Working Bikes is selling used bikes in good condition for $5-$10 on December 17

Working Bikes’ annual holiday kids bike sale takes place this Saturday, December 17 from 12pm-5pm. Working Bikes is located at 2434 S. Western Avenue. The Kids’ Bikestravaganza! aims to make bikes an accessible holiday gift for families who are low-income so the bikes will be sold for $5-$10.

This is for children ages 3-11. Children must be present at time of purchase. There is a limit of one bike per child.

If you know of any organization who works with families who can benefit from the Kids’ Bikestravaganza!, please forward them this information. For any questions, please contact jean@workingbikes.org.

http://www.workingbikes.org/join-us-for-our-annual-kids-bike-sale/

Hiring Events at the Woodlawn Resource Center on Monday, 12/5 and Wednesday, 12/14

Two hiring events are taking place at the Woodlawn Resource Center (6144 S. Cottage Grove Avenue). The events will occur on Monday, December 5^th 10am – 12pm and Wednesday, December 14^th 12pm – 2pm.

Please click on the links below to get more information about the companies and the positions they are hiring for. Please advise job seekers to follow the pre-event application instructions to ensure a positive experience. All job seekers must have copies of their resume and dress professionally. There is an on-site technology center for career seekers who need to complete the pre-event application instructions or to print resumes.

Other Information

·       There is ample free, non-permit street parking in the 6100 – 6300 blocks of Cottage Grove (No off-street parking available)

·       There is no coatroom or closet (career seekers must keep personal belongings)

·       The target group is residents of the 60637 zip code (Woodlawn Community). However, this event is FREE and open to the public

·       There is a community technology center on-site. However, there is no available help for career seekers in the areas of online application completion, resume submission or sending emails

·       There is no public transportation assistance available to attendees of the hiring event (must provide own transportation)

If you have any questions, please contact Christopher Watts at the Woodlawn Resource Center: (773) 538-3719; cwatts@poahcommunities.com.

Click here for the specific companies and information about the positions they are hiring for.

Click here for an overview of the positions.

Annual 'Physics with a Bang' Event takes place Saturday, December 3 at University of Chicago

Students, families, teachers and especially the curious are invited to attend the University of Chicago's annual Holiday Lecture and Open House. See fast, loud, surprising and beautiful physics demos performed by Profs. Heinrich Jaeger and Sidney Nagel. This is your chance to talk to scientists about their latest discoveries, and participate in hands-on activities related to their research. 

The program will take place at Kersten Physics Teaching Center (5720 S. Ellis Ave). Lecture repeated at 11am and 2pm.  Open House & Demo Alley from 12pm-4pm. Lab Tours in the afternoon. Free. More Information here.

Free mini-conference for educators emphasizes STEAM concepts at Oriental Institute on December 7

The Oriental Institute (1155 E. 58th Street) invites educators to attend a free mini-conference on the topic of how STEAM concepts (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) can help students better understand ancient civilizations. Light reception and instructional materials will be provided. The event will take place on Wednesday, December 7 from 4:00 p.m to 8:00 pm at the Oriental Institute.

For the event schedule and registration, click here.

Network 9 High School Fair to take place on Saturday, November 19 from 8:30am-12:30pm

There will be a Network 9 High School Fair this Saturday, November 19, from 8:30am-12:30pm at IIT's Herman Hall (3300 S. Federal). Come learn about the Network 9 high schools and the programs they offer: Kenwood Academy, King College Prep, Dyett High School, Bronzeville High School, Dunbar High School, Hyde Park High School, and Williams College Prep.

There is free parking and refreshments will be served.

Click here for the flyer.

Diverse Learners Workshop on UofC campus November 10

Axis UChicago and Peer Health Exchange are hosting a Diverse Learners Workshop on Thursday, November 10, from 7pm-8pm on the University of Chicago campus, in Harper 141 (1116 E. 59th Street).

This workshop will be led by Nan Freund, Board Certified Educational Therapist at Educational Services Associates. Ms. Freund will speak about educational therapy and general principles for working with people with learning differences.

Also, there will be food!

