Our first WB Parent Teacher League meeting is September 26 from 5:30-6:30PM
We hope to see you there! ​

¡Nuestro grupo de padres necesita sus talentos! Ya sea que sea voluntario unas horas al mes o unas horas al año, sirviendo en la junta, asistiendo a reuniones o ofreciéndose como voluntario en eventos de la LPMWB, venga y únase a nosotros. ​

Nuestra primera reunión de la LPMWB sera el 26 de septiembre de 5: 30-6: 30PM
¡Esperamos verlos aqui!​

Welcome to the 2017-2018 school year at CICS West Belden!  I am so excited for all that we will do together this year!  I have had the pleasure of working alongside many of you over the past 10 years, and I am so excited for my second year as the Director at CICS West Belden.  I am honored to lead such a dedicated and committed group of students, parents, and teachers.

I began working at CICS West Belden in 2007 teaching Kindergarten.  I received my Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois, and I received my Master of Education Degree from Concordia University.  In 2011, I began leading the K-3 teachers as the Primary Team Leader.  In 2015, I became the Assistant Director and was so excited to work with all teachers K-8.  Last year was my first year as School Director at CICS West Belden, and I am thrilled to begin my second year in this role!

Please join me in welcoming our leadership team!  Ms. Laura Sowa will continue as our Assistant Director.  Ms. Sowa will begin her 9th school year here at CICS West Belden and has close relationships with so many of our families and students.  Jerry Taylor will continue as our Dean of Students.  Jerry has been at WB since 2002.  We also have 4 Instructional Coaches: Ms. Mallory McCool supporting K-4th Grade, Ms. Connie Scalzetti supporting 5th-8th Grade and Enrichment, Ms. Sophia Lutecki supporting Special Education K-8, and Ms. Dawn Wochinski supporting EL K-8.

We will continue our school motto: We Can and We Will!  Our students will be encouraged to set goals, plan learning paths, collaborate with their peers, and reflect on their learning all year long.  We will make sure to have lots of fun along the way!

Please save the date!  Our Back to School Night will be Thursday, August 31st  5-6:45pm.  Please plan on attending!

I am available for anything and everything you will need this year - please do not hesitate to stop by, call, or email me!  Please see the attached instructions of how to sign up to get text message updates from me throughout the school year!

I look forward to the best year yet at CICS West Belden!

Thank you,

Colleen Collins

Ms. Colleen Collins, School Director
ccollins@distinctiveschools.org
773-637-9430, ext. 205

​

¡Bienvenidos al año escolar 2017-2018 en CICS West Belden!  Estoy muy emocionada por todo lo que haremos juntos este año!  He tenido el placer de trabajar junto a muchos de ustedes durante los últimos 10 años, y estoy emocionada de por mi segundo año como Directora de CICS West Belden. Estoy honrada de poder dirigir a un grupo de estudiantes, padres, y maestros tan dedicados y comprometidos.

Empecé a trabajar en CICS West Belden en el 2007 como maestra del Jardín de Infancia. Recibí mi Licenciatura en Educación Primaria en la Universidad de Illinois, y recibí mi Maestría en Educación en la Universidad de Concordia. En el 2011, empecé dirigiendo a los maestros de K-3 como Líder del Equipo de Primaria. En el 2015, comencé como Asistente del Director y estaba muy emocionada de trabajar con todos los maestros de K-8.  ¡El año pasado fue mi primer año como Directora de la Escuela en CICS West Belden y estoy encantada de comenzar mi segundo año es este papel!

Por favor, unase a mi para darle la bienvenida a nuestro equipo de liderazgo! La Stra. Laura Sowa continuará como nuestra Asistente de la Directora. La Stra. Sowa comenzará su 9no año escolar aquí en CICS West Belden y tiene una relación estrecha con muchas de nuestras familias y estudiantes. Jerry Taylor continuará como nuestro Decano de Estudiantes. Jerry ha estado en WB desde el año 2002. También tenemos 4 Líderes de Instrucción: La Srta. Mallory McCool apoyando a los grados de K-4to, la Srta. Connie Scalzetti apoyando a los grados de 6to-8vo y enriquecimiento, la Stra. Sophia Lutecki apoyando al el equipo de Educación Especial en los grados de K-8 y la Srta. Wochinski apoya “EL” K-8.

