PARENT ORGANIZATIONS
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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.
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GET INVOLVED! Current volunteer needs are posted on the Peirce Service Organization Facebook page and on the friendsofpeirce.org website. You can also find them in the weekly school newsletters or emails/flyers directly from Peirce parent groups. You can sign up for the Parent Group newsletter here. |
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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
*Please note Chicago Public Schools Americans with Disability Act Policy
Peirce strives to make meetings as accessible as possible. For this reason, we routinely include the following accommodations for meetings:
Virtual Meetings
- Optional video and chat features
- Live English transcripts
- YouTube streaming (available for Local School Council meetings)
- Spanish-English interpretation
- Closed captioning
- Spanish-English interpretation
- Microphones as needed
- Printed materials when appropriate
*Please note Chicago Public Schools Americans with Disability Act Policy
BILINGUAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (BAC)
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The Bilingual Advisory Council (BAC) includes parents and caregivers of students in Peirce’s bilingual program, which supports academic growth while fostering bilingualism, biliteracy, and multicultural understanding. BAC provides important updates, resources, and advocacy to help families support their children’s success. Members also attend district meetings to stay informed about bilingual education developments. Annual officer elections guide the group’s work.
To reach the BAC officers, you can email [email protected]. BAC Officers 2025-2026 Josefina Oropeza – President Veronica Miranda Torrijos – Vice President Carolina Rodriguez – Secretary Angelica Quinchoa Unigarro – Representative Karla Vallejo – Representative |
BAC Meetings
BAC's meetings will be held in the field house at 8:45 AM. 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!
November 7, 2025 January 23, 2026 March 20, 2026 April 24, 2026 |
FRIENDS OF PEIRCE (FOP)
Friends of Peirce (FoP) is a parent-led, all-volunteer nonprofit dedicated to ensuring every student at Helen C. Peirce School has access to the same great opportunities to learn and grow. FoP raises funds through community events like the annual Move-A-Thon to support academics, arts partnerships, teacher grants, culturally relevant resources, and family engagement—with a strong focus on equity and inclusion. Since 2011, FoP has raised over $1.3 million, including more than $180,000 in the 2023–24 school year alone, to help Peirce students thrive.
FoP Board of Directors 2025–26
Erin Metroff, President
Kate Lorenz, Vice President
Gil Jimenez, Treasurer
Mary Campe Reyes, Secretary
Lisa Salvatore, Board Member
Hina Mahmood, Board Member
Cote Sorens, Board Member
Elyssa Davis, Board Member
Emily Cole, Board Member
Kimberly Lebowitz, Board Member + School Representative
For more information about FoP—including how to get involved or make a donation—email [email protected] or visit friendsofpeirce.org.
FoP Board of Directors 2025–26
Erin Metroff, President
Kate Lorenz, Vice President
Gil Jimenez, Treasurer
Mary Campe Reyes, Secretary
Lisa Salvatore, Board Member
Hina Mahmood, Board Member
Cote Sorens, Board Member
Elyssa Davis, Board Member
Emily Cole, Board Member
Kimberly Lebowitz, Board Member + School Representative
For more information about FoP—including how to get involved or make a donation—email [email protected] or visit friendsofpeirce.org.
LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL (LSC)/EQUITY SUB-COMMITTEE
The Local School Council (LSC) is Peirce’s governing body, made up of elected parents, community members, teachers, and the principal. The LSC oversees key decisions regarding the school’s budget, policies, and academic priorities.
As a subcommittee of the LSC, the Equity Committee hosts at least three public forums on equity each year and advises the LSC on the Continuous Improvement Work Plan (CIWP), budget, and principal evaluation. The Equity Committee focuses on advancing equity and inclusion in school practices and ensuring diverse voices are heard in governance.
For details on member expectations, see the Equity Committee bylaws. Agendas and meeting notes for the 2024–25 school year can be found on the LSC shared drive.
For more information about the LSC—including meeting dates, agendas, and responsibilities—visit peirce.cps.edu/local-school-council or email [email protected].
As a subcommittee of the LSC, the Equity Committee hosts at least three public forums on equity each year and advises the LSC on the Continuous Improvement Work Plan (CIWP), budget, and principal evaluation. The Equity Committee focuses on advancing equity and inclusion in school practices and ensuring diverse voices are heard in governance.
For details on member expectations, see the Equity Committee bylaws. Agendas and meeting notes for the 2024–25 school year can be found on the LSC shared drive.
For more information about the LSC—including meeting dates, agendas, and responsibilities—visit peirce.cps.edu/local-school-council or email [email protected].
