The Catalyst Board of Directors' Academic Committee will hold a meeting on November 14, 2019 at 9:00 AM. This meeting will be held by phone 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.for conference call information.  The agenda for this meeting is below:

• • Principal Presentations (45 min-15 min each school)
    • Summary of Monthly Data Analysis  and Action Plan
      • FORMAT Strengths, Weaknesses, and Opportunities
  • Committee Discussion (20 min)
  • Close: next meeting (5 min)

Last weekend, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s conductor Riccardo Muti (pictured below with Catalyst team member Ms. Morgan) directed the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest as they performed selections of Romeo and Juliet at CCR’s Kehrein Center for the Arts! The event was attended by many members of the Austin and Oak Park communities, including Alderman Chris Taliaferro and Illinois State Representative Camille Lilly. Many thanks to Maestro Muti for this incredible performance!

You are invited to a free rehearsal led by Riccardo Muti, the Conductor of Chicago Symphony Orchestra, at Catalyst Circle Rock! Conductor Muti will be directing the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest as they perform selections of Romeo and Juliet at CCR’s Kehrein Center for the Arts on November 10, 2019 at 5:00 pm. For additional information, please contact Ed Siderewicz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Check out an inspiring article on the incredible work of Ms. Amanda Bates and the Catalyst Maria HS team through a linked image below!

Through Catalyst Maria’s partnership with Urban Alliance, two CMHS seniors were recently hired for yearlong internships! Seniors Jaquia and Jemarie are participants in the Urban Alliance Work Study Program, which provides high school seniors with an intensive, year-long experience combining paid, professional internships, job skills training, one-on-one mentoring, and ongoing post-program support.  Jaquia will be working at the Goodman Theater and Jemarie will be working at Chicago Urban League- congratulations to both scholars and many thanks to Mrs. Comiskey, the Post-Secondary team, and the entire CMHS community for their efforts on this incredible partnership!