Enrollment opens at LaSalle II language academy
Neil McKnight yields the floor to Nicole Aquino, LaSalle II world language coordinator.
The 375 students at LaSalle II school choose Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish or Urdu as a second language, world language coordinator Nicole Aquino told the East Village Association Oct. 4. They should be able to enter high school at levels 2 or 3 of the four foreign-language levels in the Chicago Public Schools.
The magnet school at 1148 N. Honore is accepting candidates for next school year. Print applications for pre-kindergarten or elementary school are available at the CPS magnet-school website. A pupil now can apply at up to 20 schools; Aquino recommended sending applications by registered mail for proof of delivery. Last year, the CPS central office took nearly 1,000 LaSalle II applications.
EVA board member Tom Tomek's children transferred to LaSalle II from private school and Tomek said the neighborhood location has worked out better. Siblings of LaSalle students and residents within a 1½-mile area are given priority, but principals do not have discretion to admit candidates, Aquino said.
The school's teachers all will be on hand at an Oct. 16 open house. Two half-hour tours are scheduled at 10 and 11 a.m., before and after a presentation from principal Suzanne Velasquez-Sheehy.
The meeting was convened at 7 p.m. by EVA vice president Neil McKnight, and opened with Daniel Sirko of Birchwood Kitchen, 2211 W. North, which was voted best new BYOB in the Metromix reader poll.
Following the LaSalle II presentation, Scott Rappe reviewed issues discussed in a meeting with planning co-chair McKnight and 1st Ward Ald. Joe Moreno:
- Parking meters on Augusta Boulevard cannot be removed without being relocated.
- Ald. Moreno volunteered to install dog-waste disposal boxes in the ward if EVA provides bags.
- EVA members will vote Nov. 1 whether to object to a performance license for Chicago Bowl, a bowling alley under development at 1834-50 W. Chicago. "This proposal seems on its face pretty reasonable and maybe a good shot in the arm for Chicago Avenue," Rappe said. "It seems to be the bowling alley is ancillary to the concert venue."
- Rappe and McKnight reviewed development concerns for the former Pizza Hut property at 1601 W. Division, which appears to be in foreclosure.
- Two new smoke shops on Division Street are a concern for their locations near LaSalle II. Ald. Moreno would consider treating tobacco shops as a special use, which is the case for nail salons on Division.
The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. after a report on the EVA Facebook and Twitter pages. The EVA board meets at 6:30 p.m. at Leona's, 1936 W. Augusta.
The next EVA meeting, Nov. 1 in the Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott, featuring Chicago Bowl developer Peter Shapiro and a presentation from Bend Yoga at 906 N. Damen.
