Long Haul

Recovering from the utter destruction of the tornado which hit Washington will be a long process. It is critical that Schools Count Corp. and other like-minded organizations must stay in the town for the long haul. We won't necessarily be there every day but, we'll have to be willing to assist people over a period of months if not years.

We'll also have to respond to the needs of the citizens. Right now food and shelter are the imperatives. In a month it might be the same or people will have different needs. There are two words of caution which must guide us, flexibility and patience.

For now, I wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday. May the season be full of much happiness for you, your family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving!!
Dick

A Disaster beyond Words

The areas that I saw yesterday are such that none of the houses can be repaired. With winter and the cold about to set in, it will be left to the residents, who want to stay in Washington, IL to hunker down with friends, stay out of town with family or live in hotels until building can commence in the spring.

Plenty of the Washington, IL. citizens are still in town. A large number of the high school students are back in class though the elementary schools won't be in session until Monday, December 2nd.

Dozens upon dozens of students and their families lost their homes and all of their possessions. A good number of teacher also saw many of their life dreams swept up in the storm. Even those who suffered no damage to their homes found that they were impacted by the crippling blow of the tornado.

We will go back to Washington next Wednesday, Dec. 4th. As the media attention fades, we will do our best to keep you abreast of what is happening.

Thanks for your interest and support!!
Dick

The Heartache and Thankfulness is in Abundance

What is one to make of this image from a photo I took today in Washington, IL? There are so many streets and sections of town that look like this; well, it is simply hard to imagine the tragedy and scope of loss that so many thousands of people are feeling right now.

Amid the rubble that I witnessed today, I came away with the realization that Washington is thankful for the fact that so many lives being spared from the wrath of the 170 miles per hour tornado. People are well aware that the loss of life could have been much, much worse. Conditions are great in some sections of Washington while other areas have been reduced to a literal shambles.

While delivering coats and other student supplies to Washington High, today, I found people to be buoyant and upbeat despite the losses. I found people helping neighbors and happy to lend a hand in spite of their own minor losses. We had plenty of volunteers helping us!! Imagine...helping us. It is a true joy to work with people who care so deeply about one another and the outreach afforded by our charity.

I have returned home both thankful for my many blessings but mindful that there is more to do on behalf of the good people of Washington in the days ahead. I assured the people we shall return!

Dick

Washington school supplies

As one might expect, with so many homes either destroyed or partly destroyed, a good number of students in the Washington, IL. school system lost many of their materials. Some lost their school supplies and books while others are without athletic or music resources.

Next Saturday, Nov. 30th Schools Count Corp. will provide pens, backpacks, binders and notebooks to Washington High School. As students start coming back to school after the Thanksgiving holiday they will surely need these supplies. Looking ahead, in a couple of weeks, we will head to Washington to provide them with some winter wear.

As the holidays approach, if you haven't already, please consider making a donation to Schools Count Corp. so that we can help as many people as possible.

Many thanks,
Dick

Washington, IL - 4 Days Later

There are some reports out of Washington, IL that now say up to 1,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed in this hard hit town. Yes, rebuilding will take place but in the meantime the struggles will be many as the winter season is on the horizon.

With so many homes damaged it makes sense that the school age children, and their parents, lost much. Clothes, personals, books, music instruments, furniture. The list is endless. The point is this: the students are going back to school today and are likely to be without many items that they need in the classroom and on the field of play. We can certainly help in this regard.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I can think of no better way to demonstrate our personal thanks for peace, safety, a warm home and the good that we enjoy. Please consider making a donation to Schools Count Corp. in the coming days so that we can help our fellow citizens realize the same joys we are fortunate to realize.

Any donation helps. Simply write a check payable to Schools Count Corp and mail it to Dick Flesher, 20048 S. Kohlwood Dr., Mokena, IL. 60448. Note tornado in the memo section.

