Monday, December 31, 2012
From Rosita Chatonda -
PLEASE
CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATOR AND ASK THAT THEY RESCIND SENATE BILL
547. THIS BILL GRANTED CPS MORE TIME TO INFORM THE COMMUNITY ABBOUT
WHICH SCHOOLS WOULD CLOSE. CPS KNEW ALREADY HAD A LIST OF SCHOOLS
CLOSINGS AND DID NOT NEED MORE TIME THIS BILL WAS SIGNED INTO LAW WITHOUT GOOD FAITH INTENTIONS. TELL
YOUR LEGISLATORS TO HONOR SENATE BILL 620-639 which mandates that CPS
inform the community by December 31 which schools will close at the ends
of the school year. The sponsors of the Bill in the Senate is IRIS
MARTINEZ and in HOUSE of Representatives, Barbara Flynn Curry and
Cynthia Soto who also sponsored the bill SB620-630.
Via Valerie F. Leonard
Realistically speaking, CPS may not have a master facilities plan in place before June, 2014, yet they are proceeding with plans to close over 100 schools without having complete data. http://www.emgcorp.com/content/default.aspx?id=44&t=EMG-Launches-18Month-Facility-Condition
They asked the Legislature for an extension to release a list of schools to be closed by March 31, 2013, and an extension to have a draft facilities plan in place by July 1, 2013, knowing that they had not yet engaged professionals to do the assessment.Valerie F. Leonard
Realistically speaking, CPS may not have a master facilities plan in place before June, 2014, yet they are proceeding with plans to close over 100 schools without having complete data. http://www.emgcorp.com/content/default.aspx?id=44&t=EMG-Launches-18Month-Facility-Condition
They asked the Legislature for an extension to release a list of schools to be closed by March 31, 2013, and an extension to have a draft facilities plan in place by July 1, 2013, knowing that they had not yet engaged professionals to do the assessment.
EMG : EMG Launches 18-Month Facility Condition Assessment Project with Chicago Public Schools
Via Valerie F. Leonard
Realistically speaking, CPS may not have a master facilities plan in place before June, 2014, yet they are proceeding with plans to close over 100 schools without having complete data. http://www.emgcorp.com/content/default.aspx?id=44&t=EMG-Launches-18Month-Facility-Condition
They asked the Legislature for an extension to release a list of schools to be closed by March 31, 2013, and an extension to have a draft facilities plan in place by July 1, 2013, knowing that they had not yet engaged professionals to do the assessment.Valerie F. Leonard
Realistically speaking, CPS may not have a master facilities plan in place before June, 2014, yet they are proceeding with plans to close over 100 schools without having complete data. http://www.emgcorp.com/content/default.aspx?id=44&t=EMG-Launches-18Month-Facility-Condition
They asked the Legislature for an extension to release a list of schools to be closed by March 31, 2013, and an extension to have a draft facilities plan in place by July 1, 2013, knowing that they had not yet engaged professionals to do the assessment.
EMG : EMG Launches 18-Month Facility Condition Assessment Project with Chicago Public Schools
EMG : EMG Launches 18-Month Facility Condition Assessment Project with Chicago Public Schools
www.emgcorp.com
Sunday, July 29, 2012
By Rosita Chatonda
Dear Teachers,
First of all thank everyone who has been reading my post about the serious education issues that plague our school system here in Chicago. Since Chicago is the model for school reform initiative nationwide, we must organize to stop the mistreatment of minorities here so that it can have far reaching implications nation-wide. For the last 4 years I have been working diligently to bring issues regarding the Displacement of veteran and minority teachers as well as the disparity in student expulsions. As I have written, the injustice for minority teachers also plague minority students as well . One troubling statistic is that 23%% of the CPS's student population are African American boys but they receive 76% of the student expulsions.
Today we have good news to report regarding a CPS initiative designed to return veteran teachers who were displaced to work. These teachers fortunately escaped the smear campaign sponsored by CPS under the Huber man administration. As the CTU would say, These teachers were displaced through no fault of there own" This is a victory for the thousands of teachers that fall in this category . Many of whom I've had the pleasure of working very closely with over the pas several years. I have partied with them prayed with them cried with them and finally, I can celebrate this victory with them.
Thanks to Reverend Jesse Jackson who was such and instrumental part of this initiative. 4 years ago another teacher first name Terri (last name omitted) began to educate our pastors, Reverend Jackson, Jonathan Jackson ( Who labored with us and attended and sponsored so many initiatives to bring this issue to the limelight) and others. or me it's been a spiritual journey to save our school communities and have REAL unadulterated school voice in Chicago that will resonate throughout the country. My organization C.A.U.S.E. was formed to DEMAND that the CPS and the CTU respect our school communities and hear our voice.
