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Andrew
Broy, president of the Illinois Network of Charter
Schools (left), Charles M. Payne, professor in the
University of Chicago School of Social Service
Administration, and Jackson Potter, staff
coordinator for the Chicago Teachers Union (right)
during a panel discussion presented by the Better
Government Association and Catalyst Chicago in
Hermann Hall, 3241 S. Federal St., at IIT. |
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Charter schools debate at IIT
by Jeffrey Bishku-Aykul
The dispute over the impact of Chicago’s charter schools
was front and center Wednesday, Nov. 14, at a heated
panel discussion featuring Illinois Network of Charter
Schools president Andrew Broy, University of Chicago
School of Social Service Administration professor
Charles Payne, and Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) staff
coordinator Jackson Potter, at the Illinois Institute of
Technology’s Hermann Hall, 3241 S. Federal St.
The panel, originally planned to include CTU president
Karen Lewis in lieu of Potter, was part of a forum,
“Charter Schools, Neighborhood Schools and Public
Education in Chicago,” hosted by the Better Government
Association (BGA), a local watchdog organization, and
Catalyst Chicago, a news magazine covering education in
the city.
The event kicked off with opening remarks from BGA
founder and retired ABC 7 political reporter Andy Shaw,
followed later by a PowerPoint presentation of charter
school facts and figures from Catalyst Chicago’s
editor-in-chief Lorraine Forte. Catalyst Chicago founder
Linda Lenz moderated the subsequent panel.
Broy used his opening statement as the launching pad for
his argument, citing a “citywide performance problem” in
which a minority of Chicago students is “meeting
benchmarks that are grade appropriate.”
The executive touted the flexibility of charters and
said they appealed to him personally because “the
charter sector is the one place where I can go from idea
to implementation in a very short time frame.”
Potter later lashed back, depicting the charter model as
oppressive for parents.
“This idea of going from idea to implementation in a
short period of time – it runs roughshod over people’s
rights, in schools that have been closed and
destabilized, where the parents have had no say,” Potter
said.
Payne — seated between Broy and Potter —adopted a
measured stance throughout the discussion on the
benefits and drawbacks of charters.
“I do think under certain circumstances the flexibility
of charters can give you some advantages. I think it’s
fairly small. And not large enough, again, to justify
the amount of time, energy, and leadership, attention
that they are getting,” Payne said.
He criticized the debate over charters and traditional
schools as misguided, saying that both systems were
“failing” and that it was unclear more charters were
needed.
“You don’t need to expand an intervention which you have
not yet evaluated,” Payne said, noting that students in
cities with a higher percentage of charters — such as
Washington D.C. and Milwaukee — were not outperforming
those in Chicago.
While Potter and Broy also acknowledged the need for
better schools, both men wrangled over whether charters
were an improvement on their publicly-operated
counterparts. In one instance, Broy said many parents
were seeking to enroll their children in charter
schools.
“That I think is creating pressure on the district to
adapt and be more responsive,” he said.
Potter offered a more skeptical interpretation of
parents’ choices
“If they’re knocking down the doors of charter schools
it’s because their schools have been closed,” Potter
said of the families of Chicago’s African American
students who, according to statistics cited by the CTU,
represent 88 percent of those affected by school
closings since 2001.
Asked by Lenz whether charters were enforced to offer
arts programs and libraries to their students, Broy
again highlighted the flexibility at charters.
“The whole point of a charter is that it is not a
simple, single model, but rather the design team, the
teachers who design the school, will design what the
neighborhood needs, what the students want, and provide
that,” Broy said.
But what Broy portrayed as an advantage of charters
Potter once more argued compromised the democratic
nature of public education.
“So choice has actually become code for separate but
unequal,” Potter retorted to applause. “And the whole
notion to a right to an education is that everybody
deserves an incredibly tremendous education.”
After more than an hour of questioning from the
moderator and scuffles between Broy and Potter the
debate ended with the three men’s closing statements.
Potter made an appeal to “egalitarianism” and argued
that community and economic improvements were necessary
for better education, while Broy criticized as unhelpful
the “rancor” on the panel, which he said reflected the
“general political discourse.” Payne capped off the
program by asserting that CPS “lost legitimacy” which
would need to be restored for educational reforms to be
effective.
To watch the full program, search for the video titled,
“The Impact of Charter Schools in Chicago,” uploaded
onto CAN TV’s YouTube channel, chicantv.
j.bishku@hpherald.com
by Jeffrey Bishku-Aykul
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U. of C. charters’ college fete
By Daschell M. Phillips
The University of Chicago Woodlawn Charter School of
Research and Design held its annual college week kickoff
event Nov. 12 with several college-related activities
and discussions.
