Take a Break

The end of the school year for most is at hand along with the Memorial Day holiday. The start of summer must soon be here...maybe! At any rate, this is the point in the year where I take a couple of months off from blogging all things education and Schools Count.

I just wanted to send you a simple note of thanks for sticking with me as I endeavor to help people keep up with events taking place with our charity, financial problems/concerns in education and various other related issues. I really do appreciate your taking the time out of your day to keep up with all that we do on this end.

I hope your summer is relaxing and that you are able to find much pleasure in all that you do with your family and friends. Nothing says summer better than some quiet time, traveling, heading to the beach, visiting some sights that have, to this point, been largely unseen or simply kicking back in some other fashion. Hopefully, the days will be long and they will be enjoyable.

I'll look forward to seeing you and hearing from you in late July/early August.

Be well,
Dick

Lowlights of the '18 Education Budget

Usually I get my blog out very early in the day however, today is the exception. I have spent a good portion of the morning going over the Administration's 2018 budget for education. I will give you the facts. There are two main categories dealing with allocation of monies to education. One area is called Elementary, Secondary and Vocational while the other main category is Higher Education.

Both areas will take major hits. The Elementary, Secondary and Vocational programs will see a cut of 16.1% over the next 10 years. The 10 initiatives within this sphere will all see major reductions during this same period of time. Higher Education is in more trouble as the reductions to the overall program are a whopping 41.6%.

Whether poor urban areas, suburbia or rual America, schools in this country will be harmed with the elimination of 22 programs and severe cuts in many of the rest.

These are the facts!

Dick

Unwarranted Cuts to Education

I might just as well be blunt about it...the federal budget put forth by the Administration with respect to our nation's education system is in a word a travesty.

A travesty because it eliminates 22 federal programs!!! That's right, 22 programs gone. On top of getting rid of many of these vital services the budget cuts $1.2 billion in after school programs which serve in excess of 1,500,000 students. Another $190 million is lost in literacy education and deep cuts are made to vision screening as well as speech therapy.

The budget also stops subsidizing the payment of interest on student loans. Money is steered out of Title I programs that are specifically designed to help those mired in poverty. Technical and career education progams are facing steep cuts while $27 million is eliminated in arts education.

Quite literally, dozens of additional programs are facing stiff and unwarranted cuts. Let's not kid ourselves, Congress will go along with many of these cuts and to what end? At least part of the 'end game' is the fact that many students will be hurt.

Dick

Public Education Chopping Block

Friends,

Below is a story put out by the Washington Post regarding deep cuts to traditional public education.   Though Congress will ultimately wield its own appropriation power you will surely witness severe cuts to public education across the board and it will come to your district.

Trump's first full education budget: Deep cuts to ... - Washington Post

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/trumps-first-full-education-budget-deep-cuts-to-public-school-programs-in-pursuit-of-school-choice/2017/05/17/2a25a2cc-3a41-11e7-8854-21f359183e8c_story.html 

Dismaying to Say the Least

Friends and supporters of Schools Count,

Many of you know that our charity, as part of its mission, works with students in impoverished portion of Chicago and the surrounding area.    There are many areas of this country, urban and rural alike, that are having a hard time.   Jon Tester is no shrill.   I found his piece about the the Upward Bound program to be eye-opening in light of the work we do and the many cuts coming down the line from the U. S. Dept. of Education so I thought I'd share it with you.

Thanks, Dick

Richard, Upward Bound is an initiative funded through the Department of Education that helps students from low-income families, or from parents who don't have bachelor's degrees, pursue their dream of a college education. It's been successful at the University of Montana for more than 50 years. But this year, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos denied UM’s application for Upward Bound. Why, you ask? Because a single page in the 65-page application wasn't double-spaced. The University revised the application, but Secretary DeVos refuses to reconsider. We need to teach Secretary DeVos a lesson that most children learn early on in life: Actions have consequences. And the consequences for denying Montana students opportunities will be severe.