Thanks for your consideration,
Dick flesher

Latest on Washington, IL

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the Washington, IL high school football team went on to win the 5A Championship?!! They are playing in the semi-finals this weekend so I'll be sure to keep you up to date on their hopeful march to Champaign and the championship game.

In just two days, Schools Count Corp has raised over $1300!!! Our goal is to collect $10,000. You can be a part of helping the citizens of Washington, IL to enjoy Thanksgiving next week by donating to the cause. Simply send a check to Dick Flesher, 20048 S. Kohlwood Dr., Mokena, IL. 60448. Indicate 'tornado' in the memo section. If it's easier go online at www.schoolscountcorp.org to make a charitable contribution.

We are working with the school nurse at Washington H.S. to find a way to get what is really needed to those most in need. I will keep you posted!!

I have now heard reports of up to 600 buildings damaged or destroyed as a result of the tornado.

Many thanks,
Dick

More on Washington, IL

I am in contact with a couple of churches in Washington, IL. with respect to their needs in light of the horrible devastation wrought by the Sunday tornado. Though we all want to help these folks, I have to tell you that the churches have not been able to sort out their very real needs. Many kind hearted people have sent water, blankets and clothing. Right now, they don't need any more of these items.

Please be so kind as to be patient with these people. They have suffered much and we need to give them the time and space to determine their way forward. To inundate them with supplies and resources that they might not be able to dispense or store just isn't the way to help them.

I can assure those of you who donated, we will bring these people the aid they ask for in due time. Until then please keep them in your thoughts and stay in touch with me going as the days unfold.

In the meantime, feel free to send a donation to Dick Flesher, 20048 S. Kohlwood Dr., Mokena, IL. 60448. Make your check payable to Schools Count Corp. Kindly note the word 'tornado' in the memo part of the check. You can certainly donate online by going to www.schoolscountcorp.org.

To date, the estimate is that 400 buildings have been damaged or destroyed. This creates all sorts of attendant problems for these families.

Many thanks,
Dick

Washington, IL in Need of Help

Images such as this one give a sense of much of the devastation that has hit Washington, IL. As of this morning, fortunately, despite the destruction, few deaths have hit the town of 17,000. But as the photo makes clear, the loss is staggering.

At this point, I am waiting for Bayview Baptist Church in Washington to get back to me with their needs. We will certainly get them what we can whether it is clothing, personal supplies, food, blankets and the like. With the cold settling back in, sadly, housing will be a necessity.

Please follow our blog and facebook to see how you can assist us. For the time being you can certainly make a charitable donation by mailing a check to Dick Flesher, 20048 S. Kohlwood Dr., Mokena, IL. Kindly make the check out to Schools Count Corp and write 'tornado' in the memo section. You can also go to our charity's website to make a donation. Simply go to: www.schoolscountcorp.org and make your contribution. Finally, at some point (likely this week) we will probably head to Washington. I'll keep you abreast of the details.

Thank you,
Dick

It's A Shame

Teachers being told to give the PSAE, ISAT and now Common Core State Standards. Staff and school administrators told they can only measure up if a child's test scores improve. Schools being shuttered while some are overcrowded. Boards of Education micromanaging what is best left to the classroom professionals.

People being told that unions are evil and are one of the major reasons why we are allegedly failing our students.
Too many in govt. ready to jump on the bandwagon of vouchers, charters and selective enrollment schools. The move is underfoot to privatize a treasured and valuable endeavor - public education.

Worse yet too many teachers and students are without the very real resources they need on a daily basis to follow all of the above marching orders. How does that make any sense? You are told, too often, to do the impossible or what isn't practical yet one has to accomplish these feats without the proper support.

What a shame!!

Dick

Well, What Do You Know!

I quite often disagree with Dennis Byrne on various policy matters and issues. However, Mr. Byrne of the Chicago Tribune shared a couple of realistic ideas concerning education that I not only agree with but, more importantly, they hold the promise of helping student learning.

