Friends of Schools Count,
As the calendar says 'fall' and the temperatures cool, we will once again work to assist children who desperately need to keep warm during the upcoming winter as they head to and from school. Please be kind enough to read about our 'Coats for Kids' initiative, below, and we would certainly appreciate your consideration in helping us procure coats for the children. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like me to provide you with additional information...I'd be glad to do so
Thank you,
Dick Flesher
Coats for Kids
Schools Count Corp.
We will collect coats from Oct. 1st through October 31st.
For various schools in Chicago and Harvey
Childrens (K – 8th grade) New winter coats. We are also collecting clean and gently used coats (please…no hoodies, sweat shirts or trench coats. Sizes: children’s
Sizes: S,M,L,XL and Adult: S,M
You can drop off on the front porch at 345 Harris or 451 Colfax Ave. in Clarendon Hills. Can also drop off in Room 116A at Hinsdale Central High School. For other arrangements contact Dick Flesher at rich219@comcast.net
Friends!! For every new coat donated to Schools Count, I will purchase a new knit cap to match!!! Remember, keep your receipt for a tax deduction.
Dick Flesher
Schools Count Corp., NFP
14004 John Humphrey Dr.
Orland Park, IL 60462
630-863-6035
www.schoolscountcorp.org
www.schoolscountcorp.blogspot.com
Friday, September 30, 2016
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Just What We Don't Need - A Strike
The.Chicago Teachers Union has taken a strike vote and one is looming on the horizon. Oct. 11th is the walkout day. The school year just started, kids are pretty excited and the teachers are back in the classroom and now a strike.
There's all kinds of talk that money is available through TIF (tax increment financing) to settle the deal. As Jesse Sharkey, the CTU Vice President said, "Rahm Emanuel has it within his power to solve this problem." That's part of the problem in this country...one person doesn't and shouldn't have all the power to deal with such a complex issue!!
To me, there's a bigger issues here. There is distrust between the two sides, harm has been done in the past (closure of 50 plus schools), a real budget problem, state funding of schools issues, pensions and more. Parents and kids, over these past few years, have to be at wits end and that is a more substantial concern.
Okay, the teachers could fight on and get a raise only to see the above problems exacerbate to an even more critical level. Sometimes, just sometimes, you have to be the bigger person and do what is best for the larger group not just yourself.
Dick
There's all kinds of talk that money is available through TIF (tax increment financing) to settle the deal. As Jesse Sharkey, the CTU Vice President said, "Rahm Emanuel has it within his power to solve this problem." That's part of the problem in this country...one person doesn't and shouldn't have all the power to deal with such a complex issue!!
To me, there's a bigger issues here. There is distrust between the two sides, harm has been done in the past (closure of 50 plus schools), a real budget problem, state funding of schools issues, pensions and more. Parents and kids, over these past few years, have to be at wits end and that is a more substantial concern.
Okay, the teachers could fight on and get a raise only to see the above problems exacerbate to an even more critical level. Sometimes, just sometimes, you have to be the bigger person and do what is best for the larger group not just yourself.
Dick
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Join the Teaching Profession - Part IV
It just dawned on me that one of the great disservices some create deals with their negative remarks concerning teachers in front of their very own children. Sure, a student can have a legitimate concern or issue with a teacher but parents and the general public don't need to 'tar and feather' teachers.
It's appropriate to deal with a real problem, if it takes place, between your child and his teacher. That should be the focus and any spin or tarnishing, intentional or not, of the profession is simply wrong.
More to the point, nearly all parents and the public at large have had positive teachers in their lives. Perhaps this lone point ought to be more than enough to convince people to be positive about the impact of teachers and to encourage their children, should the discussion arise regarding careers, to look seriously at a life of teaching.
Great teachers DO make a profound difference!
Dick
It's appropriate to deal with a real problem, if it takes place, between your child and his teacher. That should be the focus and any spin or tarnishing, intentional or not, of the profession is simply wrong.
More to the point, nearly all parents and the public at large have had positive teachers in their lives. Perhaps this lone point ought to be more than enough to convince people to be positive about the impact of teachers and to encourage their children, should the discussion arise regarding careers, to look seriously at a life of teaching.
