Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday. People slow down a bit, families unite, and most of our fellow citizens do reflect upon the bounty that is theirs. It is also a time when the holiday season kicks off and people rush off to do some 'Black Friday' shopping or park in front of the television to take in some football.

Thanksgiving is also a time to see to it that others are given support, some needed food, or a helping hand. We fill Salvation Army kettles, participate in a walk for hunger, prepare meals for the homeless or perform some other act of kindness.

There is room for both caring for our own and others in society. Being able to serve ourselves and others is something that I will always be thankful for. For those who aid our charity, and in turn those we serve, please accept my heartfelt thanks.

Dick

Keeping Kids Warm

Despite a flat tire in front of John Hay Elementary School, we were able to get over 30 coats to both John Hay and Pickard Elementary Schools yesterday. The staff was delighted to get the warm coats and other winter wear. You'd might be surprised to learn that attendance soars when kids are bundled up for the harsh winter. We are still collecting so that we can deliver to CPS, Harvey, Posen and Robbins schools in the days ahead.

Thanks to one and all!!
Dick

Common Sense from a Teacher

Saturday's Chicago Sun Times, as always, carried a 'Viewpoint' piece written by Hen Kennedy who is a middle school teacher at Carl Von Linne Elementary School. Ms. Kennedy's letter is not some off the wall piece harping on the senselessness of standardized testing. Rather, it is a thoughtful piece about the impact of standardized testing on learning.

Ms. Kennedy laid out what has taken place in her Social Studies classes this fall and the ramifications that 16 days of upcoming testing will have on her curriculum. As Ms. Kennedy puts it, "the amount of testing is limiting my students' opportunities to learn." It isn't just a matter of missing over three weeks of school, it is a matter of disrupting the flow of teaching/learning, losing ones classroom to testing, and other logistic headaches.

Ms. Kennedy isn't opposed to standardized testing so that point ought to be clear. What is at stake is the loss of significant opportunities to learn. Said Ms. Kennedy, "they (the students) cannot afford to lose access to the types of learning they find exciting, engaging and meaningful."

Anyone who argues with that last statement just doesn't get it.

Quite an Honor, Quite a Young Man

Evan Floersch a senior on the Hinsdale Central High School Varsity soccer team has enjoyed an amazing run for the past few weeks and months. It all culminated in a terrific honor at last nights Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Assn. All State Banquet.

Evan was not only an All State Selection but he was honored as the 'Player of the Year' in Illinois. Yes, THE Player of the Year! He was also the anchor of the Red Devil defense that captured the Illinois 3A Championship two weeks ago.

Beside these soccer feats, Evan was part of the group of HC players who raised $6,010 for Schools Count Corp in late summer/early fall. Like I said, quite a young man!!!

Thanks Evan!
Coach Flesher

Two Stories in One

Today's Chicago Sun Times ran a story entitled, "Report: State Struggling to teach poor kids." There are certainly plenty of reasons why children from impoverished families and portions of the state have a tough time in terms of learning. This blog and other researchers have commented on this at length.

One of the disheartening aspects of the report centers on the extent of poverty in Illinois. Sadly, more than half of ALL students in Illinois are classified as low income. At the same time, state funding for education has been dwindling. To say the least, these are not good trend.

The great story in the article got buried in the final two paragraphs of the article. CPS, where some 80% of the students are low income, saw gains in math and reading that far outpaced those of students state-wide. Yep, that little piece of information got buried. Oh well...

To the kids and staff in those CPS schools, well done my friends, well done!!!

Dick

Thankfulness

It occurs to me that the idea of being thankful is not a one-sided endeavor or act of kindness. Certainly, you, our many donors and volunteers have stepped forward to voice your concern for others in so very many ways; labor, cash donations, product contributions and so much more. For that, I am eternally appreciative.

What I would like to convey to each of you is this simple message. Wherever we deliver winter coats and accessories, band instruments, school uniforms, after-school resources, or student supplies, the outpouring of genuine thankfulness is simply heartwarming. I constantly receive notes of thanks, letters of appreciation or emails that express gratitude for your acts of caring and concern.

I can relate to you that no one takes your work for granted particularly those who are the recipients of your generosity.

Dick

Makes Sense to Me

I know very little about the new Archbishop of Chicago, Blase Cupich, other than what I have read in the newspapers over the past month or so. But what I heard Cupich say in a Monday evening homily gave me pause as I reflect on the work of our charity.