All You Need to Know

Friends,

Each year I send out a note to all the schools receiving supplies notifying them of the date and time of delivery. Below is but one note, though brief, from Ms. Mathis of John Hay Elementary. I believe it encapsulates the very essesnce of the gratitude of students, families and staff at the respective schools. Just wanted to share it with you to give you a sense of what your many efforts mean to those in need.

Good evening,

This is such great news! We appreciate all that you do for Hay students and YES, someone will be available to receive the supplies Tuesday, August 8th at 9:30. Please come to door 3 in the parking lot on Latrobe street.
We would love to come to the dinner on Nov 8th!

Thanks so much for all you do for Hay Students. You have been such a blessing to our community and we value our relationship!


Latrese T. Mathis
Principal

John Hay Community Academy
1018 N. Laramie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60644
W: 773-534-6000
F: 773-534

Get in on the Action!

I'm sure plenty of you have some wonderful plans for the summer and here's hoping it is relaxing and pleasant!! When summer winds down there is one additional way to put an exclamation point on it being a productive one. Please consider helping our charity deliver school supplies to nearly 15,000 children within CPS and Harvey, IL schools.

All that is needed is a bit of lifting and storing of supplies at various schools. We always have some good laughs and meet some terrific people at the various schools who are ecstatic to think we would continue to help the children.

The days of delivery are Tuesday, Aug. 8th, Wednesday, Aug. 9th and Thursday, Aug. 10th. We would meet each day at the respective schools (if you are able to help I will send you the addresses) at 9:00 am. Typically, we finish delivering at 2:30 pm. Simply shoot me an email to say you want to give us a hand and you're in!! You can contact me at rich219@comcast.net and I'll be sure to add you to our volunteer list.

Thank you!
Dick

As Summer Approaches

As May turns warmer here in the Midwest and the calendar sees Memorial Day on the horizon, you know the end of the school year is just around the corner. That means graduation, final exams, closing up shop for another year and celebrating the end of the teaching career for many of my friends and those teachers unknown to me.

It is a long road for certain. Perhaps it started out with a bit of trepidation, long nights and weekend with lesson planning and grading and the uncertainty of how to get a class or individual to see the worth of coming to school. Those of us who taught learned to listen and to adapt...often on the fly. We learned that a lesson that doesn't work needs to be tinkered with or let go of in spite of our not wanting to let go.

Our teaching careers in essence were actually a series of being 'first year' teachers since every fall brought a new crop of faces to our classroom. This might have been one of the most valuable lesson I, and others, learned as we went about our careers. No class and no new school year, let alone the students, were ever the same. And that was part of the beauty of teaching.

So, to all those retiring teachers thank you for adapting, adjusting, changing, inspiring and being their to help your students. Those long weekends, nights that had too little sleep and 'talks' with individual students were all worth it. Think of all those positive and memoriable moments you shared with your colleagues and students and know that you made a difference.

Dick

YOU Can Change Things!

As the weather warms up and the school year is in the throes of winding down, much comes to mind for me. I fondly recall these pristine spring days as ones where students are excited to graduate, others are longing for summer vacation and those teachers who are about to retire from those many years working with young people. It is a time of joy and anticipation for many!!

I'm also reminded, in my role of being the leader of Schools Coun,t that in a couple of months - they are often fleeting aren't they? - that teachers and students will head back to classroom. This is the time of year where SCC assesses the needs of some 35 schools so that we can bring needed supplies to those who are eager to learn and get the year off on the right foot!!

I'd like to extend an invitation to you to be a contributor to this cause. We are bringing everyday classroom materials to some 15,000 students...binders, pencils, folders, notebooks, loose leaf paper, and more. We are also providing every school with a limited supply of uniforms (polo's). In addition to these valuable resources we are also providing music instruments to Medgar Evers Elementary School so that they will have a band program. And as is the case in the early fall we will see to it that we provide winter coats to those with the need to stay warm.

