Make sure to mark Wednesday, October 7 as a day to get together to celebrate what has been a spectacular year for Schools Count and for all the good done on behalf of thousands of children. Our Donor/Volunteer Appreciation Dinner will be held at Hinsdale Central High School in the student cafeteria. We'll get together for a 'Meet and Greet' at 6:00 pm with dinner to follow at 6:30.
You'll get to meet many volunteers and donors who share the passion to assist students and schools as they forge ahead in the coming year. A special part of the evening will be the introduction of principals from various recipient schools who can share their stories of success and gratefulness. It is always wonderful to hear from them.
Please feel to bring family members and friends to our dinner. To make your reservation to attend simply email me with the name(s) of those who will attend. Kindly email me at rich219@comcast.net with the information.
Many have come forward to donate in a variety of ways be it through the contribution of funds or volunteering your time and talents to the cause. Please know your desire to assist Schools Count and the children we serve is greatly appreciated and valued.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, I look forward to seeing you on the 7th!
Regards,
Dick
Monday, August 31, 2015
Friday, August 28, 2015
It's Not Going to Get any Easier
Fully funding public education is not going to get any easier as we go forward. Serving ALL students, those with disabilities and without, is costly. The age of computers, with all that technology has to offer, is in a word...expensive!!!
Pensions, salaries, insurance, athletics and more are also quite costly not to mention paying for the building and upkeep of structures.
We need not kid ourselves, the costs are great and real. This situation is not likely to abate. All that being said, an educated public is absolutely essential to a sound, free, robust, democratic, literate, and successful civil society.
Expensive, yes, but we have to find ways to ensure that the strength and fabric of public education is at the forefront of public debate and consciousness. Quite simply we can't afford not to maintain a strong public education system.
Dick
Pensions, salaries, insurance, athletics and more are also quite costly not to mention paying for the building and upkeep of structures.
We need not kid ourselves, the costs are great and real. This situation is not likely to abate. All that being said, an educated public is absolutely essential to a sound, free, robust, democratic, literate, and successful civil society.
Expensive, yes, but we have to find ways to ensure that the strength and fabric of public education is at the forefront of public debate and consciousness. Quite simply we can't afford not to maintain a strong public education system.
Dick
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Sad State of Affairs
Yesterday the Chicago Public Schools Board of Education unanimously passed a $5.7 billion budget. That's right...a 7-0 vote. Don't let that fool you. Major cuts are hitting Special Education, the district is in debt and the budget passed is banking on $480 million from the state event though the General Assembly hasn't committed to taking this on.
As if to underscore the dilemma, Ginger Ostro, the CFO for the district, when on record saying "We know this is not the budget we want to be presenting to you, but it does reflect the reality of where we are." Ouch, that surely is an ominous warning to say the least. Mind you, this comes from the boards' very own CFO!
I really don't see this moving in a positive direction. I see more cuts coming, more children and their families (if they can afford it) fleeing to charters and private schools and an economic diaspora which leaves the most economically vulnerable behind in the years to come.
Urban education, not just in Chicago, is in for some tough years going forward. Sadly!
Dick
As if to underscore the dilemma, Ginger Ostro, the CFO for the district, when on record saying "We know this is not the budget we want to be presenting to you, but it does reflect the reality of where we are." Ouch, that surely is an ominous warning to say the least. Mind you, this comes from the boards' very own CFO!
I really don't see this moving in a positive direction. I see more cuts coming, more children and their families (if they can afford it) fleeing to charters and private schools and an economic diaspora which leaves the most economically vulnerable behind in the years to come.
Urban education, not just in Chicago, is in for some tough years going forward. Sadly!
Dick
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
What Matters Most - Anywhere
Systems, organizations, and hierarchy. As if these are the panacea for what education, students and teachers most need to get and give their very best in the classroom. It doesn't matter if it's Chicago, New Orleans, LA or the small rural school in Mississippi, the overarching question about the aforementioned idea that how schools are organized will render the best education possible is simply ludicrous.
Having qualified teachers who are hard working, intelligent, resilient and are willing to engage students and to build a respectful relationship with them has far more to do with student success than whether a school or district is a 'select' or 'charter' school. Providing support and resources to teachers and students, alike, will go much further to reaching educational excellence than creating an 'efficient hierarchy.'
When was the last time a principal, asst. principal, school board member or any other person in charge of a school or department said - and really meant it when they asked - "what can I do to help you, what do you need?" And then they went ahead and worked with you to provide those supplies or resources or answers to your querry?
