Archive for August, 2009
CPSObsessed hitting the airwaves!
Newish public radio station WBEW (89.5 FM) will be featuring the topic of education during the month of September on their talk segments.
The exciting news is that yours truly (that would be me) will be one of the guests interviewed! Woo hoo!
I’ll be on air this Friday Sept 4th at 8 am representing the “obsessed parent.” Quite fitting, indeed. The guy from the station told me that they’d have some other obsessed parents throughout the month and I dared him to find others more obsessive than I have been.
The whole month of discussion on WBEW should prove interesting so tune in when you can. And especially this Friday to hear me (hopefully) not make a total fool of myself. If you have any good stories that represent any obsessive thing you have done in the school search process, please share and I may mention them.
If you can’t pick up the station on the radio, you can listen live on the web site.
More about the station:
Vocalo.org is a project of Chicago Public Radio, a new station that takes a different approach to public broadcasting—more informal and participatory. In our case, public radio is made largely by the public: Many of the stories and conversations we air have been contributed by listeners. We do not play any NPR content—no “All Things Considered,” no “This American Life.” Instead, our staff hosts a live broadcast from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. that mixes these listener-contributed stories with live talk segments and an eclectic smattering of local music. (When we’re not doing a live-hosted broadcast, we’re in “mixtape” mode—an automated, semi-random shuffle of listener-created material.)
Every month we pick a theme to explore—not that it’s the only thing we talk about, but it’s a conversation that continues throughout the month—and education is our theme for September.
How much of a pain in the butt should you be at school?
Well, here’s the type of rant that I knew would come along sooner or later.
I’ll start by saying (my mantra) that communication is one of the weak spots of CPS. Even the best administrators and educators don’t seem to understand that parents need to find things out in a timely fashion. It’s like they think you’ll just know stuff by osmosis by having a child in the school. So throughout the year I’ve been mildly fed up with this. My point of view on complaining to the school is to do it only when I have a solution that I can help implement if needed (or other parents could help with.) I wasn’t willing to take on doing a weekly newsletter so I just let it go (and grumbled to myself and other playground parents.)
So this week, 2 weeks before school is to start, we finally get some info on the afterschool program (basically the info is to contact the provider – an external organization.) I find out that we can’t register until Sept 1 (a WEEK before school starts!) and so we won’t find out whether my son has a spot until who-knows how many days before school begins. This isn’t tragic for me since I don’t have a job yet, but what if I did? If he doesn’t get a spot I’d have Labor Day weekend to find a sitter! We also found out 2 weeks out that the program now has a fee versus free last year (very affordable, but still.)
So to top off my grumbling, I find out that the school office lost my “Interest Form” that I turned in at the end of school in June. So now I am at the bottom of the heap in terms of applying.
During my son’s first year in his school I tried not to be a pain-in-the-ass parent (although as you know I can always find “room for improvement” in a school.) Instead I tried to forge a good relationship with the admin and to always volunteer when I could. I hate to be that parent who bitches about stuff. But I finally reached my breaking point and had to convey my irritation or I’d start to harbor a slow, simmering resentment.
And WHY didn’t I check with the office?! I always warn parents when turning anything into a CPS office to check and double check that the paper is in the right place. Why didn’t I follow my own advice for God’s sake?!
So now here I sit, hoping I’m not on some administrative shit-list where the principal and asst principal cringe when they seen me approaching. Many of us walk fine lines in our schools because we may need “favors” down the road: A sibling to get a spot in the neighborhood program, a space for your kid in an extra-curricular program that is full, consideration to add Lego Robotics as an afterschool program, etc. Do I want to get on the bad side?
Sigh. I guess at some point parents need to speak up if thing really need an improvement or the administration will think everything is just peachy. And I’ve learned my lesson. Everything I turn in to the office gets some sort of written acknowledgement! I advice you to do the same. Our office lady is fabulous but there are a million and one forms passing through that control center. Some are destined to disappear into a black hole.
(As a point of reference, part of my anger was built on knowing of parents who’d applied at certain magnet schools only to find their applications never made it into the lottery. They had no recourse. Office black hole strikes again.)
