Jazz Benefit - April 19th

Why not shut off the TV and put away the iPhone!! Instead head to the Hinsdale Community House on April 19th to hear the spectacular Hinsdale Central Jazz Ensembles perform to benefit Lavizzo Elementary School. This evening promises to be a fantastic exhibition of some of the best jazz in the entire Western Suburbs. Admission is $5 per person or $10 for the entire family.

As always, the 7 pm benefit will welcome those who want to donate some type of horn; a sax, trumpet, coronet, trombone, clarinet or flute. I will be pleased to write a tax receipt for your donated instrument. Simply email me at rich219@comcast.net to confirm your donation.

Thanks,
Dick

Nurses Needed!

In the past, this blog has voiced major concerns that many CPS schools go without an in-school nurse for a good portion of each week. Why? Well, these in-house school nurses have been cut by CPS headquarters in recent years. CTU claims that the replacements brought in from RCM just don't measure up. I have been in many of the school buildings over the past years and can tell you the nursing situation needs some real attention.

Those who work with young children in a school setting understand that pediatric care is a real specialty. Aside from this very real concern, a good number of the CPS systems children have significant diabetic and mental health care needs. This is something where one can't cut corners.

Here's the point...any contract signed between CPS and the CTU needs to address the nurse issue. It is a critical component in the day-to-day teaching and learning process.

Dick

A Real Poke in the Eye

Yesterdays CPS Board of Education meeting was as eventful as ever. Various organizations want to open 21, yes 21, new charter schools in the city. Granted this first step just finds the corporate charter companies submitting letters of intent. Without putting forward the letters it is doubtful if a firm would be granted the right to go ahead with their charter plans.

Imagine how the public school teachers, principals, parents, CTU and other feel about the prospects of another 21 charters by 2018. Remember, the charters are still public schools and as such they are entitled to funds out of the CPS kitty. The result, fewer dollars for the cash strapped neighborhood schools.

All of this is taking place as the district remains in contract talks with the teachers. Not to be forgotten is the fact that school staff layoffs will likely go ahead this coming Monday. Of course the district remains deep in the red. I have one other for you...$60 million is suppose to go towards a North Side 'selective' high school.

Dick

YOU Are the Solution

Those of you who follow our blog or the work of our charity are committed donors and volunteers and for that I am most grateful. There are always ways to help us and, in turn, the children who we support through our many efforts to help them in the classroom.

So, here goes...

If you aren't already receiving our Newsletter, let me know and I'll get a copy to you asap. Also, on Tuesday, April 19th the Hinsdale Central High School Jazz Ensembles will host a fundraiser for Lavizzo Elementary School in Chicago so that they can start a band program. The night of music will be held at the Community House in Hinsdale starting at 7:00 pm. The cost is $5.00 per person or $10 for the entire family. All proceeds will support the purchase of needed instruments.

You can also help us as we deliver school supplies to over 40 schools in the Chicagoland area. We will be delivering on August 2nd, 3rd and 4th. To be a part of helping to get resources where they are most needed simply contact me at rich219@comcast.net.

Be sure to follow other initiatives by following us at www.schoolscountcorp.org

Our work entails many facets of helping children and YOU can be a part of the success and joy realized by students by becoming involved in the work of Schools Count. I look forward to chatting with you, seeing you at the Jazz Benefit or working with you as we deliver supplies to the various schools.

Thanks,
Dick

Keeping It Simple

Last night found us without electric and that meant no internet (chose not to use my IPhone) along with no television. Instead we had a fire with plenty of wood crackling and very little other noise. Ahh, the simplicity and beauty of it all. I reveled in the quiet of the night.

What does this have to do with education you ask? That quiet and warmth of the fire is an essential in life. Nothing too fancy. And with regard to education it made me think that if you put an extraordinary teacher in front of students and let them teach Math, Science, Music, FACS or any other subject the way they know best then we'll be doing much to make the classroom the significant place it ought to be. Keep it simple...let them teach Poetry, fusion, cooking and WW I in the way they know best.

The KISS acronym says it best..."Keep it Simple Stupid."

Diok

The Worth of Teachers

I see much taking place with teacher compensation and I don't much care for the trend I'm witnessing. Not only are school districts eliminating 'bumps' as one enters his/her final years of instruction, more troubling is the move underfoot to rid teacher contracts of 'step' and 'lane' advancement.

Here's why this later trend is of concern. Providing increases in pay for 'step' advancement (a raise for each year at the school) rewards those who stay at the school. This is a critical element to school success as stability is an essential component. For the most part schools need to prevent teacher turnover. Constant turnover leads to all sorts of problems.

Finally, 'lane' advancement (earning additional degrees or hours) is an absolute must in terms of teachers expanding their knowledge base and/or their understanding of how to work with students. Urging teachers to constantly broaden their horizons simply must continue.

