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payton community monthly meeting
4/09
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The monthly Payton Community Meeting is a brief and informative opportunity to hear what is going on at school directly from our principal. The meetings start at 6:15PM. They are generally held on the first Wednesday of every month, but always check the monthly calendar (at right) in case the schedule has changed. All meetings are held in the Library.
The FOP Fundraising Team meeting will be held after the Payton Community Meeting. Everyone is welcome!
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fop fundraising is
a year-round effort
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The Friends of Payton needs your valuable donations to support Payton's educational mission There are three ways to do it:
1. Mail a check payable to FOP at 1034 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60610
2. Drop a check into the FOP box in the school office. Make it payable to FOP.
3. Contribute online via credit card by clicking the donate button on Payton's homepage. All contributions are tax deductible and all amounts are equally appreciated.
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lsc meetings are
open, next is 4/21 | |
Parents, guardians, and the public are welcome at Local School Council (LSC) meetings, which are held monthly in the Payton Library at 6:00PM.
The LSC is an elected body that has three main responsibilities: School Budget, Continuous Improvement Work Plan (formerly SIPAAA), and Principal Evaluation, Retention and Selection.
All are welcome to attend and to make comments during the "Public Comments" portion of the meeting.
For more on the LSC, including a schedule of upcoming meetings, minutes of previous meetings, and a roster of members, please visit the LSC page of the Payton website.
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two more ways to
stay current
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Check the school website periodically (some people set a reminder on their calendars to do this once or twice a week) at www.wpcp.org.
Two other ways to keep up on what's happening at school are to watch the PNN (Payton News Network) OR check Advisory Announcements.
You can also subscribe to receive the announcements via email or RSS.
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check grades & attendance online
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ParentConnection is a secure online portal for sharing classroom attendance and grades between teachers, students, and parents and guardians.
To activate a student on your ParentConnection account you must obtain the student personal identification number (PIN), which you can do on this web page on the Payton sites.
Once you have obtained the PIN you will be able to complete the application process. If you experience any problems while looking up a PIN, please email
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when your student is sick or absent for another reason
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To report your student's absence you must submit a written note, available on the website under the Parents drop down menu. Or you may click here for Reason For Absence Note. Student absences will remain unexcused until a signed Reason For Absence Note is submitted to the Office. |
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gallery 34: payton in pictures
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Find great photos of Payton happenings at Gallery 34. It is continually updated.
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payton alumni
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Please go to
www.wpcp.org/alumni for current news on Payton Alumni Association activities.
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share stories and ideas for this newsletter
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Please send us current Payton news to share with other Payton families. Here are the submission guidelines:
Less is more -- 200 words or less works best in an e-newsletter. If that's not enough room to tell the whole story, include a phone number, email address, or web link to give our readers more details. Send text as a Word attachment or type it into the body of your email.
Include a picture or two if you have them; send pictures as .jpg attachments, do not embed them in your Word document.
All submissions are due the 20th of the preceding month. Send them to: fopnewseditor@gmail.com
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the pptw
newsletter team
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Katie Merrell
President, Friends of Payton
Marcia Matalon May
VP, FOP Communications
Jeanne LamarEditor
Deb Hass
Associate Editor
Susan McColgan
Associate Editor
Jane Barclay
Steve Gallancy
Gaute Grindheim
Susan Pearsall
Rachel Shefner
Marion Shuck
Debbie Shepard
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newsletter
brought to you by friends of payton
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Friends of Payton (FOP)
is a volunteer-run organization of parents, guardians, community leaders, and others who raise funds and provide volunteer assistance to support Walter Payton College Prep.
Our mission is to enrich educational and extracurricular activities with outside resources to supplement the limited funding allotted to Payton through the public school system.
President
Katie Merrell
Executive Vice President
Jane Barclay
VP, Communications
Marcia Matalon May
VP, Fundraising
Candise Cho
Treasurer
Tracey Lowenthal
Assistant Treasurer
David Laures
Secretary
Lynn Brahin
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walter payton college prep high school
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1034 North Wells Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
773-534-0034
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CALENDAR
Some details were not available at the time of this issue's publication. Contact the Payton administration with questions: 312-534-0034.
