Civic leader Terry Mazany begins what he hopes will be a brief tenure as CEO of the nation’s third largest school district–Chicago Public Schools.

The new schools chief is expected to receive briefings from various department heads this week. That’s in addition to a transition report from outgoing CEO Ron Huberman.

Mazany has said one of his priorities is to find a chief education officer, which is the district’s No. 2 spot.

That position has been vacant since Barbara Eason-Watkin left the district in June.

Clarice Berry, the head of the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association, has been pushing the district to find a chief education officer for months.

“We have a CEO and now we have another one. That spot was filled pretty quickly, but there doesn’t seem to be the same urgency for there to be an educational leader in place for the schools, and of course that’s our primary job,” she said.

Berry said a chief education officer will be needed as principals prepare for the statewide I-SAT test, which students will take next year.

Mazany has said he considers himself on “loan” from the Chicago Community Trust, where he serves as the president and CEO.

Originally reported by Chicago Public Radio. Read the original article here.

New Chicago Public Schools CEO reports to work | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Nuques’ work as Enlace Chicago’s director of education has gained national recognition as she has steadily and significantly secured greater funding. Nuques, a music educator who has taught piano, choir and classroom music and an Ecuador native, was chosen from nearly 100 candidates.

Despite focusing on local candidates with a connection to the Chicago community and the Chicago Public Schools, the job drew applicants from across the nation.

“Katya’s many successes at Enlace, her knowledge of the community and her vision for where we can go as a premier music school were compelling and convincing, said Suzuki-Orff Board President John Doty. “Our strongest candidates were from Chicago and the surrounding area, and Katya just proved to be the ideal one.”

Another selling point for Nuques was that Enlace’s holistic model for student success is closely aligned with the Suzuki-Orff model, which strives to nurture creativity and self-expression, develop critical thinking skills, accelerate academic achievement, enhance cognitive and social development, and cultivate school change through outreach initiatives that involve parents and community in arts programs.

“There is so much to build on in this community,” said Nuques, who will begin Nov. 15. “I look forward to working with the staff, faculty, parents, the Chicago Public Schools and other partners in the community to carry out our mission.”

In addition to her success as a music educator, Nuques is a member of the Illinois Federation of Community Schools, the Afterschool Alliance and the National Coalition of Community Schools. In June, she received an award for Outstanding Service to the Malcolm X College Family in Community Service.

About Suzuki-Orff

Suzuki-Orff, in existence for 29 years, brings together families from a wide range of cultural backgrounds with a strong emphasis on reaching those who face significant economic and environmental challenges.

Suzuki-Orff’s on-site programs and outreach initiatives in the Chicago Public Schools provide high-quality, year-long music education to over 3,000 children each week.

Suzuki-Orff Names New Executive Director – Respected educator will enhance community connections, enhance mission | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The protesters at Whittier elementary school in the city’s Southwest Side Pilsen neighborhood are asking Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman to sign off on a list of demands.

The protesters have been holed up at Whittier’s field house for more than a month. They want the building to be renovated to include a library.

As first reported by WBEZ last week, school and elected officials hammered out multiple plans for the field house. They include leasing the field house to a non-profit to use as a library or creating a library within the school.

Protester Carolina Gaete says those options sound good, but she’s still not agreeing to anything.

GAETE: We don’t trust them. We don’t trust them to negotiate behind us or even come up with solutions that we were never included in.

Gaete and some other protesters instead want the district to hand over the building’s keys to them.

A CPS spokeswoman says the district plans on meeting with the parents this week.

Originally reported by Chicago Public Radio. Read the original article here.

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The head of the Chicago Teachers Union says she wants to see the school district’s central office restructured.

She made her remarks as Chicago Public Schools confirmed that CEO Ron Huberman will likely leave the district before Mayor Richard Daley’s term ends in May.

Union president Karen Lewis says the district needs a superintendent with a background in education instead of a CEO.

LEWIS: I think it’s much more important to make educational policy based on research and science as opposed to what’s faddish right now.

Lewis says she doesn’t think news of Huberman’s departure will affect ongoing union negotiations.

Earlier this week a federal judge ordered CPS to work with the teachers union on a recall plan for tenured teachers who were laid off earlier this year.

Originally reported by Chicago Public Radio. Read the original article here.

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The Chicago school district and the teachers union are grappling with the impact of a federal ruling on layoffs of tenured teachers.

A judge earlier this week ordered the district to rescind its layoffs after the union sued.