Two days ago the editorial writer suggested that we ought to do away with standardized testing. His reasons, which I agree with, are clear. Eliminating standardized testing will allow teachers more time to teach and will save money. The key component, I believe, is that it will free teachers to teach and children can learn.

Of course, the skeptics and so called reformers will cry about such a move. They'll contend that there is no way to hold teachers accountable and that we can't track student learning. They'll go on to say that if we can't track learning through testing then how on earth can we determine who should receive funding and how will we ever be able to rate teachers!!

On my, the earth is falling!!! I have news for these critics. Long before standardized testing made its appearance, teachers were held accountable for their actions and those same teachers always found a way to get the most out of their students and were able to help them move on in life; to college, to a place in the world of work, or some other endeavor.

Thank you Dennis for speaking the truth, for arguing for a common sense idea, one sure to help the students.

Dick

Part II - The Street

As if the growing poverty among public school students wasn't dishearterning enough, The Street has reported that homelessness among public school students is on increase. From academic year 2010-11 to that of 2011-12 the number of homeless children rose a staggering 10%.

It has left me pondering many things. First, does the typical citizen really have an awareness of these conditions and are they prepared to do anything about it? I'm also left gasping, gasping for these kids and their families...struggling to get through each day. Really, they are homeless and/or poor and we expect them to perform on standardized tests?! Give me a break.

Oh, by the way, obviously if students are struggling because of the ailments brought about due to poverty or being homeless, the pundits, corporate reformers and critics will wail and complain about teachers and schools not getting the job done. Again, give me a break!

Also, I am growing less confident that the powers that be, from government to so called reformers to society at large will step up and address the root causes of poverty, blight, unemployment and neglect.

Dick

At a Real Disadvantage

Okay, so the Street publication isn't on the radar for most Americans. However, that doesn't mean that its reporting is without merit and importance. Just last week the newspaper/newsletter carried an important piece of research put out by the Southern Education Foundation.

The report, sadly, reported the growing epidemic of poverty among public school students in America. Tragically, 48% of all American public school students (there are 50 million of them) are considered low income. The poverty levels for the hardest hit states, 17 of them were in the south (13 states) and in the West (4 states). As one might expect, cities were high on the poverty chart. 60% of all public school students in 2011 were considered low income.

Having written at length in this blog about both the implications of poverty on learning and teaching, this report is disheartening. Forget the computers, white boards and IPads for a moment. These students often don't have access to basic school supplies, proper clothing, nutritious food and a whole host of other daily essentials.

Unless and until there are real efforts to stem the tide of poverty the pressures on students, teachers, the community and the educational system, then we will have reached a bursting point.

Dick

Some Juicy FACTS!

Yes, it's true. Paul Vallas is on the ticket, running as Lt. Governor, with Pat Quinn. This is indeed the same Paul Vallas who once ran CPS and then sent to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to run the Recovery School District. I have run into plenty of people in NOLA who dealt with Mr. Vallas and many of them resented the heavy hand he imposed on the district. Yes, he also went on to serve in other school districts in the U.S. as well as being an education advisor in Haiti and Chile.

Want more? Do you know what Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Bill Gates, Rupert Murdock, Michael Bloomberg, Tom Harkin Chair of Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee) and Cory Booker have in common? Yes, they have a heavy influence on schools and the reform movement. All of these people also happen to have never taught before!! And they are telling the education community how to run itself? UGH!!!

Like I said, some juicy facts. They also don't sit very well in my stomach.

Dick

Democracy in Education Needs Unions

Over the past couple of days I have raised concerns over the fact that the democratic process is slowly (or rapidly) being eroded within the enterprise of education. On this point I believe there should be no disagreement. I've pointed out the heavy requirements made through standardized testing, schools boards being appointed rather than being elected, school board handing down edicts with too little teacher input and more.

This is exactly why unions serve a useful purpose in education. They are one more useful tool in the process of arriving at developing a strong school where richness is embedded in the curriculum.

