Kudo's to Mayor de Blasio

New York City, like too many other urban areas, has a number of students who are struggling. Plenty of administrators have applied all sorts of remedies to make changes. Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced some significant changes for 94 of the city's most troubled schools. The program is called Renewal Schools and it has some specific ideas that should provide added assistance to those with the greatest needs.

Students will receive an extra hour of instructional time each day, teachers will receive additional professional training, a number of the schools will be in line to pick up extra resources and the schools will have the ability to have summer school.

While these changes, on their own, will not change things overnight, they are a welcome idea. Instead of shutting down so called 'failing schools,' de Blasio is willing to see to it that neighborhood schools remain and that they are strengthened. From my standpoint, the idea of trying to keep a community vibrant and to help it recover/stay sustainable is partially dependent upon strong schools. As I see it, this is a step in the right direction.

Dick

Tests Come and Go!

There are some things that remain constant in public education. The classroom, notwithstanding some internet courses, will continue to be populated by teachers. Students endure and they will be in our hallways for many years to come. And, for the most part, young 5 year olds, 7 year olds and teenagers come into the classroom with much the same background as those who attended schools in years past.

Yes, we'll probably even keep right on having standardized testing. We'll certainly continue to see teachers using various assessment tools in their classrooms.

But back to standardized testing for a moment. What I have noticed in a merry go round of sorts in Illinois with standardized testing. It is constantly changing. We have Prairie States, ISAT's, PARC's and more. They test students in a variety of areas; for intelligence, growth and more. Okay, these are important.

But my view of things is that they don't have much of a real bearing on significant learning and the probability that students will someday be successful. Put another way (took me awhile to say it), you really can't quantify everything about teaching and learning. It just isn't that simple. Therein lies part of the fallacy of almost any standardized test.

Dick

Cash Strapped?

It seems that all we hear out of CPS is that they are cash strapped and that cuts (all types including school closings) are necessary. I won't argue that CPS is short on funds but the fact that they can pay consultants far more in wages than they pay the CEO of the school system, and the Mayor for that matter, seems out of line.

I'm not an expert on what consultants ought to be paid but the optics on this are alarming.

Not only do the consultants make more than top city officials, the fact remains that many schools don't have the resources needed. I know some schools don't have the programs they would like to have for the children. As alarming as this scenario is the fact that some school principals have told me they don't have enough toilet paper or proper nursing care on an everyday basis.

This isn't merely about paying consultants, it is about getting classroom priorities taken care of, the priorities that most matter.

Nothing New on ISAT's

Kudo's to the students at the various schools who scored well on the 2014 ISAT's. The schools always near the top of the list of high performing schools, year in and year out, are still right there. In Chicago these are the 'classical' and 'gifted' schools for the most part. In the suburbs, the schools are New Trier, Hinsdale Central, Stevenson and other north side suburban schools. It is what one would expect.

Yes, there were some CPS neighborhood schools who made some real progress on ISAT's this year. Well done!!

What you typically won't see, though, in terms of great gains on the standardized test are schools where 80% (and above) of the students come from low income families. I have discussed at length the many disadvantages facings students and families with high rates of poverty. In fact, poverty is just one of many variables working against these good people.

Before anyone shouts out that the parents are to blame or the schools are to blame, kindly take stock of the very real conditions that these students and families have to contend with on a daily basis and then you will understand why scores don't often go up. In fact, you'll reach the conclusion that it isn't all about the scores.

Dick

The Power of Many

Yes, there is power with many. When it comes to collecting winter wear, there are plenty of ways to engage a big group to help with this cause. Please consider any of the following!

Why not ask your son or daughters classmates to help

Get your religious affiliation or civic organization to jump in

Check with your neighbors...they are bound to have something in those closets

I bet your co-workers could be of assistance

This is a terrific project for a boy scout or girl scout

A school club or sports team might find this a great bounding initiative

Thanks for your consideration,
Dick

It's Urgent

Yesterday's call to action was an important one...let's provide warm winter clothing to the kids who need it. But a one day call to arms is not nearly enough to get the job done. I'm certain some people will heed the call to come up with the gloves, boots, mittens, coats, and hats that will keep the students warm this winter but I want to encourage everyone to see themselves as part of the answer to help those in need.

Aside from personally buying the clothing I've suggested you purchase or finding some suitable clothing in the closet, why not go a bit further? Perhaps your place of work or religious or civic organization, that you are a member of, would be willing to collect the above listed items. Maybe you are a teacher and can ask a club to pitch in and help.

I do know that the students, parents and teachers are appreciative of the generous donations that you've made in the past. I also know that providing items of need beyond the supplies received at the start of the year makes a real difference. Sadly, poverty doesn't end when a child gets his/her school supplies, it continues to hurt in so many ways; be it nutritious food, clothing, medical care and more.

Please consider asking your friends, your house of worship, your place of employment to join with us in collecting winter wear. Caring is critical, taking action is the solution.

Many thanks,
Dick

Need for Kids Winter Clothing

Cold, snow, ice, slush (an occasional warm day) and wind are all part of winter around Chicago. With the wintry weather not far away, it is time to help the students we work with in the Chicagoland area as the bad weather descends upon us! Aside from PK-8 grade winter coats, we are also collecting mittens, gloves, hats, boots and scarves for the children. These are the warm clothing items that the children are often missing and are just as necessary as a warm coat.

Keeping the children in warm winter wear has been a big part of the work of our charity over the past years and it continues to be a huge need according to school officials and parents. Many children wait for a bus or walk to school and nothing beats staying warm and dry as the students head to and from classes.

We will be collecting all of these items from Nov. 1st through Dec. 10th. As in the past, if you are kind enough to collect the clothing, I will be more than happy to stop by and pick them up. Give me a call at 630-863-6035 or email me at rich219@comcast.net and we can make arrangements. Sizes needed are children through adult medium.

As in the past, new clothing is always sought though we do accept very clean and 'gently used' items. Please accept my thanks for your consideration of helping us as we continue to support the kids.

Dick