Vamos a continuar con nuestro lema de la escuela: Podemos y lo Haremos! Se alentará a nuestros estudiantes a establecer metas, planificar caminos a aprendizaje, colaborar con sus compañeros, y reflexionar sobre su aprendizaje durante todo el año. ¡Nos aseguraremos de tener mucha diversión en el camino!

Por favor, guarde la fecha! Noche de Regreso a Clases será el jueves 31 de agosto de 5-6:45pm. Por favor planee en asistir!

Estoy a su disposición para cualquier cosa y todo lo que necesita este año - por favor no dude en pasar, llamar o enviar un correo electrónico!  ¡Por favor, consulte las instrucciones adjuntas de cómo registrarse para obtener mensajes de texto con información actualizada de mi durante todo el año escolar!

¡Espero con entusiasmo tener el mejor año en CICS West Belden!

Gracias,

Colleen Collins

Srta. Colleen Collins, Directora de la Escuela
ccollins@distinctiveschools.org
773-637-9430, ext. 205

​

Like you, we know that students who are well fed and nourished will excel in the classroom, so we have been working with Chartwells over the last few weeks to craft a new food service program that reflects the wholesome and nutritious options our students deserve.  Our first month menu will be available online next week.  As with any new program kick-off,  we need your support and feedback to ensure we are serving your children well.  Our recipe for success has one essential ingredient – feedback!  

Have questions? Please reach out to Kelly Bender at Distinctive Schools (312-739-2160 or kbender@distinctiveschools.org) and Keleigh Green-Patton at Chartwells (708-334-0997 or Keleigh.GreenPatton@compass-USA.com) to share your thoughts and ideas. 

Thanks for your support and trust.
CICS Schools in partnership with Distinctive Schools  ​

Hi parents, guardians, and families of CICS West Belden!

We are so excited for the 2017-2018 school year at CICS West Belden!  We will be hosting our annual Back to School Night on Thursday, August 31st, from 5-7pm.  You will have the opportunity to meet all of the teachers that will be working with your child as well as receive important information to help your child be most successful this school year!  We encourage ALL parents to attend Back to School Night on August 31st.  Please plan on coming!

We also invite you to meet your child’s teacher on the first day of school - Wednesday, August 16th.  Teachers will be in their classrooms after dismissal on August 16th, from 1-4pm.  This time is completely optional for you to attend.  We simply wanted to provide an opportunity for you to meet your child’s teacher and see their new classroom on the first day of school.

I look forward to seeing everyone on our first day of school!

Thank You,
Ms. Colleen Collins

​

Hola padres, guardianes y familias de CICS West Belden!

Estamos muy emocionados por el nuevo año escolar 2017-2018 en CICS West Belden! Tendremos nuestra anual Noche de Regreso A Clases, el Jueves 31 de Agosto de 5-7 pm.  Ustedes tendrán la oportunidad de conocer a todos los maestros que trabajarán con sus hijos.  Así mismo recibirán información importante para ayudar a sus hijos tener más éxito este año escolar.  Animamos a que TODOS los padres asistan a la Noche De Regreso a Clases el 31 de Agosto.  Por favor planee en venir!

También les invitamos a conocer a los maestros de sus hijos el primer día de clases - Miércoles 16 de Agosto. Los maestros estarán en sus salones después de la salida de clase de 1-4 pm. Este horario es opcional si gusta asistir.  Simplemente queremos darles una oportunidad para que usted conozca a los maestro de sus hijos y ver su nuevo salón en el primer día de clases.

Espero verlos a todos en el primer dia de clases!