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis says she wants all laid-off tenured teachers to head back to classrooms.

District lawyers say they’re not convinced that’s required, and other officials say rehiring all tenured teachers would put the district in a bind.

Alicia Winckler is the chief human capital officer for the district.

WINCKLER: We’d have to find the money. We don’t have any additional money to utilize for something like this, so we’d have to find that money within our budget.

Another district official says rehiring all tenured teachers could cost CPS about $30 million. In order to free up that money, the official says pink slips would have to be sent out to about 500 non-tenured teachers.

Originally reported by Chicago Public Radio. Read the original article here.

CPS: Rehiring Tenured Teachers Could Cost Millions | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Represents “New Era” in Training CPS Students for Jobs of the Future, Mayor Daley Says

Chicago Public Schools today marked the traditional first day of classes by opening the first 30 of a projected 80 “College and Career Academies” that represent a comprehensive re-structuring of the CPS Career and Technical Education programs.

“This opening represents a new era in career education at CPS and a big step forward in our plan to coordinate the resources of the city’s job training programs, the public schools and the City Colleges to have the greatest impact on training and retraining our workers for the jobs of the future,” Daley said after the traditional first-day bell-ringing ceremony, held this year Wells Community Academy High School, 936 N. Ashland Av., one of 12 CPS high schools that will house academies this year.

“In today’s economy, it is essential that we graduate students with the skills they need to go directly into a good job and a long term career,” the Mayor said.

The “College and Career Academies” initiative was announced in January and reorganizes 250 non-standardized career programs into 80 academies in 35 high schools over seven years.

For the first time, through the academies, career education will be open to students citywide through an application process.

The academies this year will offer programs in construction, architecture, culinary arts, hospitality, pre-engineering, auto technology and auto body repair, business and finance, medical and health careers, cosmetology, information technology, child care and childhood education, law and public safety, logistics, and broadcast technology.

“For years, we’ve offered career and technical education in the school system, but we needed to strengthen and improve it. This is an exciting day for all Chicago, because we’re doing just that,” Daley said.

This year, some 1,500 students will be enrolled in ninth grade at the 30 new college and career academies. Altogether, some 23,000 students will attend CPS career and technical education programs throughout Chicago.

At Wells — where the career education programs include law and public safety, logistics and teaching — some 250 students are expected to enroll in the academies this year, up from 183 students who took courses under the old career and technical education programs last year, CPS officials said.

The Mayor said that the new academies will focus resources and teaching staff. There will be more courses, more teachers and a rigorous curriculum based on industry standards and demands – all aimed at preparing students to fill the jobs of the future and to keep Chicago competitive in the global economy.

Daley said the Career Academies build on other steps the City has recently announced to keep the progress going at CPS.

For example, two weeks ago Daley and school officials announced a pilot program starting in November that adds 90 minutes of online reading and math learning time to the school day at five elementary schools. Another ten schools will be added when the second semester begins

The program – called “Additional Learning Opportunities” — will add 255 hours of learning time a year for 5,500 students.

Daley also said that to take the schools to the next level and graduate students who are prepared for the jobs of the future, students, teachers and principals must be given all the tools they need to achieve the highest possible levels.

“There’s no better tool than an up-to-date school building that provides a safe and modern environment for learning. This school year, we are opening five new school buildings as part of the Modern Schools Across Chicago program,” he said.

Eleven new schools have been opened in the last two years under this program, which is funded entirely with city money. Since 1996, the City has invested more than $5.5 billion in school capital improvements across the city.

“When you open a new school, you give students and staff a fresh start, greater hope and of course, an improved learning environment. You provide a new anchor for the community,” the Mayor said.

“Years ago we understood the necessity of turning around a public school system that had failed students and taxpayers for decades. Our schools aren’t yet where they need to be. But all of us put our children first, our schools can become the best in America,” he said.