The University of Chicago Woodlawn Charter School of
Research and Design (UCW), 6420 S. University Ave.,
decided to create a new college week tradition by
launching the week with a pep-rally style celebration to
create higher education awareness for its 6-12 grade
students. During the week of Nov. 12 -16, students took
trips ranging from day trips in the city, 1-2 day
statewide trips, and longer regional and national trips
based on grade-level.
The event, which took place inside the school’s
auditorium, included a ribbon cutting, a performance by
the Central State University Percussion Line, a visit
from WGCI radio personality Kenya Simone, a step team
performance and the performance of “Crossed: The
Homecoming Stage Play,” by Chicago playwright C.L. King.
“This is the third year we’ve had college week,” said
Katelyn Silva, communications director or University of
Chicago Urban Education Institute (UEI), the umbrella
organization that all U. of C. Charter Schools are
under. “This is the first year for this level of
celebration and we want it to get more and more robust
each year.”
Shayne Evans, director of UEI said UEI wants to make the
pep rally-style event a permanent part of the UCW
college week tradition.
“We want to create a college going culture,” Evans said.
“Our mission is to prepare 100 percent of our kids to go
to college and graduate from college.”
He said some of the major reasons for the college week
activities, which parents and community members were
also invited to attend, was to create an expectation for
college and communicate to the community that the
students can demonstrate intelligence and have the
capacity to do great things.
UCW parent and protective father Michael Jue, whose
daughters Nina Jue and Faith Redaux are both 6th
graders, said he was a little worried at first about his
daughters going on college visits but he understands the
school’s vision.
Jue, whose daughters will be taking day-trips to tour
schools such as DePaul University and North Park
University, said its great to get early exposure.
“We didn’t have this type of opportunity in high
school,” said Jue, who said he only completed a few
years of college.
Daniel McGary, a freshman at UCW who was preparing for a
two-day college tour with his classmates said he enjoyed
the kickoff event.
“What stood out to me was the play,” McGary said. “The
way people changed once they went to college reminded me
of how people in my life changed from grade school to
high school.”
Skyla Jossell, a UCW junior who wants to study music or
law in college, said she has taken full advantage of the
college week activities over the years.
“I’ve gone on every single trip. Freshman year I went to
New Orleans, this year I am going to New York, Ohio,
Detroit and Indiana,” Jossell said. “I just go because
the school is giving us the opportunity to see what it’s
like.”
Mariah Brown, a UCW senior who plans to study
international relations and Spanish in college, has also
attended past college tours and now will spend college
week in college week boot camp.
UCW seniors will spend the week in Chapin Hall on the
University of Chicago campus perfecting their college
admissions forms and essays and securing recommendations
and scholarships, grants and other financial aid.
Brown said early exposure to college helped her become
more focused and prepared for this year.
“At first I just thought of [the tours] as a free day,
now I have direction,” she said.
Brown, who wants to attend the University of California
in Los Angeles, said her family supports her choice.
“My father said I could go as long as I get in and get
the money,” Brown said. “I also have family in
California so it’s fine.”
d.phillips@hpherald.com
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QCDC honors locals
The Quad
Community Development Corporation held its fourth Annual
Connect 4 VIP Awards ceremony and reception Nov. 16 at
Room 43 1039 E. 43rd St.
The Quad Community Development Corporation (QCDC) is a
community organization that was established to highlight
the historical significance and cultural values of the
North Kenwood, Oakland, Douglas, and Grand Boulevard
neighborhoods.
QCDC named its event Connect 4 in tribute to what it
considers the four vital components of a vibrant
neighborhood, which are community, beautification,
political will and business, and awards those in the
community who have helped advance these ideals.
Pastor Chris Harris received the QCDC Community Award
for recognizing and the need of “community-minded
clergy.” He is the leader of the Progress Around the
Schools Program where clergy, congregants and community
members meet every first Saturday to pray around Chicago
Public Schools. He is also the founder of the Bright
Star Community Outreach organization, which creates
collaborative partnership program models designed to
provide educational enrichment programs, anti-violence
prevention and intervention activities along with good
student incentives and the founder of the Bronzeville
Family Festival, where over 9,000 community residents
attend annually to receive free laptops, book bags,
school supplies, health immunizations and food. He also
serves as President of the 4th Ward Ministerial Alliance
and is the Cook County Clergy Coalition President.
