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Monday, March 31, 2008
Around The Blogs Here are some education-related posts from local blogs -- some you'll like, some you'll hate:

Quick look at final LSC numbers PURE Blog
The good news is that nearly all the schools now have enough candidates to form LSCs. Good work by CPS and independent groups! We started out with nearly 60 on the "critical list"; the final number on CPS's list as of today is down to 10. The schools are:

Well, we got a letter in the Southwest Observer
Both Beverly and Mt Greenwood are in need of a high school, it really should be remedied so that our kids have somewhere to go. It is hardly fair that we all just grit our teeth and send our kids to private school with no option. In any other area, this would be unacceptable, but because we are in the city, we are the lowest priority.

Live from New York... Small Talk
New AERA leaders include two of my favorites—Carol Lee, the new president elect, and Bill Ayers, one of the newly elected VPs. Both Chicagoans. Congratulations, Carol and Bill. But my best NY moment came when I got to meet Debbie Almontaser, the dynamic principal of Kahlil Gibran International Academy who was forced out of her leadership position at the new Arab language and culture public school by a rabid anti-Muslim campaign.

Race & My Formative Years Barking At Kathy
In the mid-1970s—when I was in sixth grade—the only African-American child in our class and I were the shortest kids in the room. For every line-up, every assembly, every class photo, this boy and I stood side by side. Funny how one gets to know a person.

What Makes A Bully? Chicago Moms Blog
So far, my son’s weathered taunts of “nerd,” “retard” and other names in junior high. In chorus class, the kid who was tossing pencils at the back of his head was moved to the other side of the room. Nothing...

Babysitting AgainSecond City Cop
Despite an enormous police presence, including a special escort for ABLA kids to and from the West Side school, nearly half of the students at Crane didn't show up for classes Monday -- the first day back after spring break. Is this really the most judicious use of taxpayer dollars?

If there are other blogs that I'm missing, please let me know.  I'm trying to provide a broad picture of what's going on in education -- teachers, parents, neighborhood leaders, etc.



Comments
Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 1:42 PMBy: Parents Around The Blogs What makes a silly bully? First at most Hispanic schools, and first I am hispanic american, that these mexican parents don't teach their child english, they feel that mexico is the culture in their home. That is fine, but for gods sake teach them to adapt to this culture here. Bullying with these latino kids is very common, most lack respect, when parents come to teacher conferences, their has to be a translator, so do you really think that they are going to listen to a american teacher? NO. Something must be done about this.
Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 8:51 PMBy: bully pulpit Around The Blogs Has CPS sent its written policy on bullying to ISBE yet? It was due at the end of Fed. It's also supposed to communicate the policy to parents AND students at least once a year. Any plans for that? Anyone know?

The new law is 105 ILCS 5/27-23.7, from last summer.
Mon Mar 31, 2008 at 11:27 PMBy: Kugler - Is this It Around The Blogs Bullying Prevention
Tue Apr 1, 2008 at 1:03 PMBy: bully pulpit Around The Blogs (Thanks, Kugler.)

This is a bullying POLICY? God help you if you’re the bully’s target! CPS does it again:


CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Office of Specialized Services /
Department of Pupil Support Services

Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities

Dealing with Bullying...
15 Things Schools Can Do

1. Clearly define bullying behavior.

2. Adopt and advertise a zero tolerance policy for bullying.

3. Have clear consequences for bullying and don't tolerate it before, during or after school.

4. Make no exceptions. Every act of bullying must have consequences and those consequences must be shared with the entire school community.

5. Inform parents and the community about what the school is doing to combat bullying and solicit their ideas and input.

6. Encourage teachers to discuss bullying in their classes. If students understand what bullying is, they are more likely to report it.

7. Establish a reporting system that involves all school employees. This is extremely important as student surveys reveal that very few students believe that adults will help in bullying situations.

8. Help students understand that reporting bullying is a social responsibility that benefits the victim, the bully and the entire school community.

9. Use role-playing exercises to illustrate bullying acts and show specific ways victims and witnesses can respond.

10. Avoid saying, "Unless I see it, I can't do anything about it." Students will feel stranded and betrayed and may not report future incidents.

11. Discuss bullying in a variety of situations. That way you aren't waiting for incidents to happen before you talk about bullying.

12. Set up an anonymous hotline for students to report bullying behavior.

13. Reach out to bullies. Teach them pro-social behavior and work with them to meet their needs.

14. Develop a peer-mediation program so students can assess and offer recommendations for management of bullies.

15. Mobilize the masses. If every student takes an active role in reporting acts of bullying and refuses to stand by and watch bullying, this will be a huge deterrent to bullying in your school.

Send comments and/or questions about content on this site to:
Robert Johnston
Pupil Support Services / Safe and Drug Free Schools
125 S. Clark - 9th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
safeschool@cps.k12.il.us

ABOVE FROM CPS WEBSITE.
Tue Apr 1, 2008 at 2:30 PMBy: can do Around The Blogs Notice the "can" - as in 15 Things Schools "Can" Do. Not "will do."

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