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payton community monthly meeting
1/07
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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. At press time, this year's meeting schedule is as follows:
9/3, 10/1, 11/5, 12/3, 1/7, 2/4, 3/4, 4/1, 5/6, 6/3.
All meetings are held in the Library.
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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 1/12
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Parents, guardians, and the public are welcome at Local School Council (LSC) meetings, which are held monthly in the Payton Library at 6PM.
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 25th of the preceding month. Send them to: fopnewseditor@gmail.com
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the pptw
newsletter team
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Marla Gross
President, Friends of Payton
Marcia Matalon May
VP, FOP Communications
Deb Hass
Associate Editor
Susan McColgan
Associate Editor
Steve Gallancy
Sports Editor
Barb McHugh
Susan Pearsall
Erin Schertler
Marion Shuck
Jill Wohl
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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 that includes all of the parents and guardians of current Payton students. We 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
Marla Gross
Executive Vice President
Andrea Mularczyk
VP, Communications
Marcia Matalon May
VP, Fundraising
Candise Cho
Treasurer
Tracey Lowenthal
Assistant Treasurer
Dina Isaacs
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.
JANUARY
1/07 Payton Community Meeting, 6:15-7PM, Library
1/12 Local School Council Meeting, 6-8PM, Library
1/14 Seminar Day
1/19 No School, Martin Luther King Day
1/23 8 Period Day
1/26-28 Semester Finals
1/29 Seminar Day
1/30 No School, School Improvement Day
FEBRUARY
2/02 Sophomore Parent Night, 6:30-8PM
2/04 Payton Community Meeting, 6-7PM, Library
2/05 Family Evening at Lookinglass Theater, 7:30PM (see article)
2/06 Wellness Fair, 9:50AM-1PM, Atrium
2/09 Local School Council Meeting, 6-8PM, Library
2/11 Seminar Day
2/13 Winter Formal, 6-10PM, Atrium
2/16 No School, Presidents Day
2/20 WPCP International Travel Expo, 9AM-1PM, Atrium
2/25 Seminar Day
2/28 Parents Night Out, 7-9:30PM
*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 PRINCIPAL
Hearts, Minds, and Character
Dear Payton Parents and Guardians,
Much has occurred on campus in the past month: Band and Choir Concerts, the inaugural Dance Concert, the Alumni College Fair and two other Payton Alumni Association events, the selling of our new Payton Spirit Wear, early action information from colleges for some of our seniors, Payton debaters earned bids to compete in the prestigious Tournament of Champions, the Poms team City Championship, the beginning of construction on the expansion, winter sports in full swing, the new radio booth for the Broadcast Journalism course was installed, and Payton earned a 1+ on the CPS's School Quality Rating Policy (which assesses schools on a range of metrics: growth of students between freshmen and junior years, college enrollment, attendance, etc.) and, of course, students' and teachers' wide range of classroom activities.
At the core of this remain our dynamic students who demonstrate commitment to the 4Cs-courage, compassion, character, and curiosity. Payton students have an abiding hunger for and are skillful with learning complex concepts. Yet, they also regularly demonstrate that their hearts are as big as their minds. To wit, a small set of examples: as noted, this is a time when seniors learn about their early action college decisions. Some students were accepted via early action and some were not. Regardless of the situation, I have seen so many of our students find genuine happiness for friends and peers even though they, themselves, might not have been accepted to their early action school. Conversely, those with acceptances have found genuine ways to buoy and bolster friends who did not receive an early action admit. Our PALs continue to work smartly with our freshmen so the latter can continue their transition into high school. I see hundreds of students cheering each other on in concerts and athletic contests, or offering tutoring assistance, or volunteering together in the community. Thank you for developing children who have the courage to demonstrate selflessness and ongoing care for others. For many, winter break marks a time of rest and renewal. I hope you and your family found large quantities of both. Thank you for all that you are and for all that you do,
Tim Devine, Principal
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 Payton Community News
PARTICIPATE
Jan. 7: Payton Community Meeting, 6:15PM. Find out what's happening around Payton from Principal Tim Devine. Fundraising Team will meet afterward.
Feb. 28: Parents Night Out, 7-9:30PM. Join other Payton parents and guardians for an informal potluck. At the home of Ed and Renata Seward, 6437 N. Nokomis Ave., Chicago.
VOLUNTEER
Feb. 6: Wellness Fair, help needed 9AM-1:30PM.
Feb. 20: International Travel Expo. 9AM-1PM, Atrium.
Feb. 28: Parents' Night Out. Come at 6:30PM to help set up, or stay a few minutes late to clean up!
Mar. 4: Sweetness Day. Sign up to chaperone a group of Payton students on this service day. Some sites require additional adults, so let us know if you can help out.
Now until Mar. 28: Gala Planning. We would welcome your help with a number of jobs, big and small, including some on the day of the Stars Under the Skyline Gala.
Click here to volunteer for any of these events.
DONATE
You did it! Your generosity enabled FOP to meet the Annual Appeal's $100,000 challenge -- we're still putting the last few checks in the bank but with the $50,000 match we raised over $150,000 for Payton classrooms and programming. Thanks to everyone for their generous support!
