PMSA Python Press
August 31, 2025
Ms. Burkovisky
Q: How long have you been a teacher at PMSA?
A: Although I have been teaching for 20 years, this is my first year at PMSA.
Q: What classes/grade levels have you taught while at PMSA?
A: I am currently teaching Beginning Chorus, Advanced Chorus, Music History & Appreciation, and Drama. The students in my classes span all grade levels, which I think is really cool.
Q: What activities and/or sports/clubs do you sponsor?
A: I will be directing the musical!
Q: What do you love most about teaching here at PMSA?
A: Hands down, I'd have to say it's the students. They are truly amazing.
Q: What is your most memorable moment while teaching here at PMSA?
A: Even though the school year has just started, there have already been several memorable moments. One in particular stands out to me. The other day, a student asked to stay after chorus so he could share a song with me. He'd been a little shy and slow to open up to me, so I was extremely flattered that he wanted to share a song. He sang part of a jazz standard and told me he wanted to work on expanding his voice. Then he told me I'm the first person he has sung alone to. It meant so much to me, and I felt trusted and valued!
Q: What is an interesting fact(s) that many do not know about you?
A: Prior to becoming a music educator, I sang aboard cruise ships.
Q: What book(s) are you currently reading for pleasure?
A: Parenting in the Eye of the Storm.
Q: Anything else you would like to tell the school community about yourself?
A: I am not only new to PMSA, but I am also new to teaching at the high school level. I am honored to be here among such exceptional students, and I am excited to not only help my students learn and grow, but to learn and grow with them.
Tiffany Talavera
Q: What is your most memorable moment as a student at PMSA?
A: My most memorable moment was participating in all of the community service activities. It makes the year better knowing that I have provided service to my school community.
Q: What do you love most about PMSA?
A: I love the teachers. They are always so comforting. They have made a major impact on the student that I am today.
Q: What are your plans post-high school?
A: I want to attend a four-year university and study Mechanical Engineering with a minor in business.
Q: What is your number 1 college choice?
A: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Q: What is your favorite subject(s)?
A: Engineering and Math.
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han.
Q: What is something interesting about yourself that you want to share with the PMSA school community?
A: I compete in pageants. I have an upcoming pageant at the United States of America Teen Chicago Competition.
PMSA is proud to celebrate two student winners in Metra’s 18th Annual Safety Contest, which encourages Chicagoland students to creatively promote safe behaviors around railroad tracks and crossings. This year’s theme was “See Tracks? Stay Back.”
Congratulations to our award-winning juniors:
2nd Place, Hand-Drawn Poster – Nathaly Aviles
3rd Place, Hand-Drawn Poster – Natalie Herrera
Special thanks to Ms. McCormick for her guidance and support throughout the contest!
Grade Level Assemblies
Last week, each grade level participated in expectation meetings with the PMSA administrative team. Students heard from the Dean of Students, Dr. Carson, about the importance of strong attendance and being present every day. The team also highlighted incentives for positive behavior and shared valuable resources from our academic counselors, college and career counselor, and social workers. In addition, our Activities director, Ms. Stompor, shared opportunities for students to get involved and make the most of their high school experience.
These meetings help ensure that all students are informed, supported, and set up for a successful school year!
Dunkin' Refreshers
On Monday, August 18th, the Dunkin’ Donuts Sampling Vehicle visited our campus to reward students, faculty, and staff! Attendees enjoyed free lemonade refresher samples 🍋, grooved to great music 🎶, and received a $5 Dunkin’ promo card ☕. The event was a fun and energizing way to kick off the week!
The PMSA PTO is a volunteer organization of parents and teachers that strives to make a positive impact in our school for our students.
MEMBERSHIP: Please see attached jot form to sign your family up now.
https://www.jotform.com/form/242517206936155
Our monthly membership meetings are optional but encouraged. (Offering both an online option and in person at the school.)
DUES: Your membership fees help support a variety of non-funded school activities and programs for our children. Membership fees for each PMSA family is $10 each school year. An additional $10 is suggested as a fundraising fee. Cash, check (PMSA PTO), Zelle (thepmsapto209@gmail.com) can be used.
LEADERSHIP ROLES: We need your help. The Vice President position and committee chair volunteers are needed for this school year! Interested in getting more involved in our PTO? Please let reach out and let us know if you think you have the time and talents to get more involved. Thepmsatpo209@gmail.com
YARD SIGNS: We officially launched our PTO Yard Sign Fundraiser last spring, and it was highly successful. One of our goals as a Parent Teacher Organization is to increase school pride in our communities. We hope that the yard sign project helps us achieve this goal, as well as serve as a fundraiser for future projects for our school. Yard signs are 20 dollars apiece and can be delivered to your home or picked up at our next PTO meeting. If you are interested, please fill out the google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGpFlD2heUgdQoTjVD9rblWGfMaf3NvR_eKGAtilkhhN71LA/viewform.
