Dear Ombudsman Chicago South Students and Families,
Welcome to what will be an unprecedented school year. We have faced many challenges these past two years, but are so very pleased to be able to re-open our doors to all students for full in-person instruction and get back to the business of educating and empowering our students on Monday, August 30, 2021. For many of you, you will know me as the former English teacher, the Senior Lead teacher or even the Assistant Principal. I am a founder of South and helped build out the some of same practices we still follow from when we opened in 2014. This past April, I was promoted to Building Principal of South and could not be happier or more motivated to make this school year the best yet. I hold a Bachelor’s in English Literature and Secondary Education, a Master’s in English Literature, a Master’s in Educational Leadership and have worked in formal education for over 14 years.
This year our focus will be to re-engage and re-establish our students, our school, our staff, and our community. We walk into this school year knowing most of our staff and students have faced various forms of new trauma and had to deal with untreated trauma during the pandemic. Rest assured we will work together to find resources and activities that will promote well-being and preseverance. While we must address these issues, we will also be steadfast in our efforts to improve our school in the following areas
- Attendance
- Credit attainment/recovery
- Dual Credit/Enrollment
- Graduation Rate
- Engaging Instruction via Project-Based Learning
- and our Culture and Climate Efforts for staff and students
We will meet these efforts as a team practicing diversity of thought and unity in action. We ask that all parents and guardians work alongside us to ensure each student not only has a successful stay at South but a successful life after Ombudsman. If your student has a medical condition that you feel prevents them from attending the normal school schedule, please refer to the Chicago Public School guidelines and possibly apply for their virtual program. You may visit https://www.cps.edu/academics/virtual-academy/ to learn more.
I look forward to working with each of you to create a positive, healthy, and successful school year! I also look forward to seeing you at our Open House on Thursday, October 7, 2021 and our two Parent-Teacher Conferences for Report Card pick up. These will take place during Quarter 1 on Thursday, November 18, 2021 and Quarter 3 on Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Mrs. Samantha M. Alvarado
Ombudsman Chicago South Building Principal