'With Justice for All'

'With liberty and justice for all.'  Yes, those are words from the Pledge of Allegiance.  All of us have spoken these words from the earliest days.  At times, as we grow older, I wonder if the population at large thinks about these words in terms of their application to everyday life for themselves and others.

Quite frankly, I think these words ought to ring true though I see 'justice for all' slipping away for far too many people.  Yes, I believe we are to take care of ourselves but that doesn't mean we can't empathize with and assist others who may well be without the means to advance or simply to care for themselves on a day-to-day basis.

With 61 school closings in Chicago, 1 in 6 children going hungry in the country, the stock market at an all-time high, and the gap between the 'have's' and 'have nots' (check the most recent Pew Research) growing ever wider, it seems clear that the practice of 'with justice for all' is not fully evident in America.

And just what does justice mean?  From the vantage point of our charity, it means that educational opportunities abound, it means that the resources needed to advance in school are fully provided, and it means that where children face an uphill battle our citizens are there to meet the call.

Let's see to it that justice prevails for all Americans.

Dick

A Curious Statement

Well, that's quite a switch.  Mayor Rahm Emanuel yesterday made the remark that "locking kids into a school that, year-in and year-out is failing their potential - is unacceptable.  It's unacceptable to this city."  Okay, a failing school should be dealt with. 

Here's the rub...   We've amazingly gone from statements relative to closing schools that are underused/underutilized to closing them because they are failing kids.  Which is it Mayor Emanuel?  Quit feeding people different stories about why schools are closing.  On the surface such a change in statements concerning school closings is deceitful.  In fact, it might be an outright lie.  In either case the citizens, teachers and the communities affected deserve better.

By the way, Mayor Emanuel's statement flies in the face of the data I presented a couple of days ago.  As I pointed out, 8 out of the 10 schools that are being closed, which we work with, have shown real progress from 2010 to 2012.  I can point to many schools not being closed that have seen their scores drop in recent years.  Curious as to why Mayor Emanuel wouldn't close those.

As retired UIC professor Bill Ayers said, "the assault on public education and abandonment of these communities has to be resisted."    I ask you, put yourself in these communities, would you resist being abandoned?  I'm pretty sure you would.

Success!! You're Done!

Out of the 61 schools being closed in the CPS system, there are 10 served as part of the work of our charity.  8 of the 10 schools have recorded significant gains in their ISAT scores from 2010 to 2012.  The percentages shown indicate the percent of students who 'meet or exceed' Illinois State standards.

Banneker:       2010: 42.3%       2012: 54.6%
Bethune:         2010: 41.9%       2012: 47.9%
Dumas:           2010: 57.9%       2012: 55.9%
King:              2010: 58.5%       2012: 65.6%
Lafayette:       2010: 63.1%       2012: 56%
Parkman:       2010: 43.9%       2012: 53%
Pope:             2010: 48.1%       2012: 66%
Songhai:         2010: 48.9%       2012: 59%
Wentworth:    2010: 54.6%       2012: 59%
W. Pullman    2010: 57.6%       2012: 58%

Well, there you have it!!  Major success by a majority of the schools we are pleased to work with.  As De Wayne Wickham writes in today's USA Today, "these decisions (to close schools) signal an indifference to the damage such policy decisions will have on neighborhoods that will be turned into public school deserts." 

Success...sorry, we are closing you down, you're done!

Dick


       

Here's the Deal

I am in the midst of gathering ISAT test scores (will publish tomorrow if I can ever quit deleting them!) and will publish them either later today or tomorrow.  The bottom line is this...Out of the 10 schools being closed, which we currently work with, 8 of them have shown an improvement in student test scores between 2010 and 2012!

Like I have said before, I recognize that there are empty desks.  But those students at the various schools to be closed, those who work hard to get ahead and fight on, despite various obstacles, are doing their very best in most cases.

