Principal's Message
Dr. Ariel A. Correa, Marquez Principal
B.A. Spanish Language and Literature, Northern Illinois University
M.Ed. Leadership and Administration, University of Illinois - Chicago
Ed.D. Urban School Leadership, University of Illinois - Chicago
Prior to joining Acero Schools as the Principal of Officer Donald J. Marquez Elementary School, Dr. Correa was the Director of Education and Principal for Innovations Academy and Streamwood Behavioral Healthcare System (SBHS). While at SBHS, he focused on elevating teaching and learning via practices towards a trauma informed care model to help SBHS evolve as a premier provider of academic, mental, and behavioral health services through the development of structures, systems, and high performing teams. Before joining SBHS in 2017, Dr. Correa was employed by School District U-46. After joining School District U-46 in 2011, Dr. Correa served as the Principal of Hilltop Elementary School, as Principal of Streamwood High School, and as a High School Regional Office of Education APEX Teacher at DREAM Academy. Under his leadership, Hilltop was one of U-46 Two Way Dual Language program schools, and student achievement scores increased by 3.5% every year.
Prior to joining School District U-46, Dr. Correa was employed by Chicago Public Schools. He served as Principal of Cesar E. Chavez Multicultural Academic Center (MAC) from 2006 to 2009 and as the Assistant Principal from 2004 to 2006. Under Dr. Correa’s leadership, Cesar E. Chavez MAC moved from a school of challenges to a school of merit; standardized achievement scores increased from 23% of students meeting or exceeding the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills in 2003 to 73% of students meeting or exceeding the Illinois Standardized Achievement Test in 2009.
Dr. Correa also served as a Spanish Teacher at both Lincoln Park High School in Chicago Public Schools and Prairie Ridge High School in Community District #155 in Crystal Lake. He also served as the head Men’s Track and Field/Cross-Country coach and a faculty advisor to Latino students/clubs while employed as a Spanish Teacher. Additionally, Dr. Correa has been an entrepreneur and CEO of a small business. Dr. Correa received his Doctorate in Education in Urban School Leadership from University of Illinois/Chicago in May of 2015. He holds a Master’s in Education from University of Illinois/Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts, Spanish Language and Literature, from Northern Illinois University.
As his education and broad experience base attest, Dr. Correa has the experience, skills, dedication, and boundless energy to successfully lead Marquez Elementary and contribute with the vision and mission of Acero Schools through academic empowerment, innovation, best practices, and success to launch extraordinary life-long learners in our Acero scholars.
Principal's Message
The Officer Donald J. Marquez Charter School continues to be a beacon of excellence that meets its students where they are and lifts them toward their highest potential. Our passion for learning permeates each classroom, spilling into our hallways and enriching our community! Marquez combines a disciplined and structured learning environment with a social and emotional growth program to give scholars what they need to be successful. Our initiatives include:
- Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) school that was recognized in June 2022 for PBIS schoolwide implementation by Midwest PBIS
- Eureka math curriculum, including tutoring and homework support, parent resources, and small-group instruction
- Curriculum focused on building students’ vocabulary, comprehension, and love of reading a variety of texts including but not limited to Wit and Wisdon, Heggerty, Estrellita, Books del Sur
- Calm Classroom as a Social-Emotional Learning curriculum including anti-bullying resources, safety resources, and problem solving resources for all students K-8
- Homework helpers and small groups to personalize instruction
- Individualized support to empower our 8th graders to select a secondary school where they will continue to thrive
- Regular celebrations of improvement, achievement, and citizenship
- Music, Art, Physical Education, and Spanish classes for K-8
- Field trips, which have included trips to Springfield, Washington, D.C., New York City, Atwood Center in Rockford, performances at the Palmer House, visits to see Broadway in Chicago shows, trips to Milennium Park, the Brookfield Zoo, and many many more!
- Extracurricular sports, scouts, and monthly after-school celebrations for families
Students at Marquez feel safe, loved, and empowered. As VIP members of the Marquez family, they look forward to school every day. Students are curious and compassionate collaborators. They make connections, ask big questions, write novels, perform in musicals, cheer on their teammates, sing solos, create masterpieces, create online presentations, build, develop, nurture, play, create, and soar. Students at Marquez will change Chicago and change the world! Teachers at Marquez are empowered to be role models, professionals, fierce advocates, and lifelong learners. They create small groups, personalize instruction to meet students’ individual needs, and are skilled collaborators dedicated to bringing out the best in their students. Teachers are connected to their students’ families and recognize they are a team with the same goal of educating their students and preparing them for their life journeys. Family members feel welcomed, safe, and empowered at Marquez. The line between home and school is blurred as families become critical partners in their students’ learning. Families feel at home at Marquez and share their unique traditions, cultures, and passions with the school community as engaged volunteers. Marquez is a family that warmly welcomes and embraces each one of its members, as well as a laboratory for developing lives that will make the world a better place. Our students, parents, and teachers created and live by our guiding principles:
Marquez students, teachers, and families strive each day to put the “ACE” in Acero! Please reach out if we can answer any questions or if you would like to schedule a tour of our school. Dr. Ariel Correa PrincipalMarquez Elementary - Acero Charter School Network
- Work hard.
