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Next LSC legislative hearing set for June 7 PURE
Here's your next chance, and in a format which should allow for more speakers: Saturday, June 7 at Julian High School from 10 am to 1:30 pm. Julian is located at 10330 S. Elizabeth.
Connected at the Wii Chicago Teacher Man
Go on, ask me: Chicago Teacher Man, how do you reach the student that has fallen behind and make sure he passes? Simple. I challenge the kid to a session of Nintendo Wii.
More on the inevitable failure of top-down reform Klonsky
Freedman offers a testimony to the inevitable failure of, what Meier calls, “smallish schools mandated ruthlessly from above” via school closings.
In overcrowded school for students with disabilities makes do with less CC Echo
South of the storefront Baptist churches, fish and chicken shacks, and the yellow and red signs of block-to-block currency exchanges, Southside Occupational Academy sits nestled on the 7000 block of Hoyne Avenue
A school on the southwest side struggles with neighborhood violence CC Echo
Soft jazz music floats through the checkered hall of Little Village Lawndale High School Campus to signify the few minutes left before classes begin.
Elitism Teaching Excellence Network
Golden Apple Fellow Jane Artabasy has been doing a lot of thinking about the upcoming election. In recent weeks, she has been particularly upset at the use of “elitist” as a major criticism of Obama, and in this post, she argues that an elite president is exactly what we need… And I wonder...are teachers frightened of being labeled “elitist”?
The right to choose schools Chicago Moms
A recent post by Foodmomiac really got me thinking about my son's education. He's only two, but in the next couple of years we will have to decide where he will attend school.
Blagojevich can fix gaffe on CeaseFire Eric Zorn
'This is an emergency," Gov. Rod Blagojevich did not say last August. "Children are being shot and killed," he did not add.
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Thu May 15, 2008 at 6:07 AM
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"Soft jazz music floats through the checkered hall of Little Village Lawndale High School Campus to signify the few minutes left before classes begin."
You can't hear the music in the halls. You can in the classroom, which is particularly annoying. By the way, for a school that's supposed to have "Lawndale" in its title, you'll notice that on the side of the building, that "Lawndale" isn't mentioned.
"Today, the freshmen in her World Civilization class are learning about the Roman Empire. Unlike her sleepy students, Alt is wide-awake and borderline hyper as she compares the power struggle of the Roman Empire to the struggles between gangs for power, territory and money. While some of the kids have difficulty understanding how governments function, they clearly know how gangs work."
This is the wrong tact to take. Most of my students are not part of the gang world. They are good kids, who were protected from that milieu by caring, attentive parents. In fact, these kids are offended with connecting class material to gangs because they don't want to be a part of that world. They don't appreciate being stereotyped, either.
"Also, while teachers have a fairly good idea who is in a gang, they don’t actively look for gang members. The importance of keeping kids in school is often more pressing than finding out who is in a gang."
Most of the kids who are in gangs are not at the school to learn. They are there for the social life, to meet girls, sell drugs, and recruit. Those kids I don't want to keep in. They're a waste of space that could go to someone else.
"But even good kids with good families can get pulled in. Becker recalls an especially bright student who joined a gang as a sophomore. “I cried, because I knew where he was going,” Becker says."
Then he's not a bright or a good kid, by definition, is he?
Why is that all the gang violence is coming out of the SoJo side of the building? Hmmm.
I'm very curious to see Social Justice's ACT stores. Farragut averages a 14.7, and I expect about the same from SoJo. SoJo also violated AP rules, letting the AP teacher administer the test for the class he taught. They also violated ACT rules, letting students eat during the test. They've forgotten that Social Justice starts with literacy, not marching. Read Frederick Douglass or Richard Wright sometime.
You can't hear the music in the halls. You can in the classroom, which is particularly annoying. By the way, for a school that's supposed to have "Lawndale" in its title, you'll notice that on the side of the building, that "Lawndale" isn't mentioned.
"Today, the freshmen in her World Civilization class are learning about the Roman Empire. Unlike her sleepy students, Alt is wide-awake and borderline hyper as she compares the power struggle of the Roman Empire to the struggles between gangs for power, territory and money. While some of the kids have difficulty understanding how governments function, they clearly know how gangs work."