College and Career Academies now operating are:

• Fenger High School, 11220 S. Wallace Av. – construction, culinary and hospitality
• Harlan High School, 9652 S. Michigan Av. – pre-engineering, information technology
• Harper High School, 6526 S. Wood St. – construction, culinary and hospitality
• Schurz High School, 3601 N. Milwaukee Av.– auto technology, business and finance
• Sullivan High School, 6631 N. Bosworth Av. – medical and health careers
• Washington High School, 3535 E. 114th St., culinary, information technology
• Crane High School, 2245 W. Jackson Blvd. – auto technology, information technology, medical and health careers
• Dunbar High School, 3000 S. King Dr. – auto technology and auto body repair, construction and architecture, cosmetology, culinary and hospitality, medical and health careers
• Manley High School, 2935 W. Polk St. – culinary and hospitality, medical assistance
• Orr Academy High School, 730 N. Pulaski Rd. – child care and childhood education, information technology
• Wells Academy High School, 936 N. Ashland Av. – law and public safety, logistics, teaching
• Westinghouse High School, 3223 W. Franklin Blvd. – broadcast technology, business, information technology, medical and health careers

New Buildings part of the Modern Schools Across Chicago opening Fall 2010:

• Azuela — 4707 W. Marquette Blvd. — PK-8
• Calmeca — 3456 W. 38th St. — PK-8
• Lorca — 3231 N. Springfield Av. — PK-8
• Solorio — 5400 S. St. Louis Av. — 9-12
• West Ridge — 6700 N. Whipple St. — PK-8

30 new college and career academies open as 2010-11 classes begin for Chicago Public School students | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

A panel is expected to be named this week to begin work on restructuring the district’s debt. But an official from Denver says her city’s attempt to try the same thing should give Chicago pause.

In 2008, the Denver Board of Education okay-ed a complicated plan to restructure that district’s debt and to plug a multi-million dollar gap in its pension fund.

Jeannie Kaplan sits on the board. She says no district should rush into debt restructuring.

KAPLAN: [I] spend more time than I can possibly tell you trying to unravel all of this and to see what does make sense. So I would say, ‘Ask as many questions as you can on the front end of this.’ That would be my advice.

Kaplan says the economic downturn made Denver’s plan more expensive. She says Denver ended up paying more than $20 million in additional fees from the restructuring.

CPS officials say they hope to have Chicago’s debt restructuring plan worked out by the end of the year.

Originally reported by Chicago Public Radio. Read the original article here.

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A couple of weeks ago, art teacher Sunny Neater-Dubow got canned from her job at the Multicultural Arts High School.

But a month before that, she says she saw her position posted on the district’s website with a tweak.

NEATER-DUBOW: It said the Multicultural Arts School is looking for an art teacher with a dance endorsement. That is an endorsement I do not have, and that’s an endorsement that I think is pretty rare. I’ve never known an art teacher with a dance endorsement.

Neater-Dubow says she thinks the district is trying to find less experienced and less expensive teachers to hire.

Schools chief Ron Huberman says the district plans on restoring 400 teaching positions with federal money it expects to get.

Originally reported by Chicago Public Radio. Read the original article here.

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Chicago Public Schools Chief Ron Huberman said the school district used all $190 million of its reserves this year.

It also increased class sizes from 31 to 33 students and made budget cuts.

They’re expected to layoff about 800 classroom teachers and 400 classroom support personnel.

Officials say the state still owes CPS $236 million in state funding from last year, and it is counting on that money to replenish its reserves.

Meanwhile, It’s back to school time for some CPS students.

Year-round schools, also known as Track E schools, start back up Monday.

Nearly 100,000 elementary and high school students are enrolled in the program.

Students in a Track E school actually attend the same number of days as students who attend a regular calendar school, but instead of one long summer break, those students have shorter, more frequent breaks.

Originally reported by FOX News Chicago. Read the original article here.

CPS Balances Budget on 1st Day for Some | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Huberman’s public service career began when he joined the Chicago Police Department as a patrol officer who attended night classes at the University of Chicago to complete master’s degrees in both Business and Social Service Administration.

He has headed a number of city departments and government agencies in the City as well as Mayor Daley’s Chief of Staff and his recent appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Public Schools.

“We see the influence of social work values and researched based interventions in Mr. Huberman’s  approach to the complex problems facing the Chicago Public Schools,” said Amy Eldridge, Dean/CEO of the Institute.

In his address to the nine graduates, and ICSW community, Mr. Huberman pointed out that while he has had many assignments for the City of Chicago, he was first a social worker. He emphasized the critical role that social workers play in Chicago’s public schools—they are on the front lines and influence the safety and well being of students so that they are able to learn and succeed.

The Institute for Clinical Social Work is the nation’s first and only free standing, fully accredited institution offering a Doctorate in Clinical Social Work.

The June 5 Commencement ceremony marked twenty years of graduating clinical scholars who  serve as educators, clinicians, researchers and administrators in Chicago and across the nation. The Ceremony was held at the Standard Club of Chicago.

CEO of Chicago Public Schools Ron Huberman Awarded Doctor of Humane Letters | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Huberman, who holds a Master’s degree from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, is being honored for his public service to Chicago.