APRIL
04/02 Blood Drive, 8AM-3PM, Second Floor Atrium
04/02 Payton Community Meeting, 6:15PM, Library
04/05 A Sweet Soiree/FOP 14th Annual Gala, 6-11PM
04/08 Parent Teacher Conferences
04/09 Seminar Day
04/14-18 Spring Break
04/21 Local School Council Meeting, 6-8PM, Library
04/23-24 PSAE Testing for Juniors (No School for other students)
04/25 Spring Fling Dance, 6-10PM, First Floor Atrium
04/26 CPS Band Contest, 8AM-3PM, TBD
04/30 Seminar Day
MAY
05/02 International Night, 4-9PM, Atrium
05/07 Payton Community Meeting, 6:15PM, Library
05/09 Instrumental Spring Concert, 6-7PM, Recital Hall
05/12 Local School Council Meeting, 6-8PM, Library
05/16 Explore and Plan Test
05/16 Class of 2014 Prom
05/22 Spring Choir Concert, 7-9PM, Recital Hall
05/26 No School - Memorial Day
05/28 Seminar Day
05/28 Class of 2014 Senior Luncheon, 1-3PM, Galleria
Marchetti
05/29 Class of 2014 Awards Ceremony, 2:45-3:30PM,
Recital Hall
05/29 Spring Concert Performance, 7-9PM, Recital Hall
05/30 Class of 2014 Graduation Rehearsal, 2:45-3:30PM,
Recital Hall
*PLEASE NOTE: Throughout the year, the Payton calendar may differ from the online Chicago Public Schools calendar. For the Payton calendar, please click here.
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 A LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPALSpring News and a
Gala Celebration!
Dear Payton Parents and Guardians,
Wow! In just the past few weeks and in the coming few weeks, the beehive of activity that is Payton was/will be in high form...trips abroad (China, Argentina, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Mexico),the Payton Players' rendition of Arabian Nights, 4 Payton students placed in the top 10 of the Regional Bridge-building competition, the Payton Alumni Association hosted an alumni vs. staff basketball game, Mike Caines (Math) cited as an exceptional educator by MIT, 7 Payton students named National Merit Finalists and 1 named National Achievement Finalist, two student-athletes named to the IHSA All-State Academic Team, the Concert Choir performed
Broadway Gems and joined in the performance of a requiem with Northside's Concert Choir, 16 students advanced to the state Science Fair, Payton again hosted the city-wide Best Buddies Prom...and on, and on. Because of these and other meaningful activities, Payton was nominated as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.
A few additional notes:
-Attendance. This is a time of year when student attendance is prone to decline, which is problematic because it impacts academic growth, the stability of programs, and funding. Please ensure that your child is on time, ready to learn, everyday.Your support is needed and appreciated.
-Facilities. Plans for the expansion continue. The current design includes: 14 new classrooms (including 2 special education classrooms, an art room, and a driver's ed room), a café, a black box theater, a gymnasium, and music practice rooms.The plans have not been finalized and we continue to have conversations between faculty and student body, and persons in central office, to create a solid plan.
-High School and College Admissions. Congratulations to our incoming freshman, the class of '18. It is an amazing group of young intellects who are well-poised for the Payton experience. We are genuinely excited to have them with us for the 4-year journey.And April 1 marks an exciting day for seniors, as they will have heard back from all of the colleges to which they have applied. We are excited for the adventures that lie ahead for all students.
-Calendar. We just received the green light from central office to put together our 2014-2015 academic calendar. As soon as that is together, we will publish it to students and parents.
-Programming. Students will formally begin course selection in short order.Please ensure that you are an active part of the conversation with your child so that he/she selects an assortment of challenging but doable courses. NB: we continue to work with central office on matters relating to the 4 year PE requirement and will certainly let you know if there are any evolutions.
