EECS
Erie Elementary Charter School
Annual Report 2010-2011
Snapshot: EECS Students & Families EECS enrolled 303 students in the 2010-2011 school year. 35% of students were tested and identified as English Language Learners. 92% of students qualified for free or reduced lunch. EECS achieved a 96% attendance rate in 2010-2011. The average EECS classroom has 22 students. 75% of EECS students are performing at or above grade level. 100% of EECS students visit a college campus every year: EECS’ current 6th graders have been on 6 college campuses. EECS received 60 applications for 27 available kindergarten seats in 2010-2011.
Dear Friends of EECS, I am so grateful for the opportunity to reflect on this past year and share with you all of the accomplishments of our growing school. The 2010-2011 school year was, in many ways, a year of “firsts” for Erie Elementary Charter School. Not only was this my first full year as Principal, 2010-2011 also marks our first year in our new location, our first adventure into middle school, our first student musical, and the first year with a lot of exciting new after school options in sports, the arts...and even a bike club. With all of these new and exciting additions, there are a few things that will never change—our commitment to prepare every student for a future that includes higher education, to support every student by supporting entire families, to provide a professional working environment for our teachers, and contribute to the growth and development of our community by nurturing young, bright minds.
EECS Principal, Velia Soto
Soon, EECS students will graduate from 8th grade with the ability to read, write and speak in both Spanish and English, good study habits, an understanding of their role as global citizens and the skills to complete grade-level coursework. EECS students will attend high-performing secondary schools, and EECS parents will be engaged in their children’s education. I thank each of you, on behalf of our students, teachers and parents, and from the bottom of my heart. The success of every student is truly yours to share, as none of this would have been possible without your tireless energy and support. I hope you’ll stop by for a visit one day soon!
Velia Soto Principal
Preparing for Tomorrow, Today Today’s students need to be prepared for a world that requires creativity and innovation; communication and collaboration; adaptability, initiative, and accountability; media and technology literacy; social and cross-cultural skills. The education community calls these “21st century skills,” but at EECS we call it our school culture. Research points to the advantages of both participation in the arts and learning a second language in the promotion of the skills students need to succeed—at EECS we utilize both the arts and bilingual education to prepare well-rounded, resourceful young adults, who have the confidence and skills to pursue their interests. The arts stimulate and develop the imagination and critical thinking, and refine cognitive and creative skills— attributes that lead to the innovative “big ideas” needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
Just as important, EECS students also share what they create with others. In 2010-2011, the EECS choir performed for the second time at the Elementary Choral Festival, students performed Aladdin the musical, EECS hosted its first-ever student-led art exhibition, and 5 EECS students became published authors in “Anywhere at Once,” a novel written by 106 2nd-8th graders across the city, in collaboration and 826 CHI, a nonprofit writing and tutoring center. EECS also holds weekly all-school assemblies where students perform for each other, share what they’re learning, and shout their original classroom cheers. These assemblies cultivate a sense of school pride and a positive, supportive school culture; they make everyone excited to come to school and be a part of the EECS community.
To see a video of the Smith College 5th grade performing at the 2010-2011 end-of-year celebration, visit http://ow.ly/9AwBm or use your smart phone to scan the QR code on the left.
The mission of Erie Elementary Charter School (EECS) is to nurture and empower students who, as lifelong learners, will attend selective secondary schools, pursue higher education, and successfully and productively engage in the local community, and partcipate in a democratic society.
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2 EECS parents and 1 Two EECS kindergarteners in the dual language classroom share their desks with a special guest. (2) (1) 3 An Erie student EECS teacher Lindsey Garcia at this year’s Family Fitness Day, hosted by the EECS Wellness Committee. (3) representing EECS at Charter School Lobby Day in Springfield, IL; the EECS 4th grade class takes part in this event in 4 An EECS student showing pride for her University collaboration with the Illinois Network of Charter Schools every year. (4) of Illinois 6th grade classroom during this year’s Spirit Week; at EECS classrooms are not numbered, but named after colleges and universities—part of EECS’ culture of high expectations. (5) 5 Students getting ready for Aladdin, EECS’ first-ever student musical. (6) 6 Students in Kevin Mitchell’s 5th grade class putting what they’ve learned to use, working together to build a table.
