Coats For kids

Friends of Schools Count,

As the calendar says 'fall' and the temperatures cool, we will once again work to assist children who desperately need to keep warm during the upcoming winter as they head to and from school. Please be kind enough to read about our 'Coats for Kids' initiative, below, and we would certainly appreciate your consideration in helping us procure coats for the children. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like me to provide you with additional information...I'd be glad to do so

Thank you,
Dick Flesher

Coats for Kids

Schools Count Corp.
We will collect coats from Oct. 1st through October 31st.
For various schools in Chicago and Harvey

Childrens (K – 8th grade) New winter coats. We are also collecting clean and gently used coats (please…no hoodies, sweat shirts or trench coats. Sizes: children’s
Sizes: S,M,L,XL and Adult: S,M

You can drop off on the front porch at 345 Harris or 451 Colfax Ave. in Clarendon Hills. Can also drop off in Room 116A at Hinsdale Central High School. For other arrangements contact Dick Flesher at rich219@comcast.net

Friends!! For every new coat donated to Schools Count, I will purchase a new knit cap to match!!! Remember, keep your receipt for a tax deduction.

Dick Flesher
Schools Count Corp., NFP
14004 John Humphrey Dr.
Orland Park, IL 60462
630-863-6035
www.schoolscountcorp.org
www.schoolscountcorp.blogspot.com

Just What We Don't Need - A Strike

The.Chicago Teachers Union has taken a strike vote and one is looming on the horizon. Oct. 11th is the walkout day. The school year just started, kids are pretty excited and the teachers are back in the classroom and now a strike.

There's all kinds of talk that money is available through TIF (tax increment financing) to settle the deal. As Jesse Sharkey, the CTU Vice President said, "Rahm Emanuel has it within his power to solve this problem." That's part of the problem in this country...one person doesn't and shouldn't have all the power to deal with such a complex issue!!

To me, there's a bigger issues here. There is distrust between the two sides, harm has been done in the past (closure of 50 plus schools), a real budget problem, state funding of schools issues, pensions and more. Parents and kids, over these past few years, have to be at wits end and that is a more substantial concern.

Okay, the teachers could fight on and get a raise only to see the above problems exacerbate to an even more critical level. Sometimes, just sometimes, you have to be the bigger person and do what is best for the larger group not just yourself.

Dick

Join the Teaching Profession - Part IV

It just dawned on me that one of the great disservices some create deals with their negative remarks concerning teachers in front of their very own children. Sure, a student can have a legitimate concern or issue with a teacher but parents and the general public don't need to 'tar and feather' teachers.

It's appropriate to deal with a real problem, if it takes place, between your child and his teacher. That should be the focus and any spin or tarnishing, intentional or not, of the profession is simply wrong.

More to the point, nearly all parents and the public at large have had positive teachers in their lives. Perhaps this lone point ought to be more than enough to convince people to be positive about the impact of teachers and to encourage their children, should the discussion arise regarding careers, to look seriously at a life of teaching.

Great teachers DO make a profound difference!

Dick

A Note From Yates Elementary

Just thought I would pass along this note from the Music Teacher at Yates Elementary. This is great news regarding the fact that 26 students are joining the new band program.

Hello Mr. Flesher,

We have 19 confirmed members, but I am expecting 7 more permission slips tomorrow. They are so excited! We cannot thank you enough! We'd like to send you some thank you notes. Could you send me your address?

Thanks!

Kudos to Hinsdale Central Boys Soccer

Each fall the Hinsdale Central Boys Varsity Soccer Team embarks on a mission to helps Schools Count Corp raise funds for the students served by our charity. This fall six seniors raised the wonderful sum of $6,000.00!! We still have a big event that will take place with Chipotle on November 21st so the total will go up!

I want to thank Ari Bourtsos, Eric Chang, James Mathew, Jake Semba, Max Snodgrass, and Mikey Usher for taking on such a wonderful initiative. The donations raised, the actual KICK event last Sunday and the auction were a monumental success and I want to thank the boys and their Mom's for all their efforts!

I also want to thank all the sponsors and participants associated with this event. Your continued support affords us the opportunity to continue to serve children who are deserving of a decent education.

Many thanks,
Coach Flesher

Join the Profession - Part III

Last night I got to participate in a sort of 'town hall' at Kenwood Academy in Chicago. The thrust of the program was about bringing people of color into the schools of color and retaining those teachers. However, one can easily see these points being made for any school whether in rural areas, the suburbs or the inner city.

One of the things that stuck out in my mind was the fact, yes fact, that students of color make greater strides in terms of achievement when their teacher(s) are of the same color. Of course, the research also shows that there are a disproportionate number of non-coloreds teaching students of color.

If the above doesn't change then some of the problems that now exist will continue you and that is a sad fact.

This gets me to ponder the following...I wonder how a non-colored neighborhood school student population would fare if the kids had teachers of color throughout most of their elementary and high school years?

Dick

Join the Profession - Part II

Aside from getting ride of the noise of the critics of teachers and education it is imperative that those in positions of leadership; educators, government officials and the public-at-large encourage high school students to join the ranks of the teaching profession. In a sense I'm invoking the idea of President Kennedy when he launched the Peace Corps.