If district choose to eliminate 'step' and 'lane' in their salaries they will one day see that they have made a huge mistake. At a time when the demand is high for additional teachers this is no time to get ride of something that has worked for the betterment of educating our nation's children.

Dick

Status of Teachers Harmed

Education International (obviously includes America and other nations) has recently compiled a survey which indicates the professional status of teachers. Mind you, the results are the obtained by how teachers view their profession. Sadly, teachers indicate that their status is harmed a good deal because of austerity and political attacks.

When teachers start viewing their own status in less than a robust manner that is not a small matter. At a time when reformers and non-educators seem to be pounding the gavel on all sorts of fronts, there is real reason for concern. Teachers feel less empowered, watched-over, micromanaged and told what to do.

As this blog has pointed out, if parents have questions about their children they always should be in touch with the teacher(s). Every parent has a right to expect full cooperation from their child's instructor. But government agencies and so called reformers must leave the business of curriculum design, teaching, assessing growth and work within the classroom to education professionals.

At a time of low morale, teachers feeling overwhelmed, teachers shortages in some areas, all while seeing their status diminished due to factors outside of their control, it is time to put an end to the 'bashing' epidemic. When you get right down to it, most teachers are just as effective today as they have ever been.

Dick

What Are They Suppose to Do?

Two days ago a good number of parents and students conducted sit ins at some of the CPS schools to protest cuts being made to many of the districts schools. This isn't the first time that cuts have been handed out to the students, their families and staff. I mention all of these groups as any cuts are known to adversely affect all the constituent groups as well as the education of the children.

Let me pose something to you in a sincere manner. What would you do? You play by the rules, you write letters, you support the school of your child(ren) and you want to see them get the best education possible. Aside from that you pay your property and taxes to the city and state. Is that okay for you to sit by and see what are often draconian cuts made to staffing and budgets, cuts made that will certainly negatively impact education? The answer is a resounding NO!

Peacefully protesting harmful cuts through sit ins is not only a constitutional right it has to be done to draw attention from those in charge that making cuts has to stop. It has to stop for the sake of the kids!

As I said, What are they suppose to do?
Dick

Homeless School Children

The latest report from the NEA Today regarding homeless children in U.S. public schools is both alarming and distressing. The 2013-14 school year found that a staggering 1.36 million students were homeless. To give you a sense of how serious this issue is one need only look at the homeless total of 795,054 during the 2007-08 school year. A nearly doubling of the homeless population in less than a decade.

I raise the issue because the needs of the homeless children, outside of the school building, are the same as for any person. The lack of a home fosters many problems. To be sure when students go to school they go with the issues and problems fostered as a result of being homeless. And anyone who doubts the strain on teachers and the obstacles faced by homeless children in terms of learning should refrain from casting those doubts and offering up any dispersions.

The whole child, both inside and outside of the confines of the school setting, must be considered and dealt with if education is to take place.

Dick

Put It on Your Calendar!!

There is no better time to enjoy some great jazz while helping a school build a band than heading out to the Annual Hinsdale Central High School Jazz Benefit. This year's jazz spectacular will take place at the Hinsdale Community House (on Madison in Hinsdale, IL) on Tuesday, April 19th at 7:00 pm.

All the proceeds from the event will go towards purchasing band instruments for Lavizzo Elementary School in Chicago. This school continues to address the many needs of the students and Ms. Steely, the Principal, is thrilled to start a band program. Our charity has worked with Lavizzo for many years and it is clear that the children have made much progress. On behalf of our charity, I can say that we are excited to work with Lavizzo.

In the coming days I will provide you with additional details concerning the benefit and how you can play a big role in building the band. Whether you're a jazz enthusiast or not, we're sure you'll have a great time hearing some of the best jazz around. The HC groups are sure to rock the place!

Dick

Who Will 'Pony Up?'

The age old question of who will 'pony up' certainly applies to the water crisis in Flint Michigan schools. The district is already $10 million dollars in debt and has had to make a number of cuts in recent years. So the question of who will pay to replace pipes in the gym showers, drinking fountains and cafeteria's is an important one.

Ultimately, after the dust has settled, the time will come when the pipes will have to be repaired and most likely replaced in a number of schools. On this issue there will hopefully be consensus that the repairs have to be made to insure that future water supplies are completely safe.

Up to this point, I have heard little public comment concerning this issue. For the sake of the students, their families and school personnel, let's hope this doesn't become some political hot button.

Dick

You Can't Cut Your Way to Success

Those who think that reducing teachers aides, classroom teachers, school nurses, and school psychologists - not to mention cuts to the day-to-day budget - is a good idea are wrong. Okay, one can reduce the CPS budget to an extent. So yes, the budget deficit can be cut but it is at the expense of children. Such is the case at many CPS schools.

