Murray PTO Information
Murray Language Academy is a World Language Magnet Chicago Public School offering French, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish to students in grades kindergarten through eighth. Located at 5335 South Kenwood Avenue in Chicago’s Hyde Park Community, it is just north of the University of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry.
Our school is named after Philip Murray, 1886–1952, a president of United Steel Workers of American. Immigrating to the United States in 1902, he worked in the Pennsylvania coal mines. When discharged for fighting with a foreman, miners struck, forming a local of the United Mine Workers of America. In 1904, Murray was elected local president. A skillful negotiator, he rose to the vice presidency of the national union by 1920. He became vice president of the Congress of Industrial Organizations-CIO and in 1936, heading its successful organizing campaign. Murray was elected president of the United Steel Workers in 1942 when that union was formed. He retained the presidency of both the CIO and the United Steel Workers until his death.
Murray Elementary School opened in December 1954 and became a World Language Magnet Academy in 1981. Magnet schools offer a curriculum organized around a specific theme, such as math/science, fine arts or world language. Our students are from throughout the city and reflect diverse racial/ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. There is no testing of students to enter Murray Language Academy and transportation is provided for students who live within a 1.5-6.0 miles from the school. Once enrolled, students stay at Murray Academy through sixth grade. In September 2007, Murray Language Academy opened its doors to preschool aged children. Our inaugural preschool class was very successful and our children have mastered skills that have prepared them for kindergarten.
MURRAY PTO
The Murray Language Academy's PTO mission is to :
Enrich the lives of our children;
Enhance and support the educational process;
And, promote open communication between the administration, teachers and parents.
We support our mission by:
Organizing social and educational events for the school and community;
Fundraising for the school;
And, supporting the teachers and faculty at Murray Language Academy.
Get involved with the Muray PTO.
Make a difference and volunteer.
Meet other parents and have fun.
Give input on the events and activities that you would like to be involved with.
Help your child and be involved in his/her education. Research shows that when parents are involved in education, students grades go up, test scores improve, discipline problems decrease, and self-esteem rises.
Please join us for a PTO Meeting. All parents, and/or legal guardians of students who currently attend Murray Language Academy and all current administrators, faculty and staff of Murray are eligible for membership in the organization.
Meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM in the Multipurpose Room. Meetings generally last about an hour and a half. Children are welcome with their parents. Child care will be provided and pizza available for sale.
PTO MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2011-2012 YEAR
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Wednesday, Novemberber 9, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
PTO SPONSORED EVENTS
The PTO assists Murray Language Academy in sponsoring many of the educational & social programs, services and events that our children and families participate in throughout the year. All of the events that the PTO sponsor are funded by your generosity through our fundraising efforts. Currently the PTO supports all or part of the following programs and events:
African American History Fair
World Language Fair
Murray BasketBall Team
Technology Support & Smart Boards
Annual Awards Ceremony (formerly Honor's Tea)
Scholastic Book Fairs
Student Recognition Awards
Staff Appreciation
Teacher Programs
Activities for students
Parent Socials
Library AR tests
Family Fun Nights
Fun Fair
Classroom Support
July 4th Hyde Park Celebration
And, other such programs, services and events as requested by the administsration, teachers, students and parents.
PTO COMMITTEES
Great Events don't happen on their own. We really need your help to make our events successful. Each of the fundraising, social and educational events at Murray requires a Chair Person to brainstorm, organize, recruit volunteers and execute the event. Won't you consider Chairing, Co-Chairing a Committee, participating on a Committee(s) or donating products and/or services to make each and every one of your Murray events a big success!
YOUR PTO EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
2011-2012
Geri Redd, PTO President
Sarah Diwan - Secretary
Radiah Grannum Ellis - Treasurer
Shelley Barnard - Vice President of Education
Karen Hansbery and Melinda Wesonga - Vice President of Communications
Patricia Kaehler and Christy Beighe-Byrne - Volunteer Coordinators
Visit the CPS Murray Language Academy website: www.murray.cps.k12.il.us
Photo Credits: Mr. Ricardo Phillips
