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Chicago Teachers Union head Marilyn Stewart condemned school closing decisions. |
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Phillips and McCorkle under punishing vote
by Daschell M. Phillips
The Chicago Board of Education
voted unanimously to alter eight schools including
Phillips Academy High School and McCorkle Elementary
School.
In January Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman
compiled a list of 14 schools that he proposed for
closings, consolidations or turnarounds including
Phillips, 244 E. Pershing Rd., McCorkle, 4421 S. State
St., and Mollison Elementary School, 4415 S. Martin
Luther King Jr. Drive, which was one of the schools
later removed from the list.
Huberman recommended that the board close McCorkle
because of the poor condition of its facility and have
its students moved to Beethoven Elementary School, 25 W.
47th St. He said Beethoven will receive $8.5 million in
capital improvements during the summer to accommodate
the influx of students.
Due to its low performance, Phillips was recommended for
an Academy for Urban School Leadership turnaround that
will leave the students in place while restaffing the
teachers and administrators.
“This is a sad day for public education in Chicago,”
said Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd), who was the first to speak
during the public testimony session of the board meeting
last Wednesday. “This whole process was rushed, not
transparent or inclusive.”
She said schools are being penalized for years of
disenfranchisement from CPS and if Huberman would have
adopted her resolution for a one-year moratorium on
school closings for at least three months that would
have “been a proper step.”
“I’m extremely disappointed but not surprised by today’s
vote,” said Marilyn Stewart, president of the Chicago
Teachers Union, who called CPS’ culture of calm a
culture of chaos for announcing school closings a few
weeks before ISAT testing began.
At the board meeting, Anna Paglia, wife of a McCorkle
teacher, said if the McCorkle building is in such a dire
condition why are the current students allowed to stay
there until the end of the school year.
“If the building is not safe we should sue CPS for
endangering our children,” Paglia said.
Martha Idewu, member of the Phillips Alumni Association,
said she was in favor a school closing moratorium that
was introduced by Dowell and Ald. Freddrenna Lyle (6th).
Huberman agreed to work closely with the association to
determine what changes would be made to Phillips in the
turnaround.
d.phillips@hpherald.com |
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Mollison spared closure
by Daschell M. Phillips
Chicago Public
Schools Chief Executive Officer Ron Huberman has taken
four schools, including Mollison Elementary School, off
of his list of proposed school actions following a
series of public and community hearings.
Mollison, 4415 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., was on a
list of 14 schools proposed by Huberman for closure,
phase-out, consolidation or turnaround. Due to chronic
low performance, Mollison was being proposed for
consolidation with Wells Prep, a Renaissance 2010 small
school that shares space in the Phillips Academy High
School building. Phillips was proposed — and recently
approved by the board — for turnaround.
According to CPS’ new “value added” system, Mollison
received probation status due to its attendance level of
92 percent —CPS requires at least 95 percent — and
because of its declining ISAT scores in math between
2006 and 2009, its fluctuating science scores and the
fact that none of the students in the school’s highest
grade level met or exceeded state standards.
The value added system is a measure of a school’s impact
on students’ yearly academic growth. The value-added
methodology compares average student academic growth in
a school to the average growth of similar students
district-wide, according to CPS. The system has been
using this metric for two years.
At its public hearing earlier this month Mollison staff
and teachers refuted claims that the school was one of
the lowest performing schools in the city. Mollison’s
report showed that six schools in Bronzeville are lower
performing on the ISAT and 14 schools in CPS’ Area 13 —Mollison’s
school area — are lower performing on the ISAT. About 74
schools citywide received a performance policy index
lower than Mollison’s 19 percent in 2009.
Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) and state Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-3)
also lent their support to the efforts of keeping
Mollison from consolidation.
A week after the hearing, Huberman announced that
Mollison would not be consolidated with Wells Prep
because CPS officials questioned whether the Wells
Prep’s educational model would transfer comfortably to
Mollison.
Robert Runcie, chief administrative officer for CPS,
said Wells Prep would remain inside the Phillips
building with the same faculty and staff despite the
high school’s turnaround.
“Our goal in fighting for Mollison was advocating for
what is best for our kids, their families and their
safety,” said Mollison teacher, Laura Meili, in a
written statement.
Meili said it was satisfying that the Board of Education
“listened genuinely to our case. It validated the
efforts of the dedicated Mollison family to know our
true story was heard.”
d.phillips@hpherald.com |
Must-see chamber event tomorrow
The Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce wants Hyde Parkers
to know they don’t have to leave the neighborhood to get
many of the goods and services they need — but the
product might be tucked away.
“We have a lot of hidden gems that people don’t know
anything about,” said Lenora Austine, executive director
of the chamber.
To shed light on some of those businesses, the chamber
is launching a “First Thursdays in Hyde Park” series
this week, which will explore Hyde Park businesses
street by street.
