Dear Supporters of Great Neighborhood Public Schools for ALL STUDENTS:
... jackie L here once more - sharing reminders of important upcoming DEADLINES and events, and links to news stories that you may or may not have seen . . .
DEADLINE: COMMENT NOW on CPS' PROPOSED "SCHOOL ACTION GUIDELINES" !!
If you haven't already "weighed in" on the latest Proposed School Action Guidelines from CPS. . .
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS BY 5:00 PM - MONDAY, OCTOBER 21st!
These Guidelines are notable for vagueness, undefined terms, and back-pedaling from CPS so-called "Moratorium" on school closures - which now clearly applies ONLY to "under-enrolled" schools. The Draft Guidelines are available online at: www.cps.edu/guidelines
SEND YOUR COMMENTS!
BY EMAIL: CEOGuidelines@cps.edu
BY FAX: 773-553-5345
OR, if you want to drop off a LETTER, it should be addressed to:
Chicago Public Schools - CEO's Office
RE: Draft Guidelines
c/o Patrick Payne
125 S. Clark, 10th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
The General Assembly Chicago Ed Facilities Task Force told CPS officials that the language on facility conditions is MUCH TOO VAGUE, and creates a de facto "loophole" for more school closures: The CEO is reserving the right to CLOSE SCHOOLS IF . . .
"... the cost to repair safety hazards and make structural changes necessary to ensure compiance with all city, state and federal laws, MAKES THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE SITE COST-PROHIBITIVE OR CONTINUED OCCUPANCY OF THE SITE UNSAFE OR IMPRACTICAL." Note that the Draft Guidelines fail to define any of these terms.
More "wiggle room" on new closures?? Read Page 3 of the Draft very carefully: " ... in determining whether to propose a closure, consolidation, or phase-out,the CEO may consider other information . . . " This language is a catch-all statement of a million different variables - is about as clear as mud -- and does NOT provide any objective, system-wide or specific measures that explain to the public why an individual school could be subject to any of these School Actions.
Then, there's Co-Locations - Again the CEO wants to preserve her "flexibility" - and whether a school building can accommodate a co-location is based on - you guessed it! - the widely criticized and fatally flawed Space Utilization formula that CPS used to justify mass school closures this year. And don't overlook this statement in the Draft: "We may have new school options that will require co-locations."
And don't forget about Attendance Boundary Changes: Again, notably vague language abounds in this section (see page 2), but again, CPS continues to rely on its flawed Space Utilization formula.
TIME TO PUT ANY SCHOOL ACTIONS, and also TURNAROUNDS, "ON HOLD"? Tell CPS if this is how you feel. After a year-and-a-half of turmoil, with CPS policies in upheaval across the board, and thousands of children inadequately tracked in their "transitions" from shuttered neighborhood schools - should CPS make any more changes?
Many parent, community, and educator activists also strongly advocate for changing the state law to define "Opening of New Schools" and "Turnarounds" as School Actions. If you agree, then be sure to tell CPS and your lawmakers how YOU feel. A brutal reminder: The Chicago Plan Commission just approved a zoning change that paves the way for a NEW Noble St CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL to be built right across the street from Prosser HS!
SPEAK OUT on the Guidelines - Register your concerns by MONDAY, AUG. 21st at 5 PM!
BAD BILL SNEAKING ITS WAY THROUGH IN VETO SESSION?
Do you think it's important the CPS should have to disclose to the public and the State Board of Ed, its HS Dropout Rate and Graduation Rates? How many students are taking Advanced Placement Classes? How many students are enrolled in community colleges? If you think this is important, then you need to know about Senate Bill 578!
SB 578 WOULD REVOKE the REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS on all this important data and more!
See the attachment for details - thanks to Jim Broadway of the State School News Service for bringing attention to this bill!
TUESDAY, OCT. 22nd - 2 PM in Springfield: There will be a Hearing on SB 578in the House Elementary and Secondary Ed Committee. If you can't be in Springfield, you can still sign on to the General Assembly website and file your "Appearance" online, to weigh in on this bill! Go to www.ilga.gov Tuesday morning (10/22) for instructions to register your position on this bill.
COMING UP: IMPORTANT EVENTS
IL General Assembly Veto Session: Oct. 22, 23, and 24; and Nov. 5, 6 and 7
Be sure to contact your state lawmakers BEFORE, DURING, IN BETWEEN, and AFTER the Veto Session about your top concerns on education issues! Go to www.ilga.gov to get their contact information, and to track what legislation is up for debate!
LESSONS FROM THE 1963 Boycott:
Last-Minute Reminder (sorry!)
SUNDAY, OCT. 20TH: 1:30 - 4 PM Interactive "Teach-In" on Lessons from the 1963 Boycott at Lawndale Community Church,
3827 W. Ogden Avenue
Tuesday, October 22nd, 6 - 8 PM "Lessons from the 1963 Boycott: THE STRUGGLE FOR QUALITY EDUCATION THEN AND NOW"
DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Place
The announcements - with links to register/RSVP - for these events will be forwarded to you.
HOW'S THAT SCHOOL TRANSITION GOIN' FOR YOU?
If you have concerns about what's happened since YOUR student had to change schools, please let the CEFTF know: You can submit your comments at any time to the Task Force at: ceftf.ilga@gmail.com
How is "Safe Passage" working? Do your children feel safe going to their new school? Were the promised "goodies" and facility improvements ready and on hand on "DAY ONE" of the new school year? Did your children and families lose access to programs when schools were closed and consolidated? The CEFTF's School Actions Subcommittee wants your feedback! If you chose to send your child to a different school - not a Designated "Welcoming School" - and it looks like many of you did - WHAT RESOURCES is that de facto "Receiving School" getting from CPS?
Safe Passage worker shot at on Page 14 of Thursday, October 10, 2013 issue of Chicago Tribune
For residents, vacant homes move beyond empty threats on Page 1 of Tuesday, October 08, 2013 issue of Chicago Tribune
The Tribune reported that "kids shun schools picked by CPS": www.chicagotribune.com/news/education/ct-met-cps-school-closings-1015-20131015,0,3482536.story
And WBEZ's coverage:
http://www.wbez.org/news/only-60-percent-students-chicagos-closed-schools-turn-welcoming-schools-108907
CPS' "NEW" versus "OLD" Accountability Metrics: Lakeview HS PUNISHED??
Did you know, CPS is proposing a new "Promotion" Policy?
As if CPS was not already in upheaval, the district is introducing even MORE critical policy changes this school year:
http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20131007/lakeview/lake-view-high-school-on-probation-despite-academic-achievement-principal
Lake View High School on Probation Despite Academic Achievement: Principal
By Serena Dai on October 7, 2013 7:12am | Updated on October 7, 2013 7:12am
And a new "promotion" policy can be found at: http://cps.edu/About_CPS/Departments/Pages/TeachingLearning.aspx
Now is the time for everyone who cares about the future of Chicago's public schools to stay alert, tuned in, active, and united for reforms that
truly put our children first.
-- more updates later this week . . .
-- j
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