Huberman’s public service career began when he joined the Chicago Police Department as a patrol officer who attended night classes at the University of Chicago to complete master’s degrees in both Business and Social Service Administration.

He has headed a number of city departments and government agencies in the City as well as Mayor Daley’s Chief of Staff and his recent appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Public Schools.

“His commitment to addressing the multitude of problems that cause student failure and contribute to  student violence in and around the schools exemplifies social work values.  No simple solution is offered—rather he is advocating a systems approach which includes changing the culture of the schools and offering support to families.  We are pleased to celebrate his achievements by this conferment,” said Dr.  Amy Eldridge, Dean of the Institute for Clinical Social Work.

The Institute for Clinical Social Work is the nation’s first and only free standing, fully accredited institution offering a Doctorate in Clinical Social Work.

The June 5 Commencement ceremony will mark twenty years of graduating clinical scholars who have gone on to serve as educators, clinicians and administrators in a variety of settings.

The Ceremony will be held at 10 am at the Standard Club of Chicago.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Amy Eldridge, 847-650-8347
The Institute for Clinical Social Work

CEO of Chicago Public Schools Ron Huberman to Receive Doctor of Humane Letters | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

But FOX Chicago News discovered billions of dollars worth of good food gets thrown away by schools each year — food that is never opened, never cooked and perfectly edible.

Our cameras found some of those lunches in the garbage at Chicago-area schools. Lunches paid for with your tax dollars.

Sources told FOX Chicago News the most food is thrown away on days when kids don’t like what’s on the menu.

Studies estimate kids all across the us waste about $2 billion in taxpayer money through the national school lunch program.

At $2.40 a meal that adds up to a lot of wasted lunches.

Federal studies show girls waste more than boys, and younger kids waste more than older ones. The foods they throw away most often are predictable — salad, fruit and vegetables.

Studies also found the length of the lunch period also plays into how much food is wasted. If lunch periods are too short, too early, or too late, kids waste more food.

But if school kids can’t or won’t eat those subsidized lunches, soup kitchens say they are happy to take the unwanted food off the schools’ hands.

Still, many schools hesitate to donate their unwanted food even though the federal government encourages them to donate.

Some schools are concerned about liability issues if someone becomes sick from eating donated food, even though a federal law protects food donors from lawsuits.

There is one catch to donating school lunches to food pantries — leftover food must be kept refrigerated when it’s picked up and delivered. And recipients must be a bonafide non-profit like a soup kitchen.

Read the original article from FOX Chicago News.

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After a series of public hearings, schools CEO Ron Huberman is recommending that three South Side schools and one West Side school be given another chance.

The South Side schools are Frank l. Gillespie, Irvin C. Mollison and Simon Guggenheim, and on the West Side, Ignance Paderewski.

Huberman will present his recommendations to the school board next week.

Read the original article from FOX Chicago News.

Four CPS schools saved from closure | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Keller parents learned Tuesday that CPS had abandoned a plan to look into the possibility of moving the school to another location in the city.

“We want Keller to remain an important part of the Mount Greenwood community and to continue to forge relationships with its community partners,” CPS chief Ron Huberman wrote in a letter to Keller Principal LaTanya McDade.

“CPS is proud of Keller’s students and teachers and their wonderful accomplishments, most notably Keller’s distinction as the second-highest-scoring elementary school in the state,” he wrote.

Parents were outraged after learning last month that CPS was studying a potential relocation of Keller to help relieve overcrowding at Mount Greenwood School, 10841 S. Homan Ave.

Christine McGovern, a parent of a Keller student, said she did not expect CPS to make a decision on Keller’s future so quickly.

“I am extremely satisfied. The outcome was unexpected,” she said. “I believe we had our politicians on our side.”

At a Jan. 28 rally at the school, Ald. Ginger Rugai (19th), state Rep. Kevin Joyce (D-Chicago) and state Sen. Ed Maloney (D-Chicago) said that moving Keller, 3020 W. 108th St., would be harmful to the community.

More than 200 parents attended the rally. A smaller group attended a CPS board meeting the previous day.

“I think (CPS) was overwhelmed by our support,” McGovern said. “I don’t think they were expecting such a rally coming from us.”

McGovern said Huberman’s letter is somewhat vague because it does not promise Keller never will be relocated.

She said she plans to attend CPS’s Feb. 24 meeting to ask, “How long is this letter good for?”