Great teachers DO make a profound difference!
Dick
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
A Note From Yates Elementary
Just thought I would pass along this note from the Music Teacher at Yates Elementary. This is great news regarding the fact that 26 students are joining the new band program.
Hello Mr. Flesher,
We have 19 confirmed members, but I am expecting 7 more permission slips tomorrow. They are so excited! We cannot thank you enough! We'd like to send you some thank you notes. Could you send me your address?
Thanks!
Hello Mr. Flesher,
We have 19 confirmed members, but I am expecting 7 more permission slips tomorrow. They are so excited! We cannot thank you enough! We'd like to send you some thank you notes. Could you send me your address?
Thanks!
Monday, September 26, 2016
Kudos to Hinsdale Central Boys Soccer
Each fall the Hinsdale Central Boys Varsity Soccer Team embarks on a mission to helps Schools Count Corp raise funds for the students served by our charity. This fall six seniors raised the wonderful sum of $6,000.00!! We still have a big event that will take place with Chipotle on November 21st so the total will go up!
I want to thank Ari Bourtsos, Eric Chang, James Mathew, Jake Semba, Max Snodgrass, and Mikey Usher for taking on such a wonderful initiative. The donations raised, the actual KICK event last Sunday and the auction were a monumental success and I want to thank the boys and their Mom's for all their efforts!
I also want to thank all the sponsors and participants associated with this event. Your continued support affords us the opportunity to continue to serve children who are deserving of a decent education.
Many thanks,
Coach Flesher
I want to thank Ari Bourtsos, Eric Chang, James Mathew, Jake Semba, Max Snodgrass, and Mikey Usher for taking on such a wonderful initiative. The donations raised, the actual KICK event last Sunday and the auction were a monumental success and I want to thank the boys and their Mom's for all their efforts!
I also want to thank all the sponsors and participants associated with this event. Your continued support affords us the opportunity to continue to serve children who are deserving of a decent education.
Many thanks,
Coach Flesher
Friday, September 23, 2016
Join the Profession - Part III
Last night I got to participate in a sort of 'town hall' at Kenwood Academy in Chicago. The thrust of the program was about bringing people of color into the schools of color and retaining those teachers. However, one can easily see these points being made for any school whether in rural areas, the suburbs or the inner city.
One of the things that stuck out in my mind was the fact, yes fact, that students of color make greater strides in terms of achievement when their teacher(s) are of the same color. Of course, the research also shows that there are a disproportionate number of non-coloreds teaching students of color.
If the above doesn't change then some of the problems that now exist will continue you and that is a sad fact.
This gets me to ponder the following...I wonder how a non-colored neighborhood school student population would fare if the kids had teachers of color throughout most of their elementary and high school years?
Dick
One of the things that stuck out in my mind was the fact, yes fact, that students of color make greater strides in terms of achievement when their teacher(s) are of the same color. Of course, the research also shows that there are a disproportionate number of non-coloreds teaching students of color.
If the above doesn't change then some of the problems that now exist will continue you and that is a sad fact.
This gets me to ponder the following...I wonder how a non-colored neighborhood school student population would fare if the kids had teachers of color throughout most of their elementary and high school years?
Dick
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Join the Profession - Part II
Aside from getting ride of the noise of the critics of teachers and education it is imperative that those in positions of leadership; educators, government officials and the public-at-large encourage high school students to join the ranks of the teaching profession. In a sense I'm invoking the idea of President Kennedy when he launched the Peace Corps.
You can discuss the merits of the Peace Corps all you wish but the idea of launching such a program is appealing. What better way to serve others? What better way for people to make a difference? We are always asking the young to get involved with service projects or charities so why not ask them to take the next step?
We've shot for the moon and succeeded. Let's launch a march to telling our youth they can make a profound difference in this world by becoming a teacher.
Dick
You can discuss the merits of the Peace Corps all you wish but the idea of launching such a program is appealing. What better way to serve others? What better way for people to make a difference? We are always asking the young to get involved with service projects or charities so why not ask them to take the next step?
We've shot for the moon and succeeded. Let's launch a march to telling our youth they can make a profound difference in this world by becoming a teacher.
Dick
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