You can discuss the merits of the Peace Corps all you wish but the idea of launching such a program is appealing. What better way to serve others? What better way for people to make a difference? We are always asking the young to get involved with service projects or charities so why not ask them to take the next step?

We've shot for the moon and succeeded. Let's launch a march to telling our youth they can make a profound difference in this world by becoming a teacher.

Dick

Join the Profession - Part I

There's way too much clatter about 'the poor state of education/teachers in America.' Rubbish!! This nonsense about the failure of education and poor teaching leading to our demise is utter nonsense. Let's be clear, no institution in America has ever claimed to be perfect. That condition simply doesn't exist.

Those critics, who for decades, have lamented 'we are behind the rest of the world' have no idea of the cultural differences between various countries or the internal workings of education in each society. And that my friends is an important distinction that gets lost in the heated rhetoric.

I mention this notion of the naysayers/critics in Part I of 'Join the Profession' because in any endeavor one has to block out the noise. Don't let the voices of 'gloom and doom' sway you from what is an honorable and critical part of the beauty of our nation. A strong public education has been a bedrock of our national heritage.

Dick

Totally Disagree

Sunday's Chicago Tribune carried an editorial entitled 'A Schoolchild's Bill of Rights.' While I agree with a good portion of it there is a troubling and harmful portion dealing with 'School Choice for all families.' I absolutely agree that parents can certainly send their children to private or ethnic schools of any sort.

Short of the above, public education is a must and though there are some good charters out there it ought to be understood that a fair portion of them are underfunded and that many simply don't take in 100% of the students who could attend. To be clear there are charters who don't welcome all.

There are charters that simply don't offer a full and comprehensive curriculum with the activities and athletics which the students so fully deserve. This country must protect a fair, full and public education for all. We can't shortchange students in any way, shape or form when it comes to their education.

Sorry my friends, some charters don't measure up.

Dick

Ramications for Education - Something to Ponder

The Sept. 5th edition of Time magazine has, as its cover story, "Ordinary Families. Extraordinary Kids." As I read the piece and went through it a second time, I believe there are lessons that ought to be gleaned from the lives of the nine families. As I reflect on the work of Schools Count and those we work with I thought I would convey some of these real life stories to those of you who follow our blog/facebook.

For those families who were part of the story in Time who were immigrants they had this to say [from an Indian family in Kansas]; "We made a conscious decision that we are different enough, so we should do everything we can to make the kids feel part of their community." The children who were raised by this particular family said that they grew up "understanding that the family was more important than the individual."

The above children are now adults but along the way, in their education, these lessons were taught and learned. I believe that these imperatives will do much to help our youth in our schools.

Dick

Here's a Secret

It's time to listen. As school districts conduct even more one-to-one learning, put greater emphasis on test scores (they do), come up with more and more convoluted ways to evaluate teachers and so much more, there comes a time when school administrators and school boards need to 'clam up' and listen to the real needs of students and teachers.

Here's what I'm talking about. Are the rooms cooled or heated properly, are the schools treating electives (not a good term) with the same degree of attention as core courses, are there enough seats/labs for the children, are the needed supports in place for the teachers and students, are there enough subs, are there enough supplies and resources, are the computers/printers working?

Okay, you get the idea. There is a real disconnect between the first two paragraphs. My suggestion...listen to what people have to say about the real needs of students and teachers who are in the classroom day in and day out.

Dick

A bit of Confucius

Did you know that out of all the subjects taught by Confucius he believed that morality was the most important of them all.

One of my favorite Confucian quotes regarding education..."The essence of knowledge is having it, to apply it; not having it, to confess your ignorance."

What Counts

Some 14 years ago I set out to write a book about teaching. The book, unpublished and collecting dust in a file cabinet, was partially my view of what makes a teacher a good teacher and another portion of the book sought to ask students about their own experiences. As part of the work, I surveyed nearly 1,000 students in eight states and asked them their views on just what makes a teacher excellent.

As I reflect on one of the questions I asked them about those elements (a library, teachers, computers, tests, books and more) which most help them learn I can't help but remember the inescapable conclusion reached by most of the children. Overwhelmingly, the kids said that the teacher, himself/herself, was what was most vital to their success.

Today, perhaps more than ever, given the declining number of college students entering the teaching profession, this input, certainly sheds light on the need to promote the teaching profession. Our educational system and the very essence of the well-being of our nation is at stake.

Dick

Why the Blind Obedience?

Sure, Math, the Sciences, English and Social Studies are important course offerings. But I constantly hear the drumbeat that if there are crowding issues and/or finance issues in schools then the electives have to be scaled back. No they don't and no, we shouldn't allow it.

There has been enormous research on the value(s) of Music, FACS, Art, Foreign Language, Physical Education and more in terms of brain development and and promoting the ability of various aptitudes such as promoting creativity, judgment and learning. Aside from these telling points, children need a broad scope of opportunities to develop.

Why the blind obedience? Sometimes it's dollars, sometimes it's space, sometimes it's plain ignorance.