Mount Greenwood Elementary School, with more than 800 students, has been overcrowded for several years. Rugai said she has lobbied CPS for years to do something about overcrowding at Mount Greenwood and another 19th Ward school, Cassell.

CPS has agreed to add four modular units to Mount Greenwood next year to provide temporary relief from the overcrowding, Rugai said.

McDade could not be reached for comment.

Chicago Public Schools won’t move Keller Gifted Elementary School | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The customized reports analyze how freshmen at each school performed on crucial academic measures and how that performance has changed over time.

Previous CCSR research has shown than freshman year performance predicts whether students will graduate from high school.

The reports allow educators to identify those students most at risk of dropping out and to evaluate whether past intervention efforts have been successful.

The freshman reports are the first product produced by CCSR’s Data Practice Collaborative, which brings intensive research and data support and improvement assistance to school reform networks throughout Chicago.

To access an individual school’s report, visit ccsr.uchicago.edu/web_reports/freshman.

Freshman Year Reports Reveal Crucial Information for Tackling Chicago Public Schools Dropout Problem | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Essays centered on the topic: “What event or person in Hispanic history has most influenced or inspired you or modern society and why?”

Winners were recognized at a banquet Thursday at North-Grand High School, 4338 W. Wabansia Ave., which was emceed by NBC 5 television newscaster Alex Perez and featured Chicago Board of Education Member Alberto Carrero Jr. as keynote speaker.

The essay competition was open to all CPS 9^th-through-12^th graders; students from 27 high schools submitted more than 1,400 essays.

Judging for the selection of grand and second place prize winners was performed by judges from Roosevelt University, the American Bottling Company and officials from Chicago Public Schools.

Grand prize winners included:

• 9th grade, Estefanía, Whitney Young Magnet High School
• 10th grade, Kashif, Northside College Prep High School
• 11th grade, Karen, Curie Metropolitan High School
• 12th grade, Brenda, Spry Community Links High School

Grand prize winners were each awarded a laptop computer and printer, plus a $5,000 scholarship to Roosevelt University.

Second place winners included:

• 9th grade, Ashley, Perspectives Charter High School-Joslin Campus
• 10th grade, Joshua, Marine Military Academy High School
• 11th grade, Carlos, Taft High School
• 12th grade, Jasmine, Whitney Young Magnet High School

Second place winners each received a digital camera and printer.

Additionally, $500 cash prizes for teacher/staff professional development were won by Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, Carl Schurz, John Hancock College Prep and Spry Community Links High Schools for submitting the highest percentage of essays in the competition.

Teachers who monitored the prize-winning students each received a $100 gift card.

A specially themed ethnic meal was served at the banquet, at which grand prize winners read their essays. Special entertainment included a tango performance by the American Tango Institute.

The Hispanic Heritage Month Essay competition creates awareness of noteworthy events and persons in Hispanic history and offers exciting prizes for the winning students and their schools.

A similar essay competition will be held in February 2010 in honor of Black History Month.

About Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Public Schools serves 417,855 students in 675 schools. It is the nation’s third-largest school district.

Chicago Public Schools Students Win Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Competition | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Since its launch three years ago, the Arabic language program has grown to serve 2000 CPS students in 10 schools citywide.

The three-year Foreign Language Assistance Grant (FLAP) will fund expansion of the program to three additional schools, professional development for teachers and technology-based instruction using SAFARI-Blackboard technologies.

“Our vision is to give all of our students the kind of education that prepares them to compete in tomorrow’s global workforce,” Daley said at Durkin Park Elementary School, 8445 S. Kolin Av., where kindergarten through fifth-grade students are taught Arabic daily.

“We all know the economic future of our city depends on our willingness to seek opportunities in the Arab world, the Americas, Asia, Europe and around the globe,” Daley added.

Daley noted that with this grant, the school system has received state, federal and other funds totaling $1.6 million for building Arabic language instruction.

Among the other grants CPS has received is the U.S. State Department’s Startalk Arabic Summer Language Institute grant each of the last three years.

It provides funding to send 30 CPS high school students to the University of Chicago to study Arabic language and culture for four weeks during the summer break.

Students also take field trips to Chicago area businesses, cultural organizations and community resources, to apply the languages in real life.

CPS also invested $1 million in its Critical Languages Program in 2008 to help build up a K-12 pipeline of students studying Arabic, Chinese or Russian.

CPS officials said they had not yet selected which schools will get the expanded Critical Languages opportunities. The goal is to expand opportunities to schools that wish to grow their critical language options.