-Payton Boosters Organization. Thank you all who are working with the PBO to assist our extracurricular programs-both academic clubs and athletics.Your help will enhance the vibrancy of the programs and will alleviate some of the many tasks on coaches' shoulders, giving them more time and energy to focus on student development.
-Sweetness Day. Thank you to so many of you who were able to chaperone and make this day possible.
-Our 4Cs. The defining traits of Payton people are our 4Cs-curiosity, character, compassion, and courage. Individually and collectively, these traits help our Payton people to forge lives of excellence. Our Leadership Team, LSC, faculty, and Student Government have spent ample time in recent months giving more definition to these traits; clarifying what they mean and where and how we foster the emergence and development of these traits. We will publish more about the 4Cs-our guiding vision-in April.
-Report-Card Pick-Up on Apr. 8. Please come to chat with your child's teachers. While you're here, please vote for parent and community representatives for the LSC, and take a few minutes to complete the annual My Voice, My School survey. Your participation in all three components of the afternoon/evening are quite beneficial for the health of the school.
Every day, in so many ways, as the students and teachers ply their talents in classrooms and other venues, we find parents doing so much to support Payton's dynamic people and programs. Far from a cliché...Payton would not be such a special place without your ongoing activities, thoughtfulness, and support. A wholehearted thank you!
See you at the Gala (Apr. 5) and report card pick-up (Apr. 8)!
Tim Devine, Principal
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PARTICIPATE Sat. Apr. 5: Payton Gala! (see article below) Join us at the Sweet Soiree to celebrate and support our school. VOLUNTEER: Now-Apr. 5: Gala Planning needs you. We welcome your help with a number of jobs, big and small, including some on the day of the Sweet Soiree Gala. Send a note to FOPfundraising@gmail.com Apr. 8: Parents needed to work at report card pick up day (one hour slots from 12-6PM) please email friendsofpayton@gmail.com Senior Parents: Join the Senior Parent Activities Committee to help plan the many special events for seniors this spring. Contact Michelle Mowery at mlmowery@cps.edu.
DONATE: Sat. Apr. 5: Sweet Soiree! Buy your tickets and join us at the Gala! To let us know how you will help, email FOP.
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A Sweet Soiree is Sat., Apr. 5, at The Montgomery Club by Gibsons, 500 W. Superior St., starting promptly at 6PM. RSVP ASAP! The last day to pre-register (online only) is Apr. 2. While walk-ins are welcome, pre-registering is preferred. Click here to register now. Thank you to those who participated in the Pre-Gala Online Auction. We are happy to report the number of bidding participants doubled from last year. Thank you for showing your Payton pride and your support. We hope your bidding was successful. If you missed your chance to sign up for teacher led seminars under Teacher Treasures or Parent Hosted Events, spots will be available for purchase at the Soiree, in addition to several Silent Auction Items! The Friends of Payton Fundraising Team has put together a wonderful evening filled with opportunities to laugh, raise much needed funds for our remarkable school, and mingle with fellow parents, administration and faculty. Don't forget to purchase Champagne Toast tickets to participate in Mr. Tim Devine's (Principal) toast to the evening and the Grizzly Game (aka Heads or Tails) wristbands to play a game of elimination for a chance to win a MacBook Air 13". There will be a performance by Ms. Kate Johnston (Music), a short film, paddle raise and dancing! The Sweet Soiree is an evening to come together to celebrate our sweet community and have some fun. Dress code is Cosmopolitan Casual - not too dressy or casual. Leave your sneakers at home and make sure to join us. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Soiree!