Today we celebrate this accomplishment as a CAUSE victory. However, we have accomplished 25% of our mission and we still have work to do regarding teachers who are displaced and not in this category. These teachers were charged and E-3rd (given unsatisfactory ratings) CAUSE is standing with these teachers because African American teachers receive over 70% of the E-3's and charges. The Chicago Teachers Union has abandoned these members and distanced themselves from these teachers many who were targeted for union and political activities. Many had been superior teachers for 30 years but because of years of service leading to high salaries, found themselves targets of the administration.
We also must demand that effective initiatives are put in place to assist our boys who have been expelled. We MUST restore their rights and get them the help that they need to overcome the obstacles that they face.
To all who are following this story via Facebook, my blog, and by watching the monthly Board of Education meeting where I speak every other month, keep us in your prayers as we go forth in our attempt to restore justice to our school system.
To those that read my post, thank you and God Bless.
In Solidarity With My Community,
Rosita Chatonda Founding President of C.A.U.S.E.
Chicago Alliance of Urban School Educators
Sub-Committee Displaced Teacher Chair SS NAACP
First of all thank everyone who has been reading my post about the serious education issues that plague our school system here in Chicago. Since Chicago is the model for school reform initiative nationwide, we must organize to stop the mistreatment of minorities here so that it can have far reaching implications nation-wide. For the last 4 years I have been working diligently to bring issues regarding the Displacement of veteran and minority teachers as well as the disparity in student expulsions. As I have written, the injustice for minority teachers also plague minority students as well . One troubling statistic is that 23%% of the CPS's student population are African American boys but they receive 76% of the student expulsions.
Today we have good news to report regarding a CPS initiative designed to return veteran teachers who were displaced to work. These teachers fortunately escaped the smear campaign sponsored by CPS under the Huber man administration. As the CTU would say, These teachers were displaced through no fault of there own" This is a victory for the thousands of teachers that fall in this category . Many of whom I've had the pleasure of working very closely with over the pas several years. I have partied with them prayed with them cried with them and finally, I can celebrate this victory with them.
Thanks to Reverend Jesse Jackson who was such and instrumental part of this initiative. 4 years ago another teacher first name Terri (last name omitted) began to educate our pastors, Reverend Jackson, Jonathan Jackson ( Who labored with us and attended and sponsored so many initiatives to bring this issue to the limelight) and others. or me it's been a spiritual journey to save our school communities and have REAL unadulterated school voice in Chicago that will resonate throughout the country. My organization C.A.U.S.E. was formed to DEMAND that the CPS and the CTU respect our school communities and hear our voice.
Today we celebrate this accomplishment as a CAUSE victory. However, we have accomplished 25% of our mission and we still have work to do regarding teachers who are displaced and not in this category. These teachers were charged and E-3rd (given unsatisfactory ratings) CAUSE is standing with these teachers because African American teachers receive over 70% of the E-3's and charges. The Chicago Teachers Union has abandoned these members and distanced themselves from these teachers many who were targeted for union and political activities. Many had been superior teachers for 30 years but because of years of service leading to high salaries, found themselves targets of the administration.
We also must demand that effective initiatives are put in place to assist our boys who have been expelled. We MUST restore their rights and get them the help that they need to overcome the obstacles that they face.
To all who are following this story via Facebook, my blog, and by watching the monthly Board of Education meeting where I speak every other month, keep us in your prayers as we go forth in our attempt to restore justice to our school system.
To those that read my post, thank you and God Bless.
In Solidarity With My Community,
Rosita Chatonda Founding President of C.A.U.S.E.
Chicago Alliance of Urban School Educators
Sub-Committee Displaced Teacher Chair SS NAACP
Monday, July 16, 2012
District 299 Displaced Teacher Data
Dear CPS Teachers,
Here is the data for the purge in African American Teachers IN Chicago, District 299. Since 1195 when the Amendatory Act was passed,( Granting mayoral control of the schools) African American Teachers dropped from 17,000 to 4,630 as of 2011. We expect another loss of 2,000 this year. (results are not in yet. We will be blessed to have 3,000 African Americans teachers left. With a population of over 90% minority students, Hispanics aan Blacks will comprise 33.7% of the teaching force for 2011 and less than that for 2012.
With an impending strike, Rahm Emmanuel has stated that he will layoff teachers to give the CTU the raise it is asking for. The last time teachers were granted a 4% raise thousands of Veteran teachers were fired. With the CTU's insistence that salary and raises be the primary factors during negotiations, class size, working conditions and job loss will be the result of a majority of novice, new teachers getting a hefty raise at the expense of veterans who will be targeted for fining.