This is the wrong tact to take. Most of my students are not part of the gang world. They are good kids, who were protected from that milieu by caring, attentive parents. In fact, these kids are offended with connecting class material to gangs because they don't want to be a part of that world. They don't appreciate being stereotyped, either.
"Also, while teachers have a fairly good idea who is in a gang, they don’t actively look for gang members. The importance of keeping kids in school is often more pressing than finding out who is in a gang."
Most of the kids who are in gangs are not at the school to learn. They are there for the social life, to meet girls, sell drugs, and recruit. Those kids I don't want to keep in. They're a waste of space that could go to someone else.
"But even good kids with good families can get pulled in. Becker recalls an especially bright student who joined a gang as a sophomore. “I cried, because I knew where he was going,” Becker says."
Then he's not a bright or a good kid, by definition, is he?
Why is that all the gang violence is coming out of the SoJo side of the building? Hmmm.
I'm very curious to see Social Justice's ACT stores. Farragut averages a 14.7, and I expect about the same from SoJo. SoJo also violated AP rules, letting the AP teacher administer the test for the class he taught. They also violated ACT rules, letting students eat during the test. They've forgotten that Social Justice starts with literacy, not marching. Read Frederick Douglass or Richard Wright sometime.
Thu May 15, 2008 at 6:57 AM
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SOJO is such a big disaster. After MAS, it is the worst school. There are all about "social justice education" (yeah, social promotion and a couple of other things; can't wait for the ACT scores too). When a teacher asked: what do you mean by that? The speaker said some expressions in a jargoned language that basically meant: a student can say "photosynthesis" and still be himself; or in other words, a student can use that language while saying "joe, joe, jo..."
And the principal is such an idiot. He insulted teachers in an email by saying that they were only thinking of themselves when they wanted to vote to start earlier in the day. Many of us were pretty pissed off with the idiot b/c we have been there for over 2-3 years getting ready with the sports teams and this SOB and his other administrative friends want to ignore all of that hard work.
What about the other two administrators? The effeminate AP that is over-worked b/c the super overweight boss wants to arrive at 9 from his suburban one-million dollars oak park home. And the DMX-type of administrator, that was only hired as dean of discipline b/c he is black and so, presumably, could control black kids, is apparently looking for another job b/c he has been absent for a week.
It's always sad to see how a school with so much potential, sinks every day.
And the principal is such an idiot. He insulted teachers in an email by saying that they were only thinking of themselves when they wanted to vote to start earlier in the day. Many of us were pretty pissed off with the idiot b/c we have been there for over 2-3 years getting ready with the sports teams and this SOB and his other administrative friends want to ignore all of that hard work.
What about the other two administrators? The effeminate AP that is over-worked b/c the super overweight boss wants to arrive at 9 from his suburban one-million dollars oak park home. And the DMX-type of administrator, that was only hired as dean of discipline b/c he is black and so, presumably, could control black kids, is apparently looking for another job b/c he has been absent for a week.
It's always sad to see how a school with so much potential, sinks every day.
Thu May 15, 2008 at 10:31 AM
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Sojo, MAS, and Infinity expected their teachers to work well beyond the allowable number of minutes unpaid. Not going to happen, so the teachers at the school forced them for an equitable schedule.
The schools have 1/2 day student attendance each Wednesday so they can do "colloquiums." The kids don't come because those days don't affect their grades. They feel that those days are play days, so who cares if they are in school or not? These kids need instructional time and consistant contact with their teachers, not less time in school. And the PD on those 1/2 days? Us teachers all know how much PD is actually valulable.
The alternative grading systems, based on the Young Women's Leadership model, is used by three of the schools and is worthless. The kids are given learning outcomes that they need to prove they are "proficient" at. An "F" raises a red flag to parents, who don't understand the alternative system, so the kids love the "not yets." The kids are given almost an infinite amount of time to turn those "Not Yets" into "Proficients." Go through the class, learn nothing, find a worn out teacher a year later to turn your "Not Yet" to a "Proficient" so you can squeak by. Those are then magicially transformed into grades and GPAs for colleges. The kids learn nothing about time managment, deadlines, or persistance. Maybe they'll get to college, but they won't be prepared for the realities of learning or society.
