Help Our Students

There is a wonderful group of students at Hinsdale Central High School who are working diligently to help a public school in Guayama, Puerto Rico get back on its feet five months after Hurricane Irma. Over the past few years these young people have formed a club at Central called Campaign for Classrooms. They have assisted in rebuilding schools in other parts of the world and are now helping us as we endeavor to help the children in Puerto Rico.

Campaign for Classrooms is raising money in a number of ways including having a fundraiser on March 10th at Chipotle on March 10th in Westmont, IL (300 E. Ogden Ave.). By buying anything on the menu, Campaign for Classrooms will receive 50% of the proceeds on sales between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm. To take part in this worthwhile fundraiser all you have to do is present a flyer when you place your order. It's as easy as that.

To get a flyer simply email me at rich219@comcast.net and I'll provide you with the flyer. Kudo's to the students at Hinsdale Central for looking out for others!!

Thanks,
Dick

A Quick Commentary

Prior to heading off to meet with the good people of 'Casten for Congress' I just want to take a moment to reflect upon the need to continue the work of assisting children. There are plenty of students who live in poverty, rural areas of limited opportunities or regions afflicted by natural disasters. Whatever the cause of harm or disadvantage, it makes sense to give it our very best to help these young people.

Take away public education, no matter ones lot in life, and you have a serious erosion of all that is good in our country. It's something our donors, sponsors and volunteers feel strongly about.

Dick

We Could Use Your Help

I often hear people talking about trying to find ways to help others. Well, you have come to the right spot!! Our charity is always looking for more ways of helping children whether in Chicago, storm ravaged areas in other parts of America or outside of the continental states.

The more donations we receive the more we can do to help students in the classroom. That's our goal - a simple one - to assist children in their education. That may mean new books, pencils, music instruments, art supplies, binders, folders, athletic gear, uniforms...the list is literally endless.

To help children in need you can help in any of two ways. First, you can write a check payable to Schools Count Corp. and mail it to Dick Flesher, 9550 140th Court, #112, Orland Park, IL. 60462. The second manner of donating can be achieved by going to our website... www.schoolscountcorp.org and clicking on the donation button. That's it. And your tax deductible contribution will be put to good use right away.

As always, thank you for your assistance and consideration!!

Dick

Too Scared To Learn

As I walked home from Starbucks this morning I walked past a couple of children all bundled up and on their way to school. I gave them a smile but they looked down at the pavement (okay, some humor here...I might look a little scary!). I completely understand where we are in 2018. Children have been taught not to talk to any stranger. Who knows what might happen.

For children of the past 20 years or so, they have been brought up in an age of suspicion, anxiety and fear particularly when it comes to coming in contact people they don't know.

If the kids are heading to school a bit scared of this individual then how do you think they - along with the rest of their family -
are handling and processing the spate of gun violence last week and over these past 20 years.

Imagine how these same children, knowing that there are armed teachers (or other individuals) who are carrying some type of firearm, might feel. You can understand the students - some if not many - are likely to be scared; in fact, maybe a bit too scared to be able to handle what's in front of them on their desk.

Before anyone dismisses this I can tell you children do go to school in the inner city with a good deal of trepidation knowing some of the violence that surrounds the neighborhood. I've seen it and so have these teachers. They tell me they often have to deal with the gun violence before they can get the children to learn.

Dick

Just Say No

It was years ago that Nancy Reagan said, "Just Say No," and those were her exact words with respect to her view that Americans should follow this path with respect to rejecting drugs. Many people criticized her at the time but it was a call that struck a cord in our country.

I believe there is something to the idea of 'just saying no.'

I'll keep it simple this morning with respect to the issue of arming more people in our schools. My message to family, friends, students who I know and don't know, and those who work tirelessly in our nation's classrooms...NO. Don't put more guns in our schools.

Dick

A Sad Farewell

It was two days after Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans, and the Gulf Coast, that my good friend Joe Prieto decided he needed to do something to help the good people of an area that he truly loved. It was a hot day here in Hinsdale and school was in session but that wasn't going to stop Joe from doing what he could to lend a hand.

In fact, the way I remember it went something along the lines of "I'm calling in and that's that!" He was bound and determined to head south.

We had two Penske trucks loaded with bottled water and we set out for Oxford, Mississippi (University of Mississippi) as that was the closest we could get to the hurricane ravaged area at that time. For Joe, not unlike his work as a Guidance Counselor at Hinsdale Central High School, it was all about aiding people.

