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Piccolo Elementary School

Piccolo Elementary School, 1040 N. Keeler, Chicago, Illinois, 60651, 312-534-4425, Principal: Linda Sienkowicz.

Piccolo Elementary School has transformed itself from a chaotic and poorly organized school to one in which teachers regularly attend workshops and seminars, classrooms are increasingly organized around cooperative learning, and teacher teams develop, organize, and run most of the major programs and activities in the school. The school is located in a newly decentralized district where a popularly elected council of parents, community members, teachers, and administrators decides on the principal's contract, approves the budget, and passes the school improvement plan.

The school has become more orderly, and with a clear mission focused on improved instructional techniques and teamwork, staff feel as if the school has turned around completely. Community and parents see hallways that are safe and orderly, classes that are more interesting and engaging, and a climate that encourages them to come to visit, help out, and participate. Each year, a school improvement plan is developed collaboratively, with the teams implementing the plan. Almost all of the plans are regularly accomplished.