Pulaski International School of Chicago

I have been a parent at Pulaski since my kids where in Pre-K. I am proud to say that this year my kids will be graduating and going to a good High School. Even though Pulaski has gone through some rough challenges, as a school community, it has shown the students that they can overcome anything in life. I would like to say THANK YOU to the teachers, staff and principal for their commitment, hard work and support. KEEP ON ROCKING!
--Submitted by a parent

I have been a parent of a student at Pulaski for three years and every year I have been impressed by the growth in learning from my child and the other children I've seen at the school. I am also part of the school's Council of parents and staff that oversee the operations of the school. This is the hardest working staff I have ever seen. The teachers are motivated and their students are excited to learn. The International Baccalaureate program is in place for all grade levels and is connecting the students to people and cultures around the world. The principal's vision inspiring. He is building strong team work amongst teachers and is helping the students become competitive for High School and then college. Parents are involved on a daily basis around the school as well as organizing larger events for the school and community. This school feels like people are working together to build a great education for all the students. Students are being challenged and inspired to learn. Teachers are being innovative and using technology to further their lessons. School leadership is visionary, yet rooted in what is going to help the students at the school now.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a parent of a first grader at Pulaski. His kindergarten teacher last year was amazing. She had all the kids reading and writing by the end of the year. Now our son has another amazing teacher. Ms. McGee treats all students as scholars and has high expectations. She does a terrific job differentiating the needs of each student. She expects more from kids who are able, yet she expects each child to keep pushing the limits. By early April this year - the students had all met the requirements for graduating 1st grade and the kids will have surpassed the spelling requirements 2 years beyond what is expected. WE LOVE IB. Students are learning empathy and how to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective. My son is learning critical thinking, inference, multiplication, Spanish, creative writing, science, ecology etc... My son recently did a presentation and was encouraged to use Powerpoint. He also wrote a book about how his family life would be different if he lived in another country. He's becoming a global citizen and a scholar. AND there is a band. AND we walk to school. AND my son loves his class!
--Submitted by a parent

We have two kids at Pulaski and we are very happy. Their teachers are great. The other parents are engaged. But most important thing is that pur kids are happy and we are confident that they are getting a good education. Plus walking to school sure is better than fighting traffic and we see school friends all over the neighborhood which is fun.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is a fantastic school to work in. I have worked in a lot of schools in CPS and have never felt so supported and encouraged in innovative and rigorous teaching efforts. For those who are unaware of the International Baccalaureate process, Pulaski has only just been accepted to begin the candidacy portion of the IB process. They will have 3 years starting this year (2011-2012) to train the staff and implement the program and will then be evaluated and given official IB status. That is why the IB program is not extremely visible as of yet. Give it a few months of this year and you will see a lot more evidence of IB and the benefits of the program. Hands down, if I had my own children, I would send them here before sending them anywhere else. I have seen first hand how the leadership, teachers and all neighborhood children have created a fantastic learning environment.
--Submitted by a teacher

My family and I have had a great experience in the two years we've spent at Pulaski and we're happy to have both of our kids enrolled this fall. My husband and I are excited by what we see happening and are fully on board with the vision set forth by Dr. Baccellieri and implemented by his faculty. School is what you make of it, and we've made a concerted effort to get involved with activities and other families at the school. My kids feel like it's an extension of our home. The more families who get involved and take on active roles within the school, the better it will be. The base is there - Dr. B is an outstanding principal, the teaching staff is excellent, the kids and parents are engaged. Get on board, get involved in whatever way you can, and it can only continue to go up, up, up.
--Submitted by a parent

I continue to be impressed with the new leadership at Pulaksi and am excited to have my son starting in PreK in the coming weeks. He will be in Ms. Phyllis' classroom and I am thrilled. My interactions with her to date have added up to exactly the type of teacher we want for our son and her classroom is full of inspiration. Dr. B is living up to his reputation as one of the best principals in the CPS system. Last night, I attended a parent meeting regarding the implementation of the school s new curriculum, International Baccalaureate. With last year s test results compiled, they are reporting a 9 point gain in reading scores over the 2009/2010 school year. This is a significant increase within a single year and shows the hard work, focus and raised expectations of the school s entire community teachers, parents and students.
--Submitted by a parent

My son had the last school year a great teacher,we'd like to have her again this year,he's gonna be in 4th grade and all this years we had no problems inside or outside of the school,Pulaski it's not perfect but it's a good school and COULD BE BETTER WITH OUR HELP.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a resident and parent whose child attended Pulaski preschool for 2 years but have decided to send my kids elsewhere for the coming 2011 school year. Don't believe the hype and what you might hear on the playground or from those that have never attended. I'm sure this school will be fine in 7 or 8 years, but it's not now. There was never a day where I felt like my child was the focal point which is disheartening. Strife amongst current families attending Pulaski, new administration and new comers entering the school, clouded the focus tremendously. I never felt there was a sense of community and unity amongst parents or teachers. Plus the over-hyped IB efforts weren't even implemented. The school is dingy, dirty and has limited programs like gym, library or other enrichment courses. There are so many established neighborhood schools especially at the preschool and elementary level where your experience will be much more positive for your child and family. Those sending their children there this school year especially at the preschool and elementary grade levels will experience disappointment with the reality, as it's all "smoke and mirrors" in its current state.
--Submitted by a parent

I don't know about the school or other teachers, but my daugher has Ms. Solayman as a teacher. I hope all teachers at Pulaski are like her. She's great. Kids love her! My daughter learned so much while in her class. I wish we could have her next year too. That would be wonderful.
--Submitted by a parent