The following Chicago public high schools offer Arabic:

• Lincoln Park High School
• Roosevelt High School
• Lindblom High School

The following Chicago public elementary schools offer Arabic:

• Agassiz Elementary
• Belding Elementary
• Durkin Park Elementary
• LaSalle Language Academy II
• Marquette Elementary
• Peck Elementary
• Volta Elementary

Daley said the key to building a strong and secure economic future for Chicago is providing every public school student with a quality education that allows them to fulfill their potential in life.

And additions to the curriculum such as the teaching of Arabic, Chinese and Russian recognize the need to better engage with other nations and businesses around the globe, he said.

“Without an educated workforce capable of filling the jobs of the global economy, Chicago won’t succeed in this century,” the Mayor said.

“We must remember that although we’re in a recession now, it’s our responsibility to position Chicago to reap the benefits of the better times to come,” he said.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Mayor’s Press Office, 312-744-3334

Mayor Daley, Chicago Public School Officials Announce Expansion Of Arabic Language Program | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

If approved, all six schools will open in communities in need of high-quality education options.

“Six months ago we targeted three underserved communities and strongly encouraged new school design teams, composed of educators and entrepreneurs with close ties to the community, to submit proposals for schools in those areas,” said Huberman.

“Today, after months of community, and parental input, we are pleased with the results.”

Huberman also stressed that input from the Transition Advisory Councils (TAC) was crucial in making the decision process fair and sensitive to the needs of each of the school communities. TAC members met with Huberman last month to share their new school recommendations.

The six proposals include four elementary schools, one high school serving grades 9-12, and a combination middle school-high school that will serve students grades 6-12.

Three of the new schools are slated to open in the fall of 2010, and the other three schools are slated to open in the fall of 2011. All six will be subject to approval from the Chicago Board of Education later this month.

The three schools slated to open in fall of 2010 are proposed in communities the district considers to be high priority — Englewood, Riverdale (Far South Side) and South Chicago—and would be run by existing charter school operators who manage other high-performing schools in Chicago.

If approved, these schools will be located in CPS buildings listed in the 2009 Request for Proposals (RFP), released this past May.

The three schools that will be recommended to the Board for a fall of 2010 opening include:

• Noble Street Charter School – Englewood Campus, a proposed charter school, would serve grades 9-12. The Englewood Campus would follow the Noble model, which is built on a platform of small schools, strong leadership, strict adherence to a discipline code and a rigorous academic program that includes emphasis on reading, math, community service and physical fitness. The culture at all Noble Street schools is infused with the “Noble Way”-scholarship, discipline and honor. Noble Street currently operates nine campuses serving 2,200 students. The new school is proposed to be located at Reed Elementary School, 6350 S. Stewart Ave, which is being phased out.
• Chicago International Charter School (CICS) – Riverdale Campus, a proposed charter school, would serve grades 6-12. The Riverdale Campus would offer students a rigorous college-preparatory education through innovation and choice. CICS currently operates 13 campuses serving 8,100 students, including the K-8 Lloyd Bond Campus that opened in Altgeld Gardens in the Riverdale community this fall. The new school is proposed to be located at Carver Middle School, 801 E. 133^rd Place, which was consolidated with Carver Elementary last year.
• LEARN Charter School – South Chicago Campus, a proposed charter school, would serve grades K-8. The South Chicago Campus would provide its students with the foundation and ambition to earn a college degree through an academically challenging college preparatory curriculum. Each LEARN school, which features an extended day and extended year, is driven by its set of distinct Core Principles: mutual respect among staff, parents, students, and communities served; expected active family contribution; and emphasis on character development and the whole child. LEARN currently operates three elementary schools serving 900 students on the west side of Chicago. Their flagship campus is one of the highest performing non-selective elementary schools in North Lawndale. The school is proposed to be located at James N. Thorp Elementary School, 8914 S. Buffalo Ave. as a permanent co-share.

CPS received 14 proposals to serve the Englewood, Riverdale and South Chicago communities. Design teams applied to open new schools in those areas through a competitive and community-based process.

In each of these three communities, district officials formed a Transition Advisory Council (TAC) composed of parents, educators, community residents, community and faith- based organizations, and elected officials and their representatives.

Beginning in May of this year, and lasting through October, the TACs met regularly to discuss the community’s educational needs and assets, review education-based research, visit high performing schools, and review new school proposals.

