CPS votes to close four Englewood high schools

[VIDEO] Yesterday the Chicago Board of Education voted to close four Englewood high schools. As you see in the video above we see the activists and the youth being fired up over the actions by the schools. The four schools in Englewood - Harper, Hope, Team Englewood, and Robeson - were to be closed due to decreasing enrollment for a new high school to be built were Robeson High School currently stands at 6835 S. Normal.

Here's an article from the Sun-Times

BREAKING: CPS board votes to close Englewood high schools, elementary school in South Loop, @bylaurenfitz reports. https://t.co/ae7keKfoPm #CPSboard pic.twitter.com/jKz1QKrx86

— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) February 28, 2018

And a brief excerpt:

More on the plans and activism regarding the closure of Englewood high schools

I got wind of a program from Chicago Public Radio scheduled for both Saturday & Sunday via Nextdoor. So tune in to your radios wherever you are 91.5 FM or tune in online at WBEZ.com

So the program called "Empty Schools, Empty Promises" airs as follows:

• Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 3:00 PM
• Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 9:00 PM 

In other news about CPS schools the Chicago Sun-Times further discusses the ultimate closures of four schools in Englewood. Robeson High School will be demolished and in its place will be the a newly built high school for Englewood residents.

With CPS set to close 4 South Side schools, questions on community support, @bylaurenfitz reports. https://t.co/MZNsyLXSyC pic.twitter.com/ukXS1HYefw

— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) February 23, 2018

Oh yeah found this on YouTube on Friday, Sun-Times reporter Lauren FitzPatrick heads to Kennedy-King College (6301 S Halsted St) to document a meeting with regards to closing these 4 Englewood high schools. Incidentally Ms. FitzPatrick wrote the article linked in the tweet above this video is embedded in that article. [VIDEO]

As you see in this vid above, the meetings proved to be contentious. It was really an unpopular move for Englewood residents and students for Team Englewood, Hope, Harper, and Robeson to be closed and students in an initial plan forced to attend schools oustide of their neighborhood - more on new plan here. The main aspect of this article is that apparent outsiders from Englewood seem to support the closures:

Three Englewood high schools to be phased out instead of closed at end of school year

[VIDEO] I would say this is good news for those concerned parents who send their children to the four Englewood high schools that are slated to close at the end of the school year. Why close those four schools and then send them to schools outside of the neighborhood to say Hyde Park or Bogan for example.

Concerned Citizens of Chatham: Bridge to nowhere coming to Chatham?

Worlee opines on a proposed project - a one-way bridge at 85th Street - which was at first necessary for the expected traffic for the Walmart in West Chatham in order to ease the congestion on 87th Street. Now he's concerned there's more traffic coming from the new development from Rev. Charles Jenkins' Legacy Project.

In addition a charter high school - expected to be a Concept school - has been approved to be housed in the development located at 8522 S. Lafayette Ave. It was reported recently of course that Rev. Jenkins is to be a landlord to this school and also noted was his connections with Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Worlee also notes in light of this new development:

This application comes in light of the fact that 10 years ago taxpayers footed the $35 million bill for Simeon Vocational High School which will be less than a half mile away. Also within a two mile radius there are four high schools available. Harlan High School, which is a STEM school, Simeon Vocational. Robeson High School, and Perspectives Calumet High School, which is a charter high school. The only logical reason this school was approved was to reward one of the mayor's African American pastor buddies. His buddy Pastor Charles Jenkins has attempted to build a church campus on this site for several years and now that he has a source of revenue that  helps make this a bankable project.

In any case what say you?

Deneen LSC elections TODAY! (also Robeson, Guggenheim and others)

I just happened to be on the website for LSC's today, and checked regarding the supplemental elections - where schools that didn't have enough people running for an seat on their LSC would have a second election.

Deneen Elementary School (7240 S. Wabash Ave.) - now an AUSL , essentially is having the entire election on that date. While some schools may have been missing a few parent or communty slots, Deneen needs to fill ALL of their offices.

Guggenheim Elementary School (7141 S. Morgan St.) is seeking to fill the same number of slots.

Robeson High School (6835 S. Normal Blvd.) is also looking to fill 5 parent slots.

