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MONTHLY CALENDAR
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| January 7 |
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School Resumes after Winter Break |
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January 8
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Local School Council meeting, 6pm
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| January 9 |
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Friends of Payton Meeting, 6-7pm, Payton Library
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January 14
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Sophomore Parent Meeting, 6:30pm, Payton Recital Hall |
| January 21 |
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day, no school |
January 23
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We are Payton Parents, 6:15pm
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Principal Tim Devine |
LETTER FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents,
As we turn the calendar to a new year and we begin to look towards the second semester, I first want to thank you for all of the time, talent, and treasure you have thus far selflessly offered to our Payton community. The individual and collective efforts of our parents have done so much to advance our mission. Our students and faculty are more able to delve into rich experiences because of your support. All that FOP does (reminder: FOP includes 100% of our parents) is meaningful, important, and very much recognized by everyone on campus.
I ask that you sustain or increase you participation in and support of our people and programs, for the ultimate beneficiaries are our students. An important upcoming event is our annual Gala. We are seeking everyone's involvement in the event, for the Gala is the largest FOP event of the year. We raise significant funds at the Gala and it is a terrific event for all of us to share in a wonderful evening of friendship. Please mark your calendar for the Gala on March 15th at 6:30 at Moonlight Studios. On behalf of the students and faculty...thank you for all that you do.
Go Grizzlies!
Tim
Tim Devine
Principal
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FRIENDS OF PAYTON
Opportunities to get involved in January
Friends of Payton ("FOP") recently kicked off its largest fundraiser of the school year, the Payton Annual Appeal. The money raised by our community through the Annual Appeal funds essential services and programs not covered by the school's current budget from CPS:
- 5 teaching positions that sustain smaller class sizes and our AP and honors course offerings
- Student textbooks, technology & equipment
- SAT test prep and Global Connections travel funding for students eligible for Reduced or Free Lunch
- Teacher professional development
- Wednesday seminars, the Wellness Fair and other student events
- Support for athletics and academic teams (buses, event fees, referees)
Contributing to the Payton Annual Appeal not only makes these important programs possible, it also shows our faculty that we appreciate and support all they do for our children. Donations to Payton through FOP are tax deductible. For more information, visit our
Annual Appeal webpage or
contact
Chris Killackey. Please
DONATE
t
o Payton's Annual Appeal today.
Thank you to Zoe Huo for translating the Annual Appeal letter into Chinese and to Maria Carrion for translating the Annual Appeal letter into Spanish.
VOLUNTEER
CPS Volunteer Application
Teacher Wish List
The Teacher Wish List provides an opportunity for parents and community members to give all or part of the cost of an item to enhance a faculty member's class, a department program or any item not covered in the budget. The teachers have provided a list of more than 91 items this year, from classroom ink, bus fares and novels to a new dance floor and stationary bike. Gifts of all sizes go a long way to enhance Payton classrooms and curricula. Be sure to check out the Teacher Wish List and donate online using the following link:
Payton Community Meetings
Principal Tim Devine kicks off each Payton Community Meeting with an informal talk about what's happening at school. All parents and guardians of Payton students are welcome and encouraged to attend our monthly meetings.
Where
: Literacy Center (Payton's library on the first floor)
Time
: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
2018-2019 Upcoming Meeting Dates
- Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019
- Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019
- Wednesday, March 6, 2019
- Wednesday, April 10, 2019
- Wednesday, May 8, 2019
- Monday, June 3, 2019
Thank you
To all the Volunteers that made the first Return to Payton Day run smoothly. The alumni were excited to see first hand how Payton has grown since they graduated. Your time is greatly appreciated!
Need to update your email address? --
Be sure to include student(s) name and year
of graduating class
and send to Heather Bennett at
[email protected]. Thank you!
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Dr. Erica Bauer, Director of Student Engagement. |
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
Preparing your child for final exams
Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed Winter Break and that you and your student(s) are ready to start 2019 renewed and refreshed. Students will be returning to school preparing for finals. Here are five things you can do as parents/guardians to support your student through finals.
- Check student portal to get a snapshot of your student's grades heading into finals.
- Ask your student the weight of their final exam in relation to their final grade.
- Ensure your student knows how to prepare for each exam by knowing exactly what to study.
- Encourage your student to eat breakfast and to get enough sleep.
- Remind your student that their effort matters more than their grades (please say this like you mean it).
Final exams are not traps for students to fall into, but opportunities for them to demonstrate what they have learned. Students should go into each final knowing exactly what they needed to do to prepare; students should leave each final knowing whether or not they prepared well. No matter the outcome, students should be reminded that they are not defined by their performance in any class.
If you believe your student needs additional academic, social or emotional supports here at Payton, please reach out to your student's counselor. We know that delivering a holistic education requires that we provide holistic supports. Your student's counselor will help you navigate our supports to ensure your student thrives here at Payton.
Mark your calendars for our annual Parent-Teen Conference on March 9th, 12 PM - 2:30 PM. This year's topic has been selected by We are Payton, a student club about the Payton community, and will be unveiled soon. You won't want to miss it!
We are different. We are one. We are Payton.
Our Sophomore Planning Night will be held Monday, January 14th at 6:30 pm in the Payton Recital Hall. Please join us as we continue to build on themes from last year around high school and college planning.
Join us on Wednesday, Jan. 23rd, in the library from 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM for the next We are Payton Parents gathering - "Is this normal? Really?!
As always, feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at [email protected].
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2018-19 Payton Family Directory Available
Mobile app with contacts
Friends of Payton (FOP) has just released the Payton Family Directory, a mobile app providing contact info for current students' families. The app is free and automatically accessible to Payton teachers and staff.
How to Get the Directory:
If you used the DirectorySpot app last year, then the school's new directory is already on your device and no further action is required.
