My apology!

This isn't the first time nor is it likely to be the last that I will need to make a statement of apology.  Yesterday I blogged about the terrific work that the Hinsdale Central FCCLA Club performed in buying clothing and purchasing food gift cards for the Price Family.

The effort was wonderful.  Just one problem...the HC Invitation to Teach students, not FCCLA, were the ones who raised the funds and purchased the gifts for this deserving family.   So my apologies to each and every one of you!

I can tell you that Ms. Price was overcome with joy as she received these thoughtful Christmas gifts.  No doubt, the coats, food cards, clothing and books will be of great comfort and aid this holiday season. 

So to the ITT students, my sincere apology and my congratulations for engaging in such a worthwhile endeavor.

Dick

The Good being Done

At this time of the year too many school children and their families don't experience much of the joy associated with the holidays.  It's not that they don't want to or don't work to make it happen, it's more a matter of not having the means to buy gifts.

Well, the Hinsdale Central High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Club (FCCLA) decided to do something about it for one Harvey, IL school district family.

This family of five children, along with Mom and Dad, just saw their home burn to the ground within the past couple of months.  It forced the family to live in a hotel until last week when they found a home to rent. 

The members of the club bought coats for all five children, purchased a number of Christmas gifts for each of the kids and bought over $100 worth of restaurant gift cards!!!!!  Talk about caring about the 'community!'  Each of these FCCLA members should take pride in the fact that they have brought some joy and happiness to a family in need. 

To each and every member, along with their sponsor Ms. Oler, thank you for helping these good people.

Dick

RIP - Sandy Hook Students

The horrific loss of life in the Sandy Hook Elementary School got me to thinking about those families, the community of Newtown and the schools we serve.  I am reminded of the good that takes place in schools across America and am saddened that such innocent and lovely children have been taken from their loved ones.

Too many areas served by Schools Count have far too much gun violence in their neighborhoods.  Too often, lives, including school children, are lost at an alarming rate in many urban areas.  It is a sad fact.

Our society is plagued by gun violence and it has to be curtailed at the very least.  It is time for school leaders, government officials, civic organizations and the entire population to say that we have to put an end to this menace. 

We can do better than this. 

Dick

What a Wonderful Time of the Year

Our good friend Cynthia McGann (pictured right) was responsible for helping to collect a good number of coats for our annual winter wear drive.  Her efforts garnered 100 coats and countless scarves, gloves and hats.  Thank you Cynthia!

Ms. Carter (pictured left) is the Principal at Gregory Elementary.  Her desire to help young people is noteworthy.  Just one example of her kindness is the fact that she, and some on her staff, had bought warm clothing for the children out of the their own personal funds.  Talk about someone who cares for the kids!!

These two people are but two of the wonderful individuals who make the work of Schools Count sound profoundly rewarding.  Both are doing what's best for the students.

Thank You!
Dick

Some Wonderful People!

These are some of the hard working and dedicated parents of the Local School Council at Pickard Elementary.  They were ecstatic with the donation of coats.  Talk about a sincere group of people...WOW!

As you can see by the smiles on the faces of the Johnson Elementary School parents, they are most grateful for the warm winter clothing.  It is a pleasure to work with this school.

Off to Chicago

The weather is turning colder so its time to make our annual delivery of coats across the city and the southern suburbs.  One may ask why does our charity which specializes in helping schools by providing supplies, uniforms, band instruments and other resources step in by providing winter wear.

Fair question.  By providing coats we are further able to help the children get to and from school and the bus stop thus keeping them warm.  Whatever we can do to help the students get to school, stay in school and exel is worthy of our assistance. 

Today we are heading to Chase, Pope, Johnson, Chalmers, Gregory and Pickard.  We have already made our trek to King Elementary, much to the delight of everyone at the school.

It is that time of year to offer some assistance to those in need.  The winter wear provided through the generosity of our donors puts smiles on many faces.  Where there is a child longing to get ahead in school, Schools Count will do our best to help that individual.

Thanks,
Dick

Wow, Really!!

As the CPS is in the midst of determining which public schools to close in the 2013-14 school year, the word came out last week that CPS is looking at opening up roughly a half dozen charters.  No doubt this announcement has already caused many CTU personnel and parents some real angst.

It's understandable from their viewpoint.  Many parents in poverty stricken neighborhoods, where enrollment has been shrinking, are concerned that their neighborhood school will be among those slated for closure.  All sorts of very real concerns, many of which I have previously outlined, drive their desire to keep their schools open.

On a related front, the Chicago Teacher's Union has pulled off, in my view, an idiotic marketing ploy.  The CTU has put out a 5-minute video depicting Mayor Emanuel as the 'Rahminator' and School Board member Penny Pritzker as a 'Penny Pincher.'

I understand the fact that the CTU wants to prevent schools from closing but such name calling has no place in the dialogue concerning the future of education in Chicago.  The union has to be more professional in its public dealings with officials at CPS.  Such discourse simply adds more fuel to the fire.

Dick