Every Wednesday, 86 students from the Austin and North Lawndale neighborhoods meet and rehearse on stage as one Sistema Ravinia Orchestra at the Kehrein Center for the Arts at Catalyst Circle Rock.  Along with Catalyst Circle Rock, the CPS schools participating are George Rogers Clark, Frazier, and Gregory.  The other days of the week students rehearse at their own schools with teachers supported by Ravinia.  Earlier this month, 200 students and parents were treated to a performance in the KCA by scholars that have participated in this partnership for several years from Catalyst Circle Rock and George Rogers Clark. Ravinia’s *Reach*Teach*Play* and Sistema Ravinia programs are designed to educate, foster diverse audience involvement, and provide live music experiences in schools, communities, and at Ravinia.  We are grateful for the Ravinia Women’s Board and Ravinia leadership for their support of this program over the last 10 years and for the incredible partnership we have developed with CPS schools!

 

Catalyst is incredibly thankful for the commitment that our scholars, families, staff and partners dedicate to our mission of teaching minds and touching hearts! In observance of Thanksgiving, Catalyst Schools will be closed to scholars and staff from Monday, November 20, 2023 through Friday November 24, 2023.

We hope that you are able to rest, relax and rejuvenate with family and friends over the Thanksgiving break!   

The Catalyst Board of Directors' Parent and Community Committee will hold a meeting on November 28, 2023 at 3:15 to discuss initiatives YTD. This meeting will be held by video conference- please contact Catalyst's Director of Administration Michael Kasang at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 773-897-5816 for conference call information.

The Catalyst Board of Directors' Academic Committee will hold a meeting on November 29, 2023 at 1:00 to discuss academic progress YTD. This meeting will be held by video conference- please contact Catalyst's Director of Administration Michael Kasang at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 773-897-5816 for conference call information.

The Catalyst Board of Directors' Finance Committee will hold a meeting on November 30, 2023 at 2:00 to discuss financials YTD. This meeting will be held by video conference- please contact Catalyst's Director of Administration Michael Kasang at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 773-897-5816 for conference call information.

The Catalyst Board of Directors' Finance Committee will hold a meeting on November 3, 2023 at 12:00 pm to review and vote for approval of the FY23 financial and operational audit. This meeting will be held by video conference- please contact Catalyst's Director of Administration Michael Kasang at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 773-897-5816 for conference call information.

The Catalyst Board of Directors will hold a meeting Setpember 18, 2023 from 3:00-5:00 pm. The agenda and meeting information are below. All Catalyst Board meetings are open to the public, with a public comment portion during the time below.

Location:

Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School

5608 W. Washington Blvd.

Chicago, Illinois 60644

 AGENDA

 *3:00- Welcome: Larry Williams, Chair and Gordon Hannon, CEO

• Review of agenda
• Call to mission (Ed Siderewicz)
• Review and vote for approval of May 15, 2023, Board of Directors meeting minutes
• Vote to approve Larry Williams for three- year renewal Board of Directors term and Chair of Catalyst Board of Directors
• Vote to approve Terry Toth for three-year renewal Board of Directors term
• Vote to approve Monica Smith for Board of Directors renewal term through June 2024
• Vote to approve Steve Brown for Board of Directors renewal term through June 2024
• Moment to honor Rick Hurd and Velia Soto for their 14 years and 4 years of service to the Board

*3:15-3:25 - Public comment (limited to 2 minutes per speaker)

*3:25-4:00 - Academic Committee:

• End of SY2022-23 summary and review
• Charter renewal 

•          Update on SPED timeliness documentation and suspension rates

*4:00-4:20 – Parent, Family, Community Engagement Committee: Mitzi Moore, Monica Smith, Gordon Hannon, Terry Toth, Ed Siderewicz, and Michael Kasang

• Men Take Your Scholar to School Day-September 13, 2023
• Organization of campus parent meetings that precede and flow into Board meetings
• CEO Coffee Chats
• ·     KCA updates (mural unveiling and community impact)

4:20-4:45 - Finance and Strategic Issues Committee: Yuan-Ying Hsu

• FY23 initial summary and upcoming audit
• YTD FY24
  • Capital projects completed for charter renewal
  • ESSER funds
  • Increased personnel needs to meet scholar IEPs

*4:45-5:00 – Governance items: Gordon Hannon and Larry Williams

• How do we stay in relationship with Catalyst’s foundational legacy?
• Discussion on Board membership, terms, and recruitment of new Board members