The rationale for the limitations of contract negotiations lie with the fact that Senate Bill 7 a new law passed WITH the support of the CTU, (Chicago Teachers Union) the IFT(Illinois Federation of Teachers) and The IEA Illinois Education Association, limits bargaining for issues important to teachers such as job loss, class size , safety and a multitude of other issues that are not permissible items to be discussed under the mandates of SB7.
Please do your homework before supporting initiatives that may cost you your job. We cannot afford to lose anymore minority teachers.
Date: Friday, May 20, 2011, 4:07 PM
Here are some numbers from our EEOC Case we filed as CORE members.
Firings include; a loss of nearly 5,000 since 2000 under REN 2010.
A loss of 25 White teacher slots and 4,700 of African American Teachers resulting in a drop of 45% of the teaching force to 28% in ten years.
Data is identical for students with a net drop in students (loosing 30,000- 40,000) since 2000 and a constant drop of 1.8% to 2.0%.
All Subjects Meets and Exceeds(2008):74.80%
Collapse
Student Enrollment (2008): 2,074,167
Number of Districts Made AYP(2008): 528
Number of Districts in State: 868
Number of Schools Made AYP(2008): 2,608
Number of Schools in State: 3894
Districts In Improvement Status(2008):18.2%
Number of Teachers: 131,488
Schools In Improvement Status(2008):14.3%
The above figures reflect that in 2008 there were 131, 488 Teachers According to the figures submitted below, there has been a drop in African American teachers statewide from 11% in 1999 to 8.7% in 2008.
African American teachers had a decrease from 11% in 1999 to 8.7% in 2008, a loss of 2.3%
Whites have remained stable from 84.9 % in 1999 to 84.9% in 2008, a gain of 0 %
Hispanics have seen an increase from 3.3 % in 1999 to 4.9 % in 2008, a gain of 1.6%.
Asians have seen an increase from .7 % in 1999 to 1.3% in 2008, a gain of .6 %.
Native Americans have seen an increase of .1 % to .2 % in 2008, a gain of .1 %.
In the City of Chicago, District 299, There has been a decrease of 40.6 in 1999 to 31.6 in 2008 for African American Teachers of 9%, totaling a loss of nearly 4,700 AA teachers from 2000 to 2010.
Whites have seen an increase from 45.4 % in 1999 to 48.7% in 2008, a gain of 3.3 %
Hispanics have seen an increase from 11.3 % in 1999 to 15.3 % in 2008, a gain of 4%.
Asians have seen an increase from 2.3 % in 1999 to 3.5% in 2008, a gain of 1.2%.
Native Americans have seen an increase of .3% to 1.0 % in 2008, a gain of .7 %.
All groups have increased totaling an increase 9.2% from 1999 to 2008.
The following reflect the actual numbers:
Illinois Statewide Teacher Gains and Losses from 2000 to 2008
Number of Teachers in 1999 State –Wide = 119,718 Teachers in 2008= 131,488
2000 2008 Gain Loss
African Americans 13,168 11,439 -1,639
Whites 101,640 110,699 9059
Hispanics 3,950 6,442 2,624
Asians 838 1,709 871
Native American 119 262 143
District 299 Teacher Gains and Losses from 2000 to 2008
Number of Teachers in 2000 = 23,723 Number of Teachers in 2008 = 22,665
2000 2008 Gain Loss
African Americans 9,631 7,164 -2467
Whites 10,770 11,037 267
Hispanics 2,609 3.467 858
Asians 545 793 248
Native American 71 226 155
If you look at the number of African American Teachers lost Statewide in proportion to teacher population, you will see that there are 728 more teachers in losses in District 299 than in the State.
Please note that all figures have a 99% accuracy rate,
http://iirc.niu.edu/District.aspx?source=About_Educators&source2=Teacher_Demographics&districtID=15016299025&level=D
Here is the data for the purge in African American Teachers IN Chicago, District 299. Since 1195 when the Amendatory Act was passed,( Granting mayoral control of the schools) African American Teachers dropped from 17,000 to 4,630 as of 2011. We expect another loss of 2,000 this year. (results are not in yet. We will be blessed to have 3,000 African Americans teachers left. With a population of over 90% minority students, Hispanics aan Blacks will comprise 33.7% of the teaching force for 2011 and less than that for 2012.
