Noble's Expansion Efforts Remain Successful

Through replication of the flagship campus, Noble Street College Prep, the Noble Network has been rapidly expanding since 2006 and is currently operating seven high school campuses in Chicago. To best serve the increasing number of students and teachers, we have needed to restructure our organization.  Click here to read about exciting organization changes we have made to accommodate our expansion efforts.

Music Matters at Noble

As the Noble Network continues to expand its services to more Chicago students, the Noble music program is quickly becoming increasingly robust. Six campuses currently offer music courses to students. Ninety percent of Noble students enter the school without ever having played an instrument, which is astonishing considering the talent they display at Town Hall performances, concerts and during practice sessions. The success of the music program is attributed to the dedication of the students and the passion and high standards of Noble’s music teachers. 

Pritzker College Prep musicians played for a packed house of nearly 450 guests despite a snow-storm on December 16. The nine students comprising the Woodwind Ensemble played Pritzker College Prep Music Teacher Benjamin Das’s own arrangement of "Tetris" as well as the 1980’s popular hit “Take On Me” by A Ha. Both songs were synched up to live video projection, the former an image of the actual video game Tetris being played. The group sped up as the pieces approached the top, and played their final note as the shutter came down. "Take On Me" was performed alongside the famous pencil animation music video. The concert band performed four songs including “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and the filmscore from “Transformers”. Check out some of their music in action here.

Upcoming Noble Music Notes:

• On May 2, Noble Street College Prep and UIC College Prep will assemble a choir of approximately 70 students to perform several captivating songs including "Celebrate", an energetic gospel song written by Chicago Conductor and Composer, Dr. Keith Hampton. Before the show, the choir students will experience a special visit from Dr. Hampton, as he plans to join students in advance for a practice. The event will take place at the Vittum Theatre (1012 N. Noble) at 7pm.
• Pritzker College Prep's Latin Jazz Orchestra and Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy's Masai Ensemble will both be performing on Thursday, February 12 at Pritzker (4131 W. Cortland) for International Night at 7pm.  The event will include a buffet and auction. Proceeds benefit Pritzker students who will travel aborad to Europe and Costa Rica. 
• Noble Street College Prep's music and art department will present a show at 6pm show on May 14, "Festival of the Arts."  The show will be in the Vittum Theatre (1012 N. Noble.)
• UIC College Prep's music department will host a concert at UIC College Prep (1231 S. Damen) at 7pm on May 21.
• Pritzker College Prep's concert band will compete for the first time in the All-City Band Festival on April 18 at Schurz High School.
• On May 9, the Latin Jazz Orchestra of Pritzker College Prep will compete in the All-City Jazz Festival at Simeon Career Academy.

Noble Students Go Around the World

Students from Noble Street College Prep’s Russian Club are preparing to take a journey around the world this summer. Four students will travel to Russia and put into practice the language skills they’ve gained through Russian class and the after-school enrichment Russian Club. To fund their trip the students and teachers have implemented a variety of fundraising methods. Students seek out sponsorship from friends, family and businesses. Russian Teacher Alyssa Silverman has spent several months applying for sponsorships and soliciting friends. On February 5, the group hosted a benefit, To Russia With Love, which featured acrobats, break dancers, a live DJ, a raffle and authentic Russian cuisine. The event garnered nearly $1,000 for the cause. If you’d like to donate to this exciting trip, please visit their website. 

Students at Noble have the unique opportunity to learn Russian as part of their studies at Noble. Two Noble campuses currently offer Russian and one offers Latin. Campuses not currently providing language have plans to offer Chinese, Latin, French and Spanish. Noble teachers and administrators believe that these language course offerings provide students with a unique skill set when they apply to college. 

3rd Annual Bowling for Books Event Rolls Another Strike

Noble supporters have grown fond of the winter tradition of Bowling for Books. The third event of its kind took place on January 29. Nearly 160 guests attended the event, which raised over $2,500 for Noble Street Charter School. The event is hosted by the Noble Auxiliary Board, a group of young professionals who are committed to public education reform. The annual event continues to be a huge success because of dedicated board member participation. 

