Makes Sense to Me

Some ten days ago Steve Chapman of the Chicago Tribune wrote a piece entitled "Ferguson and our stubborn racial divide." Yes, plenty of folks don't want to admit that such a divide exists. Still others in America deny its existence while some just go about life as if it doesn't affect them in any way, shape or form.

Steve essentially makes the point that there is a gulf between races in the United States. He goes on to talk about studies that detail the difference between whites and blacks when it comes to how they are treated by police, being taken advantage of in terms of the whole subprime mortgage fiasco and the existence of many social and economic ills.

What does this have to do with the work of our charity? Plenty!!

I have often described the conditions in many schools and neighborhoods where poverty, crime, few jobs and blight are commonplace. Mr. Chapman remarks, along these lines, "How are children raised in places where such conditions prevail supposed to learn responsible habits? How fair is it to blame children raised in poor lawless communities for turning our badly as adults? How would your kids do if they had been raised in those circumstances?"

Steve concludes his 'Commentary' piece with the following, "Black Americans still live in a different country, with different rules, different dangers and different rewards than those faced by others." It is precisely because of this condition that Schools Count Corp. endeavors to mitigate against to limit and eliminate such rules and dangers.

Dick

An Incredible Week

The week of August 11 - 15 was amazing for many reasons. Not only did we provide a massive quantity of assorted supplies to nearly 20,000 students at some forty schools but we did so with an energetic and hard-working group of volunteers.

So here is a 'shout out' of thanks to our many wonderful workers; Isabel Arce, Skip Begley, Kristin Bronke, Ed Bulak, Dylan Canavan, Erin Cassato, Megan Chu, Heather Fehrman and Family, Keith and Kristy Giltner and Family, Rosemary Grant, April Hardenbol, Anthony Hernandez, Lisa Hikes, Barb Ioli, Pam Kalafut, Corky and Julie King, Sibyl Krucoff and Mark, Nancy Krumpolz, Erik Kupczyk, Myles Laffey and his daughter, Gloria Lane, Don Mack, Donna Manning, Janelle Marconi, Angie McCormick, Earl McMahon, Terry Meyers, Jim Muldoon, Jim O'Brien, Dawn Oler, Maddie Oler, Barb Plantz, Joe Prieto, Kate Saunders and daughter, Ann Scott, Len Serwat, Michael Smith, Jeff Sheppard, Sarah Steinke, April Tatro and Mike Wiggins.

To each of you, please accept my heartfelt thanks for taking the time to help make our deliveries. If it you commitment and concern for others which makes these ventures so worthwhile. Not only have you brought needed supplies to the students and staff at the various schools, you have put smiles on the faces of one and all.

Many thanks,
Dick

Back in the Saddle

After nearly 100 days of working on the house, sorting school supplies, vacationing and delivering supplies to 40 area schools (CPS, Posen, Robbins, Harvery, and Nathan Hale) I'm ready to keep you up-to-date on all the good being done by our charity.

Besides delivering to the above mentioned schools, last Sunday, we delivered many supplies to Greater Rock Missionary Baptist Church in the North Lawndale neighborhood. On behalf of our Board of Directors, donors and volunteers, I had the opportunity to attend the festive 'Unity in the Community' gathering.

What a great event!!! Haircuts were provided, school supplies given out, clothes of all sizes were available and a wonderful meal was provided to the throng. Of course a church service highlighted the event. Lots of games were played by the children and the kids had a chance to have their faces painted!! This went on throughout the afternoon.

I was pleased to be acknowledged by the Pastor James and others for providing supplies to the children. To say the least, I was awestruck by the hospitality and warm welcome. Just one more reason why this is an honor to keep Schools Count Corp. moving forward!!

Dick

Great News!!

I have great news for all of you who follow events with Schools Count!! We have been collecting mountains and mountains of supplies from many, many area schools. To those staff, students and groups who have donated to us...thank you so very much.

And now...I need your help!! These supplies need to be sorted as we will be delivering to some forty schools later in the summer. We will be sorting supplies this coming Saturday, June 21st from 9:00 am to noon at our home located at 20048 S. Kohlwood Dr. in Mokena, IL. You are bound to have fun, meet some great people and help a most worthwhile cause.

Please let me know if you can make it by emailing me at rich219@comcast.net.

Thanks so much!!
Dick

Common Core Shortcomings

Take it from Adam Heenan a Social Studies teacher at Curie High School in Chicago who weighed in regarding the harm that Common Core standards will impose on his students. Adam teaches a course at Curie entitled Financial Literacy. Does anyone, of any age, think that having financial literacy skills is a critical one? The obvious answer is a resounding YES!

Adam has found that the units offered in the course make students aware of the decisions and factors that go into decision-making regarding all sorts of money issues and uses. As Adam says about his course, "Most of my lessons priortize what is relevant to the content and valuable to my students."

The sad truth of the matter is this, according to Mr. Heenan, with regard to the coming high stakes Common Core testing that is on the horizon for the coming school year. "I risk compromising my students' voices in the learning process, which sets students on a path toward disengagement in activities, then classes, and finally school in general."

That, in a nutshell, is exactly the point...we risk losing kids.

Dick

YOU Are Always the Solution

Whether it's helping children-in-need, supporting a cause to end a disease, participating in 5K, or assisting a charitable institution, citizens in this country always seem to be the guiding light.

I've heard many people say something like this regarding children and schools who are short on resources. "It's a shame." Still others lament the deplorable situation by saying "Something ought to be done about it."

This charity (ours, yours)is based on your energy, donations, time spent volunteering, and dedication to keep the flames of optimism burning. I appreciate the fact that many of you are joining us this Saturday to sort supplies for the students in the CPS system and southern suburbs. Because you are willing to take the time to sort, the kids will have many more of the materials they need to be successful.

Schools Count has always relied on you and I want each of you to know that I respect and honor your willingness to give of yourself to our various causes. As stated, YOU are the solution to many of the problems plaguing the tough conditions faced by children who had nothing to do with the dilemmas they face each day.

Thank you,
Dick

New Orleans Schools Now Charterized

The final public neighborhood schools, as we once knew them, in New Orleans will disappear when school starts in the fall. The RSD will now operate charter public schools going forward. This movement has been taking place since Hurricane Katrina came ashore in August 2005.

Like any other 'reform' movement, this one has plenty of critics and advocates. The full impact of this change will not be known for some time in terms of its wide array of effects.

To be clear some of the changes are already viewed as harmful. Yes, a good number of children will have to be bused and a good number of kids won't be walking to and attending school in their neighborhood. Given this dislocation, don't kids yourselves, it will make it that much harder on many parents.

This isn't about NOLA neighborhood schools failing. Our charity worked with many of the RSD public schools and many of them made terrific progress - by any number of measures - over a sustained period of time. So before anyone goes with the argument that "charters yield better results," it ought to be clear that the vast majority of neighborhood schools got the job done.

A sad day :(

Dick