Even as CPS opens more new schools, children with special needs have a tougher time finding options. Placements in private therapeutic schools are scarce, and some charters are reluctant to enroll them.
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McCorkle continues to fight closing
By: Sarah Karp / March 19, 2010
Even though Board of Education members approved the shuttering of the
South Side’s McCorkle Elementary at their February meeting, staff,
students and parents gathered outside the school Friday morning for a
last-ditch rally. The district says McCorkle is too dilapidated and
would cost too much to repair, but those at the rally said they think
the investment would be worthwhile. “We are praying and hoping they
change their mind,” Aisha Jarrett said
Even though Board of Education members approved the shuttering of the South Side’s McCorkle Elementary at their February meeting, staff, students and parents gathered outside the school Friday morning for a last-ditch rally. The district says McCorkle is too dilapidated and would cost too much to repair, but those at the rally said they think the investment would be worthwhile. “We are praying and hoping they change their mind,” Aisha Jarrett said
Aisha came to the rally with her sister, Robyn Jarrett. They both attended the school as children and now have four sons and daughters between them, along with several other nieces and nephews, in the school. The two grew up in the high-rise public housing complex that used to line State Street, but were forced to move when the complex was demolished. Still, they enrolled their children because they feel comfortable and have deep connections with other families. They said that many families are in the same situation, and have enrolled their children even though they now live outside the neighborhood.
Should McCorkle close down, the Jarrett sisters have not decided where they will send their children. But they already have decided against Beethoven, which is the designated receiving school. CEO Ron Huberman has promised to provide safe passage to receiving schools, but Robyn said she doesn’t understand the dynamic. Like McCorkle, Beethoven is on State Street, but is south of 47th Street, while McCorkle is to the north. Such major streets are dividing lines between gang territories, and Robyn says gangs are fighting just blocks away. “Why would I put my baby in danger?” Robyn said.
Also pictured here are low-rise apartments and townhomes being built near McCorkle. This complex will replace the public housing that was demolished over the past decade. Some McCorkle parents who now live further away hope to secure a unit in the new buildings. And with families moving back in, they don’t understand why McCorkle is being closed
McCorkle continues to fight closing
Since Quinn found $98M to buy from UNO the Mexican vote, I do not believe a word he says.
McCorkle continues to fight closing
Here's another report on the subject:
http://communitymediaworkshop.org/newstips/?p=1568
McCorkle continues to fight closing
We are very disappointed that McCorkle is closing. It is sad that these families can not find better receiving schools. It is also sad that people have to decide on schools based on neighborhoods and what goes on within them.
McCorkle continues to fight closing
Why isn't education a budgetary priority in our city? These kids are the future of Chicago and we just keep taking opportunity after opportunity away. I wish we had some leadership in our government that actually cared about CPS.
McCorkle continues to fight closing
closing a school may help the state save money, but it's at the detriment to our children. More money should be spent educating them. Closing a school that is worthy of remodeling does not save money, since the state will have to build more schools. Word of the wise from a student . A person can demonstrate common sense by acknowledging that closing one school leads to another one should be opened.
McCorkle continues to fight closing
Children in Chicago today are fighting for their education and their basic human rights as they are moved aorund as pawns on a chess board. They feel unsafe in envoirnments that should generally feel comfertable and safe. With their local schools closing children are forced to enter neighborhoods that are "owned" by different gangs. This will then increase the violence between gangs, and incocent students will face the consiquences. when will our government leaders stop using children as collateral damage in this budget crisis?
McCorkle continues to fight closing
****comfortable
Alternatives
If law enforcement officers designate and survey a safe path from specific neighborhoods to the school, children relocated from previous schools to Beethoven will experience much less gang violence and activity traveling to and from school everyday. These policemen would patrol the paths regularly to help alleviate some of the danger.
McCorkle continues to fight closing
The main issue here is that the environment that the kids have to travel through to get to school and the environment around the school is not safe. To help solve this problem they could provide undercover police officers or normal law enforcement officers in these neighborhoods to make sure that the children get to school without having to deal with the dangers that these neighborhoods bring. We need to provide some type of system that would make these kids feel comfortable going to school. If the officers were placed in these neighborhoods it would not only make the students feel more comfortable but it would make the environment around the school more peaceful and relaxing.
McCorkle continues to fight closing
Closing school do nothing to fix the underlying problems with the city's public schools. Schools are failing because of unequal policies and a broken political process. If the same effort and money of bringing the Olympics to Chicago was used to fix public schools the issue could be fixed relatively quickly. If we allow one school to close others around it will surely start to be put on the chopping block as well.
McCorkle continues to fight closing
Where is Obama????????????? I thought that education was one of his top priorities.......... In a world that is becoming more and more competitive, children in Chicago are forced to move from school to school, to give up their teachers and invest their energy, time and resources trying to get integrated in other schools. Not to mention the fact that, to save money, we are now going to reduce the number of school days to four. Nice framework ... how are out kids going to succeed in life??
McCorkle continues to fight closing
i really cant see how CTU can endorse him again??? he hasnt made one apology! nor has he even said "i am sorry" you are losing your jobs?? NOTHING!
I think it's bad!!
I guess we dont count! And dont get me started on DUNCAN!!
Just my opinion!
McCorkle continues to fight closing
I hope it doesn't close, I graduated from McCorkle in 91. i still remember the school song
McCorkle continues to fight closing
Also pictured here are low-rise apartments and townhomes being built near McCorkle. This complex will replace the public housing that was demolished over the past decade. Some McCorkle parents who now live further away hope to secure a unit in the new buildings. And with families moving back in, they don’t understand why McCorkle is being closed
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