Here's a meeting summary from February 15. We met via Zoom.

We met with Mr. Carbajal for an update on basketball backboards and approved an additional $8,500 for replacing them in the gym and lunchroom. We had learned of this need before the pandemic and had approved some funding for replacement but the project was put on hold as we went to remote. The new backboards in the gym will be adjustable for elementary students!
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We also got a request to fund a Middle School Musical (they're doing the kid's version of Into the Woods). Historically we've given $1500 a year to support 5th grade musical but this event is taking its place this year. To help cover the cost for props, lights, etc, the FOP board approved up to $1,650.
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We got a report about the most recent Pizzeria Aroma Peirce Day. Much pizza and pasta was eaten and they gave back $375 to Peirce. Thanks Pizzeria Aroma! They want to do another one in spring and I can't wait. (Spaghetti Funghi & Funghi FTW)
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MOVE-A-THON is coming!
We have picked June 1st is the primary date and June 8th as the secondary date for the return of one of our favorite events...Move-a-Thon. We are looking forward to some outdoor and athletic fun. We will start the process of getting our ducks in order. More news to come.
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Other business discussed included:
> An upcoming Trivia Night in May
> A possible Peirce Day at Uncommon Ground
> Loyola (who is also doing Into the Woods) arranging a student viewing of their show
> Strategic planning for fall and beyond
> A request to see if the Mattress Sale can return next year
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Our next meeting will be in person. Tuesday March 15 at 6:30pm. Current plan is to meet in the gym. We hope to also have some sort of set up for those who cannot attend in person to ZOOM in.

And thanks to everyone who shopped at Chicagoland Games (Dice Dojo) during Peirce Week. Dice Dojo donated $500 to Friends of Peirce. A great success for our first partnership with hem. It was awesome hearing from parents who were game enthusiasts or casual gamers but had never been in the store before. They were blown away by the breadth and depth of games available. We hope to do this again next year!

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Kevin
I'm a dedicated geek, designer, and family man. I'm VP of the FOP and live in Rogers park with 2 great kids, 2 fantastic partners, and 3 tolerable cats.

Our family is are big gamers. Card games, casual games, strategy games, and more. Some of our favorite times are spent around a table laughing, eating, and enjoying each other's company as we play something. That's why I'm so happy to have talked with the folks at Chicagoland Games (better known as The Dice Dojo) and had them agree to be a Peirce Day partner. They are just down the street from Peirce (5550 N Broadway). They have a huge selection of games, a knowledgeable staff, and a bunch of games to try out before buying. Some of my family's favorite games include:

• Codenames (a family word game like password)
• Azul (a pattern building game with lovely tiles)
• Sequence (a classic team based game)
• Exploding Kittens (a fast paced card game with cute kitten artwork)

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Their Peirce Day is actually a Peirce Week.
Shop at the the Dice Dojo Saturday December 4 through Friday December 10 and mention Peirce at check out. They'll give up to 20% back to Friends of Peirce. More details (and recommendations) to follow.
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Helen Caroline Peirce, our school's namesake, was a pretty amazing person. She was an immigrant who came to Chicago at age 4. She lost her parents very early and was adopted by one of Chicago's earliest citizens. She came an active community member in her Lakeview neighborhood and founded the Lake View Woman’s Club which acted as a service organization to the community, had a forum for study and discussion, and gathered for social purposes. The Lake View Women's Club, with her as president, got involved in education issues early on and after she died, the club and her husband both worked to have the city of Chicago start a school in her name.

We are going to spend the month of November celebrating Helen C. Peirce culminating in a birthday event on her actual birthday of December 05. More details will follow.

It was great to see so many of the community out. There were pumpkins, games, music, food, and friends. We even had a special THRILLING appearance by the Gus Giordano Dancers. Thanks so much to the folks at PSO for putting so much work and care into making this event. Thanks also to those businesses who donated to the event. Metropolis coffee, Platts Family Farm, Dollop, and more. Together we were able to raise nearly $4,000 for athletic jerseys to cover the cost for those who can't afford them. We look forward to more events.