Yeah, I can hear my critics now.  Well, if they are showing improvement where they attend school right now then they are bound to keep progressing.  Oh really?  Did you ever think that pulling them out of a familiar surrounding might just add one more obstacle to their advancement?  Put yourself in the place of the students and their parents.

There may be a moratorium on closings for a period of time but the closures won't permanately end.  The reason they won't end, as I have mentioned, is because the areas where the students have been moved to are still suffering from overall neglect.

Dick

  
  

Deserving of Some Answers

In light of the CPS school closings, here are some questions that deserve to be answered.

• Given the closings, how safe will the children be?
• Why spend big money on the 6 turnarounds when the funds could be better used to resource the children-in-need?
• How much money is spent on each turnaround?
• How many great teachers and staff won't be rehired as a result of the closings?
• Why were some lower performing and underutilized schools (I know of some) spared the axe?
• How come some of the schools with large Educational Services student populations didn't have this factor taken into account when determining the closings?
• What will class sizes be like in those schools absorbing higher numbers of incoming students?
• What is to become of all the empty school facilities?
• Why are we neglecting whole parts of a city and when will the neglect end?

Dick

Neglect is the Culprit

The CPS school closings that have made local and national headlines have provoked a good deal of discussion, much of it critical.  Are there empty seats...sure.  Does the district have financial problems due, in part, to underutilization...absolutely.

But this is only a portion of a much broader set of problems plaguing the areas in which the closed schools are located.  The closing of city schoolos is taking place because whole neighborhoods have been neglected for far too long.  The neglect is multi-faceted and deep. 

There has been a neglect to develop jobs, a neglect to properly insure public safety, a blatant turning of the eye to various neighborhood issues, an almost willful neglect to care for the infrastructure, a neglect to properly resource schools, a neglect of fundamental citizen rights and more.

All one has to do is to drive past the schools that are about to be shuttered to witness the signs of physical neglect.  Boarded up homes, vacant lots, closed factories and idle people are in abundance.  No wonder few want to live here.  No wonder there are empty seats in schools.  No wonder schools are closing.

When will the neglect end?  Sadly, none too soon.

Dick

A Hard Hit

Any way you parse it, this was a huge hit.  CPS is closing 54 schools and 61 buildings.  Never before has the nation seen such a huge closing of its schools.  Why?  Well, the fact of the matter is that many of the schools shuttered have many empty seats.  Now just why they are empty is another critical issue and is at the heart of the closings.  More on that in the days to come. 

Sadly, many of the closing are in parts of the city that can ill afford any more harm.  The westside and southside were the two areas hardest hit with the closings.  By the way, I know a good number of the schools being closed have performed well on recent ISAT testing.  I wonder if that was taken into account?

30,000 children will be affected by the closings and at least 1,000 teachers received pink slips.  Many more security, cafeteria and administrative people also lost their jobs.

We work with many of the schools that are to be closed...closed forever!  Among those we work with whose programs and buildings came to an end yesterday are; Bethune, King, Lafayette, Parkman, Pope, Songhai, and West Pullman.  Other schools we work with will see their programs end.  These include Banneker and Dumas.

Still other schools we partner with will see their buildings shut down while they move to another school.  Good luck with that !!  The Wentworth falls into this category.

Yes, there are empty seats.  Closings these schools may help solve a financial crisis to an extent but the closings don't really address the fundamental problem.  The real issue is long term neglect.  Now the schools are taking a hit for this.

Dick

As Many as 50 Closings!

I have been waiting all day to write a blog as I have been anticipating a list of school closings.  As of 4:15 pm on Thursday I still don't have the word on which schools are to be shuttered.  The news is bound to upset many as word leaked out yesterday that as many as 50 schools will be closed, transitioned or be made turnarounds.

If 50 schools hit the chopping - sorry to put it that way - it will represent the most schools ever closed in this country in one fell swoop!!  50!!