With an impending strike, Rahm Emmanuel has stated that he will layoff teachers to give the CTU the raise it is asking for. The last time teachers were granted a 4% raise thousands of Veteran teachers were fired. With the CTU's insistence that salary and raises be the primary factors during negotiations, class size, working conditions and job loss will be the result of a majority of novice, new teachers getting a hefty raise at the expense of veterans who will be targeted for fining.
The rationale for the limitations of contract negotiations lie with the fact that Senate Bill 7 a new law passed WITH the support of the CTU, (Chicago Teachers Union) the IFT(Illinois Federation of Teachers) and The IEA Illinois Education Association, limits bargaining for issues important to teachers such as job loss, class size , safety and a multitude of other issues that are not permissible items to be discussed under the mandates of SB7.
Please do your homework before supporting initiatives that may cost you your job. We cannot afford to lose anymore minority teachers.
Date: Friday, May 20, 2011, 4:07 PM
Here are some numbers from our EEOC Case we filed as CORE members.
Firings include; a loss of nearly 5,000 since 2000 under REN 2010.
A loss of 25 White teacher slots and 4,700 of African American Teachers resulting in a drop of 45% of the teaching force to 28% in ten years.
Data is identical for students with a net drop in students (loosing 30,000- 40,000) since 2000 and a constant drop of 1.8% to 2.0%.
All Subjects Meets and Exceeds(2008):74.80%
Collapse
Student Enrollment (2008): 2,074,167
Number of Districts Made AYP(2008): 528
Number of Districts in State: 868
Number of Schools Made AYP(2008): 2,608
Number of Schools in State: 3894
Districts In Improvement Status(2008):18.2%
Number of Teachers: 131,488
Schools In Improvement Status(2008):14.3%
The above figures reflect that in 2008 there were 131, 488 Teachers According to the figures submitted below, there has been a drop in African American teachers statewide from 11% in 1999 to 8.7% in 2008.
African American teachers had a decrease from 11% in 1999 to 8.7% in 2008, a loss of 2.3%
Whites have remained stable from 84.9 % in 1999 to 84.9% in 2008, a gain of 0 %
Hispanics have seen an increase from 3.3 % in 1999 to 4.9 % in 2008, a gain of 1.6%.
Asians have seen an increase from .7 % in 1999 to 1.3% in 2008, a gain of .6 %.
Native Americans have seen an increase of .1 % to .2 % in 2008, a gain of .1 %.
In the City of Chicago, District 299, There has been a decrease of 40.6 in 1999 to 31.6 in 2008 for African American Teachers of 9%, totaling a loss of nearly 4,700 AA teachers from 2000 to 2010.
Whites have seen an increase from 45.4 % in 1999 to 48.7% in 2008, a gain of 3.3 %
Hispanics have seen an increase from 11.3 % in 1999 to 15.3 % in 2008, a gain of 4%.
Asians have seen an increase from 2.3 % in 1999 to 3.5% in 2008, a gain of 1.2%.
Native Americans have seen an increase of .3% to 1.0 % in 2008, a gain of .7 %.
All groups have increased totaling an increase 9.2% from 1999 to 2008.
The following reflect the actual numbers:
Illinois Statewide Teacher Gains and Losses from 2000 to 2008
Number of Teachers in 1999 State –Wide = 119,718 Teachers in 2008= 131,488
2000 2008 Gain Loss
African Americans 13,168 11,439 -1,639
Whites 101,640 110,699 9059
Hispanics 3,950 6,442 2,624
Asians 838 1,709 871
Native American 119 262 143
District 299 Teacher Gains and Losses from 2000 to 2008
Number of Teachers in 2000 = 23,723 Number of Teachers in 2008 = 22,665
2000 2008 Gain Loss
African Americans 9,631 7,164 -2467
Whites 10,770 11,037 267
Hispanics 2,609 3.467 858
Asians 545 793 248
Native American 71 226 155
If you look at the number of African American Teachers lost Statewide in proportion to teacher population, you will see that there are 728 more teachers in losses in District 299 than in the State.
Please note that all figures have a 99% accuracy rate,
http://iirc.niu.edu/District.aspx?source=About_Educators&source2=Teacher_Demographics&districtID=15016299025&level=D
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
CAUSE - HOME INITIATIVE
Are you a public/ private worker and have lost your job and are losing your home? Let CAUSE show you how to buy your home back at 10% of the value. It is not too late for you. We work with the banks to make this a win, win for you.
VISIT OR FACEBOOK PAGE - WE MEET EVERY TUESDAY @ 6:00 Operation PUSH
- CAUSE meets today, Tuesday July 10, 2012, 6:00 @ Operation Push . Calling on all progressive educators to join forces with CAUSE. WE must have REAL voice in our communities led by teachers, students, parents and community.
