As CPS prepares to close a record number of schools, the fate of students and communities is in question.
Join the conversation
We encourage our readers to leave comments and engage in dialogue about our stories. But before you do, please check out our "rules of the road."
Recent Notebook Entries
Right Now On Notebook
By:
By:
Subscribe to catalyst-chicago.org by e-mail
Other Blogs
catalyst-chicago.org feeds
Current Issue
In the News: Selective seats planned for new S. Side HS
By: Cassandra West / May 22, 2012
Chicago Public Schools plans to add 100 selective enrollment seats this fall at the new South Shore International College Prep, the district said.
The new $94 million South Shore high school, at 1955 E. 75th St., opened last fall as a largely neighborhood school with an International Baccalaureate program and a trade program. This fall, half of South Shore's admissions will be through selective enrollment. The rest of the school will continue to offer International Baccalaureate courses and trade programs. The CPS board will vote on the plan Wednesday. (Tribune)
CPS on Monday said it intends to renew contracts for the district's two largest food vendors, Chartwells-Thompson Hospitality and Preferred Meal Systems, less than two months after the resignation of an official accused of accepting improper gifts from the district's two largest food vendors.
Illinois students are one step closer to a mandatory recess break if one of state Sen. Kimberly Lightford’s (4th) bills, which passed the Senate May 10, becomes law. SB 636 would require schools to offer children in kindergarten through fifth grade an outside recess – weather permitting – of at least 20 minutes. (Austin Talks)
Chicago's public schools remain one of the most overlooked aspects of the city's architectural heritage. It's good to take a closer look now and then, which architecture critic Lee Bey does in this photo essay, posted on his WBEZ blog, "Beyond the Boat Tour."
IN THE NATION
The number of teachers in Wisconsin public schools fell 2.4 percent in 2012, continuing a sharp three-year decline that began in 2010. (Post Crescent)
A year after a tornado devastated the Missouri town of Joplin and killed 161 people, President Obama on Monday night addressed the graduating seniors of Joplin High School, telling them that their resilience in the face of disaster was an inspiration to people everywhere. Story also includes the full text of Obama's speech.
A record number of California school districts are facing bankruptcy, the state's superintendent of public instruction announced Monday. (Los Angeles Times)
Historical landmark status for Chicago Vocational High School
Chicago Vocational High School is a public 4-year vocational high school serving students in the south side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It opened in 1940. The school is located on the southwest side of the Chicago Skyway. Plans to open the school changed with the outbreak of World War II. The school went under the auspices of the Navy. Recently, plans have been divulged to tear down a portion of the school. Those unfamiliar with the history of the school need to go back and rethink those plans. There was an aviation department with an airplane hanger on the campus, several outstanding shops there produced automotive mechanics with students able to rebuild autos and compete with any professional. This was true of the outstanding shops on the campus also. CVS deserves to remain intact as it is now. Go to Wikipedia for the entire story on this landmark. It was home to Dick Butkus during his high school days, Bernie Mac,along with several outstanding CPS administrators that attended CVS. As a member of a past graduating class, after learning our school had dropped in achievement, an outstanding alumni association has been organized. The main goal is to never let our school or the children who attend it to be seen in a negative light again.
We urge the city to grant historical landmark status to the palace at 2100 East 87th Street.
Add your comment