HELEN C. PEIRCE SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
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​PARENT ORGANIZATIONS

The collaboration between school and home is extremely important for students to be successful. Peirce is fortunate to have parents who are engaged, supportive, and active. The Bilingual Advisory Council (BAC), Peirce Service Organization (PSO), Friends of Peirce (FOP) and Racial Equity Parent Group (REP) have all contributed tremendously to our success. Moreover, parent organizations model for our students what activism is - a small act of playground cleanup by PSO inspired our students to lead a school recycling project. The Racial Equity Parent Group has supported Racial Equity Initiatives and Parent Education opportunities.  BAC creates a space for families to learn more about Bilingual Education at Peirce.  FOP has worked tirelessly to generate funds and support Peirce in continuing programs.  We invite you to join these organizations, we welcome you into our building and our classrooms to volunteer, and we look forward to working with you to support our students. 


​Request for Accommodations

Accommodations for School Meetings
Peirce strives to make meetings as accessible as possible. For this reason, we routinely include the following accommodations for meetings:
Virtual Meetings
  • Video and chat functions optional for participants
  • Live transcript is on (for English)
  • YouTube streaming for those who prefer that platform (during LSC Meetings only)
  • Spanish-English interpretation
  • Closed captioning
In Person Meetings
  • Spanish-English interpretation
  • Use of microphones as appropriate
  • Printed copies of materials as appropriate
If you need accommodations beyond those specified here, please contact the Principal, Lori Zaimi, in writing at [email protected], at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting you would like to attend. Please know that the school will work to fulfill accommodations as they are able to, but cannot guarantee that all requests will be fulfilled. Requests submitted as far in advance as possible will help with this process.

*Please note Chicago Public Schools Americans with Disability Act Policy

FRIENDS OF PEIRCE (FOP)

Friends of Peirce is 501(c)3 non-profit parent-led organization dedicated to assisting in raising funds to broaden and enrich the student education experience at Helen C. Peirce School of International Studies. 
Friends of Peirce Website
FOP Meetings
FOP meetings are typically held at 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of every month, however please check the school calendar for changes to the schedule. 

PEIRCE SERVICE ORGANIZATION (PSO)

​The mission of the Peirce Service Organization (PSO) is to foster connection and collaboration amongst the members of the Peirce community. To this end, the PSO plans events and activities throughout the school year to support the faculty, students, and families of Peirce. We are comprised of parent and caregiver volunteers and welcome any Peirce caregiver to join our meetings and become a PSO member. 

The PSO solicits volunteers to carry out numerous activities for Peirce families to enjoy. We encourage all Peirce parents/guardians to get involved with the school and ask that caregivers volunteer service hours throughout the year.

For more information, attend a meeting or email: Helena Swyter at [email protected]​ or [email protected]. 
​
President: Helena Swyter
Vice President: Ashley Heins-Elwood
Secretary: Erin Snow
PSO Meetings
PSO meetings are typically held in the field house* at 8:15 a.m. on the 2nd Friday of every month, however please check the school calendar for changes to the schedule.
Coffee provided when meetings are held in the morning. Younger siblings welcome. 
PSO Meeting Minutes
September 2024
​October 2024
​November 2024
December 2024
January 2025
February 2025
​March 2025

BILINGUAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (BAC)

​BAC (Bilingual Advisory Council) The Bilingual Advisory Council is open to all parents/guardians of children who are enrolled in the bilingual program. BAC has informative meetings regarding academic improvement of bilingual students and work to increase parental involvement at Peirce School. BAC members attend meetings that take place in other schools throughout the year regarding important updates in bilingual education. Elections of officers are held each year.

BAC Officers 2024-2025

  • Sonia Henriquez - President
  • Veronica Miranda - Vice President
  • Pablo Sepulveda - Secretary
  • Beikerth Tapias - Representative
  • Carolina Rodriguez - Representative
​To reach the BAC officers, you can email [email protected]
BAC Meetings
BAC meetings are typically held on select Fridays in the field house at 8:15 AM, and are scheduled for November 15, January 31, March 21, and April 25. Please check the school calendar for changes to the schedule. Meetings are held in Spanish with interpretation in English. Speakers of all languages are welcome!  


RACIAL EQUITY PARENT GROUP (REP)

Peirce’s Racial Equity Parent Group (REP) is a parent led volunteer organization that is working to promote racially inclusive collaborations and parent engagement at Peirce.

REP upholds and advocates for TEAM values of Transparency, Equity and Inclusion, Accountability, and Metrics :

Transparency: A willingness to be responsive to community questions and concerns and recognize the role of transparency in maintaining trust and holding ourselves to high standards
Equity and inclusion: The belief that the Peirce community should serve all its students and families (this includes a recognition of the various dimensions that make us unique: race, gender, religion etc)
Advocacy:  Intentional action towards equity and inclusion, with a focus on inquiry and understanding so that we can continue our progress towards an inclusive, nurturing community
Metrics: A recognition of the importance and appropriate use of data to support decision-making and evaluate our progress.

REP works to deepen our collective understanding of racial equity in order to create meaningful change: ignorance about basic facts is harmful to us as a community, especially to our families color, and upholds systemic inequality.  No matter where you are at with your journey towards racial literacy, we invite you to join other Peirce parents who are working together towards this goal, please contact us at [email protected].

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 Helen C. Peirce
School of  International Studies
1423 W. Bryn Mawr
Chicago IL, 60660
Phone: (773) 534 2440
Fax: (773) 534 2577
PK Branch
5300 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
Phone:  (773) 534-2234
​Fax:  (773) 534-2235
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  • Home
  • About
    • Our History
    • Mission & Vision
    • School Tours
    • Enrollment Information
    • Policies & Forms
    • Staff Directory
    • Local School Council (LSC)
    • Continuous Improvement Work Plan
    • Support Peirce
    • Branding Guidelines
  • Family Information
    • Before & After School Programs
    • Case Management
    • Student Door Entry
    • New to Peirce
    • Family Communication
    • Parent Organizations
    • Principal's Newsletter
    • Volunteer Opportunties
  • Academics
    • International Baccalaureate >
      • IB Primary Years Programme
      • IB Middle Years Programme
      • IB Learner Profile
    • Pre K
    • Art
    • English Learner Program
    • Counseling Department
    • Dance
    • Garden
    • Music
    • Physical Education
    • Restorative Practices
    • Spanish
    • Sports Programs
    • Technology
  • Calendar