As Summer Turns to Fall

As summer turns to fall we are seeing less and less daylight. What is bound to happen - as you well know - is that we will soon be getting into some cooler and dare I say colder nights.

Our charity will once again be collecting winter coats for the children in the Harvey and Chicago Public Schools. We have a bit of a change this year in terms of items to collect based on what the various schools are asking for this winter.

We ONLY collecting Children's small and medium size coats. I'd like to respectfully ask you NOT to provide us with adult size coats of any type. It's the very young who are in most dire need.

So if you are planning on assisting us with our coat drive I'd appreciate that any and all coat donations be received no later than Halloween which fall on Wednesday, October 31st. Please contact me and I'll be sure to pick up the coats. You can call me at
(630) 863-6035 or you email me at rich219@comcast.net so that we can make arrangements.

Looking forward to helping the children stay warm as they head to and from school this winter!!

Thank you!!
Dick

More on Teacher Compensation

Roughly 10 days ago I reported that teacher wages have, nationwide, shown a net decrease over the past 20 years. Of course actual pay is just part of a total compensation package. So to be honest about teacher pay we have to include the benefits provided to the teachers of America.

Over the past 20 years teachers have realized a net gain in their 'benefits.' Such benefits include insurance, retirement plans and other forms of 'compensation' that otherwise doesn't show up in a paycheck.

According to the EPI report, notwithstanding the benefits increase over that 20 year span, the bottom line is this...the overall compensation penalty reveals a DECREASE of 11.4%.

This is not the right way to treat our school teachers in today's day and age, a time when we demand more from them.

Dick

A bit of Followup on KICK

Yesterday I made mention of the fact that our HC Varsity Soccer KICK team members had a successful event on Sunday. As of today, they have already raised well in excess of $10,000 and more is to come!!! This is a significant amount of money and these funds do so very much to help the thousands of children we annually serve.

When I hear people too often complain about young people - which seems to occur generation after generation - I wonder if it is up to us with a bit more experience and background to help them along. Perhaps those of us who have aged a bit (notice I didn't see we are old!) who are the ones who have let them down or not provided enough guidance.

At any rate, these boys; Ryan Counts, Marcus Gruvberger, Kosta Kinnas, John Paul Ltief and Gavin Schwarz have done much to benefit Schools Count.

Dick

They Make a Difference

Hinsdale Central H. S. boys soccer team seniors; Ryan Counts, Marcus Gruvberger, Kosta Kinnas, John Paul Ltief and Gavin Schwarz have certainly left their mark on the soccer program. Not only are they having a terrific start to their season they also have seen fit to make the annual KICK endeavor a successful endeavor.

The boys have run a soccer-tennis tournament, secured donations from many area businesses and have raised money in a variety of other ways. And while the fundraising continues it is clear that this year promises to be one of the most successful in the 10-year history of the initiative.

Just one more thought...the boys had a choice, they could have chosen NOT to be a part of raising funds for children with great educational needs; instead, they DID choose to donate their time and energy to make a difference and they have done exactly that.

Thanks boys!
Coach Flesher

The Harsh and Sad Reality

It will come as no surprise to many that the west side and south side CPS schools are seeing their enrollment tumble. Along with the loss of population in these neighborhoods there is a loss of many other social and economic institutions and safeguards. But this just a small part of the story.

The Sunday Chicago Tribune also put a spotlight on the 'less access to top programs for black, latino students.' To that point the Tribune noted that 'Citywide, 45 percent of black students attend Level 1 or 1-plus schools while 91 percent of white students attend top rated schools.'

To be sure, there are many factors that can account for the above discrepancy but at its very basic level the fact that the chasm exist is great cause for concern. Will or can this difference in 'access to top programs' be addressed is anyone's guess.

Dick

Time Magazine - Must Read

On the heels of the Economic Policy Institute report detailing the real nationwide decrease in teacher pay over the past twenty years comes a startling article in the upcoming week's Time magazine regarding the story of one teacher who, aside from teaching, has two part time jobs and donates blood to supplement her teacher salary.

At this point I don't have my hands on the article but as soon as I do I'll be sure to fill you in on the story. To say the least, this story is bound to add further evidence to the EPI report.

Have a great weekend,
Dick

Downturn in Teacher Wages and More

The other day I remarked that REAL teacher wages nationwide have tumbled over the past twenty years. That's a fact. This is but one symptom in various states of a broader trend, the trend to starve public schools of public funds. Why are some states making the conscious choice to do this one might reasonably ask.

There are various reasons. Quite simply some state legislatures don't place as high of a priority on funding public schools compared to other state needs. Another plausible reason for the cuts or failure to properly pay teachers and fund programs is the growth in other forms of education. Why bother to fund public schools in the appropriate manner if other non-public entities decide to get into the education business.

This last point is not a conspiracy theory. There are plenty of companies out there, for-profit ones, which are now part of the education landscape. A state may therefore decide that it is not worth competing with these groups. And if that is indeed the case then shame on everyone for letting this happen to our public schools.

Dick