More calls going out……
Reports are coming in of families being contacted for spots in magnet schools this month. There is a perception (not sure if true or not – may vary by school) that the schools tend to sit on things during the summer and break out the list around this time a year.
A reader here just got a spot after being #14 on the Lottery list and I’ve seen reports on NPN of others saying similar things.
If there’s a certain school you really want, now is probably the time to call to give a friendly (and enthusiastic) check-in. I’m sure with the current investigative climate going on the top magnet schools may be sticking to the lottery numbers this Fall, but when it comes down to it, one never really knows what goes on in those school offices. (Cue dramatic music.)
If you do get called, make sure to let your neighborhood school (or wherever you’re leaving) know so they can account for the lower number and hopefully open a spot for another child. Each change can set off a whole chain reaction of movement.
Get mobilized for better education funding in Illinois
If I haven’t mentioned it enough times, Illinois ranks #49 out of 50 states in the % of funding that our state throws in for education (the rest made up from local tax dollars.) Only Las Vegas ranks behind us, which seems somehow shameful due to the sleazy nature of the state (I say that in a complimentary way) although that probably isn’t actually relevant in any way, shape, or form.
I have no idea WHY we’re so low on this list. I believe an education-oriented governer would help change things. Blago DID get us the free preK for all, but there needs to be a major re-thinking about how to funding education in our state.
If you want to get in on the converstation, there’s an upcoming meeting worth attending:
To mark the back-to-school season, Ravenswood Community Services (RCS) is sponsoring “An Education Conversation: A Community Forum to Explore Solutions to the Illinois Education-Funding Crisis” on Sunday afternoon, August 30, from 2 – 4 p.m. The forum will take place in the parish hall at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 1757 W. Wilson Avenue (Wilson and Hermitage). All community members are invited to attend and participate.
Panelists include:
- Heather Steans,7th district state senator and vice chair of the Education Committee
- Greg Harris, 13th district state representative and chair of the Youth and Family Committee
- Robin Steans, Executive Director of Advance Illinois
- Xian Barrett, Julian High School teacher and recently named Education Fellow by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan
The panel will be moderated by Cornelia Grumman, executive director of the First Five Years Fund, former education writer on the editorial board at the Chicago Tribune and a neighborhood mom who sends her son to public school.
If you have children or an interest in education in Illinois, this promises to be an enlightening and productive afternoon.
Sunday, August 30
2 p.m. – 4. p.m.
1757 W. Wilson (Wilson and Hermitage)
Questions? Call Ravenswood Community Services at 773-769-0282.
South Side United – getting parents together for change
As an LSC member, I got some info in the mail from a group called South Side United.
Their mission is to radically improve the quality of education in South Side (south of Roosevelt Road) elementary and high schools by actively involving parents, community members, teachers, and students in decision making, advocacy, outreach, and networking.
This is the kind of group that needs to blossom more in Chicago to make the schools better. Each lone voice means almost nothing to CPS, but a community working together is like the Horton Hears a Who effect…. CPS may start to listen.
Check them out at…..
www.SouthSideUnited.org
What is this Track E Business all about?
A reader suggest that I post something about the new Track E calendar that is being rolled out at a fair number of CPS schools this year.
A Track E school has the same number of days off as a regular CPS school, but the timing is different to reduce the long summer break.
The CPS web site lists the following as benefits of Track E.
- Minimizes “learning loss” for kids who otherwise would be out of school an entire summer.
- Allows teachers better time management to design more meaningful lesson plans in shorter bursts, which can contribute to enhanced instructional programming and improved student achievement.
- Minimizes teacher burnout by providing for regular and better-spaced time off.
- Provides children with a safe environment.
- Regular scheduled time off allows for better student and staff attendance.
I can’t say I’d disagree with any of these reasons. Not totally sure about the attendance thing. From what I’ve read, the plan is supposed to be more effective in addressing problems at schools with low test scores, where kids are at risk due to socio-economic and neighborhood conditions, and where parents are as involved in making sure their kids are keeping up with their academics. In these neighborhoods, schools that act in part as a community center have forged greater bonds with parents and have sometimes found more success with student achievement.
