catalyst-chicago.org

CPS principals were given worst-case scenario budgets yesterday. (Tribune)

Simply put: "It's pretty bad," according to Kenneth Staral, principal of Ogden School.

Under the new classroom size guidelines, Ogden will lose five elementary school teachers and likely one or two assistant principals, he said.

Technically, Staral won't have to inform teachers of layoffs until June. And a lot could happen between now and then that could make the layoffs unnecessary. Staral surely hopes so. Though class sizes of 35 would be only four more students than is now the norm at Ogden, the increase would make a huge difference, he said.

* National Guard to squelch Chicago youth violence? Tio Hardiman with CeaseFire says no, noting that murder statistics are trending down and prevention groups need to collaborate more. (Sun-Times)

* Eight Forty-Eight will talk culture of calm with CPS’ Josh Gray. (Vocalo)

* Some good news at CPS: 1,500 students participate in Global Youth Service Day. (Letter to Tribune)

Urban Prep draws more national attention and accolades for posting a 100 percent college acceptance rate among graduating seniors. (CSM)

Some elements are easy to quantify: an extended school day that means students have an additional 72,000 minutes in school each year, a double period of English, and required extracurriculars and public service.

But many more elements seem embedded into a culture based on four R’s, as the school’s founder and chief executive officer, Tim King, describes it: ritual, respect, responsibility, and relationships.

* Chicago school-level budgets due out today, with class sizes hiked to 35. (CNC)

* Chicago’s sexually transmitted infections rate is high and surveys suggest the city’s youth need to learn more about sexual health. (RedEye)

* Taft High senior wins community representative seat in local school council election. (NBC Chicago)

* Chicago Educational Facilities Task Force to announce major initiative today. (Senate Democrats)

* Tribune hosts community conversation on Chicago violence and school safety. (Press release)

* Chicago parks strike deal with a defibrillators company that was dumped by the city’s schools. (CBS2)

* A $4.5 million federal grant will help Park Ridge school cope with O’Hare noise. (Sun-Times)