So, yes you can change things and bring improvement to the students. To make a donation to the above causes you can mail a check to us or go online (www.schoolscountcorp.org) to make a donation. If you prefer to send us a check kindly make it payable to Schools Count Corp. and mail it to Dick Flesher at 9550 140th Ct., #112, Orland Park, IL. 60462. As has always been the case your contribution is fully tax deductible and 100% of the donation goes directly to serving the children!!

Thank you for your consideration!
Dick

Blame Game

When each side accuses the other of not solving a problem or having created it then you know there is not only plenty of blame to dish out to both sides, you also know that there is little chance that the problem will be solved anytime soon. Such is the case with the current financial woes at CPS.

Both Mayor Emanuel and Governor Rauner are on this treadmill of playing the 'blame game.' And I don't see any end in sight as the school year wraps up.

Given this scenario and the fast approaching end of the year coupled with the huge multi-million dollar CPS bills that must be paid in the coming weeks it appears as though both sides will have to face the hard truth - both sides must LOSE in order for the school year to continue. That's right, both sides must LOSE. Both sides have to give in. What this means is that each side will have to hold their noses and accept something proposed as a fix by the other side.

Plain and simple. Either do this or continue to play the blame game.

Dick

CPS Money Mess

Whether CPS says they need $129 million or $596 million to get through the school year the message is clear. There is a money mess and it seems to get messier by the day. You can point to any number of reasons why the financial woes persist and you can speculate on why and who hasn't provided the aid up to this point in time. In a way, though, it doesn't matter as the damage is done.

Schools have seen their budgets cut on a number of occasions and this means student programs suffer. Teachers and school personnel suffer as they have to make cuts they don't really endorse. As if they needed another punch in the gut, some communities suffer further erosion as the public schools have traditionally been a strong beacon in their respective neighborhoods. The overall district faces not just a budget crisis but a credibility crisis among many constituents.

No wonder there is a growth in private, charter and selective schools.

Dick

A note of Thanks

May 9, 2017. A day like almost every other day. Somewhere it's raining or a bit cloudy or sunny and hot. Regardless of the location in America today is National Teacher Day. And like the weather just alluded to there's likely some vastly different events and emotions transpiring in our nation's classrooms this morning.

But in almost all schools here in Illinois, and elsewhere nationwide, there is one constant...teachers endeavoring to reach out to our nation's youth in order to make an impact.

Our teachers are our nation's treasure in many ways. They awaken ideas, nudge, push, cajole, inspire, nurture and strive to listen. In many ways our teachers are the leaders of America. They help to socialize, get them to see their potential and to find their place in the world. Our teachers help students balance checkbooks, instruct them in the ways of our government/Constitution, allow them to express themselves through music or art and they provide the laboratories for all sorts of experiments.

Where else can you learn to understand the meaning(s) of the work of Ernest Hemingway and other authors? Who else will teach them about fixing a car or baking a cake? What better place is there to learn about sportsmanship and winning/losing than in the classroom called a sports field? Who better to set an example of what is means to be respectful, honest and decent?

Certainly there are teachers in everyone's life who have made a profound and lasting impact.

So to each teacher...thank you for your service and dedication, not only to our students, but to all of our citizens.

Dick

A Funding Train Wreck

There are plenty of concerns about how Illinois funds its schools. For starters the state coughs up less than 20% of the money spent on educating public K-12 students (the national average is a robust 45%). You know where that ranks us among all 50 states? Dead last my friends, dead last.

What this means in real terms is that local Illinois school districts are almost entirely responsible for funding their respective schools. Translated, the poorest areas of the state of Illinois often have too few dollars to educate students in the appropriate manner. And this just doesn't hold true for urban areas but a good number of rural communities as well.