When a nurse and the school psychologist are in a building once a week it hurts the kids and affects their learning. Reducing various staff simply places a greater burden on teachers at a time when they need staff to properly teach the kids. Budget cuts impact the availability of materials and resources needed by staff.

Helping students learn while aiding teachers in that endeavor can't be achieved through cuts. School districts engaged in such a 'slash and burn' approach will find they are creating more problems than they are solving.

Dick

Flint Matters

I'll get right to the point about the Flint, Michigan water crisis. Yes, Flint matters and here's why. Such entities such as electrical grids, roads, water systems and public education are those things that are part of what has long been established as those enterprises that exist for the common good of all citizens.

We simply can't afford, money-wise or in any other fashion, to allow these 'common good' qualities to erode, to dissipate or be harmed in any way. To do so is to diminish the quality of life for everyone involved and I'm not simply referring to the people who live in Flint. If we allow Flint and other future Flint's to exist then we surely have taken a step in the wrong direction.

Is there anyone out there who would be upset if they were facing the same crisis as those in Flint?

Dick

Flint Continued

The water crisis and, in turn, the crisis faced by school children in Flint is not some fleeting story, some sort of 'it happened so let's move on. Often, this is the way things work out in America. Take care of an issue, or so we believe, and that's it.

On Monday the Flint School District Superintendent, Bilal Tawwab, spoke with NPR about the water crisis in terms of its effects on the students. Not only are the effects almost completely unknown but other conditions in the district will persist and exacerbate the already momentous problems.

As Bilal explained, one simply can't predict how Flint's children will be impacted by the high levels of lead. Aside from the drinking water and preparation of cafeteria food the district is over $10 million in debt. Such a dire financial situation will certainly inhibit the ability of the district to solve the many problems at their doorstep.

Obviously bottled water and foods that don't need to be washed are needed. Perhaps medication will have to be part of the solution. However, these items just scratch the surface relative to the ongoing crisis. Mental care will a critical component to address in the coming days, weeks, months and years.

Yes, this is not some fleeting issue which will be quickly taken care of.

Dick

Flint School Children

The two-year water crisis has certainly impacted Flint MI. schools. I have talked to a couple of officials within the district in addition to watching various events unfold. I can tell you that some schools have been hit very hard in terms of lead in the water system. It's confirmed that there are hundreds of children with levels of lead that are way beyond what is acceptable.

Right now there is plenty of bottled water coming in. Of course, there are other concerns within the schools not to mention what happens when the students get home. Cooking food in the cafeteria, showers after Physical Education, washing ones hands and more are all major concerns within the various school buildings.

As soon I have a better grasp of needs I will let you know and we can go from there. The longer the crisis goes on, as is typically the case, interest and resources can soon fade away. That might very well be the time that the children and families will need the assistance of our charity.

I will be sure to stay in touch with you on this matter.

Dick

Eight Hours A Day...Not in Teaching

Teaching, well that's an occupation that certainly doesn't demand an eight hours per day. Oh, some teachers may put in the eight hours but the vast majority realize that eight hours doesn't even come close to fulfilling ones obligations. By the way, I won't comment on coaching and activities because a stipend, often rather small in dollars, is typically offered to staff.

What I am talking about are all of the hours that go into researching for a lesson, preparing calendars for students, working with staff, typing up those lessons/quizzes/tests, putting up displays/bulletin boards, grading the tests and quizzes, making phone calls, attending to dozens upon dozens of emails each day, and the one big time consumer...grading papers that of the essay variety!!

For those who think that teaching is a matter of standing and delivering and that students, all of them, somehow soak it in with the problems are sadly mistaken!!!

I'll put it another way...to those who say teachers are paid well enough and that they 'ought to be glad they have a job,' you don't know what you are talking about. As the old question and answer goes; Question from a skeptic: "What do you make?" The Answer from the teacher: "I help make students into the citizens of tomorrow?"

This is no eight hour a day occupation. Not by a long stretch.

Dick

Serious CPS Contract Offer

After weeks and months of negotiations between CPS and the teachers union, it appears as though a deal is in the making. No ink has been put on paper but the talks are serious and it appears as though both sides see an end in sight. And as is the case in almost all talks, compromise seems to be in place.

The CTU (teachers union) appears ready to walk back the 7% pension contribution the district now makes on their behalf in addition to teachers kicking in more dollars for their health insurance. In return, CPS would stop economic layoffs for the duration of the contract, cap the number of city charter schools and offer the teachers a modest pay raise.

The deal now goes to the union's 40-member Big Bargaining team and then on to the House of Delegates for their final consideration. This later group meets in two days.

When you get right down to it, both sides gain a little and lose a bit. At this point, I'd be surprised if either side withdrew their offer. Getting four years of stability is good for everyone concerned.

Dick