Dyett High School Innovation Week takes place November 14-18

Next week Dyett High School for the Arts (555 E. 51st Street) is hosting an Innovation Week to officially introduce their Innovation Hub to the community.  Some of the activities from November 14th-18th will include:

• Robotics, arts, and adult workshops
• Tours open to the public each day (11/14 - 11/18) from 2:00pm - 4:00pm
• 8 feeder schools will receive all-expense paid field trip experiences

All community stakeholders are encouraged to attend!

Click here for the flyer.

November calendar for Parent University classes at Colman

Parent University at Colman (4655 S. Dearborn) is offering a wide variety of classes this November.

To see the calendar, click here.

3-year vision for CPS: attend a community meeting and provide feedback

Chief Education Officer Dr. Janice Jackson is presenting a 3-year vision for CPS to community groups around Chicago.

The schedule for upcoming presentations is:

11/1/2016 at 6pm at Westinghouse HS (3223 W. Franklin)

11/2/2016 at 6pm at Gwendolyn Brooks HS (250 E. 111st Street)

11/15/2016 at 6pm at Beaubein ES (5025 N. Laramie)

11/16/2016 at 6pm at Juarez HS (1450 W. Cermak)

11/17/2016 at 6pm at Curie HS (4959 S. Archer)

11/21/2016 at 6pm at Lindblom HS (6130 S. Wolcott)


Click here for the handout.

Next HPKCAC meeting to take place on Wednesday, November 30 at Dyett HS

The next HPKCAC meeting will take place at 6pm on Wednesday, November 30 at Dyett High School (555 E. 51st Street). There is parking in the back of the school; please enter via the back of the school.

On the agenda:
-- discussion of the changing landscape for CACs
-- adopt-a-school
-- presentation by Shaz Rasul about the UofC's Neighborhood Schools Program

Everyone is welcome!

Special Ed Forum on Tuesday, October 25

Raise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education is presenting a Public Forum on Special Education in CPS this coming Tuesday, 10/25 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Union Park - 1501 W. Randolph St.

This will be a good opportunity to learn about how to navigate the Special Ed process and be an effective advocate for special needs children.

To see the flyer, click here.

Free and low-cost one-on-one tutoring by University of Chicago students is available

The Neighborhood Schools Program's Maroon Tutor Match is offering one-on-one tutoring for $12/hour as well as community tutoring, which is free.

For the one-on-one tutoring, University of Chicago student tutors are matched with students according to their areas of expertise. Parents arrange a time and place to meet with the tutor, or they can also set up on-line sessions. Thanks to the support of sponsors, Maroon Match Tutors can offer this service for $12/hour. The first two hours are free.
To arrange for tutoring, please go to bit.ly/mtmparents16

Free tutoring is available on a first come-first served basis at University Church at 5655 S. University Avenue. Maroon Match Tutors will be available from 4-6pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the University Church's library (next to Fabiana's Cafe). Students will be able to receive one hour of tutoring each day.

For the flyer, click here.

Next HPKCAC meeting to be held on Wednesday, October 26 at Dyett

The next meeting of the HPKCAC will take place on Wednesday, October 26, at 6pm at Dyett High School (555 E. 51st Street). Parking is available behind the school and you can enter from the back of the building.

On the agenda:
Discussion of funding of Special Ed
Meet the new network chief
Further discussion of adopt-a-school

All are welcome!

DNA Info Reports on Budgets for CPS Schools after 10th day

This DNA Info article by Tanveer Ali and Heather Cherone offers revised budget figures for CPS schools after the 10th day count:

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160926/norwood-park/cps-enrollment-budgets-2016-2017-map-list

Short film and discussion about charter schools on Saturday, September 24

Charter Schools - For Better or Worse?

A film screening and discussion with The School Project 

Join us for an encore screening of the 5th episode of The School Project — a documentary series on public education in Chicago: UnChartered Territory. This 10-minute film examines issues such as the growing trend toward privatization of public schools, the idea of ‘choice’ and how it affects the system, and the role of innovation in charter schools. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with community leaders, educators, and education experts.

UnChartered Territory

When: Saturday, September 24th

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Discussion moderated by WBEZ Education Reporter Sarah Karp includes Mary Pattillo, Harold Washington Professor of Sociology and African American Studies at Northwestern University, and Beatriz Ponce de Leon, Executive Director of Generation All.