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 CLUBS & ENRICHMENT
Payton Future Problem Solvers Qualify for State Future Problem Solvers (FPS) is a state, national and international competitive program wherein teams of four students refine their critical and creative thinking skills as they research and explore challenges to future world problems. In the Team Problem Solving competition, teams conduct research on topics that have implications for the future in social, scientific, political, economic or technological areas, to gain background information and to understand how or why this topic is important for the future. The team then applies its research to devise a solution and methodology for resolving the given problem. Sophomores Emory Bridgen, Max Drake, Camila Giraldo and Leo Pellegrini constituted the 2012-2013 Payton FPS team. They participated in the Regional Competition and qualified for the 2013 State Bowl. Following on this success, Camila Giraldo and Leo Pellegrini recruited and enlisted 18 more sophomore students and formally launched the Payton FPS Club this year. Mr. Michael Baldwin (Social Studies) is the team's faculty sponsor. This year's FPS topic is transportation. On Feb. 8, the following five Payton teams participated in the Chicago Regional Competition and secured qualifying status to the State Bowl Competition which will be held on Apr. 25-26, in Normal, Illinois: 1. Emory Bridgen, Camila Giraldo, Sam McCarthy, Leo Pelegrini 2. Luis Collado, Max Drake, Luke Roeber, Tiger Wang 3. Emilio Araujo, Annabel Doerr, Josh Khalilian, Ally Pollock 4. Ella Berry, Jenny Matusova, Ben Smith, Emi Stern 5. Mike O'Sullivan, Xiomara Rodriguez, Bobby Rone, Maia Taylor Congratulations and good luck at the State Bowl! |
 COUNSELORS CORNER
Counselors Open for Visits During Report Card Pickup
March has been another very busy month for the Payton counseling team. Counselors have been catching up with sophomores in individual meetings, gearing up for the Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE) for juniors, and hearing lots of great college admission news from seniors. Payton also started a new program, Counselor Coffee Talk, which has been well attended during the first two weeks! The spring college fair held at Von Steuben on Mar. 27 was a great success with almost 150 college admission representatives in attendance. It was great to see so many Payton families at the event. March Counseling Enrichments included a continuation of "Soph Talk" and "A Day In The Life" in addition to students completing the "My Voice, My School" survey.
Counselors are looking forward to Report Card Pick-Up on Tues. Apr. 8 and hope parents will stop by their offices as part of the day!
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 FOP IN THE CLASSROOM
Teacher Wishlist News
Friends of Payton (FOP) will host a Wishlist Table at Report Card Pick-up on Apr. 8. Please stop by and consider purchasing one of the many items still needed for our students.It takes the support and help of the entire Payton community to reach our goals. We appreciate any assistance you can provide. We also need volunteers to man the table for one hour increments during the event. If you can help with this task, please contact fopevp@gmail.com to volunteer. Thank you! |
 CLUBS & ENRICHMENT
Payton Organization for Women and Esteemed Ms. Molly Spooner (English) is faculty adviser for Payton's Organization for Women. The evolving gender studies dialogue at Payton is a combination of enrichments (Payton Organization for Women and Esteemed) and a seminar called Manifesto that come together to discuss women's and related issues. Bridget Hayes (JR) reports the group is currently organizing a conference, which will take place on Sat. May 3, and a humanities festival at Payton the week leading up to the conference (Apr. 28 - May 2). For the humanities festival, participants in these groups will hold enrichments open to all Payton students to discuss feminism, gender studies, and other related topics. The goal is to raise awareness and shed light on these issues in the Payton community. The conference aims to spread this awareness even further across Chicago and contribute to the conversation on gender equality. Ms. Hayes notes, "The conference is open to anyone interested. We will pull together a diverse group from all over the city to join in on discussions, listen to speeches, meet people interested in the same issues, and the like." |
 PAYTON CLASS OF 2014 Countdown to
Graduation: Updates
During graduation practice on May 30, seniors will each receive 5 tickets for the graduation ceremony. Additional tickets will be available for $10 each from the main office or Ms. Michele Mowery (English) in the DL Lab after May 15.
Seeking graduation speakers from the class of 2014. Students must turn in drafts of their speeches to the main office by Apr. 24 and then perform the speech for peer judges from each advisory who will choose 2 speakers.
Seeking sponsors for flowers at graduation. Anyone sponsoring flowers will get an ad in the graduation program. Please contact Ms. Mowery at mlmowery@cps.edu.