As I have read about the demise of traditional neighborhood public schools in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina I am reminded about what most matters in the classroom. It's not that hard to figure out.
Dick
Having qualified teachers who are hard working, intelligent, resilient and are willing to engage students and to build a respectful relationship with them has far more to do with student success than whether a school or district is a 'select' or 'charter' school. Providing support and resources to teachers and students, alike, will go much further to reaching educational excellence than creating an 'efficient hierarchy.'
When was the last time a principal, asst. principal, school board member or any other person in charge of a school or department said - and really meant it when they asked - "what can I do to help you, what do you need?" And then they went ahead and worked with you to provide those supplies or resources or answers to your querry?
As I have read about the demise of traditional neighborhood public schools in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina I am reminded about what most matters in the classroom. It's not that hard to figure out.
Dick
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Schools - Ten Years Later
I confess that I can't possibly summarize the New Orleans education reform movement that has taken place since Hurricane Katrina slammed into the city schools. But suffice it to say, the movement is unlike what anyone might have envisioned.
Essentially, the children of NOLA now attend private, parochial or charter schools. In reality, the neighborhood schools are dead.
Resentment still abounds when 7,000 teachers were let go right after the hurricane unleashed its fury. That was just the beginning. Resources were sparse (understandable) and the RSD system took over control of a good portion of the schools often to the dismay and chagrin of many.
Today the 'All Charter' movement buses students from one part of the city to another. The number of students displaced from their neighborhood often results in 10 to 12 hours days for the kids according to Salon.com. This typically means that parents are not a real and meaningful force in the education setting of their kids.
This situation, administratively, finds that the African American population - 60% to 65% make up the student enrollment - has no representation within this education hierarchy.
This displacement of children and exclusion of the students and parents from their 'community school' will be a source of many problems in the years to come. The fact that thirty-nine percent of children remain in poverty will simply exacerbate the issues.
What a shame.
Dick
Essentially, the children of NOLA now attend private, parochial or charter schools. In reality, the neighborhood schools are dead.
Resentment still abounds when 7,000 teachers were let go right after the hurricane unleashed its fury. That was just the beginning. Resources were sparse (understandable) and the RSD system took over control of a good portion of the schools often to the dismay and chagrin of many.
Today the 'All Charter' movement buses students from one part of the city to another. The number of students displaced from their neighborhood often results in 10 to 12 hours days for the kids according to Salon.com. This typically means that parents are not a real and meaningful force in the education setting of their kids.
This situation, administratively, finds that the African American population - 60% to 65% make up the student enrollment - has no representation within this education hierarchy.
This displacement of children and exclusion of the students and parents from their 'community school' will be a source of many problems in the years to come. The fact that thirty-nine percent of children remain in poverty will simply exacerbate the issues.
What a shame.
Dick
Monday, August 24, 2015
10 Years Later
It was a Monday morning ten years ago today (actually Aug. 29th) that Hurricane Katrina lashed New Orleans and large swaths of the Gulf Coast. Some 1,000 died in the Crescent City and over 1,800 perished in the region. Many of us have become friends with those who lost loved ones.
We all have images of people clinging to rooftops holding out the hope that they would be rescued. There are stories of those caught in the Super Dome and those who trudged through water/sludge to get to high ground. We have heard plenty about how the levees simply crumpled in the wake of the hurricane. Books have been written about the levees and, for that matter, much about the storm and its effects.
The faces of the storm include President Bush, "Brownie," Mayor Nagin and so many others, too many to include in this short post.
What I will remember are those who stepped forward to help us right here in the Hinsdale/Clarendon Hills/Chicagoland area. From the semi truck drivers to those who loaded trucks to those who donated water, medicine, cleaning supplies and money. you were there when those in the South needed you.
I will always be indebted to those of you who took trips to NOLA to refurbish and gut homes in addition to the ventures to work with RHINO (Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans) and Habitat for Humanity. Your desire to improve the lot and condition of our good friends made a difference
It was an honor for me and for Schools Count to spend six years in New Orleans in order to help children get the supplies they needed so they could get back to class, to find some normalcy in their lives and to have the opportunity to move forward. It was and continues to be a life changing event.
