Robert Alferd Black Magnet

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Welcome to the 2008-09 school year!  We hope the summer months have been pleasurable for you and your family.  The next ten months promises to be an exciting time for all members of the Robert A. Black family.    We are excited about the new school uniform and we know the positive impact that this change will have on our student body.  The academic successes of the past year will help pave the way for even better achievements for 2008-09.   Your continued involvement toward your child’s education is critical toward reaching these achievements.

Please adhere to the attendance policy to maximize the program we have to offer.  Students being dropped by their parents in the morning should be at their respective building no later that 7:30a.m. and no earlier than 7:20a.m. if they are eating breakfast.  If students are not eating breakfast they should be dropped off no later that 7:45a.m.  Official classroom entrance time is 7:50a.m.  A student is officially marked tardy if he/she arrives in their classroom after 8:00a.m.  Students accumulating 5 or more unexcused absences or tardies will be given official CPS attendance notices and be referred to a central office attendance officer.  Regular dismissal time is 1:45p.m.

Just a reminder – please do not use the parking lot of either building when dropping off or picking up your child.  Also, do not double park, on Euclid Ave. or Coles Ave when picking up your child.  The Chicago Police Department will ticket illegally parked vehicles.

We will not have transportation to the Chicago Park District after school facilities until the end of October 2008.  We will let you know when this service is made available.  In the meantime, please make it clear to your child’s teacher as to where he or she should go at 1:45pm.

Also, be mindful of our dress code.  Boys are not allowed to have hair in braids or have designs in them.  Uniform neckties must be worn everyday.  All boys must wear belts.  Black leather or leather-like shoes are to be worn – no gym shoes please!  Finally, all neck jewelry and designer straps must be hidden from view.

We have purchased new textbooks for students at both buildings.  Due to the high cost all books loaned for use are to be covered – no exceptions.  We suggest brown paper bags obtainable from most grocery stores.   Students and their parents are responsible for reimbursing the school for the cost of any textbook lost or damaged due to misuse (average cost of a textbook is $60.00).

Also at the south building we have a new policy regarding student use of cell phones.  Upon entering the building ALL CELL PHONES MUST BE TURNED OFF.  Students may keep their phone with them during the day but if it goes off or if a student is texting and/or playing with it; the phone will be confiscated by school personnel.

Parents, please turn in your child’s lunch application as soon as possible.  Lunch applications will be given out by the second week of September or it can be downloaded from our website:  www.blackmagnetschool.com   

Make note of the cost of daily meals:

Elementary full price breakfast	$1.50
Elementary full price lunch	$1.85
Elementary reduced price breakfast	$  .30
Elementary reduced price lunch	$  .40
Milk	$  .35

Students may eat off of last year’s eligibility until their 2008-09 application is received and processed.  If a student’s application was not turned in last year, he or she must pay full price for their meals until one is received and processed. 

Information regarding our open house will be forthcoming; the dates will probably be within the second week of September.

We encourage you to take time out of your busy day to attend open house to meet your child’s new teacher and learn of the instructional program and policies for 2008 – 09.  Opening packets will be distributed at this time.    

There is a fee of $8.00 for each student at the south building which covers the cost of the lock fee ($3) and technology fee ($5).  Keep in mind these fees do not include the cost of any weekly/monthly subscriptions that your child’s teacher may have ordered for their classroom.  We would appreciate you paying these fees at the open house or at the latest date the first report card pick-up.

A monthly calendar with key dates and events will be sent out regularly but, refer to the school website for current information.  Parents please ask your child for any information that the school has distributed and remember to check your child’s school book bag daily.  The first professional development day for staff is on Tuesday, October 7th.  There is no school for students on this day. 

As always we welcome your concerns, ideas and compliments anytime as we embark on a new year filled with promises and high expectations for all of our students

Sincerely yours,

 

Thomas Little
Principal

School Uniforms Grades: k-3rd

4th-8th

2008-09 Local School Council

President: Lionel Pittman

Vice President: Gwanzetta L. Anthony-Gee

Parent Representatives:

Community Representatives:

Teacher Representatives:

Daniel Baker	Jennifer Jacobs