Ready and Rarin to Go

The weather outside is indeed chilly.  Okay, it is cold!  As you can see from the huge collection of boxed coats, we are ready to deliver many of them this week.  We will head to six CPS schools on Wed. and a number of Harvey, IL schools on Friday.

A good portion of the coats will go to the Staten Island schools in a few weeks.  It isn't too late to help these schools.  Just give me a call or drop me an email at rich219@comcast.net and we can make arrangements for additional supplies or funds.

Many thanks!!  Dick

In Need in NY

Over a month later the areas hardest hit in NY and NJ are still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Sandy.  Schools Count will head to Staten Island (shown in the photo) to distribute winter coats, school supplies and other resources to the Staten Island School District.

If you want to be a part of this relief effort we would welcome your help.  To make a donation you can send a check to Richard Flesher, 20048 S. Kohlwood Dr., Mokena, IL.  60448 or make one online by going to www.schoolscountcorp.org and following the directions.
As always, the monetary donations are a charitable gift and we will issue a gift receipt for tax purposes.

We can all do our part to bring some holiday hope and cheer to our fellow citizens who could use some help.  Thanks for your consideration!

Dick

Just Catching Up

Time to tie some loose ends together!! 

Next Wed., Dec. 12th we will be heading to Chicago to deliver coats, and assorted warm clothing to a number of schools; Chase, Pickard, Chalmers, Johnson, Pope and Gregory.  These schools are always appreciative of our assistance.

On Dec. 13th we'll head to the Harvey, IL School District in order to bring them some winter coats. 

Our trip to Staten Island is Jan. 2-3, 2013 and we are still collecting coats and funds so that we can provide the students with some resources which are sorely needed in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  We have already collected many coats, bought many school supplies and other items but their needs are great and we still have room on the truck for more!!!

Let me know how you can help and we'll work to make this holiday a little brighter for others.

Many thanks,
Dick

Students Assisting Students

Hinsdale Central's Students Assisting Students made a big splash yesterday by providing 40, yes 40, coats to the children of King Elementary School in Chicago.  Three of the students actually made the trek to Chicago, after school, to present the donation to those in need.

One of the wonderful aspects of the coat drive is the fact that the 12-member club did a great deal of fundraising this semester in order to purchase the coats.  SAS raised the funds by working at the football concession stand, baking and selling coats and selling candy.

Aside from the fact that the students did all the legwork in terms of fundraising, the club members did the shopping in addition to getting to Chicago and making the connection with the King community. 

On a personal note, I am proud of the club for making such a meaningful contribution to students who could use a bit of help in the form of someone simply caring about them.  Mission accomplished!!

Thanks,
Dick

Good Deeds

Yesterday was a banner day in terms of collecting coats and other winter wear.  Schools Count was the recipient of over 100 coasts, dozens of pullovers and many pairs of mittens and gloves not to mention scarves and hats!!

Cynthia McGann, along with Mary Beth Owano, headed up this huge collection effort.  Reaching out to the Chicago Hawks Hockey Club, Kids4Good, Eisenhower Jr. High and other friends, the two were able to collect, clean and sort all of these items.  This was a big undertaking!!!

These two volunteers are often working with local schools to promote all sorts of kind acts; helping IMN in Haiti, assisting IL school children and aiding others in need.  Their work in guiding children to make meaningful and significant contributions to the larger society is most noteworthy.

As we get ready to head to CPS and Harvey, IL schools over the next couple of weeks, the children who will receive the warm clothing will have many to thank, including Cynthia and Mary Beth!

Many thanks,
Dick

More on CPS Closings

"Don't close our schools.  Consider the gang borders kids might be forced to cross.  And stop sending children far away from their homes."  These are but some of the comments made last night as parents addressed their concerns to the independent commission set up to recommend school closings later this spring.

One should have expected such comments.  These are very real concerns for the parents of many CPS children and they must be taken into consideration.

One of the other concerns voicecd at the meeting which took place at the House of Hope Church in Roseland was the fact that the meeting wasn't even publicized on the CPS website.   Hard to imagine a less credible way of asking for the engagment of the various communities.

Even more alarming, as pointed out by some parents, is the fact that the makeup of the commission has an absence of parent-community members with children attending CPS schools.  Credibility, notwithstanding the honorable intentions of the current commission members, is lacking without real community involvement.

It seems as though those most in need of help are denied the opportunities to pitch in.

Dick



 

Devil is in the Details

Last week I reported that CPS, Mayor Emanuel, and Ms. Byrd Bennett (CEO of the district) proposed that they be given an extension, until March 31, 2013, regarding which schools will be shuttered commencing with the 2013 school year.  In return, there will be a five year moratorium on school closings.  On the surface this might seem workable.

But, as the expression goes, 'the devil is in the details.'  For example, how many schools will be closed?  Are we talking 40, 50 or 75 schools?  The reason these questions about how many schools will be shut down is because it directly impacts other major concerns.

Will all of these school closings leave many neighborhoods without a public school?  If so, talk about a travesty!!  Will children then be bused long hours and long distances?   Without wanting to create a problem, rather facting today's reality, will children go to a neighboring public school where there might be entangling gang problems?  Also, when schools are closed what will be the class size?  Will they go up, down or remain relatively the same?

And what will be the driving force of school closings...age of the school, number of students attending or will test scores be the guiding light?  Or is there a combination of elements driving the closure of CPS neighborhood schools?  How many will become 'turnaround schools?

Like I said, the 'devil is in the details.'  Me thinks this is going to be messy

Dick