Commenting on the process, Paulette Cage Edwards, Riverdale TAC member and Executive Director of the Foundation for Family Empowerment located in the Riverdale community said, “Parents in the Riverdale Community, like other communities, want to have a choice in schools for their children. CICS is the choice of the Riverdale TAC. As a member of the Riverdale TAC and former Altgeld Gardens resident, I believe the rigorous academic plan and disciplined environment offered by CICS is needed to propel these children to reach beyond state academic benchmarks and in doing so achieving their fullest potential.”

The three schools that will be recommended to the Board for a fall of 2011 opening in independently owned buildings include:

• LEARN Charter School – South Shore Campus, a proposed charter school, would serve grades K-8 in the South Shore community. Like the South Chicago Campus, the South Shore Campus would provide its students with an academically challenging college preparatory curriculum, a strong school culture and an extended day and extended year. The school is proposed to be located at 7110 S. Coles.
• Roseland Preparatory Academy, a proposed contract school, would serve grades K-8 in the Roseland community. Roseland Prep would offer students an education where they take pride in themselves, their families, their environment, their school and their community. The school will be modeled after Frazier Preparatory Academy, a college-prep contract school that opened in North Lawndale in the fall of 2007 and utilizes the Mosaica Paragon curriculum. The school is proposed to be located at 11400 S. Edbrook.
• UNO Charter School, a proposed charter school, would serve grades K-8. UNO seeks to provide its students a rigorous curriculum in a well-managed, structured environment to redefine the culture and expectations of public education, especially in urban settings among minority students. UNO currently operates one high school and eight elementary schools serving 3,700 students. Historically, UNO has focused on opening schools in communities experiencing overcrowding. The school’s location is yet to be determined.

Also, three schools were approved by the Board last year to open in fall of 2010.

They are:

• UNO Charter School, a charter school approved by the Chicago Board of Education at its September 2008 meeting, will serve grades K-8. It will offer students a structured academic and social environment to prepare them for success in high school and beyond. The school’s location is yet to be determined.
• UNO Hospitality High School, a charter school approved by the Board at their September 2008 meeting, will serve grades 9-12. Established in collaboration with the Chicago LEADS (Leading Economic Advancement, Development and Sustainability) Initiative, it will offer students a college-prep track and a career-prep track focusing on the hospitality industry. The school’s location is yet to be determined.
• Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy, a contract school approved by the Board at their October 2008 meeting, will serve grades 9-12. Also in partnership with Chicago LEADS, will offer college-prep and career-prep tracks that focus on study and careers in the health sciences. Students will have the opportunity to earn industry certification in nursing, health technology or health administration. The school’s location is yet to be determined.

Finally, eight contract schools have applied to convert their existing or planned schools to charter schools.

They are:

• Academy of Global Citizenship (Garfield Ridge)
• Catalyst Circle Rock Campus (Austin)
• Chicago Talent Development High School (West Garfield Park)
• EPIC Academy High School (South Chicago)
• Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy (Near Southwest Side)
• Rowe Elementary (West Town)
• Urban Prep Academy for Young Men (East Garfield Park)
• Urban Prep Academy for Young Men (South Shore)

A public hearing to allow for comments about the new school proposals will take place Nov. 9 at 6pm in the CPS Board Chambers, located at 125 S. Clark St., 5th floor.

Registration to speak at the hearing will be between 5:30pm and 6:30pm.

About CPS

Chicago Public Schools serves approximately 407,000 students in 666 schools. It is the nation’s third-largest school district.

Chicago Public Schools Announces Six New School Proposals for Priority Communities | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Under the new contract, the CTA is guaranteed $1 million annually, or up to 49.5% of net revenue, whichever is greater.

“Because the CTA faces budget shortfalls and other challenges associated with weathering the recession, it is important to get the most out of the revenue-generating programs that the agency already has in place,” said CTA President Richard L. Rodriguez.

“This contract is a responsible business decision for the CTA and also will provide customers with added convenience and upgraded facilities at several of the agency’s parking locations.”

CPS will purchase, install and maintain new fee collection equipment for 11 of the CTA’s 17 Park & Ride locations that fall under this contract.

The new equipment will accept credit cards, payment by cell phone and cash. CPS also will maintain all of CTA’s Under ‘L’ parking areas, spaces under the elevated tracks that can be leased for a monthly fee.

The following Park & Ride lots are not part of the new CPS contract due to existing agreements or because they are not owned by the CTA: Rosemont already is managed by CPS; Forest Park is managed by MPC Partners; Harlem/Higgins is managed by Standard Parking; the Linden and Skokie lots are managed by Wilmette and Skokie respectively; and the Howard lot is not owned by CTA.