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 COUNSELING CORNER
Counseling Department Updates
The Payton Counseling Department has been very busy over the last couple of months. We've enjoyed becoming more familiar with our freshmen through individual meetings and Enrichment. We've also been very busy working with seniors and are very happy for so many that received great news in recent weeks. We hope the seniors made time for a little fun and relaxation over break as they continued to work on college applications!
Our annual Junior Parent College Planning night was well attended in early December and we were also able to spend time with juniors during Enrichment as they completed the "Do What Your Are" personality inventory in Naviance. We'll have individual college planning meetings with juniors during January and February.
Sophomore Parent Night is set for Mon. Feb. 2 at 6:30PM in the Payton Recital Hall.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to your Payton counselor if you have questions or would like to schedule a meeting.
And congratulations to Payton counselor Mario Ortiz for recently earning National Board Certification!
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SAVE THE DATE!
Parent Volunteers
Critical to Next
Sweetness Day, 3/4/2015
Plans are underway for Payton's 6th Annual Sweetness Day, Wed. Mar. 4. This day of service honors Walter "Sweetness" Payton's strong community involvement and gives our students, teachers, staff, and administrators a way to work closely together on a shared goal outside of their day-to-day routines. Whether it is working with young children, elderly adults, or cancer survivors, Sweetness Day connects the incredible people who spend their days at Payton to the incredible people who live, work, and play beyond our school's walls.
Parents and guardians can be a part of Sweetness Day by helping to identify community needs and service sites ahead of time, or by serving as chaperones on the big day. To participate in this school tradition of community service, please send an email to FOPCommunications@gmail.com, or contact Assistant Principal Michele Washington.
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 SUPPORT PAYTON FINE ARTS
2nd Annual Family Night
at LookinglassTheater:
Alice Returns!
Please join the Payton Community for a night of theater. On Thurs. Feb. 5 Lookingglass Theater's performance of Alice will support our Payton Players. Tickets are $50 per person and all proceeds benefit Payton Players. Lookinglass Alice is appropriate for all ages so bring the family. Your ticket includes a chance to meet the director before the show, meet the cast after the show, and attend a post-show discussion with the cast and director. Your support will directly enable Payton Players' production of its first musical, Into the Woods. Please contact Ms. Kerry Catlin (English, room 306) to purchase a ticket.
About Payton Players:
As the producing organization for Payton's Drama Department, Payton Players' mission is to provide students with the opportunity to witness, create, and participate in theatrical productions in a professional setting. Our goal is to make this experience as authentic and professional as possible by allowing students to participate at all levels.
During a Payton Players show, students execute the roles and duties required to produce a professional production. Students work as Assistant Director, Stage Manager, Technical Director, Assistant Stage Manager, Costume Designer, Prop Master, Sound Designer, Marketing Director, Light Board Operator, Sound Board Operator, Props/Set/Costume Crew, House Manager, and Box Office. In addition to running shows, students have the opportunity to collaborate with working theatre professionals to gain skills and knowledge that can be applied to all aspects of life. Our students have worked with theatre professionals from Lookingglass Theatre Company, Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Logan Center for the Arts, University of Chicago, Mary Arrchie Theatre, The Neo-Futurists, Improv Olympic, A Red Orchid, and many more. Many students have graduated from Payton and gone on to study acting, directing, play writing, and design in college. Though not everyone will become a theatre professional, hopefully everyone will continue to attend plays and live performances because of their experiences here.
Payton looks to continue its tradition of producing professional quality, student-centered productions in the years to come; however, musical theatre productions require a larger budget, more resources, time, and people than what Payton has produced in recent years. In addition to sound design, lighting design, and set and properties construction, musicals necessitate a live orchestra as well as costlier rights and licensing fees.
We need your help.
Please join us at Lookinglass Alice and celebrate all that Payton Players has accomplished and hopes to accomplish in the future!
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 PAYTON PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
Get Ready for Spring Parents Night Out: Feb. 28!
Come on out for Payton's Spring Parents Night Out on Sat. Feb. 28 from 7-9:30PM at the home of Ed and Renata Seward, 6437 N. Nokomis Avenue, Chicago. Parents Nights Out are informal potluck dinners hosted by Payton families. They are for parents and guardians only - no kids! Please bring a dish to share (appetizer, entrée or dessert). BYOB. Everything else is provided.
Contact Marcia May at marciamay477@gmail.com or 312-919-0020 if you want to volunteer to help with set up or clean up, or if you would like bring party supplies. Hope to see you there! |
 WINTER SPORTS
Lady Grizzlies
Leading the Charge
Pompon: On Dec. 13 Payton's Pompon/Dance Team won its first ever CPS City Championship. Led by new coach Natalya Pervushina and team captains Toni Madorsky (SR) and Nia Gipson (SR), the team assembled new formations and choreography to take home the gold. A special thank you goes out to Kimberly Graves, the previous coach, who remained involved in almost every practice and performance until taking a leave of absence. Great teamwork is the path to great accomplishment - go Grizzlies!