- Be kind.
- Be strong.
- Be better.
August 7, 2023
Dear Marquez students, parents and community,
Welcome back to the 2023-2024 academic school year! I hope you enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating summer with an opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends. As many of you are aware Acero and the CTU finalized and approved the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and with that comes some changes. Due to updates to Acero Schools’ Collective Bargaining Agreement with the CTU, the calendar for the 2023-24 school year has changed. Please see the calendar link at the end of this letter as well as the separate REMIND message for the calendar. Here are the most important changes. The first day of school for all students is now August 17th. Kindergarten orientation is now August 16th.
The length of the school day has also changed. Marquez school day is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm, and on Wednesdays from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm.
Know that I am excited to start this school year with activities as normal. The start of the school year for ALL students as aforementioned will be Thursday, August 17th while the Kindergarten Orientation takes place on Wednesday, Aug 16th. The kindergarten Orientation goes from 9:00 am - 10:00 am for families with last names beginning with A-L, and from 10:00 am - 11:00 am for families with last names beginning with M-Z. ALL Kindergarten students must come in school uniform. We will be providing ALL kindergarteners with their book bags and supplies at their kindergarten Orientation. Parents please DO NOT bring any items. Specific information has already gone out with details of the one hour kindergarten orientation event.
Also, know that ALL students must come in uniform each and every day. Breakfast will be served from 7:45 am - 8:00 am and students will pick up their breakfast on the way to class once inside door #1 for Kindergarten through 3rd grade, and for grades 4th through 8th in door #7.
I am happy to announce that we will have a new Assistant Principal (AP), Kara Nichols. Please help me provide a warm welcome to Ms. Nichols in her new role as AP at Marquez. We have some new faces joining us this school year as well. I would like to welcome our new kindergarten teacher, Sara Hayden, our new bilingual teacher, Gabriela Ceja, and Sean O’Malley as the new Academic Interventionist. All three come with various years and levels of experience that will further support Marquez students, parents, and families.
This year we will continue to provide the school supplies for ALL students as last year. You don't have to buy school supplies, your teachers have selected the supply list to use on the first day of school! With a MANDATORY fee of $40.00 (Cash only) per student for the school year. School supply packets will be delivered to your child's classroom. Students only need to bring their empty backpack on the first day of class. You can make your payment in the main office of the school. By Friday, August 18th. As you know, most parents spend an average of almost if not just over $100 per child when purchasing school supplies each year, so this definitely will help parents save a ton of money this fall. This mandatory supply process will ensure effectiveness as well as efficiency for all stakeholders. Thank you to the parents that have come in over the summer to pay for the $40 school supply fee per scholar. REMEMBER, NO supplies from home are needed, students only need to bring an empty book bag on the first day of school for grades 1st 8th. We will take care of the rest!
My main goal at Marquez Elementary is to ensure that every student is provided the highest quality of education possible in a safe and supportive learning environment. Marquez Elementary has dedicated and passionate staff members, supportive parents and creative and energetic students. As a highly qualified educational community, we strive to maximize student achievement through challenging students and meeting their academic, physical and social/emotional needs. Together with staff, parents and community friends, we can strengthen Marquez Elementary’s reputation as a unique, rigorous and truly magical learning environment. Parents and community friends, we welcome your input, feedback and patience as we add to the ground work that has already been laid and while at the same time introducing new ideas, creative practices and best practices to serve our students.
I look forward to an exciting year of learning and growing with our students and working with our professional staff and you, our parents and community friends. The best way to learn more about us is to click on our website, join the REMIND application, and join our monthly parent meetings.
I am excited about the education and support system that our young scholars will be receiving from Marquez this year. Looking forward to a fabulous new school year. Enjoy the rest of your summer and stay tuned for more routine REMIND messages.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ariel Correa
Principal
7 de agosto del 2023
Queridos estudiantes, padres y comunidad de Márquez,
¡Bienvenido al año escolar académico 2023-2024! Espero que hayan disfrutado de un verano reparador y rejuvenecedor con la oportunidad de disfrutar del tiempo con su familia y amigos. Como muchos de ustedes saben, Acero y la unión de los maestros en Chicago (CTU) finalizaron y aprobaron el nuevo Acuerdo de Negociación Colectiva (CBA) y con eso vienen algunos cambios. Debido a las actualizaciones del Acuerdo de Negociación Colectiva de Escuelas Acero con la CTU, el calendario para el año escolar 2023-24 ha cambiado. Consulte el enlace del calendario al final de esta carta, así como el mensaje RECORDATORIO separado para el calendario. Aquí están los cambios más importantes. El primer día de clases para todos los estudiantes es ahora el 17 de agosto. La orientación de kindergarten y noveno grado es ahora el 16 de agosto. La duración de la jornada escolar también ha cambiado. El día escolar de Márquez es lunes, martes, jueves y viernes de 8:00 am-3:00 pm y los miércoles de 8:00 am-2:00 pm.