Payment must be received before sign delivery. Cash, check (made out to The PMSA PTO), or Zelle (thepmsapto209@gmail.com) are accepted. You are NOT required to join the PTO in order to purchase a sign.
MONTHY MEETINGS: The PMSA PTO will be holding their monthly meeting the THIRD Wednesday evening of each month at 6:30 PM at the PMSA Library Resource Center. The next meeting will be September 17. Can’t meet in person? Join us remotely on ZOOM.
Any questions? Thepmsapto209@gmail.com or text President Anissa Butler at 630-240-2191.
PMSA Club and Activity Bus
Arrives at PMSA at 4:45 pm
Departs PMSA at 5:00 pm
The activity bus will drop the students off at their bus stop location.
It is important that all students know their bus stop location and that they share it with the bus driver.
Click the button below and visit the Proviso Transportation page to find your bus stop location.
Srta. Burkovisky
P: ¿Cuánto tiempo ha sido maestro/a en PMSA?
R: Aunque he estado enseñando durante 20 años, este es mi primer año en PMSA.
P: ¿Qué clases/niveles ha enseñado en PMSA?
R: Actualmente enseño Coro Inicial, Coro Avanzado, Historia y Apreciación de la Música, y Drama. Los estudiantes en mis clases abarcan todos los niveles de grado, lo cual me parece realmente genial.
P: ¿Qué actividades y/o deportes/clubes patrocina?
R: ¡Voy a dirigir el musical!
P: ¿Qué es lo que más le gusta de enseñar aquí en PMSA?
R: Sin duda, tendría que decir que son los estudiantes. Ellos son realmente increíbles.
P: ¿Cuál ha sido su momento más memorable enseñando aquí en PMSA?
R: Aunque el año escolar apenas ha comenzado, ya ha habido varios momentos memorables. Uno en particular se destaca para mí. El otro día, un estudiante pidió quedarse después del coro para poder compartir una canción conmigo. Había sido un poco tímido y lento para abrirse conmigo, así que me sentí muy halagado de que quisiera compartir una canción. Cantó parte de un estándar de jazz y me dijo que quería trabajar en expandir su voz. Luego me dijo que soy la primera persona a la que le ha cantado a solas. ¡Eso significó mucho para mí, y me sentí valorado y de confianza!
P: ¿Cuál es un dato interesante que muchos no saben sobre usted?
R: Antes de convertirme en educador/a de música, canté a bordo de cruceros.
P: ¿Qué libro(s) está leyendo actualmente por placer?
R: Parenting in the Eye of the Storm. (Criando en el ojo de la tormenta).
P: ¿Hay algo más que le gustaría compartir con la comunidad escolar sobre usted?
R: No solo soy nuevo/a en PMSA, sino que también soy nuevo/a enseñando a nivel de secundaria. Me siento honrado/a de estar aquí entre estudiantes tan excepcionales, y estoy emocionado/a no solo de ayudar a mis estudiantes a aprender y crecer, sino también de aprender y crecer junto a ellos.
Tiffany Talavera
Tiffany Talavera es estudiante de tercer año en PMSA. Es miembro del equipo de Voleibol en Proviso East, de la Sociedad Nacional de Honor, del Consejo Estudiantil y de la Clase de 2027. Además, planea unirse al equipo de Robótica este año. ¡Tiffany hace todo esto mientras mantiene un promedio de 5.0!
P: ¿Cuál ha sido tu momento más memorable como estudiante en PMSA?
R: Mi momento más memorable fue participar en todas las actividades de servicio comunitario. Hace que el año sea mejor al saber que he brindado un servicio a mi comunidad escolar.
P: ¿Qué es lo que más te gusta de PMSA?
R: Me encantan los maestros. Siempre son muy reconfortantes. Han tenido un gran impacto en la estudiante que soy hoy.
P: ¿Cuáles son tus planes después de la preparatoria?
R: Quiero asistir a una universidad de cuatro años y estudiar Ingeniería Mecánica con una especialización secundaria en negocios.
P: ¿Cuál es tu universidad de primera elección?
R: Instituto de Tecnología de Massachusetts (MIT).
P: ¿Cuál es tu materia favorita?
R: Ingeniería y Matemáticas.
P: ¿Cuál es tu libro favorito?
R: The Summer I Turned Pretty de Jenny Han. (El verano en que me puse bonita).
P: ¿Qué es algo interesante sobre ti que quieras compartir con la comunidad escolar de PMSA?
R: Participo en certámenes de belleza. Tengo un próximo certamen en la competencia United States of America Teen Chicago.