“We’re doing this business street by business street,”
explained Austin.
The chamber highlights 47th Street in its first meeting.
Austin noted that C’est Si Bon, 641 E. 47th St., moved
to the street from Harper Court.
“C’est Si Bon moved over there, and people may not know
that,” Austin said.
She also said Hyde Parkers might not know about all of
the products and activities at Little Black Pearl, 1060
E. 47th St.
Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce Board President Susan
Walker said the event is an opportunity for both
businesses and residents to get to know each other.
“There’s always a little more you can know about your
community, even in a place as close-knit as Hyde Park,”
Walker said.
The Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural “First
Thursday in Hyde Park” event will be held on March 4 in
the mansion at 4750 S. Drexel Blvd. from 5:30 to 7:30
p.m. |
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Ickes goes the way of neighbors
by Sam Cholke
After 55 years, Harold Ickes Homes’ last six buildings
will be demolished before the end of the year.
Only 203 units remain of the public housing complex
after 536 units were torn down last year.
Though the remaining buildings at and around 2326 S.
Dearborn St. have been fixed up, there has been an
exodus of residents from the public housing complex.
Fifty-one families still live at Ickes, down from 96
families this time last year, according to Matt Aquilar,
a spokesman for the Chicago Housing Authority, or CHA.
Families that still live in Ickes two residential
buildings will be offered temporary or permanent Section
8 vouchers to subsidize rent in the private housing
market or will have the choice to move into a rehabbed
public housing building.
For most families, the Chicago Housing Authority Board
of Director’s Feb. 16 decision to pursue demolishing
Ickes will mean a move out of the neighborhood. The
closest remaining public housing is the Dearborn Homes
complex, including and around 2840 S. State St., which
is not accepting new tenants, according to the CHA Web
site.
The CHA applied last week for permission from the
Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, to
demolish the two residential and four other remaining
buildings at Ickes, according to Donna White, a
spokeswoman for HUD.
Aguilar said there are no plans yet for the site.
“A working group consisting of resident and community
stakeholders and CHA will be formed to assess the plans
for the site,” he said.
The CHA does not need to have any redevelopment plans in
place for the site for HUD to approve demolition. In
most situations the CHA need not provide a plan for
replacement housing.
According to HUD documents forwarded by a department
spokesman, the development can be disposed of if “the
location of the development is no longer conducive to
residential use.”
“It takes anywhere from 30 to 90 days to obtain HUD’s
approval. The demolition will not begin until HUD’s
approval is obtained,” Aguilar said. “Demolition will
take up to six months. It is going to be funded by
capital funds.”
The application also requests approval for the
demolition of four nonresidential buildings on the site
that are used as management offices and warehouse
purposes.
The application marks only the second request from CHA
to demolish any residential buildings in a year. Last
month the CHA submitted a request to demolish 291 units
at the LeClair Courts complex in the Archer Heights
neighborhood. The trickle of applications is in marked
contrast to the flurry of demolition at the start of the
last decade, including the teardown of many Bronzeville
family housing developments. The formerly notorious
State Street Corridor no longer exists and is currently
largely replaced by huge swaths of vacant land.
On Feb. 24, CHA also applied to demolish the Washington
Park Apartments Resident Service Coordinator Building,
4949 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
s.cholke@hpherald.com |
Weekly Outlook - the week
starting March 3, 2010
ONGOING
Open houses at Dawson Tech. The Dawson Technical Institute
is currently conducting informational sessions about its
Construction Technology Center and its programs for bank
tellers and cable TV installers. 3901 S. State St. To
register, call 773-451-2049
Wednesday, March 3
Jazz masters series. Congo Square featuring Art “Turk”
Burton (percussion), with Taalib-din Ziyad (flute/vocals),
Leon Q. Allen (trumpet), Ed House (tenor sax), Harrison
Bankhead (cello/bass), Sammy Torres (percussion); 9:30 p.m.
/ Velvet Lounge, 67 E. Cermak Rd. / 312-791-9050 /
velvetlounge.net
Craft time. Afterschool crafts for elementary school kids.
