Accountability vs. Responsibility

I'm not parsing words here. The so called reformers are loudly calling for 'teacher accountability.' Those of us who have taught and the many millions still in the profession want the public to realize that teachers want to follow through on their responsibilities.

The call for accountability goes like this, teachers are accountable for student achievement, better known as standardized test scores. Based on this premise (a false one) then teachers should be rated based on how students score and they should therefore be paid accordingly.

Anyone who has raised children, taught, or knows anything about child psychology understands that there are a myriad number of factors outside the classroom which have a significant impact on the extent to which a child learns. But the reformers, sadly, often fail to realize this reality.

Do teachers want to carry out their responsibilities? You bet!!! Teachers realize that they have to have a rich content background and must understand what makes students tick. Teachers have to be organized, demonstrate dedication and determination and they must see to it that they challenge and nurture young people. Great teachers stay up on their subject matter, offer thoughtful lessons and projects, and are motivated to bring out the best in their pupils.

Fulfilling these responsibilities is far more important than the accountability argument.

Dick

A Dose of Reality

I was thrilled to see the actions of the Jackie Robinson West boys during the LL World Series and during the aftermath of the actual baseball. No doubt, many neighborhoods and suburban areas, in addition to the city, got on the bandwagon. Well they should!! It was and is a wonderful ride.

I know that many folks on the southside, in particular, were pleased to see some positive news presented about the team and, by association, the area. People in those difficult areas found some hope and something to be proud of.

There is a part of the story that we all need to come to grips with and that is the fact that this one event will not put an end to depravation, blight, unemployment, malnutrition, crime and joblessness. Unfortunately, such a wonderful and exciting event will not put an end to the crime. I wish this weren't so.

The Jackie Robinson players, coaches, parents and communities should rightly take great pride in these many baseball related successes. The successes are many but it is but one, an important one at that, stride towards a better day. However, it will take many such events, and ones outside of sports, to properly assist these communities going forward.

The JRW story should call on the better side of each of us to pitch in and help. We're all in it together.

Dick

It Will Make a Difference

At first glance one might wonder what on earth Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to raise Chicago's minimum wage to $13 per hour by 2018 has to do with the work of our charity. It has much to do with what we provide to school children. The fact of the matter is that many parents have a difficult time coming up with the funds to provide for all of the necessities of their school age children.

At just over $7 per hour parents have to provide for food, clothing, insurance, shelter, medical needs and the like. By the time some of these urgent needs are taken care of, there are scant dollars left to provide for the supplies that the children need in the classroom.

So a big jump in the minimum wage will do wonders for those most in need of a helping hand. Most of the families we work with would prefer to purchase their own supplies, uniforms, band instruments and more if they had the means to do so. The people we assist are glad to have our support but they also want to provide for their own. So, here's hoping the $13 per hour is not just a 'pipe dream.'

Dick

Makes Sense to Me

Some ten days ago Steve Chapman of the Chicago Tribune wrote a piece entitled "Ferguson and our stubborn racial divide." Yes, plenty of folks don't want to admit that such a divide exists. Still others in America deny its existence while some just go about life as if it doesn't affect them in any way, shape or form.

Steve essentially makes the point that there is a gulf between races in the United States. He goes on to talk about studies that detail the difference between whites and blacks when it comes to how they are treated by police, being taken advantage of in terms of the whole subprime mortgage fiasco and the existence of many social and economic ills.

What does this have to do with the work of our charity? Plenty!!

I have often described the conditions in many schools and neighborhoods where poverty, crime, few jobs and blight are commonplace. Mr. Chapman remarks, along these lines, "How are children raised in places where such conditions prevail supposed to learn responsible habits? How fair is it to blame children raised in poor lawless communities for turning our badly as adults? How would your kids do if they had been raised in those circumstances?"

Steve concludes his 'Commentary' piece with the following, "Black Americans still live in a different country, with different rules, different dangers and different rewards than those faced by others." It is precisely because of this condition that Schools Count Corp. endeavors to mitigate against to limit and eliminate such rules and dangers.

Dick

An Incredible Week

The week of August 11 - 15 was amazing for many reasons. Not only did we provide a massive quantity of assorted supplies to nearly 20,000 students at some forty schools but we did so with an energetic and hard-working group of volunteers.

So here is a 'shout out' of thanks to our many wonderful workers; Isabel Arce, Skip Begley, Kristin Bronke, Ed Bulak, Dylan Canavan, Erin Cassato, Megan Chu, Heather Fehrman and Family, Keith and Kristy Giltner and Family, Rosemary Grant, April Hardenbol, Anthony Hernandez, Lisa Hikes, Barb Ioli, Pam Kalafut, Corky and Julie King, Sibyl Krucoff and Mark, Nancy Krumpolz, Erik Kupczyk, Myles Laffey and his daughter, Gloria Lane, Don Mack, Donna Manning, Janelle Marconi, Angie McCormick, Earl McMahon, Terry Meyers, Jim Muldoon, Jim O'Brien, Dawn Oler, Maddie Oler, Barb Plantz, Joe Prieto, Kate Saunders and daughter, Ann Scott, Len Serwat, Michael Smith, Jeff Sheppard, Sarah Steinke, April Tatro and Mike Wiggins.

To each of you, please accept my heartfelt thanks for taking the time to help make our deliveries. If it you commitment and concern for others which makes these ventures so worthwhile. Not only have you brought needed supplies to the students and staff at the various schools, you have put smiles on the faces of one and all.

Many thanks,
Dick

Back in the Saddle

After nearly 100 days of working on the house, sorting school supplies, vacationing and delivering supplies to 40 area schools (CPS, Posen, Robbins, Harvery, and Nathan Hale) I'm ready to keep you up-to-date on all the good being done by our charity.

Besides delivering to the above mentioned schools, last Sunday, we delivered many supplies to Greater Rock Missionary Baptist Church in the North Lawndale neighborhood. On behalf of our Board of Directors, donors and volunteers, I had the opportunity to attend the festive 'Unity in the Community' gathering.

What a great event!!! Haircuts were provided, school supplies given out, clothes of all sizes were available and a wonderful meal was provided to the throng. Of course a church service highlighted the event. Lots of games were played by the children and the kids had a chance to have their faces painted!! This went on throughout the afternoon.

I was pleased to be acknowledged by the Pastor James and others for providing supplies to the children. To say the least, I was awestruck by the hospitality and warm welcome. Just one more reason why this is an honor to keep Schools Count Corp. moving forward!!

Dick