We didn't pull into the loading dock area of the campus until well after 1:00 am but Joe wasn't about to stop and get some rest until we reached our destination. We unloaded our trucks got about 3 hours of sleep and headed back to Illinois the next day.

For the next four years Joe would accompany our charity to New Orleans as we delivered student supplies to over 50 schools. It was as if it was a Rite of Spring for this fine man.

This morning I learned that Joe had suddenly passed away. What a fine, generous and kind man. There wasn't a person, NOLA resident or HC student, who Joe wouldn't assist.

Rest in peace my friend, rest in peace

Justice, Testing and Ratings

Yesterday I made reference to the fact that 65% of a CPS school's rating is based on a composite of test scores. I stand by calling this a sham not merely based on it being an arbitrary number but because of compelling evidence that the success enjoyed by students lies well outside of the testing regime and by association any 'teaching to the test.'

Plenty of studies are available that point to the influences affecting the level of student success. By most accounts some 2/3's of what influences the learning of any student are those which take place outside of the school building. That being the case here is but one question I'd like to pose. Can those who have come up with this arbitrary 65% figure tell me to what extent they have taken into account the significance of these outside influences?

My best guess is they can't and that's all the more reason to dispense with the 65% number of any such figure.

Dick

Justice and testing in Education

So the City of Chicago school system says that 65% of an elementary school's ranking is based on the results of test scores. As I continue to give thought to this arbitrary number (and I believe it is) there are a number of major problems and concerns connected to it aside from the frustration that such a number exists outside of the input of school personnel inside the various buildings.

Today I'll attempt to tackle one of the major disturbing elements that should concern educators in Chicago as well as across America.

As alluded to, the 65% figure is an arbitrary one. Why is it 65% and not 60%, 41% or even 80%? I have never seen nor have teachers in CPS or the general public ever been provided with a rationale for this number. And if that is indeed the case then the whole thing is little more than a sham particularly when it comes to having anything to do with student success or the larger issue of improving their welfare or human condition.

This rating makes no sense and it ought to be done away with.

Dick

What Makes Schools Great?

Last night had the opportunity to attend a seminar and lecture revolving around the theme of 'What Makes Schools Great.' Well over 100 educators, students, parents and other stakeholders attended the gathering. To a person, we were presented with plenty of first hand experience and data that ratings (testing) doesn't make a school 'great.'

Over the next couple of days I want to convey some of the background regarding school ratings and the need to separate this from what makes a school a good school.

One of the areas talked about/discussed centered on the factors which affect student test scores. The research concludes that roughly 65% to 70% of what impacts scores are influences outside of the school setting. The point being this...for those critics of schools and school performance it is important to note that teachers and the school setting in total is NOT as important as one may think.

Flash...too much blame is put at the feet of schools for test scores, positive or less than positive.

Dick

Justice in Education

Throughout my days teaching and working with Schools Count I have long thought about and, yes, been puzzled by and thought long and hard about what it means to have justice and equality in public education. In the final analysis I am of the mind that justice and equality boil down to making sure that every child gets the very best education possible.

Justice isn't simply saying that the same number of dollars need to be spent on each child in America. A third grade child/school in rural America or a 9th grade student/school in urban Jacksonville, FL may well need more funds or resources provided than their counterparts in some other region of the country.

If schools have long faced deficiencies in some way, shape or form then something needs to be done to wipe out those shortcomings. It's not enough to simply throw up ones hands and say 'that's the way the cookie crumbles.' To take that metaphor a step further, I'll pose this question...why let the cookie(s) - students - stay crumbled?

We shouldn't

Dick

Final Thoughts on New Englewood H.S.

A mere 11% of those high school students in the Englewood neighborhood currently attend a high school - one of the four - within its area. 40% attend a high school at least four miles away! I have no doubt that the new high school, to be located where Robeson now stands, will attract a fair number of students.

But when 89% of those who could currently attend either Hope, Harper, Robeson or Team Englewood go elsewhere then there is much more going on and at stake than what a new building can address.

I know that CPS, for many months, sought the input of students, parents and residents concerning the issue surrounding the closing of the schools and erecting a new one in their place. With all that being said, does the brain trust (I'm not being sarcastic) see the need to look into other factors that may lead to attracting more than 11% of the neighborhood students to the new building? Are there other school related factors that can be addressed (and non-building issues as well) that will keep the kids in the neighborhood?