My reflections on the Cupich homily comments don't have anything to do with religion. Out of his many insights, I found this one particularly poignant..."So many are left unconnected because of poverty spread across generations, racism or not having mentors to guide and inspire them." He continued, "Our aim should be to make sure everyone has a place at the table of life."

My sentiments exactly and they fit with the work of Schools Count.

Dick

The Power of Individuals

Ingrid and George, Mom and son, participated in collecting warm winter wear for the students we serve in Chicago and the south suburbs. This was a Community Project George was involved in and he got his Mom to lend him a hand. Together, this Mokena Family, collected four good sized bags of dozens of pairs of gloves, mittens, scarves and hats along with a number of coats.

Yes, one and two kind hearted and thoughtful individuals do make a significant difference. The significance lies in the fact that a number of children will be properly clothed this winter. Some warm hands and dry feet will surely put a smile on the faces of the kids and their parents.

Thank you Ingrid and George!!!

Before you build another school...

CPS is spending a good deal of money to open new schools. I have talked at some length about closing dozens and dozens of neighborhood schools while watching other ones being built. There is another issue which should be addressed in terms of the budget and spending more money on new schools and it deals with the health of children.

Did you know that a good number of CPS schools have a nurse in the building one day a week? That's right, one day a week!!! So what about the other 80% of the week? It's left to others on staff to attend to the sick children.

Let's be clear, there are many, many important aspects to running a school but there aren't many things more important than the welfare of the children. In short, that means a nurse HAS to be in every building five days a week. Put another way, would you want your children to attend ANY school if there was a nurse available just one day a week?

The kids deserve better!

Dick

Brrr!!!

It's 27 degrees outside this morning and spitting a few flurries. We have sorted and delivered 80 coats along with many mittens, scarves and hats to Greater Rock Missionary Baptist Church, Hughes Elementary, Johnson Elementary and Pilsen Elementary. I can tell you that there were plenty of smiles when the bags of warm clothing were unpacked. It made the cold a little more bearable.

Thanks to our volunteers and donors. We will continue to collect for the next three to four weeks in order to help the children in CPS as well as the south suburban schools. Many are still in great need.

Many thanks,
Dick

Kids Can't be Cast Aside

No matter your background, level of schooling and the degree to which you think parents are responsible for their children (and they are responsible for sure), the fact remains that too many 5 year olds, 7 years olds, and 12 year olds find themselves with great needs.

Kids are left without the proper foods, don't have a decent school uniform, are lacking warm winter clothing, often don't have the proper school resources and more. Worse yet, these children might very well be homeless. The result...well, you can figure it out. Children living in such dire circumstances are likely to be despondent, without hope and left in the lurch. What will happen to these kids?

As the weather turns colder and the holidays are upon us, our charity recognizes that this is a situation that has to change. We are all the better when we see to it that our fellow citizens, in this case school children, have their needs met while lifting their spirits.

People DO lift up others and our volunteers and donors will do just that.

Dick

A Letter of Thanks!

Below is a letter I received yesterday from a teacher at Palmer Elementary School in Chicago.    We recently donated a good deal of money to help her purchase iPad's for the children.    It is indeed a great testimonial for all the good provided by our donors and volunteers

I can't fully express my joy, excitement, and thanks for your donation to my project. It is great to see that you share my vision for reaching children. We often find ourselves not knowing what technology really has to offer because there are so many different types.

The tools that you have funded will enable students to learn just that. My students are so thrilled to finally have an iPad center where they will be able to work in small groups. They will be able to learn how to use iPads as well as laptops thanks to your support and generosity!

With gratitude,
Ms. Hermann

Putting Up a Fight

The Spring of 2015 should prove to be an interesting time when CPS has to administer the new PARCC test. This test, aligned with Common Core state standards, is to given in place of the old ISAT test.

The Illinois State Board of Education has already warned parents against opting out of the PARCC. State Superintendent Christopher Koch recently wrote to the district administrators stating that 'opting out' of PARCC is not option. This stance is based on the federal law which states that there is prohibition for children to opt out of taking the test.

A number of PARCC people opposed to the test state that requiring the test to be given isn't the same as requiring children to take it. In a show of common cause, both the alliance, Raise Your Hand Illinois, and CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett want to stave off the full impact of PARCC implementation for at least another year.

Whether this joint effort will allow CPS some breathing room on the PARCC test is yet to be seen.

From my vantage point, this merry go round, regarding the constant standardized testing and ever changing forms of testing, is but a reminder of some of its negative consequences.