That Dean of Discipline at SoJo seems to hate kids. All he does is yell at them and try to force physical confrontations. He's a bully.
Pricinipal Martha Izzary just gave her teachers a ridiculous list of requirements in order to receive an "excellent" rating, including three weeks of mandatory PD over the summer. Those who can are leaving. Her teacher turnover rate for the last two years has been ridiculous. Their English curriculum consists of reading the sparknotes for Romeo and Juliet, and analyzing the songs of Weird Al Yankovich and LL Cool J.
World Language has no discipline plan, other than suspensions for serious infractions, such as fighting or pushing teachers. It does have several excellent teachers; however, one PAT is being eliminated because he was willing to talk to the union and speak up about having no discipline code. On of the best teachers on campus, though. The Pricinipal is all me, me, me -- check out their flyer at the front desk with her glamour shot on the front. As long as she looks good, everybody should feel good.
These schools are staffed with untenured teachers. Of course, the CPS hates veterans and older teachers who just might know enough to speak their minds. So we can't use our real names. Even filling a grievance with the union and complaining of contract violations is risky. We do have families to feed. And we are trying to give these kids the best possible education.
So, how does the CPS allow Rito Martinez to live in Oak Park?
The schools have 1/2 day student attendance each Wednesday so they can do "colloquiums." The kids don't come because those days don't affect their grades. They feel that those days are play days, so who cares if they are in school or not? These kids need instructional time and consistant contact with their teachers, not less time in school. And the PD on those 1/2 days? Us teachers all know how much PD is actually valulable.
The alternative grading systems, based on the Young Women's Leadership model, is used by three of the schools and is worthless. The kids are given learning outcomes that they need to prove they are "proficient" at. An "F" raises a red flag to parents, who don't understand the alternative system, so the kids love the "not yets." The kids are given almost an infinite amount of time to turn those "Not Yets" into "Proficients." Go through the class, learn nothing, find a worn out teacher a year later to turn your "Not Yet" to a "Proficient" so you can squeak by. Those are then magicially transformed into grades and GPAs for colleges. The kids learn nothing about time managment, deadlines, or persistance. Maybe they'll get to college, but they won't be prepared for the realities of learning or society.
That Dean of Discipline at SoJo seems to hate kids. All he does is yell at them and try to force physical confrontations. He's a bully.
Pricinipal Martha Izzary just gave her teachers a ridiculous list of requirements in order to receive an "excellent" rating, including three weeks of mandatory PD over the summer. Those who can are leaving. Her teacher turnover rate for the last two years has been ridiculous. Their English curriculum consists of reading the sparknotes for Romeo and Juliet, and analyzing the songs of Weird Al Yankovich and LL Cool J.
World Language has no discipline plan, other than suspensions for serious infractions, such as fighting or pushing teachers. It does have several excellent teachers; however, one PAT is being eliminated because he was willing to talk to the union and speak up about having no discipline code. On of the best teachers on campus, though. The Pricinipal is all me, me, me -- check out their flyer at the front desk with her glamour shot on the front. As long as she looks good, everybody should feel good.
These schools are staffed with untenured teachers. Of course, the CPS hates veterans and older teachers who just might know enough to speak their minds. So we can't use our real names. Even filling a grievance with the union and complaining of contract violations is risky. We do have families to feed. And we are trying to give these kids the best possible education.
So, how does the CPS allow Rito Martinez to live in Oak Park?
Thu May 15, 2008 at 11:05 AM
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Rito Martinez's situation is very funny, actually. There is a ruling that if you have worked since ninety-nine something, you can life wherever you want (e.g. Cynthia Barron, our AIO, has been working with CPS since the sixties, so she can live in Indiana and that's no problem), but Mr. Martinez has been working with SOJO for 6 years, definitely passed the year deadline. However, nobody seems to care that although he is earning much more than any other teacher, he doesn't have the same requirements in paper. He is braking the law and nobody seems to give a s _ _ _.
