Alessandro Volta Elementary School

The Globe Fall, 2015 volta.cps.k12.il.us

Welcome back! Our school year is off to a terrific start. There have been a few

“bumps in the road” related to the city and state budget problems, but nothing is too difficult for the Volta team! We look forward to a great year. This can only happen if we are all working

together. Thank you for your continued support.

VOLTA RETAINS LEVEL 1 STATUS!Last week we received the news that once again Volta is a level 1 school! This rating is determined by a variety of criteria, including test scores, attendance, teacher and student surveys, and compliance (medical and other). We could not be a level 1 school without the cooperation of all involved – parents, students, teachers, and administrators. We still want to make it to the highest level – 1+. That is our goal for the year. Work with us to make it happen!

Have a Safe and HappyHave a Safe and HappyHave a Safe and HappyHave a Safe and Happy HALLOWEEN!HALLOWEEN!HALLOWEEN!HALLOWEEN!

BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS.Due to a decrease in enrollment of about thirty-five students, Volta lost about $180,000 from its budget. The budget loss resulted in the lay-off of two teachers and cutting back on after-school planning time for teachers. We will also have to be more frugal in our purchase of supplies in order to operate within our means. Thank you for your understanding and support. Hopefully there will not be more budget cuts in November. Know that whatever our budget is, everyone at Volta is committed to giving your children a first-class education! HIGH SCHOOL SELECTION PROCESS. Volta’s counselor, Ms. Styzek, has been working with our middle school students in selecting high schools. On October 20th, Ms. Styzek organized a high school fair for 7th and 8th grade students. Palmer students were invited to participate in the fair, also. Twenty-two Chicago area public, charter, and private high schools participated in the fair. They gave a short presentation of their school to the entire group of students and then went to the gymnasium where students could circulate and speak individually with the high school representatives. On October 21st, in the evening, Ms. Styzek held a meeting for 8th grade students and their parents/guardians to explain the high school application process. Communities United (APNC) worked with Ms. Styzek in organizing this meeting. Thirty-three families took advantage of this event. Thank you, Ms. Styzek, for all the work you do to make sure our students and their families are well-informed.

MATH CHAMP.On Saturday, October Mrs. Khan (8th grade math) took the Volta Math Team to Lane Tech High School to participate in the Chicago Junior Math League competition. The Team is made up of Abraam Cortes, Michelle Luu, Brian Nguyen, Jaymin Parekh, Erik Velazquez, Renzo Borja, and Jennifer Calderon. We are excited to announce that Brian Nguyen won first place in thneighborhood school division of this competition! This means that he was competing against all the other neighborhood schools participating in the event. Congratulations to Brian and to his coach Mrs. Khan.

HALLOWEEN FAMILY HALLOWEEN FAMILY HALLOWEEN FAMILY HALLOWEEN FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTMOVIE NIGHTMOVIE NIGHTMOVIE NIGHT

“The Nightmare Before Christmas”

Friday, October 30th; 6:00 PMVolta Auditorium

Free admission!

Snacks will be available for purchase.

Children must be accompanied by an adult and may wear their Halloween

costume. (No masks or weapons!)

ANTI-BULLYING WEEK. The month of October is designated Anti-Bullying Month in the United States. Volta observes AntiWeek the last week of the month. Each day of the week includes a fun activity that draws the students’ attention to an aspect of afree of bullying. This year the activities were as follows: Monday (October 26) – “Dream a Dream That’s Bully-Free.” Students wore pajamas to school.

On Saturday, October 17th, grade math) took the Volta

Math Team to Lane Tech High School to rticipate in the Chicago Junior Math League

competition. The Team is made up of Abraam Cortes, Michelle Luu, Brian Nguyen, Jaymin Parekh, Erik Velazquez, Renzo Borja, and Jennifer Calderon. We are excited to announce that Brian Nguyen won first place in the neighborhood school division of this competition! This means that he was competing against all the other neighborhood schools participating in the event. Congratulations to Brian and to his coach Mrs.

HALLOWEEN FAMILY HALLOWEEN FAMILY HALLOWEEN FAMILY HALLOWEEN FAMILY

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” ; 6:00 PM

Snacks will be available for purchase.

Children must be accompanied by an adult and may wear their Halloween

(No masks or weapons!)

The month of Bullying Month in

the United States. Volta observes Anti-Bullying Week the last week of the month. Each day of

includes a fun activity that draws the students’ attention to an aspect of a school free of bullying. This year the activities were as

“Dream a Dream .” Students wore pajamas to

Tuesday (October 27) Bullying.” Students wore their shirts backwards. Wednesday (October 28)Team!” Students could wear a sports jersey. Thursday (October 29)Bright!” Students could wear neonclothing or accessories. Friday (October 30)Bullying!” Students could wear their Halloween costume.

Students of the Month

SEPTEMBER 128 Miriam Villegas130 Angeli Aguilar131 Jason Seth104 Adan Mirza123 Kamilla Garcia124 William Pasquier126 KristelIdor120 Destiny Clark122 Fatima Rosales Escobedo125 Layla Tovar127 Kanye Lewis103 Tej Patel 201 Juan Carlos Garcia207 Alexa Orozco209 Jose Luna

– “Turn Your Back on Bullying.” Students wore their shirts

sday (October 28) – “Be a Winning Team!” Students could wear a sports jersey.