Betty Ann Welch-Thompson received the QCDC
Beautification Award for her commitment to advocacy for
positive, safe communities and the people who live in
them.
Betty Ann is a member of the Resident Management
Council. She currently volunteers on the Chicago Housing
Authority’s Local Advisory Council for which she is
treasurer; the North Kenwood Oakland Community
Organization; clean and green committee; Scatter-sites
Senior Group; Lake Parc Place Building Council and the
Park 532 Advisory Board and Oakland Neighborhood.
She can often be seen sweeping and picking up trash
around Lake Parc Place apartments, where she resides.
The QCDC Political Will Award was given to state Rep.
Kimberly du Buclet for her service to the 26th District.
Du Buclet was appointed to the office in May 2011,
replacing Will Burns, who is now alderman of the 4th
Ward. Her committee assignments include Health Care
Availability Access; Small Business Empowerment and
Workforce; Higher Education; Appropriations-Human
Services; Health & Healthcare Disparities; Tourism &
Conventions; and Select Committee on Discipline. The
Friend of QCDC award was given to Oreal James of MD
Capital Partners for his commitment to providing free
technical assistance to not for profit organizations and
small businesses.
He serves on the Board of Directors for the Washington
Park Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the
executive committee for the newly launched CARE
(Community Anti-Violence and Restoration Effort)
initiative spearheaded by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook
County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
The QCDC Business Award was given to Milton LaTrell for
his dedication to Park 43, the temporary transitional
park created with the goal of providing community green
space near his store, Agriculture. He used the park as a
space for “positive loitering” and maintained the
grounds by paying for lawn service and general care.
Other highlights of the event included catering provided
by Chef Robert Blanchard of Norman’s Bistro, 1001 E.
43rd St., and a live jazz performance by Christopher
McBride of Quatuor De Force featuring Sarah Marie.
herald@hpherald.com
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WEEKLY OUTLOOK
The Weekly Outlook covers community events
occurring from Wednesday, the date of this issue, through
the following Wednesday. The deadline for event information
is noon, Thursday before Wednesday publication. Address
details of local events to: Calendar editor, Lakefront
Outlook, 1435 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Chicago, IL 60615
ONGOING
Exhibit. “Dust in their Veins: A Visual Response to the
Global Water Crisis.” DuSable Museum of African American
History, 740 E. 56th St., 773-947-0600, dusablemuseum.org.
An installation of mixed media art works by artist Candace
Hunter addressing the plight of women and children who are
adversely affected by the lack of rights to clean water.
Runs through March 10.
Exhibit. “Buried Treasures: Art in African American
Museums.” DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E.
56th St., 773-947-0600, dusablemuseum.org. Includes around
90 works from 30 museums by artists including William
Edouard Scott, Henry O. Tanner, Augusta Savage, Jacob
Lawrence, Metta Warrick Fuller, Elizabeth Catlett and
William H. Johnson. Runs through Dec. 31.
Exhibit. “Word, Shout, Song: Lorenzo Dow Turner.”
DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th St.,
773-947-0600, dusablemuseum.org. University of Chicago alum
and linguist Lorenzo Dow Turner, who once taught at Howard
University, researched the language of the Gullah people of
the American South Atlantic coast. This exhibit contains
recordings, photographs and artifacts that Turner collected.
Runs through Dec. 31.
Center for Weight Management Class. 5 p.m., Mercy
Hospital, 2525 S. Michigan Ave., mercy-chicago.org,
312-567-5555, free. This weekly class takes place every
Wednesday and features a comprehensive and medically
supervised approach to weight loss.
Class. Jazzercize. Every Monday and Wednesday, 5:30
p.m., every Saturday, 7:45 a.m., Mercy Hospital, 12th floor
great room, 2525 S. Michigan Ave., 773-821-8450, mercy-chicago.org,
$8 per class or eight tickets for $34.
Class. “Attack It” Adult Fitness. Every Thursday,
5:30-6:30 p.m., Mercy Hospital, 2nd floor Joyce Auditorium
foyer, 2525 S. Michigan Ave., 312-567-2000, mercy-chicago.org,
$15 per class.
Class. Yoga for You - for all levels. Every Tuesday,
5-6:30 p.m., Mercy Hospital, 2nd floor Joyce Auditorium
foyer, 2525 S. Michigan Ave., 312-326-2979, mercy-chicago.org.
Class. Yoga for You - for beginners. Every Wednesday,
5:30-7 p.m., Mercy Hospital, 2nd floor Joyce Auditorium
foyer, 2525 S. Michigan Ave., 312-326-2979, mercy-chicago.org.