Noble alumna Jessica Lozada, currently a Northwestern University Journalism major, spoke to event guests about her experience at Noble and her future goals. Jessica was recently accepted as a corps member at Teach For America, where she will begin a two-year teaching position in the fall.

Students at Noble: A Grade Level Perspective

We recently sat down with a freshman and a senior who both attend Noble Street College Prep. Kadijah Hall (KH) is an eager new freshman and Alfredo Aldana (AA) is a senior experienced in The Noble Way. They both answered several of the same questions while chatting with a Noble staff member. 

Q: Why did you enroll in Noble’s lottery?

KH: I like small schools and came from a charter grammar school. I think teachers pay more attention to students when the class sizes are smaller. I was actually put on the waiting list at Noble, and was so happy when I got the call saying I could attend!

AA: I attended Peabody Elementary, which is next to Noble, so I was familiar with the school because I was right next door to it. I also had a cousin who attended Noble he was happy with the choice. I was the second to last person called at my lottery!  

Q: What has been the hardest adjustment for you to make while attending Noble?

KH: Being timed on everything. If you’re one minute late, you’re in trouble! 

AA: My adjustments were academic. I struggled with Reading and English. I was never intimidated to seek help from teachers though. They are available before and after school, which is great.

Q: Who has been your favorite teacher so far?

KH: Ms. Ashley Riggio. She’s like my school “mother”. She is my advisor so she helps when any of us need anything, whether it be financial problems, grade checks, knowing important dates (like when there’s no school!) or academic help.

AA: Same here- mine has to be my advisor, Mr. Adams. We call our advisory “The Adams Family”. We have conversations about life and we bond with one another more because of it. I have four really close friends and I know it’s because of our interactions in Mr. Adams’ advisory class.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve about life at Noble?

KH: Demerits! 

AA: (Smiling) Students who nag about demerits! I say this because they know the rules- they are clear! When students say Noble is strict, I laugh because if they would just follow the rules in place, they wouldn’t have problems!

Q: What are your favorite Noble memories?

KH: Our advisory’s dress-down party was fun. No uniforms!

AA: Being a part of the cross-country team has by far supplied me with the most memories that I will forever treasure. My cousin got me into it and at first I was nervous. I had a lot to learn about myself as a freshman. I decided to focus hard on running. Next thing I know, I’m the captain of the team and I’ve run the Chicago Marathon twice! I might even coach at one of the Noble campuses next year!

Q: What are some of your life goals?

KH: To graduate from Noble at the top of my class. I want to wear a black National Honor Society shirt! I want to attend Harvard and become a lawyer. AA: I plan to run a 100-mile race that takes place in Idaho. I want to run cross-country or track in college and continue in my parents’ footsteps by franchising their restaurant. I plan to attend either Ball State or UIC.

Competition Stings at Rauner College Prep’s Prime Bee

As the final component of Rauner College Prep’s first Town Hall of 2009, one representative from each grade competed for the coveted title of Prime Number Master in the annual Prime Bee. The three students took turns naming consecutive prime numbers starting at 401.  The incumbent winner, junior Robert Liebert-Hereth, was poised for another victory. Rumors spread throughout the hallways that he was a “sure thing” and that he had memorized prime numbers through 1000. 

Sophomore Joshua Fleming seemed unfazed by the stiff competition, naming number after number with a seemingly effortless air about him. Freshman Jose Munoz had the energetic support of his entire grade whose hopes of a win were high. The fierce competitors made it to the number 751 before the competition needed to be stopped. The program was running so long that it will be continued at the next Town Hall! Stay tuned for details in the next e-newsletter to see if Robert’s reign will continue or if one of the challengers will rise to victory. Visit their website to read about upcoming Rauner College Prep events.