Where: The Harold Washington Library -- Video Room

400 S. State Street

Chicago, IL 60605

Event is free and open to the public; RSVP required
Please arrive early to ensure entry 

To RSVP, click here.

4th Ward Aldermanic Candidates' Forum at 6pm on September 22

There is a special election for 4th ward alderman coming up on February 28, 2017.

Come out to hear what prospective candidates have to say on issues that matter to you.

4th Ward Aldermanic Candidates' Forum

Thursday, September 22, 2016

6:00 pm

Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church

600 E. 35th Street

Sponsored by People United for Action

Call 773 231 3282 for more information

HPKCAC to meet on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at Kenwood HS at 6pm

The Hyde Park/Kenwood CAC will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, September 28, at 6pm at Kenwood High School in the King Room.

Unfortunately the CPS representative who was going to talk about the new funding formula for special education is unable to attend the meeting, so we have bumped that discussion to our next meeting on October 26. Items on tonight's agenda include meeting the new network chief, school updates, and a discussion of how we could connect various community organizations with each of our neighborhood schools ("adopt-a-school").

Everyone is welcome!

ODLSS Screening Program for Children 0-5 years who do not attend a CPS school

The Office of Diverse Learner Supports & Services offers free screenings (hearing/vision, speech/language, problem solving, social skills, fine/gross motor, listening/attending) for children up to 5 years old. These "child find" screenings are for children WHO DO NOT ATTEND A CPS SCHOOL.

Beginning in September, 2016 through the end of June, 2017, screenings will be conducted at the following locations:

Mabel Manning Library (6 S. Hoyne)
3rd Thursday of each month from 10:30am-3:00pm

West Belmont Library (3104 N. Narragansett)
1st Friday of each month from 9:30am-3:00pm

Avalon Library (8148 S. Stony Island)
Last Tuesday of each month from 10:30am-3:00pm

Chicago Lawn Library (6120 S. Kedzie)
2nd Friday of each month from 9:30am-3:00pm

Mount Greenwood Library (11010 S. Kedzie)
3rd Friday of each month from 9:30am-3:00pm

Humboldt Park Library (1605 N. Troy)
2nd Tuesday of each month from 10:30am-3:00pm

Sulzer Library (4455 N. Lincoln Ave)
Last Thursday of each month from 9:30am-3:00pm

Daley Library (3400 S. Halsted)
4th Friday of each month from 9:30am-3:00pm

Pullman Library (11001 S. Indiana)
1st Wednesday of each month from 10:30am-3:00pm

CAT Site -- Garfield Park Office (2651 W. Washington)
3rd Tuesday of each month from 9:30am-3:00pm

N.B. Screenings will not be conducted during CPS holidays. To find out when CPS holidays will be observed, please visit www.cps.edu and click on 'calendar'.

Fall 2016 arts-related afterschool programs for teens

UChicagoArts is offering two afterschool programs -- 'design/build' and 'arts administration' -- for teens this fall. Hosted by Arts + Public Life and offered in partnership with After School Matters, these in depth programs cultivate teens’ creativity, social development, and leadership, while inspiring them to make a positive difference in their community through the arts. Teens work alongside professionals to develop original work using real-world processes. All programs have a community stewardship and civic engagement focus. 

All programs take place at the Arts Incubator, 301 E. Garfield Blvd. Participants are eligible to earn a monetary award.

For more information about the programs, see: https://arts.uchicago.edu/arts-public-life/youth-programs/apply-teen-programs

CPS hosts back-to-school event on Monday, August 29, 2016

CPS will be hosting a Back-to-School Bash on Monday, August 29th from 9am-12pm at Hyde Park HS (6220 S. Stony Island). This FREE event will include the Jesse White Tumblers, iHeart Radio, food, games, and school supplies and is open to all families and students attending Network 9 schools.   

Community-based organizations that would like to participate in the resource fair during the event should contact Michael McGehee at mmmcgehee@cps.edu or 773-535-8993.   

Click here for the flyer.

Free admission to the PUSH Conference on Monday, June 27 -- Education Day

Chicago parents are invited to attend Education Day (Monday, June 27) of the PUSH Conference free of charge. 

If you are interested in accepting this invitation, please contact the Far South CAC Chair, Joyce Chapman at (773) 614-3384  or jchapman219@aol.com.