Gracias,
Srta. Colleen Collins

​

Come to our WBPTL meeting this
Tuesday March 28th at 5:30 pm in room 203
Child care will be provided in room 105
We will also have PIZZA and refreshments for all the parents that come that day!
We will be discussing the following
Advocacy Updates
Budget Updates
Connie's Pizza Fundraising
End of Year Events 
Teacher Appreciation ​Luncheon


Venga uno vengan todos a nuestra reunión de la LPMWB
Martes 28 de Marzo a las 5:30pm en el salon 203
Tendremos cuidado de niños en el salón 105
También tendremos PIZZA y refrescos para todos los padres que vienen ese día!
Vamos a discutir lo siguiente:
​Actualizaciones de Abogacía
Actualizaciones de Presupuesto
Recaudación de Fondos de Connie's Pizza
Eventos de fin de año
Almuerzo de la apreciación del profesor

Apply online: 
English: https://cics.ggnet.net/guardians/login/English/
Spanish: https://cics.ggnet.net/guardians/login/Spanish/

Paper Application:
English only and can be picked up at the main office until 4 p.m.
​
Deadline: This FRIDAY March 24, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. 
Lottery: April 5, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.

Enrollment Facts:
*Chicago International Charter School is open to all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, or disability status
*No entrance exams
*No tuition required
Entrance Requirements:
*Submit a completed CICS application before the lottery deadline to be offered a seat at the school.
*Submit a completed CICS application after the deadline to be put on the waiting list.
*Reside in Chicago.
*Kindergarten: Age five (5) by September 1st.

Go to http://www.chicagointl.org/students-fa…/application-faq.html for more information 

Come one come all to or WBPTL meeting
Tuesday February 28th at 5:30pm in the Design Lab
Child care will be provided in room 105
We will be discussing the following
Advocacy Updates
Budget Updates
Spring Fundraising
PARCC Updates


Venga uno vengan todos a nuestra reunión de la LPMWB
Martes 28 de Febrero a las 5:30pm en el Laboratorio de Diseño
Tendremos cuidado de niños en el salón 105
Vamos a discutir lo siguiente:
​Actualizaciones de Abogacía
Actualizaciones de Presupuesto
Recaudación de Fondos para la Primavera
Actualizaciones de PARCC


​

A Note from Ms. Collins
Dear WB Families,
​
Happy February!   It is so hard to believe that we are in Week 22 of the 2016-2017 school year, and 3rd Quarter has already begun! We are making tremendous strides in our personalized learning journey this year for all students K-8!

All students have completed Winter NWEA testing, and we are excited to share their assessment data with families at our February Parent-Teacher Conferences. These conferences are mandatory for all students, so please make sure you sign up in the gym. You will see the growth that your child has already made this school year, learn about the goals they are working towards this spring, and discuss ways to help support at home. I am so excited about this opportunity for parents and teachers to work together to make a strong plan!

As we continue through the winter months, please remember that attendance is SO important for your child’s success this year. Our overall attendance percentage was also a huge factor in us becoming a 1+ school.   On really cold days, remember that it is always better to bring your child late than not at all. Please help us keep our 1+ status by bringing your child to school each day and making sure we keep the highest attendance percentage possible!

Please know that I am always available if you have any questions, ideas, comments, or feedback to help our school be the best that it can be! Come talk to me anytime!

Sincerely,
Ms. Colleen Collins
Director, CICS West Belden


Upcoming Dates (Check our calendar, here!)
★    Friday, February 3rd: Band performance @ Assembly
★    Friday, February 3rd: 3rd Grade Field Trip (Shedd Aquarium)
★    Wednesday, February 8th: 1pm Dismissal, Conferences
★    Thursday February 9th: 1pm Dismissal, Conferences (no aftercare)
★    Friday, February 10th: 1pm Dismissal
★    Monday, February 13th: Mandatory 7th Grade Parent Night (5:00-6:30pm)
★    Friday, February 17th: Q3 Progress Reports sent home, 5/6/8th Gr Field trip to MSI & 1st Gr Field Trip to The Apollo Theater
★    Monday, February 20th: No School
★    Friday, February 24th: Kindergarten Field trip to The Apollo Theater
★    Tuesday, February 28th: WBPTL Meeting, 5:30pm


Important Reminders
➔      Applications: 2017-2018 applications for new students are available in the office or online at our website!
➔      Social Media: Please visit and LIKE our Facebook page!
➔      Calendar of Events: View our “Calendar of Events” on our website to stay current on games, trips, and more!
AT CICS WEST BELDEN…WE CAN AND WE WILL!

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