Dick

Violence, Children and Education

My good friend Ed Bulak provided me with a piece regarding children who grow up with higher levels of violence in their lives. To determine just how violence affects kids MRI scans are performed and they indicate that 'Kids who grow up with higher levels of violence have weaker real-time neural connections and interaction in parts of the brain involved in awareness, judgment, and ethical and emotional processing.'

This work has been undertaken by Immordino-Yang and her studies are leading to a 'growing field called the neuroscience of poverty.' Yang's work is 'based on correlations between brain patterns and particular environments, the research points to a disturbing conclusion: Poverty and the conditions that often accompany it—violence, excessive noise, chaos at home, pollution, malnutrition, abuse and parents without jobs—can affect the interactions, formation and pruning of connections in the young brain.'

The physical harm that violence brings to an individual and family is certainly gut wrenching. The attendant harm cause by violence, loud noise, environmental chaos and other factors seems sure to cause enormous harm to young people. And this harm most certainly makes it that much more difficult to learn.

Just one more handicap that must be overcome in violence ridden areas of this country.

Dick

Yeah for Yates Music!

The kids are back in class and let the school year commence. The smiles on the faces of Ms. Lindgren, the Music Teacher, and Yates Principal, Mr. Perez, say it all. Yates had but one guitar prior to the assistance provided by Luscombe Music and Schools Count.

With new and rehabbed trombones, clarinets, flutes, guitars, oboe's, trumpets, and saxophones Ms. Lindgren will start an after-school band program this week. Of course, the school wants to be able to have a full band that not only offers music instruction but will be able to put on various performances throughout the year.

Best of luck to the Yates students. Have a great year!!

Let the music begin!!!

Dick

A Thankful Principal at Gregory!!

Hello and Happy New School Year!!

I hope all is well with you, the family and the Schools Count Corp team.

Thank you so much for the supplies and materials that were delivered. We distributed them to students in folders and bags as they entered the first day of school. They were very surprised and appreciative.

Thank you again for the awesome support and partnership!!

We are off to a great start.☺

Yours for children...
Donella Carter, Principal
John M. Gregory Academy
A CPS LEVEL ONE, HIGH PERFORMANCE SCHOOL

What I've Learned

The headline is self explanatory so let me offer a few ideas...

...when bringing help to schools it is important to ASK what they need
...most parents of children we help are most appreciative
...solving big problems dealing with budget shortfalls, pensions, class sizes and mandates takes time, patience and cooperation
...small ideas and donations of any size CAN and DO make a difference
...not to let the negativity of others impact the good of our organization
...connecting our donors and volunteers to the recipients of our assistance is vital
...many people do care

Thanks for your help!!
Dick

Thank you Luscombe

Luscombe Music in Elmhurst always steps forward to help us when we want to build a band program. This summer is no different. Laura Peterson, the owner of Luscombe, developed a program this summer which allowed owners of musical instruments to donate them to Luscombe so that we could, in turn, provide them to Yates Elementary in Chicago.

Luscombe collected trombones, a violin, trumpets, a guitar, a violin, an oboe, flutes and much more. Not only did Luscombe collect the instruments but, at their cost, did the necessary repairs so that all of the instruments are in top playing condition. Aside from this terrific effort Luscombe sold me new instruments at a very low price. So, all in all, Luscombe Music has done amazing work to get the Yates band program up and running starting today, Sept. 6th

Thank you Laura Peterson, John Scoville and the many donors!!!

Dick

Relief to LA

With Labor Day here today and gone tomorrow all the schools, no doubt, will be back in session and that includes those so tragically flooded from the 2 feet of rain that hammered much of LA and the Baton Rouge area a few weeks ago. Schools Count has a big shipment of supplies that will arrive in Baker tomorrow, Sept. 6th.

The five Baker schools will receive the following due to the generosity of our donors; 400 backpacks, 500 pairs of scissors, 500 rulers, 500 packs of construction paper, 2,000 pens, 10,000 pencils, 5,000 notebooks, 1,000 boxes of crayons, 1000 packs of filler paper, 2,000 binders and 10,000 folders.

Thanks to our many donors, ALL of the Baker students will be well equipped to head back to classes. We may never know the real gratitude felt by the students, their parents and the folks who work in the schools but having talked with people who are in the buildings, believe me, they are profoundly touched - as am I - by your concern and kindness.

Many thanks,
Dick

Just What Normally Happens

For all the noise about gangs, violence, problems with layoffs, potential strikes, alleged failing schools and so forth in Chicago, I ventured into the halls of Richard Yates Elementary School yesterday. We were there to deliver music instruments to Ms. Lindgren so that she can start a band in an after-school program.

Among other things I saw were teachers putting up fresh bulletin boards in the hallways and classrooms. Teachers were readying their rooms with books and various materials. A couple of Physical Education teachers were getting sets of clubs out so that they could instruct the students on Day 1. And one of the teachers helped to carry a good number of the music instruments up to Ms. Lindgren's room on the third floor.

All in all, plenty of staff were obviously eager to get on with the school year. So if you hear someone say that 'they don't care,' you can tell them 'you have it all wrong.' There are plenty of CPS teachers just like the Yates staff, excited for a new school year.

Dick