MARCH 

3/03        ACT testing for Juniors, No School for other students

3/09        Local School Council Meeting, 6-8PM, Library

3/11        Seminar Day

3/11        Payton Community Meeting, 6:15-7PM, Library 

3/13        CPS Best Buddies Prom, 2-7PM  

3/18-21   Musical, Into the Woods, 6PM, Recital Hall           

3/25        Seminar Day

3/27        Pom-Pon Showcase, 6-8PM, Recital Hall

3/28        Annual Payton Gala, 6-11PM, Montgomery Club 

APRIL

4/01        Friends of Payton Community Meeting, 6:15-7PM, Library           

4/01        Blood Drive, 6AM-3PM, Atrium 

4/02        Purple Room Concert, 5-9PM, Atrium 

4/06-10   No School, Spring Break

4/13        Local School Council Meeting, 6-8PM, Library

4/15        No School, School Improvement Day

4/22        Payton Boosters Association Meeting, 6-7PM, Library

4/22        Seminar Day

4/23        Senior Potluck, 6-7PM, Atrium 

4/24-25   Dance-A-Thon, 7PM-7AM, Atrium 

4/27-30   International Week, 8AM-4PM, Atrium 

A special congratulations to our senior scholar-athletes for being chosen for

the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) All-State Academic Team. Brooke Gardner was among 26 students in the state of Illinois to win a spot in the IHSA All-State Academic Team, and Elliott Adams was one of 50 students receiving an Honorable Mention. Required qualifications included a minimum 3.50 GPA on 4.0 scale after their 7th semester, participation in at least two IHSA activities during junior & senior year, and demonstrated outstanding citizenship. "This group is the best of the best," said IHSA Assistant Executive Director Stacey Lambert. "They embody the IHSA's mission, excelling in the classroom, in addition to the multiple sports and activities that they participate in. It really is an accomplishment just to be nominated for this award, and I hope the schools and communities that had winners are as proud of this accomplishment as we are to have these young people represent the IHSA."

Chess: Congratulations to Payton's Chess Team for an outstanding season! It competed in tournaments hosted by Evanston Township High School, DeLaSalle Academy, Benet Academy and Niles North. At the prestigious Glenbard South tournament, the largest tournament outside of the state championship, Payton finished ninth out of 46 high school teams, beating out Whitney Young and Northside Prep. Special kudos to Asher Borstein (soph) for receiving a fourth place medal for his Board 5 play.  

Finally, the team of Caeley Harihara (SR), Peter Williamson (SR), Lev Kendrick (SR), Michael May (JR), Asher Borstein (soph), Kit Ng (JR), Nick Xu (JR), Ian Kidwell (JR), Peter Li (JR) and Emory Brigden (JR) finished 35th in the two-day IHSA state chess tournament in Peoria on Feb. 13-14, the largest tournament of its kind in the world with 148 teams and over 1200 high school players competing. Special thanks to Coach Krishnan Harihara and Asst. Coach Steven May.

Girls Track and Field: The team has had a great start to the season even with the many challenges we face including the weather and hallway running! At the Whitney Young 5 Team Invitational on Feb. 14, our 4x400 relay team, Brittany Lundberg (SR), Samantha Foster (SR), Rebecca Peebles (soph) and Alana Chandler (frosh), placed first, with a great time (1:09.09). Placing first in individual events were Samantha Foster (SR) in the 1600m, and Brittany Lundberg (SR) in the 400m. At the De La Salle Meteors Invitational on Feb.21, Payton placed fifth in a meeting fielding 15 teams and our 4x400 and 4x800 relays each garnered second place finishes.

There are many new runners this season and a strong, hard working freshmen class. The team heads to Lockport HS this weekend to see some more competitive teams and then returns for the UHigh Invitational on Mar. 6 at the U of Chicago. Go Grizzlies!

Last month, students learned about our international trips and exchanges for the 2015-2016 school year at the Payton International Travel Expo. Destinations include Buenos Aires (Argentina), Johannesburg (South Africa), Rome (Italy), San Jose (Costa Rica), Strasbourg (France) and Stratford (Ontario). To apply and learn more about the exciting international learning adventures created by Payton's dedicated faculty click here to visit Payton Globetrotters. Don't delay -- applications are due Fri. Mar. 13 at 3:30PM.

Student Travel Reflections:

Beijing No. 4 Exchange

"The students of Beijing #4 received a warm welcome from Payton, despite the snowy conditions of Super Bowl Sunday! After some rest, some students trekked through the snow to a wonderful Super Bowl party, while others chose to celebrate a little closer to home. Beijing #4 also got to experience a real CPS snow day! Some went sledding for the first time, while others went to the Art Institute. That evening, the whole group enjoyed dinner at the Chinese Consulate with traditional food and some karaoke. The rest of the week was filled with days at Payton, a trip to the Willis Tower, shopping, museums, a tour of University of Chicago, and more. Our Payton families included Beijing students in their typical activities, helping them to gain a greater understanding of daily life in Chicago. Payton students -- and the entire school community -- really opened their worlds up to the Beijing #4 students, giving them an unforgettable American experience. We are looking forward to getting to know the families of our new friends from Beijing."

Taiwan Exchange

"While visiting Chicago, the Taiwanese exchange students immersed themselves in American culture. From Chicago-style hot dogs, to the Willis Tower, to an unexpected snow day, they truly gained the classic Chicago experience. When not involved in excursions, they learned English, living at home with Payton families. We were truly sad to see them return to Taiwan, but can't wait until we reunite in March."

South Africa Trip

"On our trip to South Africa this past month, we enjoyed the intellectual benefits of Johannesburg with a visit to the African Leadership Academy (ALA) and got insights into post-apartheid living with a tour of Soweto township. At the ALA, we had the opportunity to interact with and learn alongside some of the brightest and most promising minds from around the African continent. Our time there was complemented by a visit to Kliptown Youth Program in Soweto, an influential school within an impoverished community attempting to turn childhood "poverty into opportunity." Our journey ended in Cape Town where we explored some of South Africa's most stunning sights, including a hike up Table Mountain and a bike ride along the coast of the Cape of Good Hope. Needless to say, our departure was bittersweet, as many of us would have wanted to stay longer and others promised to come back someday." For updates and photos click here to visit the Payton South Africa blog.   

Attention Payton Families:

AFS Chicago (our individual exchange partner) has asked if any of our families would host a male foreign exchange student for either one semester or a full school year. The visiting students speak English well and, like our kids, enjoy music, sports, art, and more! Please consider this wonderful opportunity for your family. If you are interested, please email FOPpresident@gmail.com.