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From Dr. Powers
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Dear Jones Family,
Our school continues to face challenges as part of the on-going CPS budget turmoil. Over the past year, we have had our budgets reduced by more than $700,000, including last week's freeze of almost $185,000. As I mentioned in an earlier letter to parents, we held funds in reserve this year in anticipation of such an eventuality and were able to absorb the cut without loss of staff or programming. The continued support of our school community through Friends of Jones has been vital to our school's ability to weather these financial storms.
The funds we have lost could have been used for new technology and other initiatives to enhance our kids' learning opportunities. One immediate need is a new digital media iMac lab to meet burgeoning student demand, as well as the installation of new software for our World Language labs. Another project in its early stages of development is the modernization of the North Campus auditorium and lobby area, which have remained basically untouched since that building opened in 1966! The creation of modern, attractive, tech-friendly spaces will provide our students with new venues for learning, as well as increased rental income potential.
We will be seeking matching grants from FOJ in order to continue moving forward with these projects. Your support for the FOJ Annual Fund is a critical component of our ability to remain one of the top public high schools in the state and nation. Please consider making a donation of any amount to support our efforts on behalf of our kids.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at any time at
pjpowers@cps.edu or 773-534-8606 (direct office line). F
ollow me on Twitter @pjosephpowers.
Many thanks for all you do
Sincerely,
P. Joseph Powers, Ph.D.
Principal
Jones College Prep
700 South State Street
Chicago, IL 60605
773-534-8606
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Annual Fund
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We're getting there...
Help us reach our $200,000 goal!
Thank you for $125,000 in donations to date! But, in light of the IL state budget crisis and consequent budget freeze imposed on CPS, it is
critical
that we meet our $200,000 goal this year to help keep JCP the stellar school that it is.
The Annual Fund is used to bridge the gap between what CPS gives to run the school, and what it really takes.
Our school and our kids need our help.
$5, $20, $1,000, $5,000 - all donations are welcome.
To make your contribution, please
click here.
If you have questions or need more information contact:
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Choir Madrigals
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Madrigals to Motown this Thursday and Friday
JCP Choir is expanding its popular annual "Madrigals Dessert" to two nights and adding a modern set to the performances February 23 and 24 at 7 pm.
The choir room will transform into a renaissance 'king's court' for Act 1, featuring Madrigals, the pop music of the renaissance with songs about love, life, and double entendre, sung by Chamber Choir.
Act 2 will highlight the modern era for a short 'Motown set' from our Detroit Tour Group performed in the JCP library.
Many choir members are participating as servers and/or performers.
Tickets are $15 and include a themed dessert and beverage (fight pudding and wassail). This year's proceeds benefit the choir's first tour trip to Detroit (with visits to the University of Michigan and Michigan State music departments).
Please reserve a table for you and your guests to enjoy a fun evening and support the choir.
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Swim News
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BOYS SWIM TEAMS COMPETE IN CPS CITY CHAMPIONSHIPS
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JV swimmers at City Championships
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The Boys Swimming & Diving season begins in November.
There are approximately 33 schools that compete in five sections throughout the city. Each school participates in head-to-head competition against schools in their section and against neighboring schools.
All the schools meet at least once per year during the Citywide Relays. The Sophomore City Championship and the Varsity City Championship meets also take place each year.
This year the City Championships took place on Sunday, February 5th at the University of Illinois.
Jones Junior Varsity brought home the second place plaque with a total score of 292.
Our Varsity Team also did an amazing job and landed a total of 242 points and fourth place.
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Coaches cheering on the swimmers
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Relay swimmers place in their event
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More from City
Championships
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JCP Freshman Diving Champion
Not all of the 33 schools that compete in the Championships have a dive team. Our Jones/Payton Diving team is small but very competitive. We are so proud of our freshman Diver, Sean Herbst, who was named the Freshman/Sophomore CPS City Champion!
Congratulations!
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Bartender for a Night
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2nd Annual Bartender for a Night at Kasey's Tavern
Support Jones College Prep Wednesday, March 1st at Kasey's Tavern, 704 S. Dearborn Street.
Featuring Dr. Powers and Eric Berg, JCP parent, tending bar from 6PM-8PM. Show your school spirit while you enjoy some!
100% of all tips will be donated to Friends of Jones. Last Year, we raised over $900!
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Blueprint Student Newspaper
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Read all about the world of Jones
Blueprint
, the Jones student newspaper, published its third edition of the year on Thursday, Feb 16.