HPKCAC supports CPS decision to keep the Special Ed Pre-K program at Bret Harte open

At the June 22 meeting, the HPKCAC voted unanimously in support of the following statement regarding the CPS decision to keep the Special Ed Pre-K program at Bret Harte Elementary School oepn:

June 22, 2016

One priority of the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Action Council is Early Childhood Education. Our 3-point plan states: “We know that early childhood education (ECE) is foundational to our children's development, and we want our ECE options to both grow in number and in impact. The elementary schools in our area should have preschools that offer child-centered programming geared toward the well-being of the whole child and not just their academic selves.” The Bret Harte early childhood instructional classroom (Special Ed Pre-K) is such a program because it meets the special needs of children in our community. This high quality program meets an important need in our community specifically and on the south side more generally. In addition, this high quality program is a very important part of the entire community at Bret Harte Elementary School. This is a program which works. We are pleased that “CPS determined that a need exists for the early childhood instructional classroom at Harte.” (Michael Passman, CPS spokesman, June 21, 2016), and reversed a previous decision to close the program. The HPKCAC will work with Bret Harte and CPS to spread the word about this high-quality program. With our focus on quality early childhood education we are pleased that CPS will continue to offer this important component of early childhood education at Bret Harte.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h4go-rYB1FbPgZM1aZCzk5xe69mJQrdUEANvfCcuM0A/pub

HPK CAC 3-point plan

Next HPKCAC meeting to take place Wednesday, June 22, at 6pm at Kenwood HS

The next meeting of the HPKCAC will take place on Wednesday, June 22 at 6pm at Kenwood High School.

Today (June 21, 2016) we have learned that CPS has reversed its decision to discontinue the Special Ed Pre-K program at Bret Harte Elementary School.

At the meeting tomorrow night (June 22) we will vote on a statement of support for this decision.

Documentary film CODE looks at the lack of diversity in computer science on May 23

CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap (May 23, 5:30-7:30)
Through compelling interviews, artistic animation and clever flashpoints in popular culture, CODE documentary examines the reasons why more girls and people of color are not seeking opportunities in computer science and explores how cultural mindsets, stereotypes, educational hurdles, and sexism all play roles in this national crisis. CODE aims to inspire change in mindsets, in the educational system, in startup culture, and in the way women see themselves in the field of coding. This event is sponsored by UChicago Innovation Fest and the NSPamong others. Attendance is free, but please RSVP here.

Sign up to have your school participate in the 4th of July parade on 53rd Street

School communities are welcome to participate in the 4th of July parade on 53rd Street.

Sign your school up here!

Next HPKCAC meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 25 at Kenwood HS

We have changed the day of our next HPKCAC meeting from the last Tuesday of the month to the last Wednesday. This means that our next meeting will be on Wednesday, May 25. We'll be meeting at Kenwood High School. Topics for discussion will include meeting the newly appointed 4th Ward Alderman, Sophia King. 

Ancona School's 4th Annual Diversity Symposium on May 14

This year, the Ancona School's Diversity Symposium will explore the concept of privilege within the context of parenting and teaching. The workshops will challenge misconceptions, provide interpretations and offer practical context for participants surrounding social inequalities in schools, teaching materials, and among students.

After a welcome coffee reception, the day will include a keynote, breakout sessions and lunch followed by a film screening of the White People, the groundbreaking documentary on race, followed by Q & A. Ancona welcomes educators, parents, school leadership and community members interested in multicultural education. Registration is now open. 

The symposium goes from 8:30am-4:00pm; Ancona School is located at 4770 S. Dorchester.

Annual IMPACT YOUTH: A Journey toward Peace Conference (May 13-14)

IMPACT YOUTH 2016 is the PEACE HUB’s 2nd Annual conference designed specifically for youth and youth advocates. The goal for the conference is to present approaches to address roadblocks our youth face. Workshop topics will include: Trauma 101, Adultism, Youth Development, Gangs, Mindfulness, Social Media, Youth Program Quality (presented by youth), Teen Dating Violence, and more. Please register here.

The conference will take place at the Gary Comer Youth Center (7200 S. Ingleside) from 8:30am-4:00pm on Friday-Saturday, May 13-14. There is no cost to participate and a continental breakfast and lunch will be served both days.