From 2004-2008, the Standard Parking contract generated an average of $677,000 a year in revenue for the CTA – in 2008 the CTA earned $419,000 from the contract. Under the old contract, the CTA paid a 4% management fee and had to reimburse Standard Parking for 100% of their operating expenses.

The new contract guarantees the agency at least $1 million per year and CPS will be responsible for their own operating expenses – including the new fare collection equipment, as well as a detailed scope of work for maintaining the lots.

Parking is available for approximately 6,600 cars at facilities adjacent to 17 CTA rail stations throughout the CTA system.

Rates are $5 at Rosemont and Forest Park and $4 at all other locations. Park & Ride locations are listed on CTA’s system map and on the CTA Web site, transitchicago.com.

Customers also may obtain information on Park & Ride facilities by calling 836-7000 from any local area code.

CTA Parking Facilities Now Managed by CPS

Park & Ride Facilities*

Cumberland Garage
54th/Cermak
Ashland/63rd
Halsted/Archer
35th/Archer
48th/Kedzie
49th/Western
51st/Pulaski
Midway
Kimball/Lawrence
Garfield

*In addition to the Rosemont Park & Ride facility, already managed by CPS

Under ‘L’ Parking Facilities

Locust/Walton
Chestnut/Locust
Walton/Oak
Oak/Wendell
California/Marshall
Cleveland/Mohawk
14th Street/14th Place
14th Place/16th Street
16th Street/18th Place
18th Street/Cullerton
Cullerton/21st
21st/Cermak
23rd Street/24th Street
47th Street
13th Street/14th Street
13th Street/Hastings
Bloomingdale/Moffat
Western/Campbell
Washtenaw/California
Newport/Cornelia
Roscoe/Newport
Waveland/Grace
Dakin/Sheridan
Southport (3408-3412)
Sheffield/Webster (950 Webster)
North/Concord
Caton/Wabansia
Berteau at Ravenswood
California/Milwaukee/Lyndale
Milwaukee/Fullerton/Sacramento
Milwaukee/Medill/Fullerton

Chicago Transit Board Approves 5-Year Contract with Central Parking System for Maintenance of CTA Parking Facilities | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

On Sept. 24, 2009, the federal court vacated the CPS desegregation consent decree. As a result of that ruling, the race-based criteria referenced in the Options for Knowledge Guide, applications, and other materials related to the 2010-2011 application process will not be used to make admission decisions.

Alternate admission procedures are currently being developed and will be available for public comment in the near future.

“While this recent decision changes our application procedures slightly, the school district and the Board of Education remain committed to creating high-quality, diverse learning environments for our students,” said CPS Chief Executive Officer Ron Huberman. “Our magnet, gifted and selective enrollment programs will continue to challenge our students, provide them with the opportunity to excel in the classroom, and allow them the chance to further their education.”

The application period for magnet, selective enrollment and gifted schools and programs began Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, and ends Friday, Dec. 18, 2009.

Standard applications and Gifted and Enriched Academic Programs (GEAP) applications can be found in the district’s Options for Knowledge Guide, maintained by the Office of Academic Enhancement.

The Options for Knowledge Guide contains information on the magnet, selective enrollment and gifted schools and programs, as well as how to apply to these schools and programs.

The guide also identifies the schools and programs by type, includes helpful tips for applying, and outlines the new application submission procedures for GEAP schools and selective enrollment high schools.

However, since the Options for Knowledge Guide was printed before the federal court decision was made, it still contains language referencing the use of race in the selection process. All information regarding racial and ethnic selection guidelines or minority transfer programs that were governed by the consent decree is now obsolete and should be disregarded.

Parents, guardians and general members of the public will have an opportunity to give input on the new application procedures to be determined by the Board of Education. While race will no longer be a factor in these procedures, it is likely that sibling and proximity considerations will be maintained.

Parents can obtain the Options for Knowledge Guide and applications for magnet and gifted schools and programs at the CPS Elementary School Fair, Saturday, Oct. 3, at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Van Buren St., and applications for selective enrollment schools at the CPS High School Fair, Saturday, Oct. 10, at McCormick Place.

In addition, the Options guide and all applications can be obtained by mail, upon request, from Academic Enhancement by calling (773) 553-2060 or online.

Chicago Public Schools Announce Application Period for Magnet, Gifted and Selective Enrollment Programs Underway | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.