If you are a parent of a student, or live in the immediate community around the school, you have until 7pm TODAY to vote. Some of the serious candidates will be out near the school, so you can meet them and decide to vote for them,

Here's the link for the elections --> http://www.cps.edu/Pages/LSCElections.aspx

Town Hall Meeting: End Violence in Englewood

TOPIC:  WE CAN SAVE OUR CHILDREN

 

Englewood is in crisis!  Whether it is Robeson, Harper, Shields, Simeon, Nicholson or even Hyde Park or Church’s Chicken, our children sit at the epicenter of some form of gang conflict that is beyond our understanding, and young lives are at risk daily.  We lost 60 souls in 2011, and the number is rising in 2012.

 

On Saturday, March 31, 2012, Imagine Englewood if, Teamwork Englewood and other community partners will host a very important Town Hall Meeting to plan anti-violence strategies.  Among those serving on a special panel are Shango Johnson, Violence Interrupter for CEASEFIRE, State Representative Esther Golar, Mark C. Walsh, Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, Syron Smith, National Block Club University, John Paul Jones, Community Organizer, Cordell Payne, Safety Net Works, and David Moore, former 17th Ward Aldermanic Candidate.

 

We appeal to youth, community leaders, pastors, elected officials, as well as residents to attend this meeting to create an Action Plan to combat violence in the Englewood community.  Reducing gun violence and violent crime must become a community-wide imperative.  Our strongest voices must form a united front committed to meaningful changes in public policy. We can’t afford to keep losing our children.

 

The event will be held at Imagine Englewood if, 730 W. 69^th St., Chicago, IL, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  For further information, contact us at 773.488.6704; fax: 773.488.6705; email: jhill705@sbcglobal.net; info@imagineenglewoodif.org.  Food and Refreshments will be served.

 

Yours in Peace.

 

Jean Carter-Hill, Co-founder and Executive Director,

“Imagine Englewood if. . .!”

Advocate for Youth Empowerment & a Lead-free Englewood

 

 

Mission Statement

 

Imagine Englewood if’s… mission is to strengthen and empower the greater Englewood community through teaching local youth healthy living, lead awareness and positive communication skills. IEi… motivates youth and their families to seek a positive quality of life and encourages them to pursue positive change.

 

Now here's a volunteer opportunity at our neighborhood schools...

Courtesy of an e-mail blast from the Greater Chatham Alliance and perhaps an answer to a recent post. Let us know if you plan to be at any of these schools to volunteer!

Join The Black Star Project's Chicago High School Alumni Associations and Celebrate the opening of Chicago High Schools

In Chicago, alumni from our area high schools are invited to be at their old high schools on the opening day on:

Monday, September 6

Let's welcome students back to school and if you can, volunteer some time to make your old high school great again!!

All Chicago Alumni should call 773.285.9600 to become actively involved with their former high school.

Black Star Project Foundation will plan activities that improve schools and serve students.

These High Schools' Alumni are committed to making changes at the schools below. Why not join them!

Aquinas - Austin - Bogan - Bowen - Brother Rice - Calumet - Carver - Chicago Agricultural School - CVS - Collins - Corliss - Crane - Creiger - Curie - DeLaSalle - Dunbar - DuSable - Englewood - Farragut - Fenger - Hales Franciscan - Harlan - Harper - Harrison - Hirsch - Hubbard - Hyde Park - Jones - Juarez - Julian - Kenwood - Lane Tech - Leo - Longwood - Lucy Flowers - Manley - Marshall Mendel - Mercy - Morgan Park - Mount Carmel - Orr - Parker - Payton - Phillips - Providence-St. Mel Richards - Robeson -Roosevelt - Simeon - South Shore - Spaulding - St. Patricks - Taft - Tilden - Von Steuben - Waller - Washington - Westinghouse - Whitney Young

Catholic High Schools not in existence should call Black Star to request a Catholic High School to assist at.

The Black Star Project!

1st Annual Englewood Health Fair and Block Party

Saturday July 23, 2011
Paul Robeson H.S.
6900 S Normal
12-4pm

Announcing the 2011 Commencement Challenge Finalists

[VIDEO] Melody Barnes from the White House Domestic Policy Council in the video above announces the finalists of the "Race to the Top Commencement Challenge. None of these high schools announced in this video are in the City of Chicago or the State of Illinois. Here's more about this Challenge:

The Commencement Challenge invites public high schools across the country to demonstrate how their school best prepares them for college and a career, helping America win the future by out-educating our competitors and achieving President Obama’s goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020.