“We have only just begun: with technology upgrades and some TLC, this building will continue serving for at least 100 years. The planned expansion will give EECS space to grow, and show our neighbors our commitment to the future, their children.” -Agustin Gomez-Leal, Wallin Gomez Architects, LTD, EECS Board Member
A Solid Foundation with Room to Grow In August 2010, EECS officially became the new owners of the building at 1405 N. Washtenaw—having outgrown the site where the school had operated for the past five years, and with just one month until the halls would be filled with another new class of kindergartners and quickly growing 6th graders, the news came just in time. With 23 full-sized classrooms, as well as a library, auditorium, parent resource room and faculty workspace, our new home will sustain us through our expansions into 7th and 8th grade over the next two years, and for many years to come. We owe this new opportunity to so many—our generous friends and supporters who believe so strongly in the importance of quality elementary education, our elected officials like Governor Pat Quinn, State Representative Cynthia Soto, Alderman Roberto Maldonado, and most importantly our students, teachers and parents who advocated so tirelessly for their school. The building at Washtenaw and Hirsch was built in 1958 and is rock solid. The new property also includes the adjoining lot, where a former convent building currently stands, which represents tremendous potential for an EECS expansion. The close proximity to Humboldt Park and a play lot provides even more opportunities for learning and fun. But EECS is not stopping there. “We have only just begun,” says Agustin Gomez-Leal, an EECS Board member and Principal at Wallin Gomez Architects, Ltd. “With technology upgrades and some TLC, this building will continue serving for at least 100 years. The planned expansion will give EECS space to grow, and show our neighbors our commitment to the future—their children.”
Donors Make the Difference at EECS Thank you to our many friends and supporters who made contributions between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. Your dedication to high-quality elementary education continues to inspire us.
$100,000 and above Perkins Malo Hunter Foundation
Rom and Debbie Tamondong, Jr. Wilmont and Bonnie Vickrey
$50,000 to $99,999 Kautz Family Charitable Fund
$500 to $999 Abbott Matching Gifts Ricardo Estrada and Beatriz Ponce de Leon Firebelly Design Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago Thomas R. and Nancy A. Hanson Hispanic Housing Development Corp. Patricia and Christopher Horsch Agustin and Lisa Hurtado David and Andrea Kinnear Lifetouch National School Studios, Inc. MB Charitable Foundation Mike and Tonya Milkie Patrick and Sara Nash Corey A. Nelson and Melissa Earley Cyrstal Pruess Bush Velia Soto St. Aloysius Parish Richard A. Swedberg Eugene L. and Anna Jean Woroch
$25,000 to $49,999 Crown Family Philanthropies Nancy Vincent Charitable Fund Charles D. O’Kieffe $10,000 to $24,999 Field Foundation of Illinois First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest Geary Rimmer Vincent Wolf Foundation John R. and Patricia J. Hall JaMel and Tom Perkins Family Foundation Madigan Family Foundation Kenneth V. and Leola H. Perkins Sara Lee Corporation Springboard Foundation $5,000 to $9,999 Anonymous Steven and Nancy Crown Edgar and Deborah Jannotta, Sr. Locasto Family Foundation Mary McClure Miller Foundation
We’ve got spirit... The EECS student body voted to adopt the Eagle as Erie’s mascot. Each year, the students will vote to decide which of their classmates’ drawings will be the official Erie Eagle for that year. Above, the 20102011 Erie Eagle by 5th grader Nina DuBose-Carlson.
$1,000 to $4,999 Anonymous J. Brian and Kathleen Barnett William P. and Mary G. Boehler Charles E. and Beverly E. Shaw Foundation Chicago Fire MLS Donald P. and Byrd M. Kelly Foundation Evanston Bike Club Stuart L. and Adrienne L. Foler Bert A. and Sandra M. Getz Agustin Gomez-Leal and Carrie J. Davis Ryan and Laura Kraus McCormick Foundation Matching Gifts Jeffrey and Molly Lowe William A. and Deborah S. Montgomery Victor S. and Mary R. Nelson Niamogue Foundation Puerto Rican Cultural Center Patrick H. and Katherine Perkins R.A.S.H. Fund John and Jane Schreiner Joseph F. and Jeanne J. Scoby Alejandro Silva, Jr.