Yes, money will be saved but not likely $1 million per school as was orignally speculated some months ago.  By the way, there are plenty of costs dealing with the closings.  Those schools taking in more students will need more staff, chairs, safety, Educational Services, air conditioning and more.  Also, depending on how many schools become turnarounds, those will cost CPS additional funds.  Funny thing about turnarounds, rarely do you ever see the amount paid by the district to have someone come in and turnaround the schools.

As I have said all along, just because a school has empty seats doesn't mean it isn't effective.  Have heard little about those effective schools, teachers and students who have 'too many empty seats.'  How sad.

Dick

Well, That's Good to Know

CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett revealed that she is making sure that the children affected by the looming school closing will be taken care of with respect two a couple of issues.  She promised that all students transitioned to a new school will see airconditioning and that Educational Services students will be get the equipment, supplies, etc. on the first day of school.

Okay, those aren't bad things to address but two things come to my mind.  First, why aren't these two issues taken care of right now?  Also, what is the cost of assuring that these two initiatives are implemented by the start of the school year?  With respect to the latter concern, CPS official Tom Tyrell said that they will be "fully paid back in less than two years."

The first of the two issues dealing with the air conditioning and Educational Services students is a perplexing one.  As I said, why will they only be taken care of after the school closings, why not now?

What I learned about the Ed. Services issue is a rather large blunder by CPS, one they have admitted.  One of the criteria for closing the school is 'underutilization,' that is, empty seats.  There are a number of schools, on the closing list, which have a large population of Ed. Services students.  Of course these class sizes are smaller in order to appropriately handle the students. 

What we've learned from the Chicago Educational Facilities Task Force meeting is that CPS didn't account for small Special Education class sizes in its utilization formula.  Hence, a number of school with large Ed. Services populations are still on the 'hit' list.  BIG mistake!!

Just Thinking

The list of CPS school closing is getting closer by the day.  It is inevitable that schools will be closed forever.  Those closings will signal other changes and pose some serious questions.  For one, most importantly, how will the closings and subsequent moving of students to new schools affect the kids and their families?  Of course, student safety is a monumental concern.

But other issues seem to have been lost in the fog of the oncoming sea change regarding the closings.

What is to become of the hundreds, maybe thousands, of teachers, asst. principals, principals, cafeteria workers, safetey personnel and janitors?  I am absolutely certain many terrific people will be without a job or any realistic chance to apply for a job at other schools.  I really wonder if any thought has been given to their future.

I know darn well those at CPS, as is their job, the concern is over schools and education.  But somewhere along the line people need to have a sense of what to do about the community, its members, jobs and not allowing a community to be caught in the wave of blight that hits too many inner city areas.

Like I said...just thinking.

Dick

To Be Fair About It

To the critics - and I'm one - of the looming CPS school closings, nothing will ease the pain of shuttering the school doors.  Putting that aside for the moment, one has to take a more honest look at the actions of CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett when it comes to the upcoming closings.

Whatever actions she takes will displease many.  Upon closer examination, her manner of decision-making concerning the whole issue deserves some accolades...that's if we are being honest with ourselves.  She has read every transcript of the many community meetings held over the past few months.  The CEO chief has met with alderman, faith-based leaders and community action councils to evaluate any dangers that exist, or may exist, in specific communities.

There is plenty of evidence from quoted sources that attest to the fact that Byrd-Bennett is listening to the concerning of a good number of people.  She has already made adjustments in terms of her thinking about which schools to close.  For example, no high schools will be shut down next fall.

Along the way, Byrd-Bennett has been demanding in terms of the issue of child safety when it comes to closing schools.  It is pretty clear that this issue hasn't excaped her thinking.  Quite the contrary.

Ms. Byrd Bennett is 'between a rock and a hard place' on this issue.  The CEO will catch plenty of grief when the list of school closing comes out.  That may be the case but people ought to know she didn't simply go through the motions on this one.

Dick

CPS Closings Loom

For a wonderful and thoughtful perspective on the looming CPS school closings, check out today's Chicago Sun-Times Editorial.  It hits the major points, makes great sense and ought to be taken seriously by those who run the system.

