Erosion of Confidence

The problems accruing to the CPS school system whether self imposed or as a result of neighborhood/environmental concerns have been well documented. Be it poverty, low property values, few dollars, unemployment, budget shortfalls, political squabbling, blight or any other issues, the result is not simply difficulties in terms of educating the youth in those regions. There is another more sinister and long term effect that these conditions create among the residents.

All of the above results in the simple fact that there is an erosion of trust and confidence in the school system, CPS, as well as various government agencies. How on earth can parents feel that the children and schools are being treated in the manner expected...in a fair, reasonable, and just way.

Unless real solutions are found then the erosion of confidence will persist.

Dick

Culpability for 'Crumbling Prisons'

Beyond Governor Rauner calling CPS schools 'crumbling prisons,' a faulty statement at best, the phrase begs the question...okay, if the schools are 'crumbling' and are identified as 'prisons,' then who is culpable and what is been done about these conditions?

These aren't questions posed merely to lay blame at the feet of the Governor or anyone else. They are raised with the hope of correcting the problems that do exist within various CPS schools.

To ignore the problem(s) and to do nothing about them is nothing short of a dereliction of duty. Crumbling structures can't be tolerated. The safety of children and staff is at stake not to mention the quality of the learning environment. A poor structure certainly might raise flags of concern relative to water and food safety among other issues.

'Crumbling prisons' they aren't but, many schools are certainly in need of repair. If the problems exist those in charge of fixing them better get to work.

Dick

Words Matter

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner's comments regarding the condition of Chicago Public Schools is disheartening and hurtful. To say that "many of them are basically crumbling prisons." Are a good number of them crumbling? Sadly, yes. But to invoke the term 'prisons' is unwarranted and not helpful.

The schools have enough problems without someone, anyone, invoking such a harmful word.

As Mary Mitchell so eloquently stated, "but parents don't send their kids to dilapidated school buildings because they don't care. Many of these parents have limited choices." So low property values resulting in low property tax collection, community blight, unemployment, neglect and other causes mean that there are limited dollars available to repair the crumbling structures.

To invoke the term 'prison' is wrong and the Governor ought to know it. What the Governor could best do is skip the language and help fix the problem(s).

Dick

Ali - Renting a Room

Long, long after Muhammad Ali has been laid to rest, after many winters, and after the ruinous toll that war brings to many, we will remember one of his many profound statements about what we are called to do in the name of humanity. There was a point in his life when he stated, "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth."

This isn't some catchy phrase or Ali waxing poetic...this is much of the essence of the man.

And who can argue that he isn't right, that he hasn't captured our very reason for being, and that he hasn't missed a beat in calling upon our better nature. There have been others before, and those who will come after, who have lived lives in the service of others but, Ali's life is another shinning example of what it means to be kind, generous and considerate of others.

For me, this statement is a reminder of the urgent work of Schools Count.

Like others, I didn't know the man but I am thankful for his service. I believe Billy Crystal said it best in his eulogy..."his rent is paid in full."

Dick

I Need Your Help

One thing is for certain...The children we serve in the Chicagoland area who are in need of various supplies and resources will absolutely get them this August. And in order to deliver on our commitment I am reaching out to you to give us a hand in delivering the various supplies and resources.

I could certainly use your help on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, August 2nd, 3rd and 4th. To join forces just shoot me an email at rich219@comcast.net to say you're in!!! I'll provide you with times and locations of delivery a bit later in the summer.

The children we continue to happily serve are deserving of a decent public education and they most certainly merit having all the materials they need to be successful. It doesn't matter ones station in life, the difficulties with school funding and finances or other restrictions that limit their access to necessary resources.

Let's join forces to help students who are grateful for our assistance. Please let me know you are in and will do your part to help deserving children.

Thank you,
Dick

End of the Year

Graduation, cleaning up the room, storing supplies, getting things in order for summer curriculum work and saying good-bye to our students. These and many other tasks take place at this time of the year. For others, it might mean a final good-bye as a number of teachers end their careers in the classroom.

Whatever the end of the year means to staff, students, parents and others it is a time to recognize the fact that public education, and all who take some part in it, have no doubt made lasting contributions. Too often, these days, there are plenty of obstacles and roadblocks that seemingly impede the work in the classroom.

Perhaps this has always been the case. Getting a decent education might seem like a simple task on the one hand but, overcoming problems and setbacks has always been one of the key components in 'educating' our youth. It isn't simply about grades at the end of the year; rather, it has more to do with the so called 'journey.'

I hope everyone's journey has been fulfilling and rewarding.

Dick