Congratulations, Xochiquetzal Gardeners! We have won the Mayor’s

Landscape 1st Place Award for Schools in Region 2. The Mayor’s Landscape

Awards is an annual program that recognizes the many Chicagoans who help

make our city motto “Urbs en Horto” (Garden in the City) come alive.

The program is open to all residents and businesses located in Chicago.

Our garden was recognized with a lovely brunch event on the morning of

Saturday, Dec 3 at the Hyatt Regency on Wacker. Several dignitaries were

i, including Aaron Durnbaugh, Deputy Commissioner of Dept of

Environment. Karen Weigert Chief Sustainability Officer . The keynote

speaker was Gerald Adelmann, president and CEO of Openlands, an

organization which protects the natural and open spaces of northeastern

Illinois. We were represented by Irene Vitullo, Cliff Howard, Claudia

Greene and Miguel Espinosa, Jr.

We want to thank all the teachers, our principal, Zoila Garcia, community

members and especially students who have helped to make our garden

beautiful. Special thanks goes to Mrs. Irene Vitullo, and Kim Alamar, who

helped found the garden, teachers Allie Epstein, Maria Gallegos, Laura

Caravello, Nora Arroyo, Jose Trigueros, Martha Herrera, Martha Carbajal,

Ruth Sanchez, Amy Clark, Uriel Muro, Maria Catalan, and Claudia Greene,

parents Miguel Espinosa, Sr. and Angelica Perez and community members

Miguel Espinosa Jr., Rose Escobar and Cliff Howard.

We also would like to acknowledge GreenCorps for the reconstruction of out

garden beds and continued support. Finally, our gratitude is also offered

to Neighborspace and Alderman Danny Solis who with their collaboration

has helped sustained our garden.

The Girls’ Tennis Club went to MidTown Tennis Club in Chicago for a Field Trip with Ms. Carter.  The girls spent the afternoon at the club and received tennis lessons from Coach Jason.  The indoor tennis facility has 18 tennis courts, fitness center, pro-shop and restaurant.  The girls had a tour of the club and learned the importance of being physically active for life.

We started the school year with a Pep Rally in the gym.  Ms. Carter and her fellow cheerleaders led an assembly for 3rd-6th grade students.  The President’s Challenge was presented to the students:  Students should be active 60 minutes a day at least 5 days per week.  Students can be active and improve their cardio by walking, jogging, biking, dancing, or playing sports.  Pedometers were also introduced to the students.  A pedometer is a device that keeps track of the number of steps one takes.  Boys should aim for 13,000 steps a day while girls should try to achieve  11,000 steps a day.  The students are learning to use pedometers in their physical education class.

11th Annual Teaching For Social Justice Curriculum Fair
Sponsored by TSJ and Rethinking Schools 

DEFEND AND TRANSFORM PUBLIC EDUCATION

 
Online registration is now open here! 
See list of workshops here!
Keynote speakers announced here!

Saturday Nov 19, 2011
10am-5pm 
Orozco School
1940 W. 18th Street (corner of Damen Ave.)
Chicago IL 60608

$5-$10 donation at the door
Lunch provided (Bring Your Own Water Bottle)

Download fliers/posters and distribute:
English in Color English in B&W
Spanish in Color Spanish in B&W

Yanina brings her powerful and personal international story, and experience as an educator, and grassroots organizer from Telgulcigalpa, Honduras. Her energy is focused on providing educational opportunities for the children and young people of Honduras in the face of overwhelming obstacles.
Friday, November 18, at 3:30 pm
At 1900 W. 23rd Street, Whittier Dual Language School

Download the flyer.

For more information, or questions text 312-388-1801

Because this money was raised, the Whittier Choir had it’s first rehearsal on Tuesday, October 4th, at 8:00 a.m. Twenty nine children attended, many new to the choir this year. On Tuesday, Oct 11, more children who attended from last year plan to come.

The total yearly cost for the choir includes one morning rehearsal a week, with two major field trips, one to Navy Pier and one to Millennium Park, is $4,625. Donations are still being accepted.

At the Oct. 4 rehearsal, Youna Cho, the new director, led the children in songs: one in Latin, one in Spanish, and one in a South African language. In a ‘getting to know you’ session, each child told the group one thing about himself/herself that the others may not know. The pictures also tell the story about the joy they had in singing.’

A big thank your to all who bought the raffle tickets. Your donation is for a much worthy cause, bringing a quality music program for out students. What a beautiful gift indeed!

Irene Vitullo, Whittier Childrens Choir Patron