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January 4, 2026
Sunday Snapshot
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No School: Staff PD Day
1/5/2026
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Students Return to School
1/6/2026
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BAC Meeting
1/7/2026, 8:45 AM – 8:45 AM
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Quarter 2 Report Cards Distributed
1/9/2026
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Additional Notes
Staff Shout-out: Our staff shout out form is back! I want to provide a  space for parents to show their gratitude for our hardworking staff. If you would like to give a shout out to a staff member, please fill out the following form. We will share all submissions with our staff. Parent to Staff Shout out Form
Level I & Level II Volunteer Application Process: All individuals who are interested in volunteering (includes chaperoning field trips) must be approved by CPS. Depending on the level of volunteering you plan to do, you will be asked to complete an application for either a “Level I” or “Level II” volunteer.
NEW: Volunteer services will send parents an email with instructions about a required CPS volunteer training. This is a new step required after being approved at the school level.
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Happy Sunday Garvy!
Be Kind 🐾 Be Strong 🐾 Be Well 🐾 Be a Bulldog
Second Semester
We are halfway through the school year. The 3rd quarter starts when students return from Winter Break on Tuesday, January 6th. Quarter 2 Report Cards will be sent home on Friday, January 9th. Be sure to review the grades with your child and reach out to teachers if you have any questions or concerns.
Reminder: The grade levels that had Visual Arts with Ms. Gray (Grades 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8) will now have Music class with Ms. Correa. Those who had Music class since August (Grades K, 4, 6, and 7), will now have Visual Arts. All other Specials classes will remain the same.
Quarter 2 PAWs Pillars Breakfast
Spotlight Skills: Respect, Responsibility, and Perseverance
Congratulations to our PAWs Pillars Spotlight Stars! These students have demonstrated the SEL Spotlight Skills of Respect, Responsibility, and Perseverance. The chosen students and one adult are invited to the Quarter 2 Spotlight Breakfast on Friday, January 16th at 8:45am in the MPR. See you there!
The middle of the year testing window opens next week. Below is a list of the tests that your child will possibly take. Homeroom teachers will make you aware of specific testing dates.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.
| Test Name |
Grade Levels |
Testing Window |
| iReady (ELA and Math) |
K-2 |
January 12 - February 6 |
| Star360 (ELA and Math) |
3-8 |
January 12 - February 6 |
| ACCESS |
K-8 EL students |
January 26 - March 3 |
Attendance Matters
Good attendance is necessary for student success both in and out of the classroom. Statistics show chronic absences are a leading indicator of a student dropping out of high school. We urge you to prioritize your child's attendance. Please try to avoid discretionary travel during regular
school days and try to schedule vacations and trips during calendar breaks.
Here are some helpful tips to support your child to be healthy and ready to attend school.
- Establish routines (early bedtime, set alarms, layout clothes)
- Talk to your child about the importance of attending school daily
- Schedule vacation when school is not in session
- If your child seems anxious about school, let us know and we can support you
Current Attendance Percentages
School-wide Overall Attendance (YTD): 94.9%
Goal for the Year: Above 95%
| Kdg: 94% |
3rd: 95% |
6th: 93% |
| 1st: 93% |
4th: 95% |
7th: 95% |
| 2nd: 94% |
5th: 95% |
8th: 95% |
Uniting Voices Choir
For nearly 70 years, Uniting Voices Chicago has empowered thousands of young people to become global leaders through the unifying power of music. We are bringing this chorus experience to Garvy School for students in Grades 3-6th. The singers will:
- Learn music from many genres, cultures, and languages
- Feel a sense of pride through high expectations and performance opportunities
- Build life-long friendships with students across the city through citywide performances and field trips
The chorus will rehearse on Wednesday mornings from 7:30 to 8:30am starting on Wednesday, January 21st.
If your child is interested in joining the Garvy Choir, please complete the form below.
All other OST programs will run during the Winter/Spring session, which starts in February. The list of programs and the sign up process will be shared in January.
Outdoor Recess
Our daily schedule includes approximately 25 minutes of recess for all students in  grades K-8. We will continue to venture outside, weather permitting, so we are asking that students be prepared for the winter elements by wearing boots, hats, gloves, and scarves to brave the weather.
We monitor the weather and will send students out if temperature and wind chill (feels like temps) are 17 degrees and higher. It is highly recommended that younger students (Grades K-1) have a change of clothes available in their lockers. If you have not sent clothes to school, please do so.
We would like to invite the families to attend the BAC (Bilingual Advisory Committee) meeting on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026 at 8:45 a.m. in Room 208A. We want to discuss the strategies to get ready for ACCESS testing.
Important Dates and Details
- Application period is now open. Beginning October 20, 2025, applicants can submit their nomination materials to become an LSC candidate. Application window closes at 3:00 p.m. on January 20, 2026. All application materials must be submitted by the deadline to be nominated as a candidate.
- Election Day is March 18, 2026: All LSC elections will take place on a single day.
- Election judges: CPS is also seeking 2,000 paid election judges to support the 2026 LSC election.
- Application forms. All documents needed can be found LSC Elections Website
- Questions? Contact the Office of Local School Council Relations (OLSCR) at 773-553-1400 or [email protected].
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LSC Election Season
This weekend kicks off the election season for our District’s Local School Councils (LSCs). The LSC is an excellent way to get involved and shape the future of your school community.
Read More...
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High Jump Program
High Jump supports motivated 6th graders from limited financial means on their path to academic and personal success.
Read More...
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Go Bulldogs!!!
Mrs. Bester 🐾 🐾
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