There are plenty of ways to assist schools in poverty or simply those lacking the full amount of resources needed to provide a decent and well rounded education for the children. And children everywhere should have just that!!
This year the Hinsdale Central High School Jazz Ensemble will again get the Community House in Hinsdale hopping with the annual Jazz Benefit which aids our work as we build band programs in the Chicago Public School system. This year the beneficiary of the proceeds from the jam session will go to Alex Haley Elementary on the south side of the city.
Haley has a Fine Arts program including Dance and Art and now they'll have a band!!!
The Jazz Benefit will take place on Tuesday, April 30th commencing at 7:00 pm. Admission is $5 per person or $10 for the entire family. Of course anyone donating an instrument will get in free in addition to being provide with a tax receipt for providing an instrument in working order.
More details will be coming in the next few days.
Dick
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Monday, March 18, 2019
Spotlight on Chase Elementary
It would be difficult for any school in America to live up to the reputation of person whose name is Salmon Chase. Mr. Chase (1808-1873) had a distinguished career as a lawyer, U.S. Senator, Governor of Ohio, a Supreme Court Chief Justice and the Secretary of the Treasury during the Civil War. Perhaps his greatest legacy is that of being a staunch abolitionist.
Chase Elementary is a PK-8th grade school located in the Logan Square neighborhood and is home to 415 students. To say that the students are thriving in this dual language school is an understatement as it has a top rating of 1+. The principal of Chase is Raquel Saucedo and she has the good fortune of having some eager learners and teachers. The school, aside from traditional courses also has a strong intramural and music program.
If Mr. Chase were alive today I think he would be thrilled to learn of the ongoing successes at the school.
Dick
Chase Elementary is a PK-8th grade school located in the Logan Square neighborhood and is home to 415 students. To say that the students are thriving in this dual language school is an understatement as it has a top rating of 1+. The principal of Chase is Raquel Saucedo and she has the good fortune of having some eager learners and teachers. The school, aside from traditional courses also has a strong intramural and music program.
If Mr. Chase were alive today I think he would be thrilled to learn of the ongoing successes at the school.
Dick
Friday, March 15, 2019
Fixing the Shortage
The national teacher shortage needs a quick infusion of action by the public. Too often the public feels that there is little they can do regarding such a monumental issue and they simply throw up their hands in frustration.
So allow me, respectfully, to offer a few suggestions. I've tried them and to be anything but candid with you, I have had NO feedback and seen little action. That being said, writing the state education association (of any state) or providing a letter to the editor or asking a local board of education to get on board with some sort of 'Introduction to Teaching' course in high school has to have a number of people sounding the alarm.
For those of you in the teaching profession (including counselors and other personnel) please ask your principal and/or dept. chairs to get involved in teacher preparation. The next time you IEA representative is in the building ask them to fund a teaching program as part of the high school curriculum.
The teacher shortage crisis is real and isn't something I've decided to make an issue. We all need to get involved.
Dick
So allow me, respectfully, to offer a few suggestions. I've tried them and to be anything but candid with you, I have had NO feedback and seen little action. That being said, writing the state education association (of any state) or providing a letter to the editor or asking a local board of education to get on board with some sort of 'Introduction to Teaching' course in high school has to have a number of people sounding the alarm.
For those of you in the teaching profession (including counselors and other personnel) please ask your principal and/or dept. chairs to get involved in teacher preparation. The next time you IEA representative is in the building ask them to fund a teaching program as part of the high school curriculum.
The teacher shortage crisis is real and isn't something I've decided to make an issue. We all need to get involved.
Dick
Thursday, March 14, 2019
We're 'Shortchanging' Ourselves
Over the past couple of days I have been lamenting what the Chicago Sun Times reveals is a "crisis" with regard to the teacher shortage in Illinois. The problem is getting worse by the year. In 2018 there were 1500 teaching positions that went unfilled along with 1300 support jobs; 2800 in total. The shortfall for the same two positions amounted to 2000 in 2017.
The March 14th Chicago Sun Times editorial has warned that 'Without good public schools, Illinois has little shot at reversing an exodus of middle-class families or attracting new families not to mention businesses looking for well-educated workers.' And for those who still adhere to the 'American Dream' the editorial went on to state that 'A solid public education is essential to giving working-class kids [all students] a solid chance to climb the economic ladder and prosper.'
Education surely isn't merely about economics. It's much more than that. Many solutions have to be put in place right now; otherwise, we are all the worse off for the absence of good teachers.
Dick
The March 14th Chicago Sun Times editorial has warned that 'Without good public schools, Illinois has little shot at reversing an exodus of middle-class families or attracting new families not to mention businesses looking for well-educated workers.' And for those who still adhere to the 'American Dream' the editorial went on to state that 'A solid public education is essential to giving working-class kids [all students] a solid chance to climb the economic ladder and prosper.'