Stories in this issue include:
--An investigation of Jones's budget and FOJ fundraising
--Oscar picks and pans
--TEDX Talks coming to Jones
--SGA initiative to reform sex education
--An opinion about the Black History Month and its leaders
--An editorial on Jones' standards for ACT scores
--A profile of a Jones senior who placed fifth in the World Karate Championships
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Choir News
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Four JCP Students Make All-State Honors Choir
Congratulations to Jones choir students, Evan Ernst, Shelby Richardson, Jack Siebert, and Meagan Forney, who were recently
accepted into Illinois All-State Honors Choir, the highest honor in the state. Students traveled to Peoria in January for a three day festival where they were conducted by Dr. Allen Hightower of Texas. There are two choirs students can be accepted into at the state level; All-State Choir and All-State Honors Choir and all FOUR of our students made Honors, a first for Jones Choir! Meagan Forney was called back and selected to be a soloist in one of the songs performed with 5 other altos, making her one of 6 top altos in the state!
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Honors Choir JCP Students (L-R)Evan Ernst, Shelby Richardson, Jack Siebert, and
Meagan Forney.
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Students from Payton and Jones who worked together on accommodations and transportation to Peoria.
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Used Book Sale
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Remember to DONATE your books to JCP
Jones High School will host a used book sale in the north parking lot on Saturday, June 10, during Chicago's annual
Please drop off donations at the south security desk or in the school library. We welcome all sorts of books - fiction and nonfiction of all shapes and sizes for children, teens, and adults.
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FOJ Fundraising Auction
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SEEKING ITEMS FOR THE FOJ ONLINE AUCTION
Friends of Jones needs your help to make the spring
o
n-line auction
a success! The online spring fundraising auction begins April 17th!
Please donate items such as gift cards; theater, concert and sports tickets; hotel and vacation home stays; museum memberships; spa services; gift certificates to restaurants, shops and bars; and anything else that you think might create a bidding frenzy and raise funds for JCP.
Click here for an auction donation form. Please drop your auction item(s) and auction donor form
at the front office by March 31st.
For more information about the online auction contact:
The silent auction at the Spring Event includes the ever popular wine auction. If you would like to contribute a bottle or six, please contact Ginger Hecht at
Ginger.Hecht@friendsofjones.org
.
Thanks for supporting FOJ and Jones College Prep!
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Diverse Learners
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Next Meeting March 1st
The Diverse Learners Parent Support Group will meet Wednesday, March 1st, from 5:30-6:30 in the library. The topic this month is Summer options: What's out there? We will be sharing ideas with each other, so come ready with suggestions if you've found something you liked.
For further information please contact parent Barb Cohen at
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FOJ Spring Event
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Don't miss the The JCP Spring Event at Adler Planetarium on Friday, April 28th.
Tickets go on sale
March
1st!
Questions: Please contact
Barbara Kizziah and/or
Ginger Hecht,
Spring Event Co-Chairs.
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This Week
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Monday 2/20
No School
Presidents' Day
Tuesday 2/21
A Day
5pm Boys Track at Glenbrook North Triangular
Wednesday 2/22
B Day
1:30pm Black Student Union Fashion Show:
"Evolution of Black Fashion"
5pm Boys Basketball at Taft HS
5pm Girls Track at Niles West
Thursday 2/23
A Day
7pm Choir Event:
"From Madrigals to Motown" Dessert and Cabaret
Friday 2/24
B Day
Early Release
7pm Choir Event:
"From Madrigals to Motown" Dessert and Cabaret
See future events at the Jones College Prep
calendar.
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Friends of Jones
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Join us!
The next FOJ Board meeting will be held on Thursday, March 9, 8 am, in the school library.
Friends of Jones is the parent-led non-profit that raises money, volunteers and enthusiasm for the school. Last year we raised over $500,000 to go toward JCP school expenses not funded by Chicago Public Schools. These include iPads, research subscriptions, sports teams and band transportation and much more.
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FOJ Newsletter
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Remember to submit text and photos of interest and importance to the JCP community for possible inclusion in future editions of this newsletter.
Please let us know what other information you would like to see in the newsletter.
Email us with your submissions at
FOJ newsletter. The newsletter is published every other week.
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FOJ 24/7
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LIKE us on Facebook!
Breaking news that falls between the biweekly newsletter is posted on FOJ's Facebook page. Don't miss out!
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