For one, the piece makes mention of using a more nuanced 'underutilized formula.'  Right now, the brass is looking at closing schools with an under 70% utilization rate.  The Sun Times advocates a 60% capacity rate which means fewer schools would be looked at in terms of closure.  The paper suggests this rate because there are some schools, considered 'underused' that have a large Education Services population.  Beyond that fact, a good number of schools who are alleged to be 'underutilized' make great use of the space for terrific fine arts programs.

The editorial makes mention of how few dollars will be saved with each school closing, roughly $1 million per school.  That is a paltry amount.  Also, there are currently 24 CPS schools for sale and no one seems to be sprinting to any realtor to make a purchase.  The savings won't be all that significant.

Another meaningful point made by the paper concerns the very future of the various neighborhoods were the schools to close.  "And who suffers when a school, often the heart and soul of a neighborhood, closes?  It makes any kind of turnaround in a desolate and isolated neighborhood that much more unlikely."

Finally, to ease the transition, the CST advocates a two-year closing plan.  This will enable CPS to handle the phase-in in a more competent fashion, offering the safeguards that need to be put in place.  I, for one, would heed such advice.

Dick

A Note from Pope

What follows is a note, received yesterday, from Beverly Jordan the Principal at Pope Elementary.  I thought I would share her sentiments in the aftermath of Tuesday's 'Appreciation Dinner.'

Good Afternoon Mr. Flescher!


I just wanted to take a moment to thank you again for inviting me to the dinner last night. I truly had a great time mingling with the donors and the other educators; and I am especially grateful again for all of your support and donations to our school through your organization. I have attached a picture of myself and my assistant principal as we opened up the gift box you gave me last night, as we were delighted to receive the much needed uniform tops and the gift cards! On a daily basis, we have to provide uniforms to our most needy students, so these gifts are truly appreciated more than you would ever know. I have also attached some pictures we have taken throughout the year of some of our students as they received their coats.

I also must add that I was almost brought to tears by the comments that you made about our schools and our data and how that information never gets reported to the media. That was very refreshing to hear and for you to make others aware, I am especially appreciative. The most difficult part of being on this hit list of schools to possibly close is the fact that no one really sees or knows about all of the hard work and dedication that we put into our students and schools on a day to day basis. You hit the nail right on the head when you stated that it is not about the numbers but about what we do with the number of students that we have before us, as that is truly our case. Pope School has a high mobility rate, so our students transfer in and out regularly; but in spite of that and many other factors that impact our community, we still manage to help our students to progress to the next level, so whatever level they are on when they come to us, we teach them where they are and work to meet their overall needs.

I could go on and on, but I won't, as I could write a book. I do want to thank you again for your efforts in supporting our students here at Pope. In the best way possible, please let the donors and your board of directors know that Pope School students and staff are truly grateful for all that you have done to help our school community. Your kindness and support will always be appreciated!

What a Night!

I couldn't have said it any better.  Barb Ioli, in a late night email, said it best concerning the 'Appreciation Dinner,' which she proclaimed "what a night!"  To a person, we all had a great time as we celebrated the many accomplishments of the charity at large and specific groups who give so much in order to assist Schools Count.

But the evening belonged to the various CPS and Harvey IL principals and school personnel who were in attendance.  Each gave their own version of what it means to be able to support their students with new school supplies, uniforms, winter coats and the like which are provided by SCC.

The stories were touching!  One principal fondly recalled a student receiving a North Face winter coat two years ago.  This young student wore it every day for an entire winter.  The next winter, having outgrown the coat, Ms. Pirtle remarked that the same coat had been passed along to a sibling.  Other people, Ms. Ratajczak who is the LSC Secretary at Pickard Elementary, recounted with pride the accomplishments of the school.  She is a significant stakeholder in Pickard.  Four generations of her family have attended Josiah Pickard.

Every single principal gave thanks, without any previous prompting, to the donors and volunteers.  Their words were truly moving and heartfelt.  Yes, what a night!!