- This is so unfortunate that this initiative was started on the South side with the SS NAACP, Educational Village Keepers and CAUSE. The CTU refused to work with this group. Baited them and out waited them until they could let a North side p...See More
- May 15, 2012
Respectfully Submitted to the Board of Education at the May 2012 Board of Education Meeting
Chicago Public Schools
125 South Clark
Chicago, Illinois 60604
RE: FOIA related to the number of teachers E-3rd from 2011 Around Schools INCLUDING A BREAKDOWN BY RACE GENDER AND AGE.
Dear Chicago Public Schools Board of Education Members,
...See More
Monday, July 2, 2012
C.A.U.S.E. Meets Every Tuesday @ Operation PUSH
Dear Parents, Teachers, Students and Community,
With over 6,000 teachers out many in the African American community, we formed CAUSE as a restorative effort to get justice and resolution for teachers who have been undeserved by Chicago Public Schools and in some cases our traditional union, The Chicago Teachers Union.
We are also educating our community about the "pipeline to prison" agenda operating now in schools across America.
CAUSE meets every Tuesday at Operation PUSH where we meet with former union officials who advise teachers of solutions that may be available to teachers. We have E-3 specialist an expert grievance writers.
We are also organizing to develop a new leadership team that will represent and respect ALL members of our collective bargaining group.
We will be meeting tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.. Hope to see you there
With over 6,000 teachers out many in the African American community, we formed CAUSE as a restorative effort to get justice and resolution for teachers who have been undeserved by Chicago Public Schools and in some cases our traditional union, The Chicago Teachers Union.
We are also educating our community about the "pipeline to prison" agenda operating now in schools across America.
CAUSE meets every Tuesday at Operation PUSH where we meet with former union officials who advise teachers of solutions that may be available to teachers. We have E-3 specialist an expert grievance writers.
We are also organizing to develop a new leadership team that will represent and respect ALL members of our collective bargaining group.
We will be meeting tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.. Hope to see you there
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Press Conference- Thursday, June 21st 9am
CAUSE MEMBERS ,
A national coalition of parents and students will hold a press conference at 9am on Thursday, June 21st at U.S, Department of Education offices at 500 West Madison, Suite 1475. Students and parents are filing complaints alleging that top-down school closings, turnarounds and school phase-outs are a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. They are demanding a meeting within two weeks of this press conference with Secretary Arne Duncan and Assistant Secretary of the Office of Civil Rights Russolyn Ali. If they do not get that meeting, they will bring the meeting to them.
What: Press Conference for Multiple City Civil Rights Complaints to the
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights
When: Thursday, June 21st
9am
Where: Office for Civil Rights, Chicago Office
U.S. Department of Education
500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475
Chicago, Illinois 60661
This press event is sponsored by students and parents from several cities in the United States including Detroit Michigan, Baltimore Maryland, New York, Newark New Jersey, Eureka Mississippi, Wichita Kansas, Boston Massachusetts, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia Pennsylvania. These students and parents are a diverse set of members of prominent community organizations in their cities, national coalitions such as the Alliance for Education Justice and Communities for Excellent Public Schools and independent tax payers who demand the end to “taxation without representation” and failed education policies forced on communities of color throughout the United States.
CALL
Rosita Chatonda
773-419-7417
rcchatonda@yahoo.com
A national coalition of parents and students will hold a press conference at 9am on Thursday, June 21st at U.S, Department of Education offices at 500 West Madison, Suite 1475. Students and parents are filing complaints alleging that top-down school closings, turnarounds and school phase-outs are a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. They are demanding a meeting within two weeks of this press conference with Secretary Arne Duncan and Assistant Secretary of the Office of Civil Rights Russolyn Ali. If they do not get that meeting, they will bring the meeting to them.
What: Press Conference for Multiple City Civil Rights Complaints to the
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights
When: Thursday, June 21st
9am
Where: Office for Civil Rights, Chicago Office
U.S. Department of Education
500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475
Chicago, Illinois 60661
This press event is sponsored by students and parents from several cities in the United States including Detroit Michigan, Baltimore Maryland, New York, Newark New Jersey, Eureka Mississippi, Wichita Kansas, Boston Massachusetts, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia Pennsylvania. These students and parents are a diverse set of members of prominent community organizations in their cities, national coalitions such as the Alliance for Education Justice and Communities for Excellent Public Schools and independent tax payers who demand the end to “taxation without representation” and failed education policies forced on communities of color throughout the United States.
