As CPS prepares to close a record number of schools, the fate of students and communities is in question.
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District officials: Beidler, Cather spared consolidation
By: Sam Barnett / April 11, 2011
Chicago Public Schools officials announced Monday night that Beidler Elementary in West Garfield Park would not be consolidated with Cather Elementary, at least not this year.
Chicago Public Schools officials announced Monday night that Beidler Elementary in West Garfield Park would not be consolidated with Cather Elementary, at least not this year.
Beidler, where a new campus park is about to be installed, was to be handed over to Urban Prep Charter School. Mazany has said that the district needed to make these moves to save money in the midst of a financial crisis.
Last month, interim schools CEO Terry Mazany proposed consolidating 15 schools, but so far, four have been pulled off the list. Mazany also will not pursue consolidating Tilton and Marconi.
Several of the proposals make way for charter schools or new schools created by Renaissance 2010.
CPS Office for School Relations Jose Alvarez said that the decision to pull the proposal was made after school officials heard community input on the matter. A student moving from Beidler to Cather would walk several extra blocks through West Garfield Park to school. Parents and teachers told district officials that they worried about children having to cross through gang territory.
“I don’t know if my kids will get abducted or raped or murdered, because that happens in our neighborhood,” said Alene Miller, a single mother of four children at Beidler, at the hearing.
Beidler staff, parents and students streamed into an overflow room after filling the Board of Education chambers. The proposal’s tabling was met with cheers and applause. However, several community leaders said they were worried that the topic would come up again.
“I’m happy with the decision,” said alderman Jason Ervin (28th) at the hearing, “But I do know we’ll be back here hearing the same argument about the same thing.”
In a press release on the removal of the Beidler proposal, district officials noted that between Beidler and Cather there is room for 1,650 students. Yet only 627 students are enrolled between the two of them.
District officials: Beidler, Cather spared consolidation
With over 400 students belonging to Builder. I hope the mayor elected can/will make better decisions based on facts, safety and people. No parent should have to feel this way when sending their children to public school. CPS is a business with very little respect and understanding for education. Where else can u become the top dog with no or little experience in that particular field. CPS WE WILL FIGHT for our rights so that no child OUR children are not left behind!
District officials: Beidler, Cather spared consolidation
With over 400 students belonging to Builder. I hope the mayor elected can/will make better decisions based on facts, safety and people. No parent should have to feel this way when sending their children to public school. CPS is a business with very little respect and understanding for education. Where else can u become the top dog with no or little experience in that particular field. CPS WE WILL FIGHT for our rights so that no child OUR children are not left behind!
District officials: Beidler, Cather spared consolidation
CPS has little regard for minority students. I'd like to see you pull this same stunt in Area 1 schools. If you notice this is never done to schools on the north side. I guess you think minority parents don't know their rights. People are getting tired of CPS playing these games with their children. When you open a charter school you should have somewhere for them to go or get their sponsors to build them a school. I am proud of Beidler and all the unified efforts they had collectively to save their school. They had community representation, parental representation, student and staff representation. That is what democracy looks like! GO BEIDLER GO!
District officials: Beidler, Cather spared consolidation
Congratulations Beidler Elementary School! A job well done! Meanwhile, Schneider, Carpenter, Anderson, Avondale, Best, Chicago Discovery, and Global Visions still sit on DEATH ROW (consolidations/closings)!
District officials: Beidler, Cather spared consolidation
Ok let me get this stright....CPS wants every school to go charter and every kid will have to somehow get himself to whatever school will take him by lottery??? Is cps going to replace all the busses with taxi cabs??? CPS IS INSANE! Schools are meant to bind a community! CPS needs to fix ALLL OF THEIR SCHOOLS NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
District officials: Beidler, Cather spared consolidation
Why isn't Canter on the list to close? You take these other schools that have 100s more students and not even look at Canter or Robinson or Proce.
What kind of power dothey have? it is time for the General Assembly to make CPS accountable for closures!
District officials: Beidler, Cather spared consolidation
The turnaround strategy and approach is directly related to the death of Derrion Albert. It has had a devastating and corrosive effect on the community that remains totally ignored to this day by the egos that expound it.
District officials: Beidler, Cather spared consolidation
Schneider, Carpenter, Anderson, Avondale, Best, Chicago Discovery and Global Visions need to come together as one. All of their LSCs, parents, students, community members, clergy, politicians and staff need to make their voices heard. CPS needs to know that consolidations are unsafe and creates over-crowded situations for children just to provide additional space and/or buildings for charter schools. April 27, 2011 is approaching quickly. That is the date that CPS plans to vote on their consolidations.
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