I am sure some people think that the NEA, AFT and local affiliations are a pain in the butt. When it gets right down to it, though, unions often provide the lead in arriving at thoughtful decision-making which profoundly impacts students. I am certain that reasonable class sizes, alternative teaching methods, the advanced use of technology and much more is due, in large part, because of teacher innovation.

Let's not kid ourselves...many of the improvements in learning and assisting children in a variety of ways relative to their maturation would not have taken place without the assistance of unions. They are a positive force in the democratization of education.

Dick

Don't Take Democracy out of Education

A school board that is appointed by a single person is a far cry from a democratic process. Mandating that a school not be allowed to unionize is simply wrong and it smacks in the face of free speech. The federal government deciding what subjects will be emphasized, scrutinized and tested in a school's curriculum while largely ignoring large swaths of learning and instruction flies in the face of democracy.

Yes, school boards and departments within a school building may argue, debate and move more slowly than an authoritative figure or body but the former groups are more akin to how the democratic process should play out. You see, disagreement, debate, compromise and consensus building are all critical to making democracy come alive and function in the institution of education.

A top-down, authoritarian model such as No Child Left Behind, Common Core State Standards and A Race to the Top dilute the democratic process so vital to the well being of education.

Think about this if you would. How on earth can we expect our students to learn and use the real merits of democracy if we don't model them? This isn't merely a rhetorical question. It deserves an answer.

Dick

Democracy in Peril in Schools

Ames Middle School in the Logan Square neighborhood isn't on the chopping for underenrollment. It's on the hit list because CPS has decided to put a military academy at the high school and middle school levels while closing Ames as it is currently constituted.

Yes, democracy is in peril at Ames. You see, the local school council (LSC) and other members of the community are opposed to making Ames a military academy.

Jose Jaramillo, of the LSC, summed it up best when he said, "We are tired of trying to fight a battle [with] people making decisions for our school when we are the ones [who] are vested and give all our time for the excellence of our community and our school."

The true stake holders; the community, children, LSC and parents are being told what will happen. Quite honestly, their voices aren't being heard, their wishes ignored, and their right to stand for something being taken away. The institution of education in this country is under assault on a number of fronts. The democratic process is truly in peril in our public schools.

The unelected CPS school board and decisions like the one involving Ames are but one of many such examples.

Dick

Real Pro's

The top professionals and those who provide the best service to a profession come from that profession. Surgeons don't get advice on surgery from janitors. Firefighters don't get advice from pipefighters. The best people to advise teachers are those who come from the profession.

It is time that state legislators, who likely never taught students in a school setting, stop advising educators on how to operate the profession and teach our nation's children. It is time that the typical layperson, though having attended schools, stop advising principals and teachers about how to run a classroom. It is way past time for media pundits to stop telling educators how to handle education.

What these groups can do is reinforce and support what educators do with our nation's students. As citizens of this country we ought to stand up and support our teachers and staff personnel just as we would, rightly, support our military in the line of duty.

Dick

Class Size DOES Matter

It is quite true that many years ago a good number of us attended classes with 33, 35 or more students. It seemed to work. If we examine those 'good ole days' we'd find that some elements of the classes we attended then aren't the same as today...by a long shot.

Years ago, classes were largely homogeneous in nature. Segregation existed, the number of non-English speaking students was minimal as compared to today, and the number of disabled/autistic/learning behavior children was small when thinking of these students in our classrooms in 2013. By the way, years ago, the dropout rate was higher than it is today.

Given the above conditions, the pressure on students and teachers to perform relative to standardized testing, the push for nearly everyone to attend college, legal requirements and MORE, is it any wonder that teachers, parents, and others in the field of education are pushing for smaller class sizes.

The research on smaller class sizes is extensive and conclusive. Smaller class sizes DO make a different in both cognitive and non-cognitive skill development. If the so called 'reformers' thought about it, they would actually see improvements in test scores and other performance skills among students by reducing class sizes. They would really get 'more bang for the buck.'

Dick