Pulaski IB 2010

It is with great excitement that we announce the selection of Pulaski Elementary’s new Principal, Patrick Baccellieri, Ed. D.  Pat is the most sought-after principal in Chicago, and his signing is a tremendous accomplishment for the Pulaski community.   

 

Pat was singled out by the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board in their seven-part series, “From Here to Excellence,” for the effectiveness of his data-driven management approach to school leadership. 

 

Pat is also a published author.  His book, “Professional Learning Communities: Using Data in Decision Making to Improve Student Learning,” details his experiences as an elementary school turnaround specialist and works as a guide for those seeking to do the same.   

 

Most notably, Pat took South Loop Elementary School from a failing, dysfunctional school to one of the most successful elementary schools in the city.

 

Pat arrived at South Loop Elementary in August 2002 to find a school in disarray-  low test scores (32% meets/exceeds), limited teacher interaction, a hodgepodge curriculum, and low student enrollment.

 

Relying on his extensive education (B.A. History, M.T.S. Theological and Education Studies, M.A. Curriculum and Instruction, Ed. D. Urban Educational Leadership) and nearly 20 years of classroom experience, he developed systems and structures that brought stability and coherence to the students and the school.   The changes he implemented led South Loop Elementary to record one of the largest and fastest test score increases in CPS history.

 

Pat also worked to open the school to the community.   He created partnerships with community groups, introduced comprehensive after-school programs, and even started a school-based summer camp.   Local neighborhood residents flooded into the school.   Attendance rose from 350 students when he arrived, to over 600 when he left, and over 750 today.

 

Recent test scores at South Loop illustrate the success he fostered.    Compare South Loop test scores to select Suburban schools:

 

3rd Grade (ISAT Average)

 

 

 

 

The South Loop residents were not the only ones to notice.   Officials within CPS refer to Pat’s methodologies as “The South Loop Way.”   Seeking to replicate his success in other schools, CPS promoted Pat to Deputy Chief Education Officer.   In this role, Pat introduced and implemented new curricula in reading, math, and science.   He also developed the CPS Elementary School Turnaround Model and was dispatched to bring ”The South Loop Way” to underperforming schools.   Through his work, Chicago elementary “turnaround” schools have developed core systems, structures and routines - the foundation that supports significant improvement.

 

Most recently, Pat was selected to become Executive Director of School Performance Management in the CPS Office of Performance, where he developed and implemented School Performance Management procedures  and training for all of the 660 district schools.   The goal of School Performance Management, a core strategy of CPS’ Chief Executive Officer, is to guide school improvement, improvement in teacher practice, and to increase student learning and achievement.

 

After several successful years in the Central Office, Pat is eager to once again work in a neighborhood school.   We are extremely lucky to have him on board.  

 

Thanks to everyone who had a hand in making this possible: 

 

Mayor Richard Daley

Tawa Jogunosimi - Assistant to the Mayor, Education

 

Scott Waguespack - 32nd Ward Alderman

Caryn Brissman - 32nd Ward Education Coordinator

 

Ron Huberman - Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Public Schools

Abigayil Joseph - Officer, Office of Academic Enhancement

Jose Alvarez - Office of LSC Relations

David Pickens - Chief of Staff, President of the Board of Education

Adam Case - Chief of Staff, Chief Executive Officer

 

Pulaski Local School Council

                                               

A special thanks goes out to the Bucktown Community Organization (www.bucktown.org) for providing the support and funding to make this possible.   Please help us support this great neighborhood organization by becoming a member today.   A renewing yearly membership is only $20 and goes to support worthy neighborhood projects such as Pulaski IB 2010.  Please click here and join today!

 

Most importantly, thanks to the hundreds of Bucktown neighborhood residents who took the time to write letters, make calls, attend CPS Board Meetings, hand out flyers, and help in many more ways than we can mention.   Without you none of this would have been possible.   Thank you!

 

We will have many more updates coming in the next several weeks, including information on how to volunteer for the next exciting stage of Pulaski’s transformation.    Please address any immediate questions to this email.

 

Thanks again, and welcome Principal Baccellieri!

 

The Pulaski IB 2010 Committee

 

Steve Dillinger

Melissa Connell

Sarah Harris

Sheila Saegh Henretta

Christina Nelson

Susan Landwer

Amy Weisenbach

February 24th, 2010