Giving Tuesday

Below is a note from Terri Thomas who works in the main office at Medgar Evers Elementary on the south side of Chicago.    We delivered coats to many of the students two weeks ago.    I want to share the note with you as indicates the gratitude expressed by those who need a bit of help   I believe it is a real life example of what 'Giving Tuesday' is all about...caring and sharing.

Later today I'll provide the details on how you can donate to Schools Count on 'Giving Tuesday' so that you can help other Chicago Public School children keep warm this winter as they head to and from school each day.

Many thanks, Dick

 Good evening

I wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving first of all.  Evers is so appreciative for all that you do for our students.  I wanted to share some pictures of the children in their warm winter coats.  This is truly an act of giving.  We appreciate you.  Enjoy your Thanksgiving with family, laughter and relaxation.

Blessings,

Terri Thomas

Medgard Evers Elementary

9811 S, Lowe St.

Chicago, IL 60628

Teacher Assistance

 With so many changes taking place in the field of education for a whole host of reasons, teachers often are left to advocate for themselves.    This isn't a one time only call to action due to the pandemic.    With an abundance of changes in teacher assignments, curriculum adjustments and the demands of the digital classroom it stands to reason that teachers are in need of some assistance.

Too often that assistance from the 'powers that be' is slow to arrive if at all.   What I have described above are demands that are rather overwhelming.     If Boards of Education and Administration can't or won't ease the burden or take something off the plate then it is up to teachers to turn to their associations for help.

Too often we think of teacher associations (or unions) as organizations that bargain.    Though that is a fact, it is high time that teachers demand their officials in their teacher associations/unions to stand up for teachers in light of the heavy burden of changes in work conditions.    Ones pay is important no matter ones occupation.    The demands made of teachers, if onerous, are of no less importance.

Teachers can only be as effective as their work conditions permit.   It's high time that they improve.

Dick

People Power

 Yes, each and every single one of us has the power to empower others no matter the cause or regardless of the obtacles.    The work of Schools Count relies on that very idea and ideal.    Each one of us has the ability to make a difference and that means that someone else is all the better for your 'people power.'

Next Tuesday, November 30th is 'Giving Tuesday.'   Many charities and non-profits, like ours, depend upon your kindness and generosity.    Please watch for facebook and other types of postings that will invite you to donate to Schools Count this year.

The funds raised next week will purchase new winter coats, new pajamas and will help to offset the cost of refurbishing music instruments.    As always you can donate simply by going to www.schoolscountcorp.org and clicking on the donation link to make a contribution.    I'll be sure to provide you with a tax deduction receipt for you People Power donation.

Many thanks and Happy Thanksgiving,

Dick

Equal ISN'T Equal - Part 2

 Yesterday I mentioned that two teachers, though each with 5 classes, are certainly not sharing an equal work load if one has 2 preps and their colleague has four preps.   That seems pretty clear.   There are still many other factors, perhaps not so clear to most, that make this idea of 'equal is equal' a fools errand!

Let's say a Social Studies teacher is teaching any unit; the Civil War, Civil Rights or any other one.  Another department member is teaching the same unit at the same time.    The background of each staff member may be very different.   One person may have a very rich history on the Civil War including doing their Master's Thesis on some aspect of the conflict.    The other staff member may have a cursory background on the Civil War.

Though we want some commonality, it is simply impossible to completely replicate what is taught and how it is taught.  It may come close but the idea that the teachers can make things 'equal' from one teacher or class to another is not achieveable.   It stands to reason then that the students are going to have a different experience.

Far more important to examine and achieve is the idea of equity and what I refer to as a 'qualitative' experience.

Dick

In Education Equal ISN'T Equal

 Let's say two teachers each have 5 classes to teach in the same department or in the same grade level.    One teacher may have two preps while the other teacher may very well have four preps.  So, yes, they have an equal number of minutes to teach but in reality their teaching load is not the same by a long shot.

There are any number of other variables to consider when talking about 'equa'l relative to the field of education.    The fact of the matter is that equal is not going to be achieved for a whole host of reasons.  Over the next few days I will get into other examples/issues with regard to 'making things equal.'   In fact, trying to 'make things equal' is a fools errand.

More to the point, it is equality that is far more important to chase rather than making things equal.  Please follow the blog where is continue to examine the issue of 'equal ISN'T equal.'

Have a good day!
Dick

Anchoring a Community

 In various communities in America there are a variety of hubs or anchors that, so to speak, bind or hold the community together.   In some areas it's a factory or industry while in other areas it might be a store or a place of worship.

As our work continues in areas of blight and neglect we have found that within the CPS school system the one place that is the focus of the community is the school.   Not only is it a place where education takes place but it often serves as a location of food or clothing distribution.    And there are plenty of schools that offer Saturday literacy classes.    

And surely one of the most important benefits of the school is that it is a safe and welcoming place for one and all.   Yes, CPS schools are truly positive anchors.

Have a great weekend

Dick

Not True

 For all those who simply believe that schools in areas of blight and neglect in urban and rural areas are underperforming or that they simply, to coin a phrase, simply don't care are way off.   These are regions or locations that lack the tax infrastructure, lost manufacturing jobs (suffer unemployment) or are missing key elements that would better support schools.

But to go into these schools to witness the effort of the students and school personnel one can see that the efforts made are nothing short of incredible.   Yes, they have to overcome so many barriers and hardships and - are you ready for this - they don't moan and groan that they have too little.   Like I've said before, it simply is not true that these people 'don't care.'

All of that said, it makes it easy for Schools Count Corp. to work with these schools.

Dick