EECSErie 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.

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 SotoPrincipal

EECS Principal, Velia Soto

Preparing for Tomorrow, TodayToday’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.

(1) Two EECS kindergarteners in the dual language classroom share their desks with a special guest. (2) EECS parents and EECS teacher Lindsey Garcia at this year’s Family Fitness Day, hosted by the EECS Wellness Committee. (3) An Erie student representing EECS at Charter School Lobby Day in Springfield, IL; the EECS 4th grade class takes part in this event in collaboration with the Illinois Network of Charter Schools every year. (4) An EECS student showing pride for her University 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) Students getting ready for Aladdin, EECS’ first-ever student musical. (6) Students in Kevin Mitchell’s 5th grade class putting what they’ve learned to use, working together to build a table.

1 32

654

1 23

4

56

“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 GrowIn 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.”

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 2010-2011 Erie Eagle by 5th grader Nina DuBose-Carlson.

Donors Make the Difference at EECSThank 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 abovePerkins Malo Hunter Foundation

$50,000 to $99,999Kautz Family Charitable Fund

$25,000 to $49,999Crown Family Philanthropies Nancy Vincent Charitable FundCharles D. O’Kieffe

$10,000 to $24,999Field Foundation of IllinoisFirst Presbyterian Church of Lake ForestGeary Rimmer Vincent Wolf FoundationJohn R. and Patricia J. HallJaMel and Tom Perkins Family FoundationMadigan Family FoundationKenneth V. and Leola H. PerkinsSara Lee CorporationSpringboard Foundation

$5,000 to $9,999AnonymousSteven and Nancy CrownEdgar and Deborah Jannotta, Sr.Locasto Family FoundationMary McClure Miller Foundation

$1,000 to $4,999AnonymousJ. Brian and Kathleen BarnettWilliam P. and Mary G. BoehlerCharles E. and Beverly E. Shaw FoundationChicago Fire MLSDonald P. and Byrd M. Kelly FoundationEvanston Bike ClubStuart L. and Adrienne L. FolerBert A. and Sandra M. GetzAgustin Gomez-Leal and Carrie J. DavisRyan and Laura KrausMcCormick Foundation Matching GiftsJeffrey and Molly LoweWilliam A. and Deborah S. MontgomeryVictor S. and Mary R. NelsonNiamogue FoundationPuerto Rican Cultural CenterPatrick H. and Katherine PerkinsR.A.S.H. FundJohn and Jane SchreinerJoseph F. and Jeanne J. ScobyAlejandro Silva, Jr.

Rom and Debbie Tamondong, Jr.Wilmont and Bonnie Vickrey

$500 to $999Abbott Matching GiftsRicardo Estrada and Beatriz Ponce de LeonFirebelly DesignFourth Presbyterian Church of ChicagoThomas R. and Nancy A. HansonHispanic Housing Development Corp.Patricia and Christopher HorschAgustin and Lisa HurtadoDavid and Andrea KinnearLifetouch National School Studios, Inc.MB Charitable FoundationMike and Tonya MilkiePatrick and Sara NashCorey A. Nelson and Melissa EarleyCyrstal Pruess BushVelia SotoSt. Aloysius ParishRichard A. SwedbergEugene L. and Anna Jean Woroch

$100 to $499Anonymous (3)Ryan and Sarah AirolaThomas D. and Joyce J. AllenCharles W. ArmstrongRichard L. and Shirley R. BaronReathel and Holly BeanLinda BeckerBensinger Dupont & AssociatesCatherine BertiniMichael W. BoehmRobert BooneAnthony and Jennifer BowkerBryce Downey & Lenkov, LLCMichael Crandall and Lauren MaleKathleen CrownKeating and Caroline CrownJohn DeCarrier and Carmen Solano DeCarrierMolly DirksenEl Hogar del NiñoPhil and Sarah EvansJames Fitzpatrick and Ingrid Dorer FitzpatrickR. Gerald and Joyce M. FoxSteven FoxLee 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 ActivitiesFiscal Year 2011July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011

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.