Dick

A Time to Celebrate

Our charity has had other such events in the past.  We've had two previous 'Appreciation Dinners' in the early days of Schools Count Corp.  But this is the very first dinner that we have invited the principals of CPS and Harvey, IL schools to attend in order to come face-to-face with the very generous donors and volunteers of SCC. 

This has always been part of my vision of Schools Count...having the recipients of the good works of our great benefactors meet one another.  Sadly, and far too often, those who support charities rarely, if ever, get to know and understand the plight of those who they are assisting.

I know that's why the principals, who are attending tonight dinner, are making their way to Hinsdale.  They are grateful for the help they have received in the past and want to show their appreciation.  Of that, I have no doubt.

I'm looking forward to paying tribute to both those in the trenches and those who are willing to come to the aid of children who are trying to forge ahead.

See you tonight!
Dick

Appreciation Dinner!!

Appreciation Dinner Attendees,

As we look forward to our Tuesday, March 12th 'Appreciation Dinner,' I want to alert everyone to parking for the event. Since the dinner will be held in the Hinsdale Central H. S. Fieldhouse (55th and Grant Streets, Hinsdale, IL) we will have everyone park in close proximity to the Fieldhouse which is located at the south end of the high school complex.

Kindly park in one of two designated areas off of 57th Street. You can park in the circular drive at the south end of the Fieldhouse or the large lot at the corner of 57th and Grant Streets. These are the only two parking areas set aside for all of our dinner guests and they can easily accommodate everyone. The other parking lots are to be used for spectators attending a basketball game later in the evening.

If you have any questions or need further information just shoot me an email. Looking forward to seeing you and sharing in the work of our charity! The doors open at 6:00 pm with dinner commencing at 6:30 pm.

I'm looking forward to seeing you!!
Dick

Making Some Sense of It

I'm not necessarily a Rahm Emanuel fan.  I've also had plenty to say about the upcoming closures of many CPS schools.  Too many are on the potential chopping block list and too many will likely be closed, never to re-open.

But Emanuel, any partisanship aside, made some strong points about why some schools need to be shuttered in the coming year.  As Rahm said, "there has been a big change in the city over the last decade and we need to make sure that our schools are reflective of the change in our city."  Yes, many parts of the westside and southside have seen their populations shrink while businesses disappeared along with the residents.  It is hard to argue this point.

I also have no problems with the mayor stating that "we have to make the adjustments so every child and every receiving school is a high-quality school."  Again, that makes complete sense.

The city, for far too long, has seen a crumbling of various neighborhoods.  What needed to take place, prior to these closings, was a plan to revitalize the various communities.  Back then factories needed to be kept open, jobs created, crime squashed and improvements made.  Since these actions weren't taken, we are left, sadly, to close up shop.

CPS Commission Report on Closings

By the end of this month, just a bit over three weeks from now, CPS will announce its school closing list.  Big numbers have been thrown around.  CEO Byrd-Bennett has said that 129 are being considered for closure.  Yesterday the Commission on School Utilization said that 80 could be closed  since there are enough available seats in other schools to accommodate the students.

Does that mean they will be packed in like sardines?   Will these schools, which take in the added students, have much larger class sizes?  What will become of the closed schools?  What is to be the fate of the community?  Finally, most importantly, how will the children handle this?

There are some points raised by the commission that should be heeded.  As Frank Clark, head of the commission noted, " There's no reason to close schools unless they're going to put kids into a better educational environment."  Time will tell if the powers that be heed such advice.

The commission went on the explain that how full a school is shouldn't be the sole factor in any closing decision because it "ignores the reality of what actually happens in individual schools."  Another point that better be considered by the people who are deliberating over what schools to close.

My bet is that the list of school closings will be lengthy.   As one mother explained the closings will "not be fair."  I'd add this...it's not just.   Our society is suppose to be built on justice (With liberty and justice for all).

