Catalyst Maria parent Myisha Shields was featured in the INCS Parent Leadership Network Spotlight, which provided a snapshot of her role as an advocate for Catalyst in numerous ways! Catalyst Howland Director of Community Outreach Mrs. Myers was also featured for her advocacy work for the Howland campus with Illinois State Rep. Art Turner! A link to both articles can be found here.
All Catalyst campuses reported high family attendance at last week’s 1st Quarter Progress Report Pick-Up, an awesome development supporting Mission Effectiveness Standard #4- Engages The Entire Family. This standard states “A Catalyst School involves the entire family in the education of a child and provides opportunity for the growth and participation of all immediate family members.” The campus that reported the highest percentage of family attendance was Maria, with 99% of families in attendance! Congratulations Maria and thank you to all campuses for your efforts around this important piece of our school communities and mission!
Catalyst Maria's High School Principal Dawn Sandoval and Director of Instruction Elizabeth Ahrens will be presenters at the Illinois ACT 2014 annual conference, Remapping the Road to College and Career Readiness! This event is being held on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at the DoubleTree Chicago Oak Brook in Oak Brook, IL. The conference will have over 300 school counselors, administrators, and outreach representatives from Illinois’s postsecondary institutions in attendance. Mrs. Sandoval and Mrs. Ahrens will be presenting on:
Session Title: Blending Humanities and Writing with STEM to Increase Student Achievement
Session Time: 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Congratulations to Mrs. Sandoval and Mrs. Ahrens on this incredible accomplishment!
Catalyst Maria has alread raised 1,537 cans/boxes of food for the annual Chicago Bulls' Greater Chicago Food Depository Food Drive!! The school will collect canned goods until December 1, 2014 with the cans are going to the Greater Chicago Food Depository for families in need during the holidays. Incredible work Catalyst Maria community! 
State Representative Esther Golar (6th District) visited Catalyst-Maria along with staff from Illinois Network of Charter Schools. The visit was an opportunity for Representative Golar to learn more about the great things occurring at charter schools like Catalyst Maria!