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Exceeding Standards and Maximizing Student Potential

In my message last month, I wrote about the School Improvement Plan for Advancing Academic Achievement (SIPAAA) that we are developing at Palmer School.  This is the strategic plan that describes our goals and activities for the next two years.   As I had indicated, our major goal will be to move every student to the next higher achievement level, with an emphasis on increasing the number of students who exceed rather than simply meet state standards. 

The key is to develop the educational program and provide resources and experiences so that every student reaches his or her optimal level of performance…academically, physically, culturally, socially, and emotionally.  As our vision states, our school empowers all students to exercise critical thinking skills, become respectful and responsible life-long learners, achieve their personal goals, and maximize their contributions to society.  

We have researched and planned activities and programs that will support the vision, attain our goal, and take our school to a higher level of performance.  Even though we are still refining the specifics of our plan, the following is a summary of our strategies for next year.

  • Increase the resources and raise the level of learning expectations in mathematics for students in kindergarten through grade 5 to better prepare them for the Connected Math program in grades 6 through 8 which has been successful in raising student achievement.
  • Increase the emphasis on literacy, with increased resources, teacher development, novel-based reading, and an enhanced writing program.
  • Implement a pilot social studies program in selected grades that will include more teacher prepared materials and primary source research to develop greater connectedness to the content and also increase literacy skills.
  • Increase differentiation of instruction for all students by providing greater resource materials and staff to address needs of accelerated as well as low achieving students.
  • Provide increased enrichment programs and activities before, during, and after school to address academic, social, physical, and arts development for students in all grades.

We will be discussing the final plan at the LSC meeting this month, so please come out and join us to hear all about our exciting plans for the future of Palmer School.

Enjoy learning and reading with your family!


Don Anderson
Principal









Selective Enrollment High Schools - Principal Discretion applications now open
Before School classes resume on Monday, March 8
2010 Gompers Baseball/Softball Registration
Friday, February 19 5:30 - 8:00 pm
@ Gompers Park
Jefferson Park 8th grade Scholarship
Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce announces their scholarship program.
Market Day
Palmer Market Day
Save Your Drink Pouches
The money raised will fund the Outdoor Education in Palmer's Gardens
LSC 2010 Election Nominations are Open
Palmer School needs you !
Wild about Reading - 6 Hour Club
6 Hour club is over. Free passes will be sent home in April.
Prospective Parents are invited to a Tour of Palmer
Mr. Anderson will lead the tour of Palmer School on February 8, 2010 at 10:00 AM.
This is for prospective parents only.
Attention Parents
All parents must report to the office and receive a pass before seeing a teacher. This is a security measure to keep interruptions of instruction in the classroom to a minimum.
New Palmer Band Rehearsal Schedule starts Feb. 8
Safe Internet Guidelines
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Money Orders
Family Resource Center on Disabilities
Absences
High School Open House
Support the Palmer PTA
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LSC Election Nominations are open
Date: 3/10/2010
Progress Reports sent home
Date: 3/10/2010
BAC/PAC/PTA Meeting
Date: 3/10/2010
Time: 9:10 AM - 10:30 AM
Location: Auditorium
Market Day Orders Due
Date: 3/11/2010
Location: Office
Deadline to file LSC Election nomination forms
Date: 3/11/2010
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: School Office

Copyrights John M. Palmer Elementary School
5051 North Kenneth Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630, Phone: (773) 534-3704 - Fax: (773) 534-3771