Dick
We all have images of people clinging to rooftops holding out the hope that they would be rescued. There are stories of those caught in the Super Dome and those who trudged through water/sludge to get to high ground. We have heard plenty about how the levees simply crumpled in the wake of the hurricane. Books have been written about the levees and, for that matter, much about the storm and its effects.
The faces of the storm include President Bush, "Brownie," Mayor Nagin and so many others, too many to include in this short post.
What I will remember are those who stepped forward to help us right here in the Hinsdale/Clarendon Hills/Chicagoland area. From the semi truck drivers to those who loaded trucks to those who donated water, medicine, cleaning supplies and money. you were there when those in the South needed you.
I will always be indebted to those of you who took trips to NOLA to refurbish and gut homes in addition to the ventures to work with RHINO (Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans) and Habitat for Humanity. Your desire to improve the lot and condition of our good friends made a difference
It was an honor for me and for Schools Count to spend six years in New Orleans in order to help children get the supplies they needed so they could get back to class, to find some normalcy in their lives and to have the opportunity to move forward. It was and continues to be a life changing event.
Dick
Friday, August 21, 2015
I Wouldn't Do it Again
I didn't vote for Jimmy Carter for President in 1976. Too bad he isn't running in 2016, I'd make up for that mistake made some 40 years ago.
Okay, this isn't about voting, politics or anything of that sort. As many of you know former President Carter has cancer. The soon-to-be 91 year old told the nation and world of his condition yesterday while answering questions about the disease, his prognosis, the work of the Carter Center all while reflecting on a whole host of other issues.
As I watched the press conference it was clear that President Carter was at ease and was both cheerful, thoughtful, candid, mellow and good natured. His affable way and smile were ever present.
President Carter, over the past 35 years has done much to improve the human condition throughout the world. There just might be no single President in the history of this wonderful nation who has done more to seek to better the quality of life of humans on this planet than President Carter.
What a good and decent man. I wish I could vote for him in 2016.
Dick
Okay, this isn't about voting, politics or anything of that sort. As many of you know former President Carter has cancer. The soon-to-be 91 year old told the nation and world of his condition yesterday while answering questions about the disease, his prognosis, the work of the Carter Center all while reflecting on a whole host of other issues.
As I watched the press conference it was clear that President Carter was at ease and was both cheerful, thoughtful, candid, mellow and good natured. His affable way and smile were ever present.
President Carter, over the past 35 years has done much to improve the human condition throughout the world. There just might be no single President in the history of this wonderful nation who has done more to seek to better the quality of life of humans on this planet than President Carter.
What a good and decent man. I wish I could vote for him in 2016.
Dick
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Another Sad Chapter
In the ongoing story that, in my view, is taking place regarding the slow - maybe not so slow - tearing apart of neighborhood schools is the instance of a charter receiving greater funding than an nearby neighborhood school.
Both Polaris Charter Academy and Gregory Academy (the traditional neighborhood school) are roughly of the same size and with similar characteristics. This coming year Polaris will receive about $338,000 more in funding while Gregory will receive $184,000 less. By the way, Gregory will have more students this year than last year.
Gregory, by the way, is one of the schools we work with on a yearly basis.
Even if you didn't compare the two schools to one another (which makes complete sense) one has to wonder why any school should take nearly a $200,000 hit if enrollment is increasing. Speaking of taking a hit, the traditional neighborhood schools are due to collectively take a $146 million reduction in funding this year compared to last year.
Yes, this is a sorrowful chapter in the ongoing saga of traditional public schools suffering from being improperly funded. The cuts this year will hurt kids...of that you can be certain.
Dick
Both Polaris Charter Academy and Gregory Academy (the traditional neighborhood school) are roughly of the same size and with similar characteristics. This coming year Polaris will receive about $338,000 more in funding while Gregory will receive $184,000 less. By the way, Gregory will have more students this year than last year.
Gregory, by the way, is one of the schools we work with on a yearly basis.
Even if you didn't compare the two schools to one another (which makes complete sense) one has to wonder why any school should take nearly a $200,000 hit if enrollment is increasing. Speaking of taking a hit, the traditional neighborhood schools are due to collectively take a $146 million reduction in funding this year compared to last year.
Yes, this is a sorrowful chapter in the ongoing saga of traditional public schools suffering from being improperly funded. The cuts this year will hurt kids...of that you can be certain.
Dick
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
An Abundance of Aid
Last week marked a high water mark in terms of our donors and volunteers bringing needed supplies to thousands of students. As the schools open or ready to start the year here are the schools we supplied with resources last week. 42 schools served!!