Education surely isn't merely about economics. It's much more than that. Many solutions have to be put in place right now; otherwise, we are all the worse off for the absence of good teachers.
Dick
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
More on the Teacher Shortage
Not only are a vast majority of Illinois schools experiencing some level of teacher shortages as I mentioned yesterday but the problem continues to exacerbate to the point where students are affected. Schools are reporting that they are dropping courses and putting more students in classes. Why? Well, if you can't find a teacher(s) then you, as the expression goes, 'make do.'
Just how serious is the shortage according to the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents? Out of the schools who reported (527 out of 858 district superintendents) there were 1,032 vacant positions! Imagine what this total would have been if all 858 superintendents had responded to the survey.
To add to the woes, 32% of reporting districts said that the shortage is "serious."
The teacher shortages are most pronounced in the southern and central portions of the state. Make no mistake about it, the teacher shortfall is being felt in both Chicago and the suburbs.
Stay tuned,
Dick
Just how serious is the shortage according to the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents? Out of the schools who reported (527 out of 858 district superintendents) there were 1,032 vacant positions! Imagine what this total would have been if all 858 superintendents had responded to the survey.
To add to the woes, 32% of reporting districts said that the shortage is "serious."
The teacher shortages are most pronounced in the southern and central portions of the state. Make no mistake about it, the teacher shortfall is being felt in both Chicago and the suburbs.
Stay tuned,
Dick
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Severe Teacher Shortage
The bells you hear aren't those that signal the start of classes or the new school year. No, these are alarm bells and they are more than a bit serious. Peter Hancock of the Capitol News out of Springfield, IL (the article appears in the March 12 Chicago Sun Times) has provided some startling trends on the shortfall of teachers in the State of Illinois as reported out by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents.
There's lots to digest in the report but the bottom line is this...the shortage of teachers is widespread, has been growing and is creeping into every single part of the state. Here's the proof...the report states that 85% of schools that responded to the survey said that they 'reported experiencing some level of teacher shortage.' 85% my friends! 85%!! That's up from 78% just two years ago. Mind you, this is for the entire state and not just a segment of the Land of Lincoln.
Over the next few days I'll take a deeper dive into this issue, its effects and what can be done to reverse this trend. From where I stand we need to pay attention to these bells.
Dick
There's lots to digest in the report but the bottom line is this...the shortage of teachers is widespread, has been growing and is creeping into every single part of the state. Here's the proof...the report states that 85% of schools that responded to the survey said that they 'reported experiencing some level of teacher shortage.' 85% my friends! 85%!! That's up from 78% just two years ago. Mind you, this is for the entire state and not just a segment of the Land of Lincoln.
Over the next few days I'll take a deeper dive into this issue, its effects and what can be done to reverse this trend. From where I stand we need to pay attention to these bells.
Dick
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Spotlight on Gregory Academy
John Milton Gregory was a noted educator first serving as the Superintendent of Public Instruction in Michigan then moving on to become President of Kalamazoo College. Perhaps most noteworthy is that Mr. Gregory was the first President of the University of Illinois. To cap off his career, Mr. Gregory cast the deciding vote to admit women to the U of I.
Gregory Academy, Polk St. in Chicago, is led by Ms. Donella Carter. Gregory is a PK-8th grade school which currently has a Level 1 rating and it is home to 408 students.
Aside from the normal courses Gregory offers a number of sports programs including; track, volleyball, softball, soccer, and basketball. There are many club opportunities, among them; chess club, math club, debate club, technology club, science club and more. It's pretty clear that Ms. Carter and her staff offer many growth opportunities for the children.
Keep up the great work!!
Dick
Gregory Academy, Polk St. in Chicago, is led by Ms. Donella Carter. Gregory is a PK-8th grade school which currently has a Level 1 rating and it is home to 408 students.
Aside from the normal courses Gregory offers a number of sports programs including; track, volleyball, softball, soccer, and basketball. There are many club opportunities, among them; chess club, math club, debate club, technology club, science club and more. It's pretty clear that Ms. Carter and her staff offer many growth opportunities for the children.
Keep up the great work!!
Dick
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Captain Obvious
On the surface it may seem pretty obvious why I'm shinning a spotlight on the CPS schools we work with. Yes, I'm trying to provide you with a bit of background on the various schools. At the same time I hope I'm able to provide you with some of the various programs these schools are engaged in to better serve the students.
With many of these schools strapped for cash and a good portion of them in poverty stricken regions of the city, their various accomplishments are all the more newsworthy.
I hope you will continue to follow our blog to get a better grasp of the good work going on within the various communities. Put a spotlight on the success of the students certainly gives you a better appreciation that your dollars and efforts are bearing fruit.