The calendar looks something like this:
- Schools starts Aug 10 (4 weeks early)
- 2 weeks + 2 days off Sept 25 – Oct 12 (total new Fall break)
- 3 weeks off Dec 14 – Jan 1 (1 extra week for Winter break)
- 2 weeks + 1 day off March 26 – April 9 (1 extra week for Spring break)
- School ends June 18 (regular end date)
So….. summer break is down to 7-8 weeks (I can’t quite figure it out. I’m missing a week somewhere.) There are still all the random days off throughout the year as well (professional development, report card days, holidays.)
Boy, I know it has its benefits and in a city like Chicago where the schools are somehow under-serving many kids it sure makes sense to try it. I just can’t stop thinking that it doesn’t make sense with our weather (we only get 3 short months of summer!) and the lack of air-conditioning in CPS schools. Starting on August 10th? Torture on a 90 degree day.
It’s also a working parent’s nightmare. Right now many parents hire a summer person (like a college student) to watch their kids during the summer months. Who do you get to cover a 3 week Winter break? Or a 2 week Fall break? The logistics are nerve-wracking if you’re the parent who has to scramble to find a sitter.
On the plus side, as a person who is crowd-averse, I’d welcome some days off when the rest of the world is still in school. It’s be nice to tour all the museums during that late Sept break. Or take a trip to Disney or the Dells.
For now, many of the schools who are trying Track E are schools with very low test scores and/or in low income areas. I did notice Prescott Elementary on the list (in a fast-gentrifying neighborhood.) I’m curious to see how the parents there like the schedule or whether teachers feel it helps the kids academically.
Anyone with thoughts, information, or feedback, please feel free to comment!
http://www.cps.edu/Calendar/Key_events/Documents/Cal_2009-2010_TrackE.pdf
Survey about volunteering in the classroom
For those who like to give your opinions, a friend of mine is gathering information on parents’ experiences with and ideas for volunteering in their child’s classroom.
If you’d like to participate in the survey, click below. (No cash incentive, just know the information is going to a good cause.) Once she’s compiled some results/ideas I’ll post them here and you’re free to share them with your teacher or school.
I personally feel that in this time of extreme budget problems that CPS needs to turn to parents more to help our ailing system. We need either money or bodies to makes this thing work but CPS seems fairly inept/inexperiences in utilizing parents in the classrooms. I’ve had my son’s teacher turn me away on a day I was signed up because “there isn’t really much for you to do.” Well, there’s always a kid or 2 who could use some extra reading time. Or I could take kids in the hall and practice counting money. Or telling time. Or anything one-on-one that they never get in the classroom!
Many of the classrooms in the city with 25+ kids do not use any parent volunteers. To me, even having someone help collect lunch money or get materials ready would be a help. We’re here CPS! Use us!
Click here to participate. Thanks!
Survey Link
(I can’t tell if it’s working. If not, let me know!)
The Update on Pre-School for All
So it sounds like the Pre-School for All program has been saved for the upcoming school year. At least anecdotely. I don’t see any official news on the CPS website (www.cps.edu) or in the Trib or the Sun Times.
So I guess the tactic is “no news is good news.” I know my neighborhood school WILL be offering the Pre-School for All progam this year, but to my dismay did not inform parents of any news along the way. I’m sure some parents were aware that the program was at risk of being axed while others remained in ignorant bliss. According to our principal CPS allegedly advised schools not to mention the whole situation to parents to avoid starting a frenzy (or more specificially causing parents to seek other options.)
So crisis has been avoided a mere 3 weeks before school starts and the free program will continue as planned. From what I’ve read about the CPS budget crisis I have to assume that the program will be in jeopardy once again for the 2010/2011 school year. I just hope the state and CPS can make it’s decision a little SOONER!
(Just to be sure, I’d call the school where your child is enrolled to inquire. At the very least it lets them know that parents want information.)
