Walter Payton College Prep

11.25.08
From the Principal’s Desk:

Thanksgiving 2008 –

What a wonderful time to reflect on all that is good in our lives!

Family members travel home, or there may be an empty chair for someone far away but never forgotten! A time to put away acrimony and to dwell on peace – a peace so sorely needed in this world! A time to remember those who have gone before us and upon whose shoulders we stand in every area of our lives – personal, professional and political!

What am I grateful for?

For living in such a historic time and to witness the coming of age of our country with the election of our new president!

For laboring alongside the best faculty and staff & committed families and students!

For observing our students develop and grow, mature and realize their personal goals and achieve their dreams!

For being part of a dynamic and vibrant Payton community!

On behalf of the administration, faculty and staff at Payton, we are grateful for you!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

Ellen Estrada
Principal

11.21.2008
Check out the new Sounds of Sweetness web page here or under Quick Links.

11.14.2008
Congratulations to Tim Bingham and Charlie Curran, who captured the Valley Mid-America Debate Championship this Fall. With their recent finish at the Iowa Caucus Tournament, Tim and Charlie have also captured a national bid to compete at the 2009 Tournament of Champions (TOC) in Lexington, KY, thus claiming a place among the top 72 debate teams in the country. This is the second team Payton has sent to the TOC, and only the third qualifying team to advance in CPS history.

Support Student Government's Holiday Toy Drive by donating NEW toys for children ages newborn -18 years.  All toys are needed in the box outside of the main office by December 1st.  All toys benefit the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation's Holiday Giving Program for underprivileged children.

10.31.2008
Payton receives the prestigious Blue Ribbon award!

The No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels. In addition to being honored at a ceremony in Washington, DC, where each school receives a plaque and flag signifying their status, these schools serve as models for other schools throughout the nation.

Click  here for more!


10.20.2008
Safe Humane Chicago seminar participants are hard at work preparing presentations for CPS grade school students about animal abuse and its connection to domestic violence. View photos and read more about this seminar as recently reported by a national humane organization.

10.10.2008
PLEASE READ AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE STUDENT BUS CARD PROGRAM

PLEASE READ AN IMPORTANT MEMO ABOUT PROGRESS REPORTS AND TEACHER GRADING SCALES

* * * * * FOP Fund Raising Campaign 2009!!! * * * * *

Art contests and scholarships information now Onilne

Walter Payton College Prep has been named a National Blue Ribbon Award winner for 2008. The announcement was made on September 9^th by U.S. Dept. of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings. Payton was awarded this honor for our students in the top 10% of their state on state exams. While there are a number of high achieving schools in Illinois, Payton drew the attention of the Illinois State Board of Education after experiencing five years of consecutive growth in both math and reading on the PSAE. The school will be honored at the Chicago Public Schools Board of Education meeting on September 24 and in Washington DC at an award ceremony on October 20-21. Principal Estrada will attend the ceremony in the nation's capital accompanied by Founding Principal Gail Ward.

If you are interested in more information about the National Blue Ribbon Awards, go to http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/index.html.

Dear Payton Families:

Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year! We are excited about the learning opportunities your students will have at Payton throughout the year!

I also want to welcome our new Payton families into our growing community. This year, our freshman students represent over 100 neighborhoods across Chicago and carry enthusiasm, creativity and a thirst for knowledge that embodies the spirit of Walter Payton College Prep. Every class of Payton students brings something special to the legacy of our school and we know that the Class of 2012 is very distinctive indeed! This summer 150 of our freshmen participated in the Freshman Connection where they began to bond with their classmates, faculty and their new academic home!

There are great adventures in store for your students this year in their core classes and through our seminar program, which will offer students a myriad of learning experiences beyond the regular curriculum. Our extra-curricular activities and sports teams provide additional ways for your students to be active and grow!

We hope that you share your students excitement as we begin together!

Please join us at the Friends of Payton meetings and get involved at Payton! Meetings are every first Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM.

We Nurture Leaders!

Ellen Estrada

OLD NEWS

Attention Parents:  The Friends of Payton Directory and Parent Information forms are now available online.  Be sure to fill them out before September 8th!

Click here to watch Payton's 2008 Commencement Ceremony video!