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.