REVENUE EXPENSES

Government

Private

Student Fees

TOTAL: $3,571,507

Student Instruction

Management & General

Fundraising

TOTAL: $3,396,849

92%

2%6%

73%

26%

1%

Donors Make the Difference at EECSThank 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 GibbonsMark S. Hallett and Carmen Vidal HallettTroy and Noni HardenJoe and Sarah Ann HarrisDaniel J. and Barbara D. HartnettHD and DO Murphy FoundationStephen M. and Lail HermanEllen R. HorweenBarbara Ann HuylerSteven and Lynn IssleibJesse Welding ShopKenneth and Sally JonesDavid and Jennifer KellyVirginia M. KellyR. Jackson and Meredith KinnelRussell and Elisabeth KinnelDavid S. and Phyllis KuppermanLa Casa NorteBruce R. and Karen LangeDaniel G. and Carey A. LangeStuart and Sally LesserChristine LocastoLeon G. LocastoMaxine G. Pusinelli Revocable TrustKaren MayStephen and Rita McElroySara and Armando MedinaGerald and Penelope MillerRalph and Laura MuellerDorothy M. and David F. Myers, Jr.Ray and Judith O. NewtonEleanor NicholsonCarlos and Guadalupe OrtizCindy M. OsortoFred and Susan PerkinsKenneth L. PerkinsVivian L. PetersonCynthia QuirogaMary RemeinTanner and Marion RiceBernard B. RinellaThomas and Judith B. SangerL. Anne SchrauthSchweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Nancy SearleJohn and Claire SiragusaRoy A. and Joyce E. SkoogRichard and Consuela SotoNaomi M. StanhausTalmage Mullen Steele

Target Take Charge of EducationT. Susan Moseley TaylorSusan ThomasHieu Ton-That and Maricruz Ponce de LeonDavid Unger and Rebecca SoldwischEdison and Zeneida UreñaTim UrquhartPhil and Becki UtigardKenneth and Linda VanderweeleJohn D. and Susan L. Van PeltC. Roger and Susan T. Van VurenDavid L. Varwig and Jeanne Perkins VarwigVera CommunicationsPeter W. and Janet VossWalter L. Soika Funeral HomeRegina WardJoseph and Patricia WilkinsonLloyd L. Zickert

$1 to $99Anonymous (2) Gabriela BasurcoRobert P. and Mary BeaubienJohn BoyerBridget A. BradleyAnne Carlson HallettTodd D. ConnorSoledad DartiguelongueKristen DwyerMaribeth GainardLindsey GarciaMario F. GarciaLuis GutierrezDaniel HirtMaureen HellwigRaymond Hernandez and Rosana SotoBrian L. HorwoodIFFAllie JabinesMark A. and Laurie E. JolicoeurScott KannryPaul KasperHillary LockeMaria MartinezMarisol MartinezMagda McQuirkHelen MehlerMelvin E. Guthrie Jr. TrustJean MeyersMitchell and Merri Ex Family FundAlex MontgomeryJohn R. and Lynne D. Montgomery, III

Katherine Montgomery and Jason PaulsHerbert MorenoLaura MuddJames and Suzanne Neaylon, IIIJuan OrtaMaura OsortoMaribel PiccininiLeslie A. PopchokeRobert and Anna PorterCelena RoldanJorge Sahagun and Christina Martinez-SahagunIvonne Sambolin-JonesAna SchreinerJeffrey A. and Linda G. SchroederAndres SorucoWarwick and Winifred StevensonAl and Sarah StuartJohn S. and Margaret L. TaylorClaudia TorresAlejandro UrbinaJohannes and Julia R. WeertmanRyan WolfRhea Yap

In honor of Alex R. MontgomeryAllison Margolies

In honor of Leslie PopchokePaul and Jessica Gurinas

In honor of Mark HallettMcCormick Foundation

In honor of Michael TicknorMark A. and Carla G. Ticknor

In memory of Connie O’KieffeRuth Kane

In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Leon M. LocastoLeon G. Locasto

In KindShelia FautFourth Presbyterian ChurchAgustin Gomez-LealGoose Island Brewing CompanyMark HallettVictor S. and Mary R. NelsonPerkins Investment Management, LLCDavid UngerBecki UtigardWilmont and Bonnie VickreyPeter 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 Ricardo EstradaBoard President Former Board President

Current Board President Mary Boehler and former Board President Ricardo Estrada

Erie Elementary Charter School Board of DirectorsMARY G. BOEHLER, Board PresidentRICARDO ESTRADA, Board President EmeritusAGUSTIN GOMEZ-LEALJOHN R. HALLMARK HALLETT, Board Vice President for Academic PerformanceTROY HARDENPATRICIA HORSCH, PH.D.GEORGE LOCASTOLOLITA LOPEZMELANIE MADIGAN, Board SecretaryMICHAEL MILKIECOREY A. NELSONVICTOR S. NELSON, Board TreasurerCHARLES D. (JACK) O’KIEFFECINDY OSORTO**KENNETH V. PERKINS, Board President EmeritusCELENA ROLDANALEJENDRO 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 BackpackChicago Bicycling AmbassadorsChicago RunsChicago School of Professional PsychologyDrinker Biddle & Reath, LLPErie Neighborhood HouseErikson InstituteIllinois Network of Charter Schools

Erie Elementary Charter School1405 N. WashtenawChicago, IL 60622

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

www.eriecharterschool.org