School Supply Time
It’s that time of year again… time to shop for school supplies. I have fond memories of school-supply shopping. I think we did our main shopping at Ribordy’s Drugs and McShane’s Office supplies – two little local businesses that provided an enjoyable school-supply shopping experience compared to the mayhem, banners, “teen section” of Target. And what’s with the frantically competing flyers from Staples, Office Depot, and Office Max? When did our school supply dollars become so sought after?
Somehow now that I’m the parent, the whole school supply shopping seems wrought with stress. The first shock as a CPS parent involves learning that we are required to purchase paper towels, various sanitizing products, and tissue. This brings on confusion until another parent explains the paltry budgets of our fine school system and why we need to provide what used to be considered the basic supplies in a school.
The rest of our lists have been pretty standard. But I still find things to stress about. With a background in advertising/marketing I take it seriously when a teacher lists a specific brand name. When she says Crayola crayons does that mean she finds that brand superior in some way and wants only that brand? If I buy Rose Art will my child be looked down upon? Or God forbid if I buy crayons at the Dollar Store? What about the Target brand of plastic bags? Do I go for quanitity of tissue or box attractiveness? And for the second year in a row I am confused about what type of paper I’m supposed to buy. Does “primary” mean the baby kind with the dotted line halfway up? Or is it regular notebook paper? So many decisions. So many questions.
I thought it would be fun this year because my son gets to pick out 2 folders and a pencil case. For some reason all the pencil cases at Target looked really girly but he did find a blue camo one. The folder selection was equally paltry, dominated by High School Musical. We scavanged and finally came up with Harry Potter and Spiderman (because yes, those franchises need to rake in even more money.) I suppose my parents rolled their eyes when I went for the Partridge Family and Josie and the Pussycats school supplies.
Despite the stress, I still geek out a little when it comes to school-supply shopping. I love looking at all the markers and crayons and blank paper. Somehow it makes me remember the excitement of starting a new school year. I can’t tell if my son is feeling any of that yet. He’s mainly lamenting that 1st grade means no snack time. And he hasn’t even been told yet that the afternoon fun time doesn’t happen either. Or that his new room won’t have air conditioning. Or that the grades are actually A’s, B’s etc. Best to roll the news out slowly.
Happy shopping!
Pre-School for All Funding
One of the big nail-biters in CPS right now is whether or not the Pre-School for All program will be cancelled for the upcoming school year due to Illinois budget cuts.
The Pre-School for All program was created a couple years ago by our buddy Rod Blagojevich (in fact I even saw Patti B brag about it on “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.”) The program provided free half-day pre-school. The main priority is to provide early education for at-risk kids who need a little boost before Kindergarten. The reality is that the program has become one of the hottest tickets in town in some neighborhood schools. The number of classes available varies from school to school. Some full schools (such as Bell) don’t have any room to house the pre-school program. Neighborhood families want priority, but a school doesn’t necessarily need to give it to them. So the end result has been some pissed off parents in various schools who haven’t gotten their child into the free program for this Fall.
But throwing everyone for a loop, the whole program has been suddenly put in jeopardy due to the looming budget cuts. This could leave (reportedly) 30,000 kids without preschool this fall and many teachers without jobs on short notice. Bad situation overall.
It sounds like the state Board of Ed recommended this cut but now Gov Quinn has the opportunity to override it.
http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/preschool.funding.cuts.2.1103502.html
The article says:
Quinn said Monday he’s now hoping to reverse a recommendation by the State Board of Education to cut pre-school for 30,000 youngsters.
“Well the State Board of Education made that recommendation, but I have the final say. So we’re going to be reviewing everything,” Quinn said.
Hopefully somebody will get their act together soon and make a decision about this (and not a week before school starts for crying out loud.) I’ll post news if I hear anything.
UPDATE FROM A READER:
I watched a press conference a couple of days ago and the Governor added $85 million to early childhood education. I think that increases the chances that Preschool for All programs will continue this year. I couldn’t find a link to the new budget, but I’ve got a pdf copy that I pulled from somewhere the day of the event. I hope the state and CPS can quickly tell schools whether any programs will not be funded this year or next year so parents can decide where to apply.
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