$100 to $499 Anonymous (3) Ryan and Sarah Airola Thomas D. and Joyce J. Allen Charles W. Armstrong Richard L. and Shirley R. Baron Reathel and Holly Bean Linda Becker Bensinger Dupont & Associates Catherine Bertini Michael W. Boehm Robert Boone Anthony and Jennifer Bowker Bryce Downey & Lenkov, LLC Michael Crandall and Lauren Male Kathleen Crown Keating and Caroline Crown John DeCarrier and Carmen Solano DeCarrier Molly Dirksen El Hogar del Niño Phil and Sarah Evans James Fitzpatrick and Ingrid Dorer Fitzpatrick R. Gerald and Joyce M. Fox Steven Fox Lee and Kitty Freidheim List continues on following pages.
The student population at EECS is nearly identical to that in neighborhood public schools, but your support allows EECS to invest in faculty and staff who meet the needs of every student. Our support staff includes 4 special education teachers, 2 one-on-one specialists for intensive support, a social worker, reading specialist, reading interventionist, and a parent coordinator.
Statement of Activities Fiscal Year 2011 July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 REVENUE
EXPENSES 1%
2%
6%
26% 73%
92%
Government
Student Instruction
Private
Management & General
Student Fees
Fundraising
TOTAL: $3,571,507
TOTAL: $3,396,849
Revenue and expense breakdowns are based on the EECS Fiscal Year 2011 audit. For complete audited financial statements, visit www.eriecharterschool.org or contact Erie’s Development & Communications department at (312) 432-2238.
Donors Make the Difference at EECS Thank you to our many friends and supporters who made contributions between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. Your dedication to high-quality elementary education continues to inspire us.
Continued from previous section. Thomas and Kathleen Gibbons Mark S. Hallett and Carmen Vidal Hallett Troy and Noni Harden Joe and Sarah Ann Harris Daniel J. and Barbara D. Hartnett HD and DO Murphy Foundation Stephen M. and Lail Herman Ellen R. Horween Barbara Ann Huyler Steven and Lynn Issleib Jesse Welding Shop Kenneth and Sally Jones David and Jennifer Kelly Virginia M. Kelly R. Jackson and Meredith Kinnel Russell and Elisabeth Kinnel David S. and Phyllis Kupperman La Casa Norte Bruce R. and Karen Lange Daniel G. and Carey A. Lange Stuart and Sally Lesser Christine Locasto Leon G. Locasto Maxine G. Pusinelli Revocable Trust Karen May Stephen and Rita McElroy Sara and Armando Medina Gerald and Penelope Miller Ralph and Laura Mueller Dorothy M. and David F. Myers, Jr. Ray and Judith O. Newton Eleanor Nicholson Carlos and Guadalupe Ortiz Cindy M. Osorto Fred and Susan Perkins Kenneth L. Perkins Vivian L. Peterson Cynthia Quiroga Mary Remein Tanner and Marion Rice Bernard B. Rinella Thomas and Judith B. Sanger L. Anne Schrauth Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. Nancy Searle John and Claire Siragusa Roy A. and Joyce E. Skoog Richard and Consuela Soto Naomi M. Stanhaus Talmage Mullen Steele
Target Take Charge of Education T. Susan Moseley Taylor Susan Thomas Hieu Ton-That and Maricruz Ponce de Leon David Unger and Rebecca Soldwisch Edison and Zeneida Ureña Tim Urquhart Phil and Becki Utigard Kenneth and Linda Vanderweele John D. and Susan L. Van Pelt C. Roger and Susan T. Van Vuren David L. Varwig and Jeanne Perkins Varwig Vera Communications Peter W. and Janet Voss Walter L. Soika Funeral Home Regina Ward Joseph and Patricia Wilkinson Lloyd L. Zickert $1 to $99 Anonymous (2) Gabriela Basurco Robert P. and Mary Beaubien John Boyer Bridget A. Bradley Anne Carlson Hallett Todd D. Connor Soledad Dartiguelongue Kristen Dwyer Maribeth Gainard Lindsey Garcia Mario F. Garcia Luis Gutierrez Daniel Hirt Maureen Hellwig Raymond Hernandez and Rosana Soto Brian L. Horwood IFF Allie Jabines Mark A. and Laurie E. Jolicoeur Scott Kannry Paul Kasper Hillary Locke Maria Martinez Marisol Martinez Magda McQuirk Helen Mehler Melvin E. Guthrie Jr. Trust Jean Meyers Mitchell and Merri Ex Family Fund Alex Montgomery John R. and Lynne D. Montgomery, III