Careers Conference for High School Students on May 14

The University of Chicago is hosting a conference for high school students which will allow them to explore career options. Students will have the opportunity to connect one-on-one with a variety of practicing professionals, gain insight into the college admissions process from University admissions counselors, explore emerging industry trends, and engage in interactive STEM workshops. 

Contact the Office of Special Programs (773) 795-4229 with questions or click click here to register.

Next HPKCAC meeting to be held on Tuesday, April 26 at Kenwood HS

The next Hyde Park-Kenwood CAC meeting will be held at 6pm on Tuesday, April 26, at Kenwood High School (5015 S. Blackstone Avenue).

On the agenda:
-- an update regarding Dyett HS from Principal McLoyd
-- a representative from the office of Leadership & Learning will attend
-- discussion regarding next topic for a speaker meeting

Everyone is welcome!

Summer Arts Program Fair on Sunday, April 10

There will be a free summer program fair on Sunday, April 10 which will provide information about high-quality arts programs for children and teens (Grades PreK-12) this summer. Drop in any time between 1–4 pm at the Arts Incubator (301 E. Garfield Blvd).

Representatives of arts programs in and/or serving residents of Chicago's South Side neighborhoods will be present to answer questions about their opportunities.  Register on the Facebook Page

Dyett Town Hall Meeting on April 14

There will be a town hall meeting concerning Dyett High School on Thursday, April 14, 2016 from 6pm-8pm at Mount Pisgah Church (4622 South King Drive). Community members who were active in pressuring CPS to keep Dyett open and to retain its status as an open-enrollment high school are going to be expressing their desires to:
-- put green technology in the curriculum
-- create Dyett as a community school
-- make sure there is an elected LSC in year 1
-- make community internships available
-- make sure that the Dyett Hunger Strike is recognized in the school

For more information or to RSVP call 773-548-7500

Parents & students are encouraged to attend

Opportunities for CPS middle school and high school students at the Chicago Botanic Garden this summer

The Chicago Botanic Garden offers some wonderful opportunities for CPS students to learn more about science and ecology this summer.

There is a Science Enrichment Program as well as a paid internship program.

1. Science First is a great learning opportunity for students currently in grades 7, 8, and 9. It offers a chance to see the Garden's 385 acres of plants and nature and is a great way to meet other science-curious students. Each summer, approximately 40 students from Chicago Public Schools travel to the Garden by school bus from designated stops to spend four weeks being immersed in a free, nature-based science enrichment program that engages students in a unique hands-on experience.
http://www.chicagobotanic.org/sciencefirst

The deadline to apply for the Science First program is April 15, 2016.


2. College First is a dynamic paid internship program for eligible Chicago Public High School students consisting of career mentorship, field ecology and conservation science, and college prep and assistance. Each summer, approximately 20 students from Chicago Public Schools travel to the Chicago Botanic Garden by school bus from designated stops to spend eight weeks in the Garden's beautiful setting. They explore a vast array of potential science careers and use the Garden's 385 acres and resources to learn about native ecosystems and plants. During the summer, as well as at monthly meetings over the school year, emphasis is also placed on college as a pathway to careers and guidance is given to the students, who are often the first in their families to attend college.
Click here to learn more.

The deadline to apply for the paid internship is April 8, 2016.

A listing of all job and internship opening at the Chicago Botanic Garden can be found at: http://www.chicagobotanic.org/jobs 

No March HPKCAC meeting; next meeting is Tuesday, April 26

The Hyde Park-Kenwood CAC will not meet this month; our next meeting will be Tuesday, April 26 at 6pm. The location will be announced shortly.

Thank you!

7th annual Woodlawn Community Summit to take place on Saturday, March 19

The School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago (969 E. 60th Street) will host the 7th annual Woodlawn Community Summit on Saturday, March 19 from 8am - 12:30pm. 
Neighbors and key stakeholders will focus and set in action a plan for civic engagement and neighborhood transformation. Join us for an energetic morning, designed to shape the future of our community. Registration opens at 7:45 am with a fantastic networking continental breakfast to start the day. Planning sessions will be held discussing safety and security, economic development, education, youth engagement, and more! To register and for more information, visit their website.