What's REALLY Changed?

What has really changed in education in the past 30, 40, 50 years? No, this is not meant to be a rhetorical question. Put another way, are teachers less well trained and less effective than many years ago? Are students really getting less of an education than in the past? Are unions performing any differently than years past?

The answer to all of the above questions is a resounding NO!!!

What HAS changed are many things. We ask teachers to do much more in teaching the whole child. Schools are asked to deal with all of the issues which affect a child's education and life. More standardized tests exist. There are enhanced expectations of the American education system. Governments, at all levels, are more a of driving force for change than the education experts.
The social, behavioral and economic concerns of the population are thrust upon schools and educators. The family structure, in some areas, has seen changes, sadly, which have great implications for learning.

I am convinced that these changes have altered our view of the education landscape and that what teachers and schools do each day has not changed for the worse but; in fact, has shown dramatic improvement.

Dick

NYC Community Schools

Perhaps NYC Dept Mayor said it best a couple of days ago when he made these remarks about the Renewal Schools initiative. “There is no magic bullet,” Mr. Buery said. “No one is saying Community Schools by itself are going to fundamentally change the work, but what I would say — and is critical — is that Community Schools are a necessary part of that work, as well as a deeper strategy to improve teaching in the building.”

So both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor get it. They realize that the 'Community Schools' approach, in and of itself, is no panacea for what ails students, families and communities which are struggling.

What I like about this two-year program that will pump $150 million into 94 of the most troubled schools - and by association the students and teachers - is the fact that it goes beyond resourcing the children and staff in the classroom. Two of the most crucial components of the program address needs outside of the school walls. Many students with mental health issues will get the assistance they desperately need. Beyond this component, the program will provide food to the children when it is determined that they are able to get those meals at home.

As Buery said, there is no 'magic bullet' but it is an initiative that deserves time and support. The last thing the community needs is to shutter the neighborhood school doors and to walk away from the problems.

Dick

Kudo's to Mayor de Blasio

New York City, like too many other urban areas, has a number of students who are struggling. Plenty of administrators have applied all sorts of remedies to make changes. Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced some significant changes for 94 of the city's most troubled schools. The program is called Renewal Schools and it has some specific ideas that should provide added assistance to those with the greatest needs.

Students will receive an extra hour of instructional time each day, teachers will receive additional professional training, a number of the schools will be in line to pick up extra resources and the schools will have the ability to have summer school.

While these changes, on their own, will not change things overnight, they are a welcome idea. Instead of shutting down so called 'failing schools,' de Blasio is willing to see to it that neighborhood schools remain and that they are strengthened. From my standpoint, the idea of trying to keep a community vibrant and to help it recover/stay sustainable is partially dependent upon strong schools. As I see it, this is a step in the right direction.

Dick

Tests Come and Go!

There are some things that remain constant in public education. The classroom, notwithstanding some internet courses, will continue to be populated by teachers. Students endure and they will be in our hallways for many years to come. And, for the most part, young 5 year olds, 7 year olds and teenagers come into the classroom with much the same background as those who attended schools in years past.

Yes, we'll probably even keep right on having standardized testing. We'll certainly continue to see teachers using various assessment tools in their classrooms.

But back to standardized testing for a moment. What I have noticed in a merry go round of sorts in Illinois with standardized testing. It is constantly changing. We have Prairie States, ISAT's, PARC's and more. They test students in a variety of areas; for intelligence, growth and more. Okay, these are important.

But my view of things is that they don't have much of a real bearing on significant learning and the probability that students will someday be successful. Put another way (took me awhile to say it), you really can't quantify everything about teaching and learning. It just isn't that simple. Therein lies part of the fallacy of almost any standardized test.

Dick

Cash Strapped?

It seems that all we hear out of CPS is that they are cash strapped and that cuts (all types including school closings) are necessary. I won't argue that CPS is short on funds but the fact that they can pay consultants far more in wages than they pay the CEO of the school system, and the Mayor for that matter, seems out of line.

I'm not an expert on what consultants ought to be paid but the optics on this are alarming.

Not only do the consultants make more than top city officials, the fact remains that many schools don't have the resources needed. I know some schools don't have the programs they would like to have for the children. As alarming as this scenario is the fact that some school principals have told me they don't have enough toilet paper or proper nursing care on an everyday basis.

This isn't merely about paying consultants, it is about getting classroom priorities taken care of, the priorities that most matter.