October 15 to present proof of immunizations. After that date, students who have not
met their immunization requirements will be excluded from school. During Open House we provided information
to parents of students in need of immunizations so that sufficient time was afforded for this requirement to be
met.
We have begun our after school reading and mathematics classes. We've begun with groups of students in need
of additional instruction/intervention.
Our new Kindergarten teacher, Vianey Preciado, has begun to work with our students and is in the process of
establishing norms, routines, and school habits for her class. She has already sent a letter introducing herself to
the parents of children in her class.
Parents of 8th graders had an opportunity to attend a presentation given by our school counselor, Ms. Welsh,
regarding the high school application process for the Chicago Public Schools. This week, parents will be invited to
the computer labs if they need assistance in completing the on-line application. I am very grateful to Ms. Welsh
and Ms. Diaz-Santiago for helping us present the information to parents.
Students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade had the opportunity to participate in the High School Fair organized by Ms.
Shannon Welsh, school counselor. The fair took place in the school gym last week. The High School Fair was very
informative for all students in 6th-8th grade. We want all students to understand that higher education is the
educational goal for all.
A few years ago, we began our STEM program, "Young Engineers" starting in kindergarten with the goal of increasing SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, and MATHEMATICS education beginning in the primary
grades. We will continue with the science, technology, robotics, mathematics, and enginering programs this school
year.
On Wednesday, October 23 we will have the SES Fair (reading and mathematics programs) taking place from
3:00-5:00 pm. Please come and speak with the educational vendors selected for this school year.
November 12
Report card Pick-Up
12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
On October 21, we will be taking kindergarten and 8th grade pictures. On October 23 and 24 we will be taking school pictures for the rest of the school. Please send your children to school wearing their school uniform as
well as appropriate clothing for the weather.
On October 29 at 8:00 am, we will hold the "State of Eli Whitney" meeting to inform you about what we accomplished last year and what our plans are for this school year 2013-14.
Sincerely,
Jorge Ruiz