Chicago: Harriett Beecher Stowe, Chase, Yates, John Hay, Lowell, Chopin, Gregory, Hughes, Jensen, Johnson, Pickard, Pilsen, Metcalfe, Curtis, Lavizzo, Haley, Fuller, Wadsworth, Tanner, Barton, Holmes, Mays, Sherwood, Wentworth, LEARN Charter, Thorpe, Prospectives High School, and Evers.
Posen/Robbins: Gordon, Childs, Kellar, and Posen
Harvey: Sandburg, Bryant, Brooks, Whittier, Holmes, Lowell Longfellow, and Maya Angelou
Cook County District 130: Nathan Hale Middle, Nathan Hale Primary and Nathan Hale Intermediate
Darien: Anne M. Jeans
To all who assisted with this important work...my heartfelt thanks!
Dick
Chicago: Harriett Beecher Stowe, Chase, Yates, John Hay, Lowell, Chopin, Gregory, Hughes, Jensen, Johnson, Pickard, Pilsen, Metcalfe, Curtis, Lavizzo, Haley, Fuller, Wadsworth, Tanner, Barton, Holmes, Mays, Sherwood, Wentworth, LEARN Charter, Thorpe, Prospectives High School, and Evers.
Posen/Robbins: Gordon, Childs, Kellar, and Posen
Harvey: Sandburg, Bryant, Brooks, Whittier, Holmes, Lowell Longfellow, and Maya Angelou
Cook County District 130: Nathan Hale Middle, Nathan Hale Primary and Nathan Hale Intermediate
Darien: Anne M. Jeans
To all who assisted with this important work...my heartfelt thanks!
Dick
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
You Know the Expression!
As the saying goes..."When the cat is away, the mice play!" Well, that is precisely the case as I took a break from blogging this summer. Much transpired over the past two months with regard to issues in education and leadership.
Sadly, many of the principals we have worked with over the past few years are no longer serving schools where we assist students. It's not as if they have left the occupation; rather, many have moved into other positions. The result is often a scenario where there is a lack of stability in a building where it is desperately needed.
On another note, Forrest Claypool is the new CEO of the Chicago Public Schools. Time well tell how that works out. Claypool is the former head of the CTA and he has brought some of his former colleagues to the CPS system.
And what would the end of the summer be like without the very real possibility of a strike at CPS?! All will be tested in order to arrive at a contract which everyone (or nearly everyone) can live with. Stay tuned!!
Dick
Sadly, many of the principals we have worked with over the past few years are no longer serving schools where we assist students. It's not as if they have left the occupation; rather, many have moved into other positions. The result is often a scenario where there is a lack of stability in a building where it is desperately needed.
On another note, Forrest Claypool is the new CEO of the Chicago Public Schools. Time well tell how that works out. Claypool is the former head of the CTA and he has brought some of his former colleagues to the CPS system.
And what would the end of the summer be like without the very real possibility of a strike at CPS?! All will be tested in order to arrive at a contract which everyone (or nearly everyone) can live with. Stay tuned!!
Dick
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Supply Delivery Success!!
To our SCC Donors and Volunteers,
My apologies for getting this note of thanks to you a bit late. This past week has been a tremendous success as we delivered supplies to 42 schools in addition to providing band instruments to Barton, Harriett Beecher Stowe and Nathan Hale Middle School. Whether you loaded trucks and pallets or helped get the student supplies in the respective buildings, please know I appreciate all of your efforts. It certainly was a warm and humid number of days this week but, as always, you pulled it all off in an amazing fashion. Below are a couple of notes of thanks that I received from personnel at recipient schools and I wanted to share them with you.
Again, my profound thanks,
Dick Flesher
Mr. Flesher,
Thanks so much for the generous donation that was delivered to Tanner School yesterday. We are extremely appreciative and we look forward to using the resources to support our students' learning during the upcoming school year.
Thanks Again,
Andromeda Bellamy
Assistant Principal
Tanner Elementary School
7350 S. Evans Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60619
Good Morning Dick,
I just wanted to express our gratitude for Schools Count generous donation of school supplies to John Hay! This donation along with all your other contributions has been a blessing to our school! School Supplies will be distributed to students and teachers at our Back to School KickOff in September. Thank you for helping our school community get the school year started off well prepared!
Thanks for everything,
Crissie Williams
Assistant Principal
John Hay Community Academy
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