catalyst-chicago.org

A program aimed at providing Chicago students with school supplies will launch Tuesday through a partnership between the Chicago Public Schools and Groupon, the Sun-Times reports.

A program aimed at providing Chicago students with school supplies will launch Tuesday through a partnership between the Chicago Public Schools and Groupon, the Sun-Times reports. “Kitz for Kids” will be available through Groupon’s daily e-mail and at Groupon.com/Chicago between Tuesday morning and Thursday night. The program seeks people to pledge in increments of $12 to buy supply kits for students.  More than 85 percent of CPS students this year will come from low-income families, and more than 15,000 students will be homeless, according to the school system.

In a blog post, NBC Chicago reporter Mary Ann Ahern recounts the exchange she had with Mayor Rahm Emanuel over questions about his decision to send his three children to the private University of Chicago Lab School. When first asked, the mayor curtly replied, "My children are not in a public position. ...My children are not an instrument of me being mayor.  My children are my children, and that may be news to you, and that may be new to you, Mary Ann, but you have to understand that I’m making this decision as a father.” Later, Ahren reached Emanuel on his mobile phone, and Ahern said she tried to explain that as a public official Emanuel had to explain what school his children would attend. Ahern also told Emanuel that she "felt wrong and bullied during his earlier tirade." Emanuel fired back: "You are wrong and a bully. I care deeply for my children. I don't care about you."

Chicago Public Schools officials are proposing $7 million for new high-definition surveillance devices that will feed to police stations and a citywide network. (Tribune)

Chicago Public Schools ordered a principal who threw out unused school supplies to retrieve the boxes of tape, glue, test-preparation books and reading books out of the garbage bins and bring them back into the building. CPS spokeswoman Becky Carroll said the central office is reiterating to all principals and chief area officers that if they find unused inventory, they should call the central office so the materials can be distributed to other schools. (Tribune)

In the state

The Thornton Township High School District 205 board has stripped its newly selected board president of his power and shifted his duties to the vice president position. Kenneth Williams will keep his title, but he will no longer lead the board meetings, manage the committees or sign off on contracts, officials said. Four members of the board have accused Williams of abusing his authority (Tribune)

The U.S. Department of Justice is supporting the University of Illinois' appeal of a court ruling in a case involving the release of names in an admissions scandal. (WBEZ)

In the nation

Traditional public schools in Florida will get no money from the state this year for additions or needed repairs to thousands of aging buildings, but charter schools will score big. The state's 350 charter schools will share $55 million, while the approximately 3,000 traditional schools will go without. The charter school operated for children of employees of The Villages, the Republican stronghold in north Lake County frequented by Gov. Rick Scott and former President George W. Bush, is expected to receive about $1 million. (Orlando Sentinel)

The New York Times reports on Relay Graduate School of Education, the first standalone college of teacher preparation in nearly a century. Relay preaches the practical over the theoretical, all with the goal of changing the way teachers in this country are taught.

Some Indiana schools are facing the possibility of a state takeover. (WBEZ)