Dick
With many of these schools strapped for cash and a good portion of them in poverty stricken regions of the city, their various accomplishments are all the more newsworthy.
I hope you will continue to follow our blog to get a better grasp of the good work going on within the various communities. Put a spotlight on the success of the students certainly gives you a better appreciation that your dollars and efforts are bearing fruit.
Dick
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Core, Elective No More
When I set out on my teaching journey many decades ago I never thought I would see the day, today, when Shop was eliminated and departments such as FACS, Art, Tech and Business - to name some - would be half the size of their former selves. Mind you that was a time that the school had a smaller school population than is now the case.
This 'hell bent' move to be so arrogant to proclaim some courses as 'core' and others as 'electives' is harmful and unwarranted.
Who on earth got to decide that certain curriculum is core and other curriculum aren't core? Tell a student who intensely studies Psychology that this isn't a core course. Likewise, someone who wants to be a mechanic and loves to work on vehicles or to experiment with a hands on approach...are you telling that young lady or man that this isn't essential?
Yet many in America claim that students lack common sense; that they can't balance their checking account, aren't able to prepare meals, don't know how to run the washer/dryer, are lost when it comes to changing a tire or perform all sorts of other every day activities/functions.
Those in education need to say no more, it isn't all about the core!!!
Dick
This 'hell bent' move to be so arrogant to proclaim some courses as 'core' and others as 'electives' is harmful and unwarranted.
Who on earth got to decide that certain curriculum is core and other curriculum aren't core? Tell a student who intensely studies Psychology that this isn't a core course. Likewise, someone who wants to be a mechanic and loves to work on vehicles or to experiment with a hands on approach...are you telling that young lady or man that this isn't essential?
Yet many in America claim that students lack common sense; that they can't balance their checking account, aren't able to prepare meals, don't know how to run the washer/dryer, are lost when it comes to changing a tire or perform all sorts of other every day activities/functions.
Those in education need to say no more, it isn't all about the core!!!
Dick
Monday, March 4, 2019
Spotlight on John Hay Academy
John Hay (1838-1905) was a noted statesman. Mr. Hay served as the personal assistant private secretary to President Abraham and later became the Secretary of State to President McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. Many people consider Mr. Hay to be vital to securing the 'Open Door' Policy with China in 1899.
Today John Hay Academy, Level 2, is home to 465 students in the Austin neighborhood. Led by Principal Ms. Mathis, the school is home to grades PK through 8th grade. Aside from the traditional academic courses, the school offers instruction in Art and Physical Education. There are a variety of activities including the following clubs; Science, Latin, Drama and Gardening. The school also offers the students participation in soccer.
These are some great staff to work with!!!
Dick
Today John Hay Academy, Level 2, is home to 465 students in the Austin neighborhood. Led by Principal Ms. Mathis, the school is home to grades PK through 8th grade. Aside from the traditional academic courses, the school offers instruction in Art and Physical Education. There are a variety of activities including the following clubs; Science, Latin, Drama and Gardening. The school also offers the students participation in soccer.
These are some great staff to work with!!!
Dick
Friday, March 1, 2019
Spotlight on Pickard Elementary
It's no wonder why Pickard Elementary a school of 443 students is rated a 1+. The school is named after Josiah Pickard (1824-1914). Mr. Pickard started out as a principal in a Wisconsin public school and sent on to become the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the entire state. Later Mr. Pickard was the head of CPS here in Illinois before finishing his career as the President of the University of Iowa. Quite a distinguished career in education.
Today Pickard, located in the Pilsen neighborhood, is a PK-8th school led by principal Mr. Hernandez. The success of this school is evident when you walk in the building. Students are eager to learn and the school has a very strong and dedicated LSC group of parents. Not only is there a strong academic program but the Negaunee Music Institute of the CSO has initiated a strong music program at Pickard.
Pickard is well staffed; a counselor, speech pathologist, nurse, Head Start teachers, occupational therapist, Educational Services staff and psychologist along with many fine teachers. It's not hard to see why Pickard has successfully followed in the footsteps of its namesake.
Dick
Today Pickard, located in the Pilsen neighborhood, is a PK-8th school led by principal Mr. Hernandez. The success of this school is evident when you walk in the building. Students are eager to learn and the school has a very strong and dedicated LSC group of parents. Not only is there a strong academic program but the Negaunee Music Institute of the CSO has initiated a strong music program at Pickard.
Pickard is well staffed; a counselor, speech pathologist, nurse, Head Start teachers, occupational therapist, Educational Services staff and psychologist along with many fine teachers. It's not hard to see why Pickard has successfully followed in the footsteps of its namesake.
Dick
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