Catalyst Maria Junior High scholars were notified this week that they received the National Junior Honor Society Outstanding Achievement Award, a very special national recognition through the National Junior Honor Society!

This award honors scholars who embody NJHS's four principles of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, and Service. Each scholar will receive a $500 scholarship for a college savings account. Only 500 scholars nationally received the award, and this effort was led by CM team members Ms. Bies, Ms. Lewis, Mrs. Williams and Ms. Fawaz. 

The winners (pictured below) are Kevin B., Kija W., Gabriela R., Sofia S., Alex P., Miguel C. and Odalys O.- congratulations to our scholars, their families and the CM team!

Scholars, staff, and parents from Catalyst Circle Rock and Catalyst Maria braved some challenging weather conditions to join hundreds of charter school advocates for the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) Lobby Day 2016 yesterday.  Catalyst Maria’s Mr. Demetrius Davis was one of the featured speakers at the kick-off event at US Cellular Field, and several hundred enthusiastic parents, students, and community leaders traveled to the Capitol Rotunda in Springfield later in the day to discuss with legislators their convictions about charter schools.  Pictured below is the delegation from Catalyst Circle Rock- great work by Mr. Davis, Ms. Morgan, Mrs. Myers and the Catalyst scholars and staff that participated in this important event! 

Catalyst Circle Rock middle school scholars participated in a presentation by Khiry Johnson on the WE Day initiative.  This event introduced scholars to the mission of WE Day, which is a celebration of youth making a difference in their local and global communities. WE Schools is the yearlong program that nurtures compassion in young people and gives them the tools to create transformative social change.  To find out more about this organization, please visit their website through the linked image below.  

Last week, Catalyst Maria staff leaders and 45 scholars from National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, and senior leaders traveled to Flint, Michigan to donate 600 cases of water for the residents of Flint!  The group, pictured below were also able to stop in East Lansing to visit Michigan State University. Great work by the scholars and staff leaders of this incredible service project!

Catalyst Circle Rock and Catalyst Maria will be in session Friday April 1, 2016.  If you have any questions, please contact the Main Office at Catalyst Circle Rock (773-945-5025) or Catalyst Maria (773-993-1770). Thank you for ensuring that your scholars are present at school Friday (and every day!)!