Class. Education for Life Series - Diabetes Management.
Every Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Mercy Medical on Pulaski,
5525 S. Pulaski Rd., Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Mercy
Hospital, 2525 S. Michigan Ave., 312-567-8775, mercy-chicago.org.
Physician’s referral and registration required.
Postnatal “Pump It Up” Fitness. Every Saturday, 11
a.m.-noon, Mercy Hospital, 12th floor great room, 2525 S.
Michigan Ave., 312-567-2000, mercy-chicago.org $15 per
class, reduced six-week rate. Workouts designed for bonding
with your child. Register online at kineticenergyfitness.com.
Prenatal “Power Hour” Fitness. Every Saturday, 11
a.m.-noon, Mercy Hospital, 12th floor great room, 2525 S.
Michigan Ave., 312-567-2000, mercy-chicago.org $15 per
class, reduced six-week rate. Workouts designed to prepare
for labor and delivery. Register online at
kineticenergyfitness.com.
Gentle Yoga for Women on a Breast Cancer Journey. Every
Thursday, 3:30-5 p.m., Mercy Hospital, 12th floor great
room, 2525 S. Michigan Ave., 312-567-6724. Yoga designed for
post-treatment healing. Breast cancer survivors attend for
free.
Living with Heart Failure. Every Thursday, 1 p.m., Mercy
Hospital, 12th floor conference room, 2525 S. Michigan Ave.,
312-567-6724, free. Support group for those living with
heart failure and their friends, family and caregivers.
Open
Kitchen. Noon-1 p.m., Monday through Friday and every
Saturday, Kenwood United Church of Christ, 4608 S. Greenwood
Ave., 773-373-2861, kenwooducc.net. A local soup kitchen.
Wednesday, Nov. 21
Real Men
Read. Every Wednesday, 9 a.m., Drake Elementary School, 2622
S. King Dr. For more information, e-mail realmenread@glorious-light.org.
Wellness
Wednesdays. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Mercy Medical at Dearborn
Station, 47 W. Polk St., 312-922-3011. Free blood pressure
screenings.
Sunday, Nov. 25
Sunday
Evening Jazz. 3:30-4:30 p.m., Hyde Park Jazz Society, Room
43, 1043 E. 43rd St., hydeparkjazzsociety.com, $10 for
adults, $5 for university students with ID. Vocalist Joan
Collaso performs.
Tuesday, Nov. 27
Lecture.
The History of the European Union and Challenges to its
Future: The Euro Crisis. 11 a.m.-noon, Hermann Hall,
auditorium, 3241 S. Federal St., 312-567-3000. Mark Pituch,
academic program officer at the Delegation of the European
Union to the United States, presents.
Real Men
Read. Every Tuesday, 9 a.m., Jackie Robinson Elementary
School, 4225 S. Lake Park Ave. For more information, e-mail
realmenread@glorious-light.org.
Blessed
Beginnings. 6:30-9 p.m., Mercy Hospital, 3rd Floor The Birth
Place, 2525 South Michigan Ave., 773-376-4626, mercy-chicago.org,
$90 per couple. Call for more information and to register.
Bringing
Home Baby. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Mercy Hospital, 2525 South
Michigan Ave., 312-567-2441, mercy-chicago.org. Provides
tips for proper usage of a baby’s car safety belt and
inspection of cars and seats to teach and verify proper
registration. Call to register.
Wednesday, Nov. 28
Real Men
Read. Every Wednesday, 9 a.m., Drake Elementary School, 2622
S. King Dr. For more information, e-mail realmenread@glorious-light.org.
Wellness
Wednesdays. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Mercy Medical at Dearborn
Station, 47 W. Polk St., 312-922-3011. Free blood pressure
screenings.
MEETINGS
Wednesday
King
College Prep local school council. 5:30-6:30 p.m., King High
School, 4445 S. Drexel Blvd., 773-535-1180.
Jackie
Robinson Elementary School local school council. 6-7 p.m.,
Ariel Jackie Robinson Elementary School, 4225 S Lake Park
Ave., 773-535-1777.
Tuesday
Public
meeting on Michael Reese Hospital Site Redevelopment
Project. 6-8 p.m., West Point Baptist Church, 3566 S.
Cottage Grove Ave., 312-705-6856, isaac.jones@o-hcommunitypartners.com.
Wednesday
Lake
Park advisory council. 7-8 p.m., 4117 S. Lake Park Ave.,
Lake Park Crescent
Community Room, ground floor.
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