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 STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT First Annual Payton Junior Book Awards Payton is delighted to announce the launch of the Payton Junior Book Awards Program and to report that the first annual Junior Book Awards Program will take place on Wed. May 28 at 8AM in Recital Hall. What is the Payton Junior Book Awards Program? A number of universities and colleges operate programs that award a book to a high school junior who meets certain criteria selected by that academic institution. Criteria examples include: academic achievement, achievement in a particular discipline, community service, school service, leadership, or intellectual curiosity. Each participating institution selects and provides a book to the chosen junior, frequently a book written by a faculty member or alumni, or reflecting some other connection to the institution or its purposes. At our inaugural event in May, approximately 30 institutions will present book awards to a Payton junior. Payton's faculty will meet and select the junior who best satisfies each institution's criteria. (No junior will be selected for more than one book award.) The book awards will be presented to the selected junior at the Payton Junior Book Awards Program by each institution's representative, which may include Payton faculty, Payton alumni, or Payton parents/guardians. All juniors will attend the May 28 program, and parents and guardians of all juniors will be invited to attend. Parents and guardians of the awardees will be notified shortly before the event. A brief reception will follow for the award recipients, their parents or guardians, and the institutions' representatives. Thereafter, the Payton Junior Book Awards Program will occur on an annual basis each spring. Questions? Comments? Interested in helping with the reception? Please contact Lance R. Paulsen, Counseling Department Chair, at 773.534.8175. Please note: receipt of an institution's award should in no way be construed as any indication of the likelihood of admission should the recipient choose to apply to that institution.
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 FINE ARTS
Music News and
Performance Dates
The Payton Concert Choir will participate in the All City Choral Festival at Senn High School on Sat. Apr. 5. Each year the Festival requires one piece from a specific musical era. This year it is Baroque. Payton's singers will be presenting the 12th movement from Antonio Vivaldi's Gloria titled Cum Sancto Spiritu. They will also perform a new choral work by Dan Forest, Entreat Me Not to Leave You, with an additional sight-reading piece. Good luck to all!
The choir department has had the pleasure of working with Zachary Speer for the last several weeks. Zach is a Masters and Certification student from VanderCook College of Music doing his student teaching at Payton. Students and staff will miss him as he moves towards his promising career.
The choir room has been sporting a fun new seminar this semester. Approximately 30 students were invited by Ms.Johnston to participate in a Madrigal Choir Seminar to experiment with the fun music that is hundreds of years old. The group will share a couple of their numbers at the Spring Choral Concert.
Mark your calendars for the Spring Band Concert on Fri. May 9 at 7PM and Thurs. May 22, at 7PM for the Spring Choral Concert. Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors.
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Please check out the new Payton Prep Initiative for Education (PPIE) website, www.paytonppie.org. PPIE's mission is to build an endowment fund to sustain the academic vision, mission, and tradition of excellence at Walter Payton College Preparatory High School well into the future. Thanks for your past and continued support. Donations are still being accepted. There is a "donate" button on the website.
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 PAYTON SPORTS
Payton Spring Sports Getting Underway
Global warming weirding has extended winter's doldrums but Payton's intrepid spring team athletes have been ramping up to take on their challenges when the ice finally melts from fields and courts.
Cheer Team:Payton's Cheer Team took second place in the Small High School Division, competing against twelve similarly sized schools including Northside and Whitney Young. The massive competition includes Small and Large High School divisions, judged by IHSA judges, and middle schoolgrade divisions, judged by CPS judges. Cheer Captain Casey Petroschuk (SR) was thrilled to conclude her four years of cheering at Payton with this win. The team is coached by Mr. John Mayuga of Cheer Destiny.
Football:Already looking ahead to fall, Payton's Varsity Football Team has been invited to play in the Kickoff Classic at Toyota Park on Sunday, Aug. 31 at 3PM. The first game featuring Mt. Carmel vs. St. Joseph of Philadelphia kicks off at 12PM, Payton takes on St. Ignatius at 3PM, and St. Rita plays Simeon at 6PM. Payton is proud to be included in this prestigious event. Please plan to come out, tailgate with Payton families, and watch one, two, or three games of outstanding high school football.