So the problem is multi-faceted. No only is there a lack of parity in funding our school system there's also a lack of overall dollars being provided to educate all of our nations students. What will our leaders do about this? As citizens what actions will be engage in?

Dick

A Life Well Lived

I have a very brief story to tell regarding someone I taught with and with whom, after our teaching days came to an end, I managed to stay in touch through the work of our charity. Sadly, Mary Ann Reeder passed away this past January. I did not know of her passing until this past week.

Mary Ann taught Physical Education at Hinsdale Central High School and coached a number of sports during her tenure as a Red Devil. She simply drove in from Gardner each day and quietly went about her job. She taught and coached with the same level of consistency day in and day out. She wasn't the kind of person to call attention to herself and she wasn't looking for kudo's or aspiring to climb the proverbial ladder.

Mary Ann had retired before I took this same path in 2005 but we stay in touch with each other through the work of our charity. As is our custom, each spring, we solicit the public for donations to Schools Count. If I sent out a newsletter on a Tuesday of any given week, Mary Ann would have a donation to me by the end of that very same week. She was always the first to send me a donation and a letter of thanks accompanying the check and she did so every year. By the first of April this year I had not heard from Mary Ann. I was quite worried that something was wrong. Little did I know that she had passed away.

Mary Ann was a strong advocate for students, a humble person, a lover of all things dealing with the rodeo, a follower of the Cubs & Blackhawks. And she was ALWAYS there to provide the students we serve with funds to lift them up. Funny thing about her donation and letter each spring...she ALWAYS provided me with the inspiration and spirit that helping others is a path worth walking. I will always be grateful for all she provided in the service to others.

RIP my friend,
Dick

I'm Sorry to Say

Given what is taking place in Springfield - or more appropriately isn't occurring - I believe that the city and CPS are stuck with two or three poor options in terms of keeping the schools open until the regular school year concludes towards the end of June.

I believe there will be a combination of edicts that will come about. These aren't in any order but it seems likely that all of these solutions, or a good number of them, will be used to stave off an early shutdown. First, I see CPS asking the schools to make cuts to their budgets. Second, the Mayor seems more likely to ask for some TIF surplus from the Chicago City Council. Third, further cuts in the CPS central office might be forthcoming. Fourth, adding a couple of furlough days towards the end of the school calendar. By the way, notice I mentioned nothing about state funding. I don't see any money on the horizon.

The bottom line is this...lots of people will be hurt by these actions; certainly the children, their families and school staff. It is a sorry state of affairs.

Dick

Musical Mission Success

Aside from collecting a full Pearl drum set, a flute, a saxophone and some music stands, last weeks Jazz Benefit brought in lots of cash donations...to the tune of $1296.00!! To all of our wonderful supporters...thank you for helping to make the evening a success. I know that Ms. Ellis of Medgar Evers is one delighted principal.

I have a feeling we will see more of Medgar Evers in the future as I know the Music Teacher is intent upon putting together a performance for our donors and volunteers.

And speaking of volunteers...it is never too early to sign up for our school supply delivery in August. We are delivering throughout the Chicagoland area on August 8th, 9th and 10th. This is a very rewarding time as we get to many some of those who benefit from the countless efforts to raise funds and awareness of the work of Schools Count. To get in on the action simply give me a shout out at rich219@comcast.net.

Many thanks,
Dick

CPS Happenings

- Barbara Byrd Bennett was given a 4 1/2 year prison term for steering $23 million in no bid contracts to the
consultants who previously employed her. She was suppose to receive kickbacks but those never came to be.

- Others involved in the no bid contract scandal also will serve time. Thomas Vranas will serve 18 months and
Gary Solomon will serve seven years.

- A Cook County judge rejected a lawsuit filed by CPS against the Illinois State Board of Education that claimed
CPS is receiving funds from the state in an unequal manner.

- Mayor Rahm Emanuel vowed that "The kids of the city of Chicago will be in school until the end of the year because
that's where they belong."

Dick