Sepan que estoy emocionado de comenzar este año escolar con actividades normales. El inicio del año escolar para TODOS los estudiantes, como se mencionó anteriormente, será el jueves 17 de agosto, mientras que la orientación de kindergarten se llevará a cabo el miércoles 16 de agosto. La orientación de kínder es de 9:00 a. m. a 10:00 a. m. para familias con apellidos que comienzan con A-L, y de 10:00 a. m. a 11:00 a. m. para familias con apellidos que comienzan con M-Z. TODOS los estudiantes de Kínder deben venir con el uniforme escolar. Proporcionaremos a TODOS los niños de kínder sus mochilas y suministros en su orientación de kínder. Padres, por favor NO traigan ningún artículo. Ya se ha publicado información específica con los detalles del evento de orientación de kínder de una hora.
También sepan que TODOS los estudiantes deben venir en uniforme todos los días. El desayuno se servirá de 7:45 a. m. a 8:00 a. m. y los estudiantes recogerán su desayuno de camino a clase una vez dentro de la puerta n.° 1 para los estudiantes de jardín de infantes a 3.° grado, y para los grados 4.° a 8.° en la puerta n.° 7.
Me complace anunciar que tendremos una nueva subdirectora (AP), Kara Nichols. Por favor, ayúdenme a dar una cálida bienvenida a la Sra. Nichols en su nuevo rol como AP en Márquez. También tenemos algunas caras nuevas que se unirán a nosotros este año escolar. Me gustaría dar la bienvenida a nuestra nueva maestra de jardín de infantes, Sara Hayden, nuestra nueva maestra bilingüe, Gabriela Ceja y Sean O'Malley como el nuevo Intervencionista Académico. Los tres vienen con varios años y niveles de experiencia que apoyarán aún más a los estudiantes, padres y familias de Márquez.
Este año seguiremos proporcionando los útiles escolares para TODOS los alumnos como el año pasado. ¡No tienes que comprar útiles escolares, tus maestros han seleccionado la lista de útiles para usar el primer día de clases! Con una cuota OBLIGATORIA de $40.00 (solo en efectivo) por estudiante durante el año escolar. Los paquetes de útiles escolares se entregarán en el salón de clases de su hijo. Los estudiantes solo necesitan traer su mochila vacía el primer día de clases. Puede realizar su pago en la oficina principal de la escuela. para el viernes 18 de agosto. Como usted sabe, la mayoría de los padres gastan un promedio de casi $100 por niño cuando compran útiles escolares cada año, por lo que esto definitivamente ayudará a los padres a ahorrar una tonelada de dinero este otoño. Este proceso de suministro obligatorio garantizará la eficacia y la eficiencia para todas las partes interesadas.
Gracias a los padres que han venido durante el verano para pagar la tarifa de útiles escolares de $40 por estudiante. RECUERDE, NO se necesitan suministros de casa, los estudiantes solo necesitan traer una mochila vacía el primer día de clases para los grados 1 a 8. ¡Nos haremos cargo del resto!
Mi objetivo principal en la Primaria Márquez es asegurar que cada estudiante reciba la mejor calidad de educación posible en un ambiente de aprendizaje seguro y de apoyo. Márquez Elementary tiene miembros del personal dedicados y apasionados, padres que apoyan y estudiantes creativos y enérgicos. Como una comunidad educativa altamente calificada, nos esforzamos por maximizar el rendimiento de los estudiantes a través de estudiantes desafiantes y satisfaciendo sus necesidades académicas, físicas y socioemocionales. Junto con el personal, los padres y los amigos de la comunidad, podemos fortalecer la reputación de Márquez Elementary como un entorno de aprendizaje único, riguroso y verdaderamente mágico. Padres y amigos de la comunidad, agradecemos sus aportes, comentarios y paciencia mientras agregamos al trabajo preliminar que ya se ha establecido y al mismo tiempo introducimos nuevas ideas, prácticas creativas y mejores prácticas para servir a nuestros estudiantes.
Espero un año emocionante de aprendizaje y crecimiento con nuestros estudiantes y de trabajo con nuestro personal profesional y con ustedes, nuestros padres y amigos de la comunidad. La mejor manera de obtener más información sobre nosotros es hacer clic en nuestro sitio web, unirse a la aplicación REMIND y unirse a nuestras reuniones mensuales para padres.
Estoy entusiasmado con el sistema de educación y apoyo que nuestros jóvenes estudiantes recibirán de Márquez este año. Esperando un nuevo año escolar fabuloso. Disfrute el resto de su verano y esté atento a más mensajes RECORDATORIOS de rutina.
Sinceramente,
Dr. Ariel Correa, Director