Thu May 15, 2008 at 1:42 PM
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At Little Village, how do you all feel about C.B. the AIO?
Thu May 15, 2008 at 2:34 PM
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That she is a freaking idiot. Ts dont know her and have seen her only once this year. Totally useless.
Ts should get together and write to Duncan and Daley about Rito Martinez as he is doing something illegal.
Ts should get together and write to Duncan and Daley about Rito Martinez as he is doing something illegal.
Thu May 15, 2008 at 3:15 PM
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She has more involvement with the pricipals. We don't see her or the coaches much, as they are involved a lot more with schools that are having much greater issues than ours, such as the former Bowen. The best thing CB did for Little Village was remove World Language's first principal during the school's first year of operation. Why she lets the current principals do what they do is unknown, though she is closing in on retirment within the next two years. I believe she's pushing (or was) high school transformation onto the principals.
Fri May 16, 2008 at 9:06 PM
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just want to show that other blogs are much more progressive and open to what people feel.
Obama Fires Back at McCain - Yet Again
by Scout Finch
Fri May 16, 2008 at 05:05:06 PM PDT
Barack fired-up that rapid response team and wasted no time hitting back (via press release):
"What's reckless is continuing the Bush-McCain foreign policy that has cost us thousands of lives and a trillion dollars in Iraq, strengthened Iran, enabled Hamas to take Gaza, took our eye off al Qaeda, failed to capture Osama bin Laden, failed to finish the job in Afghanistan, and left us less safe and less respected in the world. No amount of utterly predictable fear-mongering and tough talk can change the fact that John McCain is running to continue the most disastrous foreign policy in recent American history," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.
Holy shit --- that was a WWF style smack-down of McCain. Can you smell what Barack is cooking?
http://www.dailykos.com/
Obama Fires Back at McCain - Yet Again
by Scout Finch
Fri May 16, 2008 at 05:05:06 PM PDT
Barack fired-up that rapid response team and wasted no time hitting back (via press release):
"What's reckless is continuing the Bush-McCain foreign policy that has cost us thousands of lives and a trillion dollars in Iraq, strengthened Iran, enabled Hamas to take Gaza, took our eye off al Qaeda, failed to capture Osama bin Laden, failed to finish the job in Afghanistan, and left us less safe and less respected in the world. No amount of utterly predictable fear-mongering and tough talk can change the fact that John McCain is running to continue the most disastrous foreign policy in recent American history," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.
Holy shit --- that was a WWF style smack-down of McCain. Can you smell what Barack is cooking?
http://www.dailykos.com/
Thu Mar 5, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Other Blogs About Chicago Schools
I have worked at Social Justice High School for the past 3.5 years since it opened. I am not an anonymous blogger. I can attest that it is the best school I have seen in operation in the city. I am proud of my co-workers, proud of my leadership, proud of my students, and proud to say that I work there.
It's funny, because reading these blogs filled with sexism, homophobia, and pure ignorance I only feel sad for those who have so much hatred in their hearts and minds that they speak on what they do not know, and what they do not care about. I would put any single one of my Seniors against these anonymous bloggers in an open debate with pride and confidence that they would with civility and competency illustrate the lack of evidence, logic, or plan commonsense displayed by bloggers Don Justice or Z.
A school is not known for one person -- it is known for the vision of its founders and successive leaders. No matter who leads - -the mission to bring equity to students and their families will continue. We were born out of struggle, and the struggle continues.
In peace,
Katie
It's funny, because reading these blogs filled with sexism, homophobia, and pure ignorance I only feel sad for those who have so much hatred in their hearts and minds that they speak on what they do not know, and what they do not care about. I would put any single one of my Seniors against these anonymous bloggers in an open debate with pride and confidence that they would with civility and competency illustrate the lack of evidence, logic, or plan commonsense displayed by bloggers Don Justice or Z.
A school is not known for one person -- it is known for the vision of its founders and successive leaders. No matter who leads - -the mission to bring equity to students and their families will continue. We were born out of struggle, and the struggle continues.
In peace,
Katie