For new teachers and others who haven't downloaded the mobile directory yet, please follow these instructions:
- Go to Apple's App Store or to Google Play and download an app called "DirectorySpot."
- At the log-in screen, enter your email address as the username. You must type in the same email address at which you received this email.
- Click the RESET PASSWORD link.
- Check your email for a message from DirectorySpot with a link to create your account password.
About the Directory
- To make changes to your directory listing -- faculty are in the directory, too -- please email FOP's directory volunteer, Tein Atkerson, at [email protected].
- Friends of Payton (FOP) updates the directory regularly. When changes are made, the new info is automatically delivered to all users within seconds.
- The directory is made available ONLY to current faculty and family members of Payton students. FOP does not provide the directory to anyone not directly affiliated with our school.
- Learn more about the DirectorySpot app in the user FAQs.
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VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS
Winter Concerts
As one of the best ways to celebrate the holidays and a semester's worth of practices, the winter concerts by Payton's bands, instrumental ensembles, choirs and dance groups were exceptionally well done. A huge thank you to the faculty and staff of the Visual and Performing Arts Department for bringing together, teaching and inspiring the talented Payton students.
Sounds of Sweetness, Payton Acapella Group
Payton Jazz and Concert Band
Payton Beginning Choir
The 4th annual Winter Dance Concert,
Dance Break
, was a huge success! Thank you to all of those who attended!
Many of the Dance 1 & 2 students attended the Joffrey's
Nutcracker
on the evening of Friday, December 14th. This version of the
Nutcracker
takes place during the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago and we had an amazing time seeing it!
Payton Dance students and faculty enjoy a "Chicago" themed Nutcracker.
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GRIZZLY INTERSCHOLASTIC TEAMS
Grizzly Athletics
Basketball
Varsity Boys
The Varsity Boys Basketball team heads into the Hinkle Holiday Tournament 6-3 overall, and 4-0 in conference. After a solid (82-55) victory against White North Conference rival Taft on 12/14, the team suffered a tough loss to
Lincoln Park
, 54-49 at home on Thursday, 12/20
Varsity Girls
The varsity girls finish off December at 12-7 with key victories over Lane Tech and Westinghouse. They recently finished in second place in the Ram Holiday Tournament - losing to host Reavis 37-59 in the championship game. Congratulations to JaNai Jones and Isabella Chittaro for being named to the all-tournament team. Mark your calendars for Monday Jan 14th our annual Pack The Place - Orange Out. The Grizzlies host Disney at 5:00 pm. Let's BE LOUD and support the team as they finish up regular season and prepare for post season play.
Bowling
In the final week of the regular season, Payton Boys bowling team earned 5 of 7 points from Taft, moving the Boys Varsity Bowling to First Place in the CPS Northside division for the second year in a row. Congratulations on back-to-back 1st place finishes and
another great regular season!
Additionally, Jonathan Howell finished the season as the best bowler on the Northside with a 210 average. He currently holds a 3 pin average advantage over the nearest challenger from Morgan Park. Way to go Jonathan!
Sophomore bowler, Leon Summerfield was the top bowler in the first ever JV Crosstown Classic with a 155 average.
On December 26, the boys bowling team scored 3rd place at the Mather Invitational. Zach Gee and Jonathan Howell finished in top positions for single game and overall pins scored. Way to go!
Payton Booster Association
Our next meeting is Monday, January in the school library at 6pm.
Payton Booster Association is a 501©3 organization with a mission to support Payton's interscholastic teams via fundraising, awareness, and school spirit. Join us every 3rd Monday of the month at 6pm in the library. Our next meeting is 6PM Monday, in the school library.
All are welcome, if you are a team parent, or interested in being a team parent, especially for a fall sport, please make every effort to attend. Follow us on Twitter @PaytonBoosters for all the team updates!
Season Passes and FREE T-Shirts
Payton Boosters Association is offering FREE GRIZZLY NATION T-Shirts with the purchase of Season Passes, while supplies last. Season Passes get purchasers into all regular season home football, basketball and volleyball games and are sold two ways:
1. Family Pass ($200): Includes a FREE t-shirt for each of your Payton Students, season passes for the whole family and 2/3 of the money goes directly to your team of choice.
2. Student Pass ($15): Includes a FREE T-Shirt and season pass for your student.
Pay via:
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Year Walter Payton College Prep Opened
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2000
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Year New Addition Opened
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2016
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Number of CPS Selective Enrollment Schools Payton is Proud to be listed among
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11 |
If you you have a Payton Fun Fact to feature in the Payton Community News, please send it to Heather Bennett, VP Communications, Friends of Payton at
Newsletter Editor
[email protected].
Thank you!
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GRIZZLY GALLERY
News & Photos from the past month shared by the Payton community
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Payton French Department plans visit to the City of Lights in April
Students from
Lycée Pierre-Gilles de Gennes in Paris participated in exchange program with Payton in October
In October, 17 students from the Payton French department participated in the first half of a cultural and language exchange with students from Lycée Pierre-Gilles de Gennes in Paris. The Parisian students stayed with Payton families for 10 days, during which they had the opportunity to explore Chicago's many neighborhoods, visit museums like the Art Institute and Museum of Science and Industry, and improve their English skills. Over the course of their stay, the French and American students formed meaningful friendships and lasting memories.
In April, the Payton students who hosted French exchange students will complete the second leg of the exchange in Paris, where they will attend school at Lycee Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, live with French families, and take in the culture of the City of Lights for two weeks.
Payton and Lycée Pierre-Gilles de Gennes students enjoying time in Chicago
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Save the Date for the GALA...
The Sweetness Ball
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When: March 15, 2019
Where: Moonlight Studios
Theme: Chicago Music Festivals
"The Sweet Sounds of Chicago"
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