The application includes essay questions and statistical information that illustrate how schools are promoting college and career readiness for all students while establishing a culture of student success and academic excellence. The winning school will host President Obama as their 2011 commencement speaker.

The White House has partnered with Viacom and the Get Schooled Foundation to launch the 2011 Commencement Challenge. In a video launching the challenge, Simon Boehme, the salutatorian from last year’s winning school - Kalamazoo Central High - and current freshman at the University of Michigan, came to the White House to discuss the Commencement Challenge with President Obama. Watch the video above and check out the expanded version here.

It would be nice to see both of our ward high schools Robeson & Harlan be considered close enough to be finalists in this challenge. Also since the faculty at Harlan like to advertise the fact that three of their students have went to the White House this is something that would be worthwhile for them. Especially if they want to emphasize the importance of going to college.

I'm still trying to figure out if the "grand prize" is a visit and/or commencement address by the President of the United States to the winning high school. Hopefully next year the students at Harlan Community Academy High School will consider getting involved in this contest. That is if they haven't already.

The last link in the quote is of Kalamazoo Central High School talking about their experience in winning the 2010 contest. [VIDEO]

Will this be Harlan or any other city high school next year. Can we have a city high school as a finalist or semi-finalist.

Where Do We Go in 2011

In 2010 some major issues came to light in our community. We saw a rise in serious crime that took the life of Officer Thomas Wortham, an up and coming police officer and community leader. We saw the fall of education where one of our high schools Robeson was called one of the worst in the nation and three of our elementary schools, Deneen, Gillespie and Ruggles showed up on CPS probationary list. Lastly, 79th street one of the longest streets in the city of Chicago and once a mecca for African American business now is a street of empty storefronts.

While we have had our struggles this year, the new year 2011 brings a lot of promise. The election of a new mayor, a real aldermandic election, and a community that has wakened up. What do we need to do in 2011? The first topic we want to discuss is education. We cannot continue to make excuses for our schools. Whether they are elementary, secondary or post secondary we MUST demand excellence from our educational institutions. I suggest that after the election for Alderman, that the winner convene several town hall meetings where we have a serious discussions about the problems and how do we fix them. Also, look at the models that are currently being used whether its the traditional, charter, or a hybrid combining the best of both. What will work best for our community? What ideas do you have to better our schools?

The 6th Ward Leadership Academy Summer Program

The 6th Ward Leadership Academy is designed to engage 6th Ward youth (ages 10-15) in an inspiring, engaging and intellectually stimulating environment. This program will build leadership, interpersonal and communication skills while providing cultural and career exposure to the youth. Some of the program components are community service projects, gang and drug prevention, entrepreneurship and organized sports in collaboration with World Sport Chicago. We believe it is paramount to provide a safe and productive atmosphere during the summer months when children are most vulnerable to violence.

The 6th Ward Leadership Academy is free for the first fifty (50) participants and is sponsored by Lyle for Kids and Diversified Behavioral Comprehensive Care.

To Apply:
Complete and sign the participant application, which can be picked up at the 6th Ward office or at any 6th Ward school.
Completed applications may be returned via:
•Scan and email (signature required): lyleforkids@gmail.com
•Fax: (773) 846-0503 (Attn: The 6th Ward Leadership Academy)
•Hand Deliver: return forms to the 6th Ward office or Lyle for Kids headquarters at 7318 S. Cottage Grove.

Academy Information:
This is a seven-week program (June 28-August 13) that runs Monday through Friday from 10am- 4pm. The program will be run from Paul Robeson High School located at 6835 S Normal Blvd.

Transportation:
Parents or guardians are responsible for providing daily transportation to and from the location. Lyle for Kids will provide a bus to transport youth on all field trips.

Dress and Attire:
All youth will be given a camp t-shirt that they are expected to wear.

Volunteering:
If you are interested in volunteering with the Leadership Academy, please contact the Program Director directly by calling (773) 756-8061

Questions or Concerns?
Please contact the Lyle For Kids at lyleforkids@gmail.com or by calling (773) 756-8061.