Golder College Prep Hosts Community Health Fair

Over 300 students, staff, parents and community members joined together at Golder College Prep’s first-ever Community Health Fair. Health and Physical Education Teacher Alli Lowenstein worked with students for months to organize the event. "The Golder Health Fair was one of the most rewarding accomplishments of my 11 years of teaching.  I wanted to bridge the relationship between our school and community and promote health and fitness." Guests visited twenty booths to speak with representatives from many different health-themed organizations. Participants benefited from free glucose and blood pressure screenings as well as nutrition lessons from a local personal chef. HIV/AIDS awareness, carbon monoxide detection and respiratory health issues were also covered. The event was truly a success and offered community members a safe environment in which to learn about real-life health issues facing them. 

Health Fair Highlights Included:

-The Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) from the University of Illinois provided nutritional information and healthy food samples.
-Bill Herman and Emily Lifton from the Art of Living, who will offer a 6 -week yoga seminar for sophomores this spring, provided information about a youth empowerment seminar.
-The American Red Cross brought information on how to get involved with their many community service initiatives.

-Robert Cajigas of the Chicago Fire Department and Public Safety (and another Golder parent!) shared expertise about fire and carbon monoxide safety and how to create an evacuation plan.
-Dr. Marina Claudio, MD at Avocate Health Center Logan Square provided information about sexually transmitted diseases.

-The American Heart Association passed out health kits.
-Chicago Police Department Officer Eric Moreno spoke about gang prevention
-Crunch Fitness Employee Terry Cahill offered tips about body fat testing and personal training.
- Sasha Hanning, Licensed Massage Therapist at The Wellness Studio gave free massages to guests.
-A Licensed Acupuncturist and a Certified Reflexologist provided information and sample treatments to guests.
-Sergeant Major Nazario and the JROTC cadets from Golder College Prep facilitated a sit-up, pull-up and push-up contest.

Noble Auxiliary Board Spotlight: Drew Maurer

Drew Maurer joined the Noble Auxiliary Board in September 2008 and has since proved to be a valuable contributor. Drew attended Northwestern University, where he received a degree in Economics and then received an MBA from University of Chicago. He currently works as a Finance Manager for an industrial supply company. Drew is a former Teach for America Corps Member and during that time he taught second grade in Houston. 

Drew joined the board because he wanted to reengage with the education reform movement. Drew believes charter school programs like Noble Street work “because adults are willing to commit a disproportionate amount of energy and resources to close the achievement gap.” During his time on the board Drew has enjoyed most the hands-on time working with Noble students and alumni during service projects and at events.  If you are interested in joining the Noble Auxiliary Board, please contact Shea Coughlin or Rachel Kramer.

Abbott Representatives Visit Students

UIC College Prep Health-Science students received a special visit from two Abbott scientists on January 28. Both visitors spoke about their Health-Science profession and detailed procedures and responsibilities within their specific jobs. Dr. Clara Villami talked about the process of making a medical drug and Dr. Beimar Iriarte spoke about the process of creating diagnostic tests. Students were able to relate to terms the Abbott representatives used because of the vocabulary words they had studied in class. Students at UIC College Prep participate in a uniquely designed curriculum in which they spend at least 150 minutes each week learning about health sciences. Strong partnerships with respected organizations like Abbott and the University of Illinois at Chicago allow for visits from people with expertise in the field.  The Abbott speakers came as part of the Passport Program.

Noble Supporter Celebrates Birthday through Philanthropy

Noble Auxiliary Board Member Mike Rosskamm knew he wanted to enter the third decade of his life witha special event so he recruited 25 of his closest friends to take on the challenge of providing a day of service at Noble's Pritzker College Prep campus. The group worked with Pritzker College Prep staff to create a day in which Pritzker students could benefit the volunteers' professional and college experience. The volunteers provided support through mock interviewing in which students practiced key skills such as eye contact, clear speaking and generating thoughtful responses to the volunteers.  Volunteers also assisted students with college applications and essay, providing proof-reading and experienced insight.  The day culimanted with a question and answer panel.  The students were free to ask any questions related to college and work.  When asked why he organized such an event to celebrate his birthday he said, "My friend and I were looking to do something different.  We were looking for a way to spend time with friends and family, to have a positive impact on the community, and to have fun." 

If you feel inspired from Mike’s success and would like to organize a similar event, please contact Rachel Kramer.