PEIRCE DIVERSE LEARNERS PARENTS & CAREGIVERS GROUP (PDLPC)
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The Peirce Diverse Learners Parents & Caregivers Group (PDLPC) is a parent-led community working to support students with disabilities and other students who learn in a variety of ways. Whether students have IEPs or 504 plans, are multilingual, neurodivergent, or engage with school differently, every learner deserves to be understood and celebrated. The group builds connections among families, shares accessible resources, and advocates for a more inclusive school environment where all students can thrive.
Open to all caregivers at any stage of the journey, PDLPC partners with school leadership to uplift diverse learners and ensure every child feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. A volunteer steering committee guides the group’s vision and initiatives, grounded in care, collaboration, and a shared commitment to equity. For more information about PDLPC, including meeting dates and how to get involved, email [email protected]. PDLPC Steering Committee Molly Baltman Leonard Catherine Lowe Hina Mahmood Katherine Oliver Paige Ozaroski Haedo Joshua Robinson Karla Vallejo |
PDLPC Meetings
Virtual community meet-ups are the first Thursday of every month at 8 PM (school year only). Steering committee meetings are the third Thursday of every month at 8 PM.
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PEIRCE PRIDE CAREGIVERS (PPC)
Peirce Pride Caregivers (PPC) is a parent- and caregiver-led group dedicated to affirming and supporting Peirce’s LGBTQ+ students and families. The group focuses on parent education, direct advocacy, and collaboration with the student-led GSA and other caregiver groups.
Recent initiatives have included co-organizing Peirce’s first annual Pride Parade, hosting Gender 101 workshops, leading a caregiver forum on LGBTQ+ equity, drafting a school-wide letter of solidarity with trans and gender-expansive students, and advocating for stronger anti-bullying practices. PPC also creates space for community-building and connection.
As a newer group, PPC continues to shape its work and welcomes new members to participate. For more information about PPC, including meeting dates and ways to get involved, email [email protected].
Recent initiatives have included co-organizing Peirce’s first annual Pride Parade, hosting Gender 101 workshops, leading a caregiver forum on LGBTQ+ equity, drafting a school-wide letter of solidarity with trans and gender-expansive students, and advocating for stronger anti-bullying practices. PPC also creates space for community-building and connection.
As a newer group, PPC continues to shape its work and welcomes new members to participate. For more information about PPC, including meeting dates and ways to get involved, email [email protected].
PEIRCE SERVICE ORGANIZATION (PSO)
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The Peirce Service Organization (PSO) is a parent-led group dedicated to fostering connection, collaboration, and celebration within the Peirce community. PSO works closely with teachers and staff to coordinate Room Representatives for classroom support, organize teacher and staff appreciation efforts, and plan community events such as Fall Fest, student dances, and other school-wide gatherings. PSO welcomes all Peirce parents and caregivers to participate, whether through occasional volunteering or more active involvement, helping to strengthen the school community.
For more information about PSO, how to get involved, or meeting accommodations, email [email protected] or [email protected]. PSO Leadership 2025–26 Helena Swyter – President Sonia Henriquez – Vice President Erin Snow – Secretary Lauren Swihart – Treasurer |
PSO Meetings
PSO meetings are typically held in the field house* the third Friday of every month at 8:45 am (school year only), however please check the school calendar for changes to the schedule.
Coffee provided when meetings are held in the morning. Younger siblings are welcome. |
RACIAL EQUITY PARENT GROUP (REP)
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Racial Equity Parents (REP) is a caregiver-led group committed to advancing racial equity and inclusion at Peirce. REP fosters collaboration and community among families, especially those most impacted by inequities, and creates space for learning, dialogue, advocacy, and celebration. The group encourages all caregivers—particularly white parents—to reflect on and challenge systems of privilege and bias, while centering the voices of families of color in shaping its work.
REP has supported initiatives such as no-prep book clubs, conversations about race and identity to challenge white supremacy, and disrupting racist curriculum. It also maintains the Solidarity Fund, a mutual aid effort that offers confidential financial support to Peirce families in times of need. All caregivers are welcome to participate. It also maintains the Solidarity Fund, a mutual aid effort that offers confidential financial support to Peirce families in times of need. All caregivers are welcome to participate. 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]. REP Steering Committee Katie Aung Din Taylor Sonia Brown Amy "Mo" Miller Kiana Henley Bianca R. Jimenez Hoyun Richter Lizzie Turner |
REP Meetings
Meetings are typically held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, alternating between in-person and Zoom. Locations TBD.
Upcoming dates:
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