Emanuel - 'Fix Chicago Schools'

The Chicago Sun Times ran a piece in its editorial section today entitled 'Emanuel's first job: Fix Chicago schools.' Well, that is a quite a lofty statement and goal. It is a most ambitious target.

Clearly, many of the schools need help but I would caution people that a term or two or three is not enough to change the plight of many schools. This is not a one to two year repair job. A fair number of neighborhoods, in addition to the schools, need a great deal of attention.

The above being said, let me select a couple of portions of the Sun Times editorial that seem worth sharing with you.

One statement that is worth noting states that 'quelling the tinderboxes that threaten countless Chicago neighborhoods is unquestionably a top priority.' One can take tinderboxes to mean schools, violence/safety, or the cycle of poverty that exists because good jobs are hard to find. The fire that are the tinderboxes must be extinguished.

The editorial goes on to comment on the program called the Culture of Calm. 'This is an anti-violence and social development program designed to help schools deal with the social and emotional issues that needy students bring to school.'

I think this initiative is quite commendable and, given time, may reap some real rewards. Why is this so important? A leading University of Washington economist estimates that 60% of student problems come from influences outside the school. All the more reason to have a program such as the Culture of Calm.

Let's hope Emanuel isn't alone in helping schools move forward. His plan(s), alone won't make the grade. It will take businesses, parents, students, teachers, unions and the community to pitch in to make these reforms produce.

Dick