Girls Basketball: The varsity team is off to a great start this season - undefeated in league play. Head coach Josh Greenberg enters his sixth year with the Grizzlies. Lead by senior Point guard Sophie Goethals and returning seniors Gabi Castillo, Abby Hancock and Annie Brandstrader, the team has added depth in newcomer Grace Hauser (frosh) and Elena Johnston (JR).
The Payton team was on the road for a tournament in Milwaukee the weekend before the winter break, racking up a 50-43 win against North Division High School and bringing its record to 10-0 !
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 FOP Fundraising
Gala News
The 2015 Gala will feature exciting donations from across the city! Highlights include: The French Pastry Experience - make and taste delectable desserts; massage gift certificates; dinner at Rosebud; and, for your student, lunch at Big and Little's. This year the auction will be conducted with cellular bidding, which will be exciting because those not able to attend can participate live, via cellphone. We encourage your family to solicit items, donation forms can be found online here. Chicago businesses have been proud to support Walter Payton College Prep and they enjoy learning about our school, so please reach out to retailers, restaurants and other businesses that you frequent and ask for their support.
Look for a formal invitation to the Stars Under the Skyline Gala to arrive in January. We are proud to announce that the Sounds of Sweetness and Pieces of Perfection will perform at the Gala on Mar. 28, 2015. Thanks for all of your generous donations and of course we can always use your time. Please volunteer - just send an email to FOPFundraising@gmail.com
Annual Appeal - $100,000 Challenge Met!
Thank you to our generous community for making this happen. If you haven't had the opportunity to donate, there's still time. Click here to donate.
Please Come to the Next Fundraising Meeting - Jan. 7 at 7PM in the Library, after the Payton Community Meeting with Mr. Devine.
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 FINE ARTS
Music News and
Upcoming Events
Congratulations to the Payton Jazz Orchestra, Chamber Strings, Concert Band and Choral Groups on dazzling Winter Concert performances! Thanks to all who were able to come enjoy the students' hard work. For the first time, the Pieces of Perfection members rearranged music in "swing style" for the concert and it was a smash hit! This fresh style was showcased as the group "caroled" the school halls ushering in 2015 just before break. Keep your eyes out second semester for the release of the Pieces' first CD.
Concert Band has received their music for the CPS Band & Orchestra contest on Sat. Apr. 25 and the Spring Concert on Fri. May 15.
The show has been cast and rehearsals for "Into the Woods" begin Jan. 5. Mark your calendars to come see this wonderful piece on Mar. 18, 19, 20, and 21 at 6PM in Payton's Recital Hall......and yes, we picked the show long before we knew about the movie!
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 GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
More Opportunities for
International Study
Payton Students Eligible for $20,000 in Global Navigator Scholarships
On behalf of donor Sheron Long and the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), Global Connections is delighted to announce that Payton Prep has been selected to participate in the 2014-15 Global Navigator Scholarships. These awards earmark $20,000 for Payton students to study abroad during the summer!
The scholarships are intended to open the world to students, help them navigate across languages, connect with other cultures, and develop global competencies to thrive in today's interconnected world. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who elect to apply will be considered based on merit and need. Programs range from 3 to 4 weeks and include language/cultural immersion, community service, and varied academic programs.
Application deadline is Mar. 1. CIEE will support students throughout the entire application and acceptance process. (click here to access application) Payton's dedicated contact is Marianne Rubin. Contact her by email at mrubin@ciee.org or phone at 1-800-331-1567. Visit the CIEE website by clicking here.
More Funds for Life-changing Experiences Abroad!
The Global Navigator Scholarship program offers prime opportunities to study abroad - along with an additional $1.2 million in scholarships also available nationwide. Don't miss a valuable deadline for your student to go far! Stay informed about these and other Global Connections opportunities by regularly visiting us online at http://paytonglobetrotters.weebly.com/go-global-updates.
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 STUDENT GOVERNMENT UPDATE
Student Outreach
Reported with the help of Amy Hoke (SR), VP of Student Government
In pursuit of opportunities to help raise awareness on the issue of adolescent homelessness in Chicago, and inspired by the documentary "Homestretch", Student Government met with a liaison from Jenner Academy of the Arts to discuss starting a tutoring program for Jenner students within the next few months. Student Government members also met one of the producers of the Homestretch Documentary at the Chicago Youth Talks, a convention held for Chicago teenagers to discuss societal problems and solutions. Student Government President Olivia Greenfield (SR) and Student Government members Juan Contreras (SR) and Hubert Mysliwiec (soph) were featured speakers at the event.
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NEXT MEETING ON JAN. 12, 2015 
Local School Council (LSC)
Payton's Local School Council met on Dec. 8th. The meeting included updates from the World Languages and Physical Education departments.
The LSC has completed the annual Principal's Evaluation, using the feedback provided in parent, student, and staff Oct. surveys. The LSC is now in the process of completing the four-year review as the current principal contract comes to a close.
The next LSC meeting will be at 6PM on Jan. 12 in Payton's library and will include a report from the Social Studies department.
Meetings are always open to the public and include an opportunity for public comment. Please join us!
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