CALL
Rosita Chatonda
773-419-7417
rcchatonda@yahoo.com
OUTREACH TO CHILDREN - PEASE JOIN CAUSE
CAUSE is starting an educational reach out initiative for children . I
have been working to bring attention to the EDUCATIONAL HOLOCAUST that
is happening to every African American School District across the
country. African AMERICAN VETERAN TEACHERS ARE being fired and brought
up on unsubstantiated charges, they are being given "unsatisfactory
ratings and fired in record numbers and replaced by young
white interns. Our unions, both national, state and even local have
decided that this isn't a union issue and that they can't do anything
for ONE GROUP in isolation because the OTHERS will not appreciate it. So
that leaves us with no choice, WE WILL BRING NATIONAL attention to what
is going on here in Chicago. It's a cancer spreading throughout the
nation. It's equivalent to "Black Genocide"
So our children are also so being victimized. passing them on with a 24% proficiency rating.CPS has purged 50,000 African American students from the system. Parents should be outraged and demand help for their children. We are losing our children to gangs and having discussions at CPS sponsored CACS - Community Action Councils about how we can incarcerate what they call "Thugs , Gang Bangers and Terrorist" . What respectable community would refer to their children in these terms???
People we at Rainbows End , we can do this. WE CAN RECLAIM our educational communities without the help,of CPS's privatization pipeline to prison model. We cab reclaim it without the CTU's " I'll protect the union even if 4, 000 people lose their jobs model" We can do this by developing real parental voice , we must reach out to our children and help save them before the gangs reel them in.
Teachers Summer is out, we desperately need your help to do this. If you are displaced, working, union or non union, we need your expertise ."WE ARE ALL TEACHERS" CAUSE Meets at Operation PUSH Today at 6:00,
50th and Drexel. JOIN CAUSE FOR REAL COMMUNITY VOICE
So our children are also so being victimized. passing them on with a 24% proficiency rating.CPS has purged 50,000 African American students from the system. Parents should be outraged and demand help for their children. We are losing our children to gangs and having discussions at CPS sponsored CACS - Community Action Councils about how we can incarcerate what they call "Thugs , Gang Bangers and Terrorist" . What respectable community would refer to their children in these terms???
People we at Rainbows End , we can do this. WE CAN RECLAIM our educational communities without the help,of CPS's privatization pipeline to prison model. We cab reclaim it without the CTU's " I'll protect the union even if 4, 000 people lose their jobs model" We can do this by developing real parental voice , we must reach out to our children and help save them before the gangs reel them in.
Teachers Summer is out, we desperately need your help to do this. If you are displaced, working, union or non union, we need your expertise ."WE ARE ALL TEACHERS" CAUSE Meets at Operation PUSH Today at 6:00,
50th and Drexel. JOIN CAUSE FOR REAL COMMUNITY VOICE
Friday, June 15, 2012
CAUSE Fundraiser
RSVP- http://www.facebook.com/events/161738640625489
Public Event · By Rosita Chatonda
Public Event · By Rosita Chatonda
Suggested Guests
- 5:00pm until 8:00pm
NOTICE -DATE HAS BEEN CHANGED
Steppers Set - Tickets $10.00 - In Advance or at the Door
Please come out and support our teachers who work in the African American community. They have been unfairly targeted for dismissal by CPS.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/CAUSE-Chicago-Alliance-of-Urban-School-Educators/277275158965226
CAUSE is organizing in schools that traditionally serve minority
students. We ask anyone at a Turn-Around School, Given an E-3 or
unsatisfactory rating or brought up on charges to attend. Working
teachers please support our veteran teachers. You could be next (and
probably will be. There are at least 4,000 teachers terminated since
2010. about 1/2 have gotten their jobs back and more have been fired
this year. Join Cause for real com
Monday, June 4, 2012
CPS and SEIU Reach a Tentative Pact
http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/notebook/2012/06/04/20158/in-news-cps-seiu-reach-tentative-pact
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
CAUSE Meeting Today May Tuesday May 29, 2012 Operation PUSH Every Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m. .
CAUSE Meeting Today May Tuesday May 29, 2012 Operation PUSH Every Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m. .950 East 50th Street. Chicago, Illinois
Friday, May 25, 2012
TEACHING WHILE BLACK
Teaching While Black
I spoke at the BOE , Board of Education Meeting May 23,
2011. I was the last speaker and the program will air Saturday May 26, 12:00 –
3:00 p.m.. channel 21 CAN TV. We have an influx of teachers that were once
superior and excellent who are now being given E-3s, unsatisfactory ratings. Of
course over 75% are in African American communities. I requested a FOIA into
the actual numbers from CPS in terms of a breakdown by age, race, tenure and
seniority and gender. Of course they'll give me
some bogas information and not the accurate information. However, we have other
sources of information gathering.
