One of MicroSociety’s core ideas is student voice. One of the foundational parts of that is a student run government established by a Constitutional Convention. I have been facilitating that endeavor and have put up a website and blog about what we’re accomplishing. (In no way is this meant as selfishness but the website name is one I already owned and it seemed simpler to use it than not. )

Go to www.cdjackson.name to follow along. I am doing my best to have a report on the events each and every day.

Thanks,

Chuck Jackson

Stratton Families:

We want to wish everyone a very happy holiday season! Looking forward to the upcoming Spring semester, there are several updates that everyone should be aware of.

1. The teachers and staff will be completing their first official MicroSociety Training January 3rd & 4th
2. The first of three community forums will be held January 10th at Temple Baptist Church at 6:00 p.m.
January 26th at 6:00 p.m. the second community forum will be held at Booker T. Washington 
February 16th at 6:00 p.m. the final community forum will be held at Barkstall Elementary
3. The daily school schedule will be changing in that the last hour of everyday will be used for MicroSociety
4. If you would like more information about MicroSociety, please browse through their website, MicroSociety.org
5. If you have any questions, I will be out of town until January 2nd, but please feel free to email me and I will get back to you upon returning.

Mr. Charles West
Magnet Site Facilitator
Stratton Elementary
Champaign, Il 61820

http://microsociety.org/microsociety_magnet_schools.php

Good afternoon –

Just a note to let you know that the Champaign Unit 4 Family
Information Center is moving to the historic Columbia School building
at the corner of Bradley and Neil Streets.  The new location will
provide plenty of parking and a convenient location for families.  The
building has received significant cosmetic improvements, so the walls
are freshly painted and the old wood floors are gleaming.

The new location has 10,000 square feet more than the previous
location.  This will provide ample room for the many departments
housed at the Family Information Center(FIC).  FIC is home to the
Champaign Unit 4 Schools Controlled Choice K-8 student registration
process, along with the Kids Plus After School Program, staff and
volunteer fingerprinting services, the District’s food service
offices, student records, and more.

Ms. Doretha Simmons, Director of the Family Information Center, is a
former principal of Columbia Elementary School.  When I asked her
about that she told me that she feels like she has come full circle.
She believes it will be an excellent facility for serving our
families, just as it always has been.  The building was most recently
used to house Booker T. Washington Elementary School before the
current STEM Academy was completed.

The move to the new location is expected to begin Monday, December 12
and be completed by December 26.  An official opening is scheduled for
early January.  In the meantime, the Family Information Center will
remain open to serve families, first at its current location at 405
East Clark Street until approximately December 21st, and then at its
new location at 1103 North Neil.  The phone number for the Family
Information Center remains 217.351.3701 and the email is
u4fic@champaignschools.org.

As always, we welcome your comments and questions.

Lynn Peisker
Community Relations Coordinator
Champaign Unit 4 Schools
703 S. New Street
Champaign, IL  61820
217.351.3822 office
217.202.8485 cell

www.champaignschools.org
Find us on facebook!

Just a reminder that tomorrow is Picture Day! All students will be photographed regardless of purchasing a photo package or not. This is a NON-uniform day and don’t forget to have your student wear their best smile!
Also, Mr Tatum has asked for a few parent volunteers to help out during pictures. If you are willing and will be available from 8:00 - 11:15 to help out it would greatly be appreciated! Just show up and let the office ladies know or send me a quick email.
Thanks in advance and best wishes for some fantastic pictures!
- Mandy

The Chess Club sign-up sheet was on the bottom of the PTA newsletter for October.  There is a 40 kid max this year.  You can link to the newsletter here newsletter.

This Fall ChessFest will be held on Sunday November 6th at Jefferson.  Attached are the usual flyer, entry form, and invitation.  Please pass around and/or post as appropriate.  I will be sending the flyer and entry form to the parents email distribution list shortly.

Links to Forms:

Sign up form

Informational Flyer

Invitation