Free online class on the topic of critical issues in urban education (March 14-May 30)

The Urban Education Institute at the University of Chicago is offering an online class on the topic of issues in urban education. The deadline to register for the class in March 19. This course explores a set of critical issues in education and the much-talked-about education reform, with a focus on aspects of the field that have sparked controversy and polarized views. The debates will be contextualized within the larger history of public education and school reform, and students will consider the viewpoints, the evidence, and the translation of these issues into educational policy. This course is free and open to anyone with a free Coursera account. The course is available on-demand—students can register at any time (through March 19th) and self-pace their learning. Students can also earn continuing education credits by purchasing and earning the Course Certificate, which they can then submit to the credit-issuing agency in their state.

Community discussion on standardized testing and opting out on Monday, March 14

More Than a Score is holding a meeting to discuss standardized testing (PARCC), opt-out, and ESSA on Monday, March 14 at 5:30pm at Blackstone Library, with additional meetings throughout the Chicago area beginning as soon as March 9th. More details can be found on their Facebook page and specifically on this post. They will also be hosting a webinar on March 13th on PARCC and how to opt out. More Than a Score is a group of parents, students, teachers, and community members who are frustrated with the scale, expense, and consequences of standardized testing at CPS.

Deadline for applications to run for a position on a Local School Council is March 18, 2016

The 2016 Local School Council Election Deadline has been extended to Friday, March 18, 2016. Please submit your candidate application at your respective school(s) if you are planning to run for your LSC. Further information on LSCs and the applications (English and Spanish) can be found on the CPS website here:

          http://cps.edu/Pages/Localschoolcouncils.aspx

          and here:

         http://cps.edu/Pages/LSCElections.aspx

Also, the Office of LSC Relations is recruiting election judges for April 13 (Elementary Schools) and April 14 (High Schools). 

If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Office of LSC Relations at 773-553-1400.

Talk by author Jessica Lahey on resilience and learning at 8:45am on March 8

NYT best-selling author/journalist/educator Jessica Lahey will speak at the Lab School on Tuesday, March 8, at 8:45 a.m., in the Parks Assembly Hall (1362 E. 59th Street)

Jess Lahey, noted author of author of the NYT bestseller, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed, "The Parent-Teacher Conference” column at The New York Times, writer for the Atlantic, commentator for Vermont Public Radio, and middle school teacher is excited to meet and talk with the community about resilience and learning in our kids.

This event is open to the public, but you must RSVP.

This event is sponsored by the Laboratory Schools Parents' Association.

Following up and thanks after the All About Reading event on 2/27

The "All About Reading" event at Kozminski on Saturday, February 27, was a big success. We're so grateful to our panel presenters -- Maggie Walsh, of STEP Literacy; Jason Driver, of the Chicago Public Library; and Lisa Perez from CPS -- for giving us so much useful information to help parents with supporting their children as readers.

You can click here for Maggie Walsh's powerpoint presentation and here for additional suggestions for reading with your child at home.

You can click here for Jason Driver's powerpoint presentation.

You can click here for the link to Lisa Perez's presentation. (N.B. Parents who do not know their children's Google login to access the password document can email library@cps.edu for assistance.)

Lisa Perez also provided us with lists of CPS recommended books for children from Kindergarten through high school.
For the list for Pre-Kindergarteners, Kindergarteners, and 1st graders, click here.
For the list for 2nd and 3rd graders, click here.
For the list for 4th and 5th graders, click here.
For the list for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, click here.
For the list for high school students, click here.

In addition to our presenters, we'd also like to thank:

Kozminski Community Academy and Principal Glover for hosting this event

The Seminary Co-op for books for the raffle

The University of Chicago’s Neighborhood Schools Program for pizza

Our storyteller – Tina Carter from Blackstone Library

Our hardworking CPS FACE supporters, Carl Hurdlik & Brenda Bell

The CPS Department of External Partnerships
Patricia Breckenridge, Kristy Papczun, and Luella Adan for additional book donations

Fine Amnesty at Chicago Public Library until February 18, 2016

Chicago Public Library will forgive the late fines on any materials returned to the Library from February 4 - 18.

If you can't find a book, just pay the replacement cost -- all late fees associated with the missing item will be waived.