I also talked about the situation at CVS. CVCA , where teachers at that school worked under the leadership of one of our most dynamic principals in South Shore Doug Maclin. Upon his arrival four months into the school year, the school was in chaos because of the previous administrator who bullied and harassed teachers. Upon his removal, the teachers were motivated and inspired by the new leadership so they pulled together and literally lifted the school out of the dismal state it was in. The principal was recognized for his accomplishments but 80% of the teachers will be fired. Many will go home with unsatisfactory rating s that will end their professional careers. Thanks for all the hard work teachers!
I also talked about the situation at CVS. CVCA , where teachers at that school worked under the leadership of one of our most dynamic principals in South Shore Doug Maclin. Upon his arrival four months into the school year, the school was in chaos because of the previous administrator who bullied and harassed teachers. Upon his removal, the teachers were motivated and inspired by the new leadership so they pulled together and literally lifted the school out of the dismal state it was in. The principal was recognized for his accomplishments but 80% of the teachers will be fired. Many will go home with unsatisfactory rating s that will end their professional careers. Thanks for all the hard work teachers!
In addition, schools like Julian High
School, where teachers who were once superior and
excellent are now being given unsatisfactory, E-3 ratings by an interim
principal, once fired by CPS are just another example of the injustice and
inequity that permeates the system. Principals,
many of them African American schools are encouraged and applauded as they pass
out unsatisfactory ratings to young teachers in their early thirties virtually
destroying their careers. In the community, we call this a “Willie Lynch”
styled approach used by corporate America. Having another Black used
as a “whipping boy” to brutalize those who were chosen arbitrarily for
punishment.
Therefore,
I am totally convinced that there
will be no justice for teachers who work at CPS. Because of the privatization
model being force upon the public sector, we know that traditionally private
companies have seen minority workers as inferior workers and systems where
African Americans in particular flourished under their own leadership have
found now that workers once rated superior and excellent are now
“unsatisfactory”. This rating is basically subjective and has no real
quantitative or measurable substance. Therefore union grievances are generally
lost because of the vague and unverifiable nature of the charge. Basically, we
could say that these teachers were caught “Teaching While Black”.
The
result of this exercise in institutional racism, the African American teaching
force will have lost 80% of it's teaching force by the end of 2012. A reminder that the job of racial
cleansing and purging of minorities was
earmarked to be finished by the end of Renaissance
2010 for elementary schools and 2012 for high schools. Since the late 90's when Jackie Vaughn was
president, there were almost 17,000 African American teachers now we have about
4,630 with 16 schools closing in the African American community this year. Also
of the 100 schools closed 97 are in our community. Basically what that says is
, Black people you just don’t measure up! Now that REN 2010 is officially over, we are a
deaths door.
In Chicago, the goal of racial cleansing has gotten off to a
great start with the implementation of the Chicago model as the national model for
school reform across the nation, we can look forward to this happening in every
urban school district across the country. Unfortunately no one cares. There
hasn't been a single significant campaign to defend the rights of these
teachers by their unions or anyone else. The teachers inability to solidify and
organize themselves has been the greatest weapon sued against them. In Illinois legislation called Senate Bill 7 , targeted Chicago teachers for
an anti-large urban school district legislative initiative that stripped
teachers of seniority and forced a longer unfunded school day with no
significant compensation for teachers in Chicago.
This bill was signed with the all Illinois
unions sitting at the table. That includes the IEA, (Illinois Education
Association), IFT , Illinois
federation of Teachers and the CTU, Chicago Teachers Union. The impact of this
legislation will further weaken the public school infrastructure and strengthen
the traditionally racially biased corporate takeover of public education.
Monday, May 21, 2012
South Side NAACP Action
The Time to ACT is NOW!!
As we come the close of another school year ...
More schools in 2011 phased out, or consolidated without parent, staff, student, and community consideration!
CPS has already suspended or expelled 2,500 students this year alone! 
The number of Displaced and Dismissed Teachers has increased!