I have a simple answer to the above...YES

Dick

More on Englewood

So a new $85 million high school will be built in Englewood that will start accepting freshmen in 2019. $85 million is NOT an extraordinary amount to spend on a school. That being said, $85 million would do much good for the four Englewood high schools that are facing closure not to mention other district needs.

True the enrollments are down substantially at Team Englewood, Harper, Robeson, and Hope. But you can't tell me that closing all four of these institutions will take care of low enrollment, low test scores, students going to schools outside of the neighborhood and more.

Don't get me wrong, the CPS brass should address the above problems and more. But the problems run deeper than merely low enrollments and people leaving the neighborhood. Unless and until the school district, city government and civic leaders sit down to address the larger causal problems then a bright shinny school will not, alone, address the academic deficiencies along with the socioeconomic conditions which the good people of Englewood have long had to deal with.

Dick

On the Horizon...CPS School Closings

There's liable to be some real fireworks at the February CPS Board of Education meeting. Why will sparks fly you ask? The board will vote on closing a number of Englewood high schools; Hope, Harper, Robeson and Team Englewood. There are plenty individuals from these respective schools who are rightly upset.

Here's a bit of the background. Enrollments at these four schools is down anywhere between 70% to 85% over the past decade. CPS wants to close all four of these schools and spend nearly $85 million on one new school in order to try and keep the Englewood students in their neighborhood.

This dollar figure is but one of the sore points that confounds residents who care deeply about these four schools. And this reality concerning the loss of Hope, Harper, Robeson and Team Englewood is a deep wound that must be addressed.

I'll continue to follow this story as it gives one a snapshot into the ever increasing reality of school closings throughout Urban America.

Dick

Think on This

I'd like to invite you to take a moment and read a short section on the operation of charters in Illinois that comes from the IL. General Assembly, Article 27a.

"In authorizing charter schools, it is the intent of the General Assembly to create a legitimate avenue for parents, teachers, and community members to take responsible risks and create new, innovative, and more flexible ways of educating children within the public school system. The General Assembly seeks to create opportunities within the public school system of Illinois for development of innovative and accountable teaching techniques."

Sounds great, right? Here's what I find rather perplexing and, at the same time, rather disingenuous . Is this to assume that the traditional neighborhood schools don't allow teachers the opportunity to be 'innovative and more flexible'? I know many teachers who are always researching and promoting thoughtful and 'innovative and flexible' means for educating students.

If people somehow believe that charters and only charters develop 'innovative and accountable teaching techniques they are misinformed and perhaps misled.

Dick

Keeping an Eye on Charters

There's plenty of information out there regarding charter formation, charter companies and agencies that have much to do with setting up the rules and regulations regarding their operation. Yesterday I point out that the Illinois State Board of Education plays a role in these public schools.

One other organization that has much to do with the oversight of charters is the Illinois State Charter School Commission. As you know one of my personal points of interest, absent an elected board of education for charters, is the matter of monitoring these institutions.

When it comes to monitoring the commission states that authorities (could be the ISBE or some other group) "generally look to see that students within the charter are performing at a higher level than the district or state standard."    That sounds all well and good to an extent.

What happens when this level of achievement is not reached?    I ask this since it is typical for a charter to receive a five year contract.   So my point is this...if the standard is not met during this five year cycle what action is taken by the monitoring group?    Since there is no school board of LSC, as in CPS schools, how are parents engaged?

We could all use some answers since we are funding charters if one is within our school district.

Dick

More on Charters

Charter schools are subject to what is termed as "ongoing monitoring" by the Illinois State Board of Education. On the surface that is fine and appropriate. Of course this begs the question what is meant by 'ongoing monitoring?' Is the monitoring of charters the exact same template as used for other public schools? Good question.

Aside from that monitoring I believe it is even more critical that charters - which are public schools - have to adhere to the very same standards and ways of operating as the non-charters.

I have many beefs with charters but I'll just mention two. Charter school parents, in my view, should have the right to vote for a school board to oversee their 'public' school operation. The charter organizers could well use the oversight and input of a school board. These are important and valuable organizations for the traditional neighborhood public school system.

My second major concern is this...charter school organizations should never be 'for profit' institutions. The people who organize charters may most certainly have the best interests of students in mind but, there is no way that 'public' schools should ever use money that ends up in the pockets of those corporations who start charters.

Dick