Harlan and Robeson gets funding for mentors and citizen patrol squads

Sun-Times:

A new Chicago Public School anti-violence campaign is sending the bulk of $30 million in federal stimulus dollars this school year to 38 high schools identified by officials Tuesday.

Roughly 80 percent of CPS students who were shot or killed in the last five years attended classes at one of these locations, CPS officials say.

As a result, the schools are producing plans to bring a "culture of calm" to their campuses. They will be hiring community groups to provide mentors, truancy workers and citizen patrol squads.

Other local high schools in addition to Harlan and Robeson include: Chicago Vocational, Simeon, Corliss, Julian, Hirsh, TEAM Englewood, Bowen Campus, and South Shore Campus.

Do we really care about education?

I attended my child's report pickup session today at Burnside Elementary . Based on conversations with several teachers about 50% of the parents attended. What was the attendance at the other neighborhood elementary schools?

Recently, we have had several CPS High Schools in the news, Fenger H.S.because parents were concerned about their children's safety and Robeson because of the number of pregnant/mothers female students.

In this report, there are nine CPS high schools on the list. How many parents came out and picked up their child's report card at these schools?

Worst Public High Schools in America

CPS president subpoenaed

Why?

Chicago Board of Education President Michael Scott disclosed Tuesday that he has been subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury investigating how students are chosen for admission to some of the city's most elite public schools.

Scott said he was surprised by the subpoena and flatly denied that he has ever flexed his political muscle -- during two stints as board president -- to clout any student into a "selective enrollment" school.

"I followed all the procedures," Scott said.

Asked whether he has ever made a call on behalf of someone else, Scott said, "Nope. Never."

Scott said the Board of Education launched its internal investigation of the admissions process before the federal grand jury issued separate subpoenas for school records and Scott's testimony.
...
Scott made his comments after joining Mayor Daley at Robeson High School, 6935 S. Normal, to launch the annual back-to-school campaign.

The Chicago Sun-Times began reporting on problems in admissions to elite CPS schools 18 months ago, disclosing that parents tried to clout their kids into one lottery magnet school, some with the help of a school clerk. The parents falsely claimed they had a child already enrolled in the elementary school.

Oh, it's about clout admissions to the city's select-enrollment schools! Some news was being made at Robeson yesterday!

Jeremih to encourage CPS kids to go back to school via Twitter

Ald. Lyle was also quoted in this article. She stood up for him based upon the lyrics in a song that made him famous. Twitter is becoming the new tool of choice these days isn't it? He's going to use Twitter to encourage his young school aged fans to return to school on Sept. 8th. Well here's more on this young and coming rap star:

Jeremih Felton — the home-grown rapper who struck gold with the racy song, “Birthday Sex”— has agreed to use “Twitter” to encourage his 70,000 followers to get back to Chicago Public Schools on Sept. 8.

In some ways, Jeremih is a natural star for this year’s back-to-school campaign.

He’s the local kid who made good — a Morgan Park High School alum who graduated at 16 and studied engineering at the University of Illinois before transferring to Columbia College to pursue music.

But the raunchy lyrics of “Birthday Sex” also make Jeremih a somewhat controversial choice.

The song includes lines such as, “Don’t need candles and cake/Just need your body to make good/Birthday sex’’ and “We grindin’ with passion ‘cause it’s your birthday/Been at it for hours, I know you thirsty.”

Ald. Lyle made her comments at a press conference at a local school, Robeson High School located at 6835 S. Normal. The good thing about Jeremih at least is that he's using his fame to encourage young people to go back to school next month. Even better using a "social media" to deliver that message!

Chicago Public Schools Student On the Streets Again

CPR has a story about a Robeson student who was counseled out of school because of his bad grades and spotty attendance record. In addition to his struggle for being enrolled in an alternative school. That is he is waitlisted!

Honors Students Also Struggle at Robeson High School

CPR:

Most of the incoming freshman at Robeson High School in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood read below grade level. So resources are directed toward those struggling students, and less attention is given to the motivated ones like freshman Sarah Vance. These honors students get high grades but the curriculum doesn’t adequately prepare them for college. Some do make it but others either get discouraged or are doomed for failure.

Read the whole thing!