Girls' Soccer:The varsity team has endured tough, close games so far against (non-league) Marist and Whitney Young, but is rallying after trouncing De La Salle 4-0, with 2 goals from Jaclyn Shifrin (SR), and two more to nail it shut from Ellie Vachuska (SR) and Brooke Gardner (JR). The junior varsity also came back after a loss to Marist, to prevail against Whitney Young 1-0. The team was braving sideways rains when Natalie Van Mell (Frosh) knocked one through the posts with an assist from Hannah Lowenthal (Frosh). Games continue this week with play at Chicago Lab School on Tues.at 4:30PM, and against Von Steuben at Stagg Field on Fri. at 6PM. JV games follow the varsity games. Please come out and support the girls!
Boys' Tennis: Under the command of head coach Sean King, this spring's squad has commenced 5:30AM practices at Midtown in anticipation of their first matches in the coming weeks of an already fast-paced season. For a young developing team (after departure of several seniors last year) the competition will be fierce and the games will be exciting, so take advantage of catching the action at the many great matches this season.
Boys' Track: The runners and jumpers have put the bad weather behind them (practice in the school and cool down runs in feet of snow) as they move from the indoor season to the outdoor season in just one weekend. On Fri. Mar. 28 Payton competed in the Lane Tech Len Jareczek Relays outdoor meet, while on Sat. Mar. 29 they moved back inside at Proviso West HS for a remaining indoor meet. Meets continue through May. Long-time Payton Coach Thaddeus Rego coaches the team. Find the full schedule on the Boys' Track page under Athletics.
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 NEXT MEETING ON APRIL 21
Local School Council (LSC)
At the LSC meeting on Mar. 10, Principal Devine reported the following:
-The International Travel Expo was a great success. Next year's international trips are set for: Beijing (China), Oaxaca (Mexico), Prague (Czech Republic), Paris (France), and Taipei (Taiwan). We are exploring relationships with school in Russia. Payton has established a formal relationship with the African Leadership Academy in South Africa. Its students will travel to Payton over the summer and Payton will send students to Johannesburg next year to work with their curriculum.
-History Fair: 36 WPCP projects advanced to the City History Fair.
-Bridge Competition: 4 students placed in the top 10 of a regional bridge building competition and will go onto the international competition.
-National Blue Ribbon School: Payton was the only Illinois high school to receive a nomination this year. WPCP was previously named a Blue Ribbon School in 2008.-Jacqueline Barge (Science) traveled to Washington D.C. with 4 students for the NASA National Convention. The students presented their work to the National Conference of Graduate and Professional Astronomers. -Valerie Gemskie (Latin) was awarded two grants this year to support student travel to Rome, Italy. One of the grants is for $12,000. -The Math Team recently went to the NSML Competition and took 6th Place in the state, out of 55 schools. Juniors and seniors took 5th overall and the freshmen took 6th place. Programming for next year is underway. Notable course changes include: -Elective course for JR/SR students: first semester of Honors Sociology, second semester Honors Psychology; -Elective course: Drama II, focusing on writing and producing; -Freshman AP Physics I (Single Period) - Physics II will not be offered next year -Japanese will not be offered as a freshman World Language next year; -Four year PE requirement goes into effect. JR/SR students may be exempted if they participate in an ongoing IHSA approved sport. (55% of the Payton students qualify). -Three new PE courses: Honors Personal Fitness and Wellness, Honors Dance (satifying both PE and Art credit), and Honors Physiology and Anatomy (satisfying both PE and Science credit); -PE Team Sports and Weightlifting will not be offered next year. Attendance procedures have been adjusted and absence notes must now be delivered to the main office no later than 7:55 am on the Wed. following a student's absence.
Please join us at the next LSC meeting on Apr. 21 at 6PM in the Library.
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