3:30-4:30 p.m. / King Branch Library, 3436 S. King Dr. /
312-747-7519
Toddler time. 45-minute lap-sit program designed for
children ages 6 months to 3 years. Each emergent literacy
program for toddlers will feature books, movement, songs and
finger plays. Adults are encouraged to attend and
participate during Toddler time. Adults must remain in the
library with their children. Free. 11-11:45 a.m. / Hall
Public Library Branch, 4801 S. Michigan Ave. / call Jason
Driver at 312-747-2541 for registration and availability
Singing salutation. “A Salute to the Divas of Song & Stage”
starring Terisa Griffin. Terisa Griffin and special guest
Ellis Foster take a musical journey highlighting the
accomplishments of such singers as Dinah Washington, Lena
Horne, Aretha Franklin and many more. Appropriate for all
ages. $5 per person. One chaperone or teacher is admitted
free with each 25 students. 10:30-11:30 a.m. / Dusable
Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Pl. /
773-947-0600 / dusablemuseum.org
Thursday, March 4
Live jazz. Juli Wood (soprano/tenor sax), Harrison Bankhead
(bass), Robert Barry (drums). 8:30 p.m./ Velvet Lounge, 67
E. Cermak Rd. / 312-791-9050 / velvetlounge.net
Friday, March 5
Live jazz. Matana Roberts’ Chicago Project featuring Matana
Roberts (saxophones), Jeff Parker (guitar), Harrison
Bankhead (bass), Chad Taylor (drums). 9:30 p.m./ Velvet
Lounge, 67 E. Cermak Rd. / 312-791-9050 / velvetlounge.net
Saturday, March 6
IIT Admission Visit Day. Prospective students and their
families who would like to visit the Illinois Institute of
Technology campus can take a tour with one of the student
ambassadors and attend a group information session about the
admission and financial aid processes. Illinois Institute of
Technology, 3300 S. Federal St., Perlstein Hall, Rm 101 /
312-567-5189 / iit.edu/undergrad_admission/visit
Live jazz. Matana Roberts’ Chicago Project featuring Matana
Roberts (saxophones), Jeff Parker (guitar), Harrison
Bankhead (bass), Chad Taylor (drums). 9:30 p.m./ Velvet
Lounge, 67 E. Cermak Rd. / 312-791-9050 / velvetlounge.net
Sunday, March 7
Great Black Music Ensemble. Artistic director Mwata Bowden
(woodwinds/ percussion), 7-9 p.m./ Velvet Lounge, 67 E.
Cermak Rd. / 312-791-9050 / velvetlounge.net
Jazz jam. Featuring Isaiah Spencer (drums/percussion), with
Kevin Nabors (saxes/percussion), Norman Palm (trombone),
Adrian Ruiz (keyboards) and Junius Paul (bass/percussion).
9:30 p.m./ Velvet Lounge, 67 E. Cermak Rd. / 312-791-9050 /
velvetlounge.net
Monday, March 8
Preschool story time. Story time and craft program for
children between the ages of 3-5 years old. 10:30-11:30 a.m.
/ King Branch Public Library, 3436 S. King Dr. /
312-747-7543
Neighborhood Writing Alliance. The Journal of Ordinary
Thought presents a free writing workshop for adults. 4 p.m.
/ Hall Branch Public Library, 4801 S. Michigan Ave. /
312-747-2541
Tuesday, March 9
Writing workshop. Neighborhood Writing Alliance and the
Journal of Ordinary Thought present a free writing workshop
for adults. 6 p.m. / King Public Branch Library, 3436 S.
King Dr.
Library Web series. How to use the library’s Web site and
catalog. Explore the Chicago Public Library’s Web site and
its many resources. Get recommendations for books, movies,
and music and locate and request them. Discover programs and
events, read magazine and newspaper articles, connect to
government forms and social services, and much more. No
previous computer experience required. 6-7 p.m. / / Hall
Branch Public Library, 4801 S. Michigan Ave. / to register
call 312-747-2541
Wednesday, March 10
Masters series. Black Earth Ensemble featuring Nicole
Mitchell (flutes/vocals). 9:30 p.m./ Velvet Lounge, 67 E.
Cermak Rd. / 312-791-9050 / velvetlounge.net
MEETINGS
Thursday
CAPS Beat 234. 6:30 p.m. / Washington Park Field House 5531
S. King Dr. / 312-747-5109
Saturday
RainbowPUSH weekly forum. Rev. Jesse Jackson’s live
broadcast is on CAN-TV Ch. 36 and WGRB-AM radio 1390. 10
a.m. / RainbowPUSH headquarters, 930 E. 50th St.
Monday
CAPS Beat 2112. 6:30 -7:30 p.m. / College of Optometry, 3240
S. Indiana Ave., in the conference room / 312-747-2930
Tuesday
CAPS Beat 211. 6:30 p.m, / Davis Apartment Complex, 3632 S.
Indiana Ave., in the community room
CAPS Beat 2123 6:30 p.m. / Kennicott Park, 4434 S. Lake Park
Ave., / 312 747-2930
Beasley LSC. 6 p.m. / 5255 S. State St. / 773-535-1230
Dyett LSC. 6p.m. / 555 E. 51st St., room 139 / 773-535-1825
Wednesday
CAPS Beats 214/221. 6:30-7:30 p.m. / St. Elizabeth Catholic
Church, 4058 S. Michigan Ave., / 312-747-5109
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 |
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