Austerity in Education

Yes, we all have to tighten the purse strings at some point in time.  We might want to head to the Rocky Mountains for a summer trip or go overseas to take in the beauty of Paris or London.  These events may well have to be put on hold or canceled if the college fund for the kids needs replenishing.  I'm sure a number of people would love to have season's tickets to some sporting event but, you might have to forgo their purchase if there is no bonus or raise.

There is a time to save money or to curtail ones spending.  In short, given today's language, one might have to go on an austerity program.

As I watch the public sector shrink, I am left a bit befuddled by the cry for more austerity in such public works as fire protection, police safety and education.  These programs, by their very nature, are critical to our safety, growth and well being.

I don't think we ought to waste money...that's for sure.  But when it comes to educating our children, we better find it in our fabric not to cut corners.  As I said, the growth and well being of our students is at stake and I'm not willing to harm programs that will harm them.  An overzealous group of people who want to cut school budgets, just to cut, have no business making such decisions.

Dick

Core, Elective and More

Yesterday I commented on the idea that obtaining a college education seems to be the 'end all' in terms of pushing this goal on nearly all students to the exclusion of other alternatives.  This didn't arise by chance nor will it end soon.  The whole process of testing with huge implications towards attending college is just a part of the overall picture.

Most high schools classify their courses as core and elective.  For all practical purposes the core courses are treated as the highest priority.  Proponents of this approach insist that 'in order to get into college,' one needs these core subjects.

Just how bad is it getting?  Many schools have dropped their shop programs and they give too little emphasis and support to such elective courses as Art, Business, Drama, FACS, Music and the tech courses.  You don't have to believe this blog, just look at the number of schools that have either dropped these programs or placed them on the chopping block in some fashion.

You mean to tell me you don't have to be able to use Math, Science or English skills in the culinary arts?  Ha!  Do you think a mechanic needs math skills or problem solving abilities?  You bet they do!  And how many musicians, artists, and personnel in the foods industry do you suppose need to be able to communicate with the public and run a business using 'core' types of skills?  Plenty!!

It is time to drop the idea that core courses are somehow more valuable or important simply because those are the courses needed to get into a good college. 

College Isn't the End All

I get it but, I really don't understand why.  Lots of standardized testing, uniform curriculum and the push for everyone to attend college.  That't the push these days.  Everyone wants their daughters adn sons to be educated.  Problem is, being educated doesn't necessitate that everyone earn a college degree.

Being educated means many things; making thoughtful decisions, being creative, acting in a civilized/adult-like manner, choosing ones career based on ones interests, formulating a way to solve problems, understanding the world and much, much more.  College might be one way to accomplish for some, for others there might be a different and more appropriate way.

Perhaps high school is the only experience a person desires.  It just might be that a young man or woman wants to be an apprentice in a particular area.  Trade school could offer some the opportunity to progress.  Still others might want to drive a semi...college is not needed here.  There are endless other options/paths that a person may want to explore.  So be it.

The bottom line is this...a university education isn't for everyone.  At the rate we are going in American it appears as though this is the only option presented to young people.  How sad.

Dick

Plenty of Fun

You can beat the gray skies, cold temperatures and snow by having a little indoor fun!!  Come on out to Willowbrook Lanes on Plainfield Rd. next Friday, March 8th and bowl with some friends.  We start knocking down the pins at 3:30 and will be finished by 5:45 pm.

Organize your own team of three bowlers at $25 per bowler.  You get shoes, three games of bowling, and an assortment of snacks.  $10 goes towards paying for the bowling and the other $15 benefits the work of Schools Count Corp.  We have plenty of prizes for the winning team.  We also have some prizes for those who don't win!!!

It's bound to be a great time!!  Why not get your friends together and celebrate a TGIF by helping a great cause and having a blast.

Simply email me at rich219@comast.net to get on board.  Don't have a team of three?  Don't let that bother you...come on out and bowl!  By the way, you can pay by cash or check and you can pay me at Willowbrook Lanes which is near the corner of Route 83 and Plainfield Rd.

Thanks!
Dick