For more information visit http://www.chipublib.org/

Presentation on mathematical learning in early childhood on February 17

City Elementary will host a presentation by renowned child development expert, Dr. Susan Levine, who will discuss her research on factors that promote mathematical learning in early childhood. She will outline steps that both teachers and parents can take to support children’s math learning.

The presentation will take place on Wednesday, February 17, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at City Elementary. City Elementary is located within KAM Isaiah Israel at 1100 E. Hyde Park Blvd. [NOTE: City Elementary is located within the Obama security perimeter. The school can be accessed from the north via Greenwood Avenue, bypassing the Secret Service barricades.]

The event is free and open to the public and it is geared toward parents, educators, caregivers, and others who are interested in child development. Childcare is available with pre-registration. To register or for more information, please email info@cityelementary.com.

Click here to see the flyer.

Non-traditional Daddy-Daughter Dance on Saturday, February 13

Polished Pebbles is hosting a free, daddy-daughter dance on Saturday, February 13 from 10am-12pm at Donoghue Charter School (707 E. 37th Street). Young ladies from ages 7-17 are invited to bring their dads/grandfathers/uncles/older brothers/family friends for this fun event. The event is free. For more information and to RSVP, please email info@polishedpebbles.com

Practice Math skills for free (for grades 3-12)

LearnStorm 2016 (Jan 29 - April 1)

Join students (Grades 3-12) and teachers across the nation as  they practice their math skills on Khan Academy. Students can win real world prizes for completing skills and hustle challenges. Best of all, it's free! All you need to do is sign up with Khan Academy through the LearnStorm website. Please note that just signing up with Khan Academy will not automatically enroll anyone in LearnStorm.

Computer Science classes for 7th and 8th grade girls

Females Excelling More in Math, Engineering, and Science Workshops (March - May)
Females Excelling More in Math, Engineering, and Science (FEMMES) is a student group at the University of Chicago focused on working towards gender parity in STEM. FEMMES will be hosting a10-week workshop series at Crerar Library on Saturdays for local girls in grades 7 & 8 who have expressed an interest in computer science. Fundamentals of computer science will be taught in depth. The curriculum covers variables, control flow, loops, arrays, and more through hands on activities and the creation of computer games in Python. Classes will begin in March. Please visit their website for more information.

HPKCAC to sponsor "All About Reading" event at Kozminski on Saturday, February 27

The HPKCAC is sponsoring an "All About Reading" event on Saturday, February 27 from 1pm-3:30pm at Kozminski Community Academy (936 E. 54th Street). 

A panel of three speakers -- Jason Driver, of the Chicago Public Library; Lisa Perez, of Chicago Public Schools; and Maggie Walsh, director of STEP Literacy -- will present information and strategies to parents to help their children become strong readers.

We'll also have a raffle of free books, refreshments, and storytellers to keep children occupied while their parents listen to the speakers. 

There will be time for questions and answers and parents will also have a chance to share strategies with each other.

Everyone is welcome!

Click here for the flyer.

Next HPKCAC meeting to be held at Kenwood High School on Tuesday, January 26

Our January HPKCAC meeting will take place at 6pm in the Little Theater at Kenwood Academy High School on Tuesday, January 26 at 6pm. We'll be seeking input on the reading panel that we are planning for February and get updates from our neighborhood schools.

Sunday, January 17: Fundraiser to support Bret Harte 8th graders' trip to Washington DC

A fundraiser to support the Bret Harte 8th Graders' trip to Washington DC will be held on Sunday, January 17, from 5pm-8pm at the Seven Ten Lanes on 55th Street. All raffle proceeds will help support the trip planned for this May.

This will be a family-friendly event with free bowling!  Come, bowl, have a drink, eat some food, and buy raffle tickets! There will be a KINDLE FIRE to raffle off, an Ernie Banks-signed baseball to auction off, and other great things like $50 to The Promontory and more...

Raffle tickets are $2 or 6 for $10.  

Food at the event will be put out as a buffet, and there will be a charge of $10/person ($5 for 10yo and under) for one pass-through at the event. There will be a variety of options, like quesadillas, sliders, salad, chicken strips, etc, including vegetarian. Those paying for a plate will get a sticker to wear. Once the food that was ordered in advance is gone, folks can order off of their menu on their own. Drinks are not included, only water. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are available for purchase from the bowling alley. 

Hope to see you there!