Sniff sniff... Smencils are coming this fall!

We roll sheets of newspaper tightly around the #2 graphite writing cores until pencils of typical thickness are formed.

Then they're hardened - allowing them to be sharpened just like wood pencils.

Next, we soak them with our gourmet liquid scents (made by an award winning fragrance company).

Once they're dry, we attach the erasers and apply the stickers around them that identify which scent was infused into each Smencil.

Lastly, we put each one into its own corn-based biodegradable Freshness Tube.

Happy 4th of July!

Have a great and Happy 4th!

Check back next week for gym wear and spirit wear news!

Happy Summer!!

We hope everyone has a great summer! Check back next week for PTA news and updates.

Congrats to the Grads!

Today was an exciting day with the graduation ceremony for all the 8th graders. I had the honor of speaking at the graduation this morning. I thought the ceremony was lovely and the students were obviously bursting with pride. It was a very nice sense of community and was touching as the class met for the last time before moving on to high school.

CeCe Peniston Performs at O. A. Thorp

CeCe Peniston, National PTA Release Inspirational Song
Above Horizons is a tribute to children, parents and teachers


CHICAGO (June 2, 2009) – Honoring the billions of children and child advocates around the world, international multi-platinum recording artist and Billboard star CeCe Peniston and National PTA made PTA’s new song available for download today at www.PTAmusic.org.

To celebrate the release of the song, called Above Horizons, Peniston is performing the song live today at a Chicago Public School (O A Thorp Scholastic Academy: 6024 W Warwick).

“I’m definitely happy to be part of an organization that helps children reach their dreams. When I was younger, my parents always dared me to dream and I haven’t stopped. So this is my tribute to the families, teachers and communities who help children reach their dreams through PTA,” said Peniston.

This is the first official PTA song released from the organization’s recording label, National PTA Recordings. Peniston began recording Above Horizons when she became a National PTA Ambassador in October 2008. Since then, she’s visited with hundreds of children across the country to reinforce the importance of an arts education and pursuing your dreams. She’s also performed at the U.S. Department of Education during PTA’s Reflections Gallery opening in February this year.

PTA’s message of parent involvement and student success is captured in the chorus:

We are the shoulders you can stand on, when you reach for something higher.
These are the arms that you can count on, when your dreams have been delayed.
We are the parents, we are the teachers, you are the eagles that fly above horizons.
Young conqueror;
You’re never alone.

The release of the song coincides with National PTA’s unofficial announcement of Downloadfundraiser.com as a PTA National Member Benefits Provider, and the “category exclusive” digital music retailer for National PTA.

Ice Cream Day Monday!

Monday all students K thru 7 will receive a Dilly Bar from Dairy Queen compliments of the PTA. Yum!!

End of the Year Coffee May 27th

Join the PTA in the playground on the east side of the school on May 27th as soon as the students are inside. We will have a table with coffee, juice, and baked goods. It's our way of saying thank you so much for supporting the O. A. Thorp PTA this school year. We couldn't have been so successful without your help!

PTA Picture Contest!

Picture PTA Is Back!

Get your cameras ready: The 4th Picture PTA Photo Contest is coming your way.

Picture PTA offers all adults a chance to show off activities and events in their homes, schools, and communities and exercise their creativity. Graduation, end-of-school year events, picnics, and other outdoor fun are just around the corner. Take advantage of these picture-perfect moments to preserve your experiences and try to win gift cards and recognition.

The contest opens May 20 and runs through June 30. Details will be available shortly on PTA.org. Enter for your chance to win a $50 gift card and national acknowledgment online and in PTA publications.

Recycling Capri Sun Pouches! An Easy Fundraiser!

We are now collecting drink pouches for recycling. Please watch the video below to learn more about this program.




We will be accepting pouches from home as long as they are sent in a ZIP LOCK BAG. We will also have containers in the lunch rooms so we can collect the pouches at school as well. Pouches we collect will be made into items like pencil cases and shopping bags.

Thank you for helping us help the kids of O.A. Thorp!

Congratulations Ms. Bandolik!

Magnet Schools of America established the Magnet Principal of the Year Award in 2009. The award recognizes an outstanding school leader in each of MSA’s regions who has succeeded in providing innovative programs that promote equity, diversity, and academic excellence for students in Magnet Schools.

This Principal is acknowledged by peers for exemplary contributions made to their profession.

The awards honor a Pre‐K through K‐12 Magnet School Principal who has demonstrated excellence in the areas addressed by the selection criteria.

• Evidence of leadership in promoting equity and diversity among students and staff within the magnet school

• Evidence of leadership toward equitable academic success for all students

• Evidence of leadership in supporting the implementation and sustaining an innovative magnet program

• Evidence of leadership in district magnet community

Congratulations to our very own principal for being one of the nominated prinicpals this year!
􀂾 Kathleen P. Bandolik ~ Ole A. Thorp Scholastic Academy (K‐8) ~ Chicago Public Schools ~ Chicago, IL

Chicago Fire Department

Thanks so much to Marilyn for arranging the Chicago Fire Department to visit us at school today! The K thru 3rd graders got to go inside the CFD "Survive Alive" truck and learn all about fire safety. Students also received coloring books.

Want to volunteer for next year?

Are you interested in volunteering for a specific activity for next year? Wondering if we have any open positions that need to be filled? Please email us at oathorppta@gmail.com or call the voicemail for information. We would love to have you join us next year!