WE NEED YOU AND MANY MORE!
|
THE
NAACP SOUTH SIDE BRANCH EDUCATION COMMITTEE IS WORKING TO:
· Receive,
Review and Take Action on Parent, Teacher, and Community School Complaints
· Get
Signatures for a Referendum to Establish an Elected School Board
· Stop
CPS from closing, phasing out, turning around schools without public
participation, transparency, and appropriate equitable resources
· Help
Displaced & Dismissed Teachers with Legal and Financial Resources
· Prevent
Student Violence/Address Suspensions and Expulsions
|
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT -
Valencia Rias-Winstead @ 312-848-3381 (Chair) OR
Rosita Chatonda @ 773-419-7417
NAACP SOUTHSIDE BRANCH EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT
May 17, 2012
Membership: NAACP Committee Members = Seven(7) =
Valencia Rias-Winstead - Chair; Dr. Trina Hollingsworth - V.Chair;
Secretary - Open (Pratt Resigned); Sgt. At Arms - J. Burnett New
NAACP Members = Three(3) = Barbara
Pritchett, Ronald Jackson, Bertram Gray
Committee meetings held:
2 - Displaced Teachers & Elected School Board
Activities Participated/ Attended: Organized and led Walk for Peace in the South East on May 11, from 75th
-79th & Jeffrey
Attended Chicago Board of Education
Meeting
Ongoing
–
Attending Monday
Nite Meetings @ Chgo Sate for Elected School Board
Collaborating with
attorney on LSC lawsuit
Collaborating
with PUSH on school actions
Teach-Ins held on:
Held workshop on Senate
Bill 7
Held workshop NAACP
Complaint Form
NAACP Complaint
Forms Collected = 4 (More Pending)
Petition Drive for
Elected School Board
Political
Action Committee Voter Registration
Activities towards Proposed Goals:
1. Support for a referendum to establish an Elected School Board
(Need 100,000 signatures.)
2.
Dismantling the Pipeline from Schools to Prison
3.
CTU Displaced Teachers Lawsuit
4. CPS School Actions /School Closings, Phase- Outs, Turnarounds,
Construction
Upcoming Activities/Events:
MAY
18 – Tuley Park Petition Drive for
Elected School Board
May 19 - NATO Petition Drive for Elected
School Board
May
21 - New Organizations recruited for Elected School Board
May
24 – C.A.U.S.E.Parent and Community Protest@Julian H.S.
June
5 - LSC Traning @ Northern Trust
Bank
Next Meeting Date, Time & Location: Thursday,
May 24, 2012 @ 6:30 -8:30 pm (Northern Trust Bank Community Room 7851 S. Sate Street)
Friday, May 18, 2012
Charter Schools, Hidden Agenda
Written by Rosita Chatonda
In Chicago since REN 2010 there has been a purge of 200,000 African Americans, 50,000 African American Students and the loss of over 50% of African American Teachers, dropping from 40.6 to 19.5 today. Since the late 90's , when Jackie Vaughn was president, African American teachers were 54% of an over 30,000 member union, approximately 17,000 strong. Now we are down to 4,600 with 16 schools closing in the African American community this year. If we are blessed at the end of the year, we may have 2,500 teachers servicing the needs of a 45% African American student population. The irony is that all other minority teacher and student populations have increased population except African Americans. Although white veteran teachers are under attack as well , their teacher population remains stable.
With Chicago being the model for school reform, this agenda has been implemented nationally via Race Too The Top and Arne Duncan. The impact of all of this educational upheaval has caused African American communities to suffer with horrific consequences. Since teachers are the largest number of professionals in the community and generally are the foundation for upward mobility in there families, joblessness, foreclosures, homelessness, suicide, death from having inadequate insurance, children having to return from college are consequences to this hate filled agenda and much more. Community, please wake up. This is our Selma, It's our Birmingham.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Chicago Alliance of Urban School Educators & South-Side NAACP - Tell CPS NO MORE E’3’s
Do You Know a Teacher Who Has an E-3?
Tell Them They are Not Alone! CPS has given out 200 E-3’s this year and are still giving out more!
Do you know a teacher who has been terminated by CPS due to E’3s and Charges?
Do you know of a teacher that has lost their union membership and needs help
Did you know that over 4,000 teachers were terminated during 2011?
Let’s UNITE To File an Age/ Race Discrimination Lawsuit Against CPS For teachers E’3rd and fired on trumped up charges- These teachers no longer have union representation JOIN C.A.U.S.E. Meet with C.A.U.S.E. every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.- Visit Our C.A.U.S.E. Blog - http://causeillinois.blogspot.com
Let’s Fight This Together With the Help of the NAACP and CAUSE—Chicago Alliance of Urban School Educators.
WHERE: Operation PUSH 530 EAST 50th Street “Home of the Displaced Teacher”
WHEN: Every Tuesday @6:00 p.m.
Earn College Credit and CPDU’s While Fighting For your rights!
CAUSE– Organizing teachers, (both union and non-union teachers) parents and community members .
Contact:
Rosita Chatonda
Phone: 773-419-7417
Fax: 773-902-7140
E-mail: cause.alliance@yahoo.com
Fax: 773-902-7140
E-mail: cause.alliance@yahoo.com
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