Thursday (October 29) – “Our Future is So Bright!” Students could wear neon-colored

Friday (October 30) – “Say ‘BOO’ to Bullying!” Students could wear their Halloween

Students of the Month

SEPTEMBER Miriam Villegas Angeli Aguilar Jason Seth Adan Mirza Kamilla Garcia William Pasquier KristelIdor

Clark Fatima Rosales Escobedo Layla Tovar Kanye Lewis

Juan Carlos Garcia Alexa Orozco

Primary Grades Students of the Month – September

105 Jeremiah Tooles 202 Ethan Cruz 203 Marco Blancas 205 Emelín Montes 101 Nathaniel Cartagena 102 Leesette Yem 215 Alondra Torres 217 Kevin Farez 210 James Romero 211 Arlette Garcia 213 Kiara Leon 304 Melvin Cabrera 308 Anu Patel 309 Mit Patel 313 Melissa Carranza 306 Abraam Cortes 307 David Nguyen 311 Brennan Idor

Upper Grades Students of the Month – September

IMPORTANT DATES

NOVEMBER 11 Veterans’ Day – No school. 13 Professional Development Day – No school. 17 LSC Meeting; 3:30 PM.

18 Report Card Conferences; 1:00 – 7:00 PM. 25 – 27 Thanksgiving Vacation. DECEMBER 21 – 31 Winter Vacation. JANUARY 1 New Year – No school. 4 Return to school!

SPORTS CORNER

FLAG FOOTBALL.For the first time in years Volta fielded a 7/8 flag football team under the coaching of Mr. Contreras (7th grade science). Unfortunately, due to things out of our control at the district level we only played a 4 game season, but made the best of it achieving a 2-2 record with a great overtime win in the last game of the season. Our team was able to benefit from being able to have new uniforms and being able to practice and play on a full-sized field thanks to our great renewed partnership with our local park, Eugene Field. Despite our shortened season, the boys walked away learning the value of hard work, teamwork, sportsmanship, and how, as student-athletes, taking care of their student responsibilities will be rewarded with athletic opportunities. More than anything, I am proud of the exceptional school spirit and pride they exhibited throughout the season; a fact that seemed to inspire the rest of student body to exhibit the same. It is an exciting time to be a Volta Thunderbolt. GO BIG RED!

Volta’s Flag Football Team

CROSS-COUNTRY.As running season is coming to an end, we would like to thank all of the Cross Country team memberscoach, Ms. De la Torre (2nd grade Dual Language) for their hard work and dedication.They are proof that if running was easy, everybody would do it. The team ran in a Qualifying Meet (at Legion Park) and advanced to North Sectionals (at Horner Park) where they all earned medals. A special thank you goes out to the many parents of our team for coming out and supporting the students at the meets. For the team, continue being awesome by pushing yourself to the next leveremember, when your legs are tired, run with your heart!

Volta’s Cross-Country Team

VOLLEY BALL.Our 7/8th grade Girls Volleyball Team started the season out slow but eager to learn the sport. The team was made up of twelve middle school girls who showed athletic talent. They were coached by Ms. McIntosh (7th grade Language Arts) and Ms. Vancil (8

ng season is would like to thank all of

Cross Country team members and their grade Dual

for their hard work and dedication. They are proof that if running was easy,

The team ran in a Qualifying Meet (at Legion Park) and advanced

orth Sectionals (at Horner Park) where A special thank you

goes out to the many parents of our team for coming out and supporting the students at the

For the team, continue being awesome by pushing yourself to the next level and remember, when your legs are tired, run with

Country Team

Girls Volleyball eam started the season out slow but eager to

The team was made up of twelve middle school girls who showed athletic

re coached by Ms. McIntosh grade Language Arts) and Ms. Vancil (8th

grade Language Arts and Social Stpractice and game the girls begged to stay longer to learn the sport of Volleyball.end we finished up the season with our first win against Marshall Middle School.showed their strength and won 2 of the 3 games. We would like to give a shout out to Ms. Thepsiree for her constant support as well as Phong and Irene for keeping score. Together as a team we had a blast!!

Volta’s Girls Volleyball Team

FREE COMPUTER CLASSES! computer classes for the Volta students sponsored by the GEAR UP program. The classes are held Tuesdays from 5:00 until 6:00 PM in Volta’s computer lab. In the classes participants will learn:

• How to create your own email account.• How to navigate Volta’s scho• How to write a resume.• How to use the internet to fin TV and

radio stations from your country.• How to keep you child safe from

internet predators.

• How to use your own private Google phone number for free.

• And MORE! If you have any questions, caAlonso Garcia at (773)234

grade Language Arts and Social Studies). Each practice and game the girls begged to stay longer to learn the sport of Volleyball. In the end we finished up the season with our first

Marshall Middle School. The girls showed their strength and won 2 of the 3

like to give a shout out to Ms. Thepsiree for her constant support as well as Phong and Irene for keeping score. Together as a team we had a blast!!

Volta’s Girls Volleyball Team

FREE COMPUTER CLASSES! There are free computer classes for the parents/guardians of Volta students sponsored by the GEAR UP program. The classes are held Tuesdays from 5:00 until 6:00 PM in Volta’s computer lab. In the classes participants will learn:

How to create your own email account. How to navigate Volta’s school website. How to write a resume. How to use the internet to fin TV and radio stations from your country. How to keep you child safe from internet predators.

How to use your own private Google phone number for free.

If you have any questions, call or text Mr. Alonso Garcia at (773)234-6543.