Katherine Montgomery and Jason Pauls Herbert Moreno Laura Mudd James and Suzanne Neaylon, III Juan Orta Maura Osorto Maribel Piccinini Leslie A. Popchoke Robert and Anna Porter Celena Roldan Jorge Sahagun and Christina MartinezSahagun Ivonne Sambolin-Jones Ana Schreiner Jeffrey A. and Linda G. Schroeder Andres Soruco Warwick and Winifred Stevenson Al and Sarah Stuart John S. and Margaret L. Taylor Claudia Torres Alejandro Urbina Johannes and Julia R. Weertman Ryan Wolf Rhea Yap In honor of Alex R. Montgomery Allison Margolies In honor of Leslie Popchoke Paul and Jessica Gurinas In honor of Mark Hallett McCormick Foundation In honor of Michael Ticknor Mark A. and Carla G. Ticknor In memory of Connie O’Kieffe Ruth Kane In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Leon M. Locasto Leon G. Locasto In Kind Shelia Faut Fourth Presbyterian Church Agustin Gomez-Leal Goose Island Brewing Company Mark Hallett Victor S. and Mary R. Nelson Perkins Investment Management, LLC David Unger Becki Utigard Wilmont and Bonnie Vickrey Peter and Janet Voss
We sincerely apologize for any inadvertent errors or omissions, and ask that you contact Erie’s Development & Communications department at (312) 432-2238 to update our records as needed.
Dear Quality Education Supporters, We write to you, our friends and supporters, so proud of what we have been able to accomplish together with one simple, but inspired ideal: we only get one chance to get a child’s first year of school right. By building a school culture of high expectations, regardless of family income, special education needs, and English proficiency— EECS students understand that academic achievement and higher education is within their reach. Looking into the future, EECS will be a place to which our students can return for support and guidance—EECS students will enroll in and graduate from four-year colleges because of the strong foundation they were given at the elementary level. The potential impact of EECS’ success, however, extends far beyond the doors of our school building—good schools are a catalyst for community improvement, and Erie Elementary Charter School’s presence will contribute to the safety and vitality of our neighborhood. This type of quality education was once just a dream—with all of you it is a reality available to more students in our community every year. We look forward to growing together with you, and especially to the summer of 2013 when we will see our first graduating class become the first EECS alumni. Thank you for believing,
Mary G. Boehler Board President
Ricardo Estrada Former Board President
Current Board President Mary Boehler and former Board President Ricardo Estrada Erie Elementary Charter School Board of Directors MARY G. BOEHLER, Board President RICARDO ESTRADA, Board President Emeritus AGUSTIN GOMEZ-LEAL JOHN R. HALL MARK HALLETT, Board Vice President for Academic Performance TROY HARDEN PATRICIA HORSCH, PH.D. GEORGE LOCASTO LOLITA LOPEZ MELANIE MADIGAN, Board Secretary MICHAEL MILKIE COREY A. NELSON VICTOR S. NELSON, Board Treasurer CHARLES D. (JACK) O’KIEFFE CINDY OSORTO** KENNETH V. PERKINS, Board President Emeritus CELENA ROLDAN ALEJENDRO SILVA, JR. VELIA SOTO** EDISON UREÑA* *Completed term in 2010-2011
**Non-voting members of board
Crystal Pruess Bush, Maria Guerra, David Kinnear and Susan M. Taylor joined the board in 2011-2012.
Snapshot: EECS Teachers & Partners 100% of lead teachers at EECS are fully certified. 2 EECS teachers have earned National Board certification. 9 EECS teachers hold Masters degrees. 68% of EECS staff are bilingual in Spanish and English. We offer special thanks to all of our partners in the community: Blessings in a Backpack Chicago Bicycling Ambassadors Chicago Runs Chicago School of Professional Psychology Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP Erie Neighborhood House Erikson Institute Illinois Network of Charter Schools
Erie Elementary Charter School 1405 N. Washtenaw Chicago, IL 60622
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
www.eriecharterschool.org