District 299 The Chicago Schools Blog

Principal For A Day - How Did It Go?

Sure, Jackson Language Academy got "Friends" actor David Schwimmer.  And Bears cornerback Charlie Tillman was with Mayor Daley at Orr HS.

But who did the other schools in your neighborhood get, and were they any better (or worse) than in previous years? 

Click here for the full list (pfads_2007.xls), courtesy of CPS, and let us know what your PFOD experience was like.

18 Of 19 New Schools Approved

Only one of the 19 new schools that Arne Duncan proposed for next year and beyond didn't get approved at yesterday's Board meeting, according to the press release below.  I'm told it's Community Services West that got held back, but is expected to go up to the Board next month. Congrats and condolences to all those who  got the green light.  You've got a busy year ahead of you to get students and get the doors open on time.  You'll get accolades from the press and from the Board, but many of those who comment here won't take what you're doing seriously.  Thank God there's only two more years until we get to 100 new schools and 2009-2010.

Curie LSC Chair Reinstated...But Not Until 11-30

After all that, the Board has determined that controversial LSC Chair Tom Ramos should be reinstated onto the LSC at Curie as of November 30, though not as chair (since that's already been given to Otis Davis).  Amazing.  There's no explanation, no apology, no nothing in the 10-19 letter from Duncan that was sent to me.  I'm told that Ramos is also reinstated at Columbia Explorers, where he was on the LSC also. And CPS confirms that Jones is now officially the AIO for Area 24.  One thing I don't get is why they won't let him back until November 30th.  Anyone have any ideas about that?

CPS Board President Hates LSCs

Here's some of why LSC advocates are so unhappy with current CPS Board President Rufus Williams, as compared to his predecessor, Michael Scott.  And no, it's not because the Ballroom Dancing program was better than Real Men Read (though I know that's a heated argument).

Click to watch Williams speak at the City Club on October 2.  The quality isn't good, but the audio is fine. I got this from the PURE blog. They're celebrating "Rufus Williams Non-Appreciation Day."

On The Agenda

Today's board meeting agenda can be downloaded here. It includes an item regarding the PBC and the new Skinner, as well as Belmont Cragin and a Southwest Side middle school. Something about Peggy Davis being reappointed to the Pension Board.  Renewals for a variety of charter schools. New school approvals (Air Force, Disney 2).  Performance agreements (the arts school, for example). Something about denying Ren10 proposals. More moolah for Holland and Knight LLC.Download Agenda102407.pdf

Linking Attendance To The Master Schedule

Here's an email sent out by Bob Runcie about IMPACT, how it's linking attendance and master schedules, and apparent gaming of the system that is still going on.  Thanks to an anonymous reader for sending it along -- fascinating stuff.  Keep on sending things!

Arts Office On Junkets To Venezuela & New York City?

From a reader:  "What is going on with the new CPS arts team.  David Roche has been there for over a year and has, to my knowledge, not done anything except go to some events and give the same speech.  The other thing I've heard is that he took his staff to Venezuela  to study the Carlos Chavez-developed music program.  A week in venezuela? I struggle to get instruments and supplies for my school and he's in venezuela?  Also, I heard they were in new york to look at the Lincoln Center Institute?  Why?  These seem like huge indulgences when we here at schools haven't heard from them or received any resources from them at all."

Lots More Coverage For 19 Proposed Schools

CPS announces next installment of Renaissance 2010 Medill Reports
“Polaris! Rise up! Rise up!” Polaris Charter Academy students demonstrated a school chant Tuesday morning as Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan revealed 19 new school proposals for the Renaissance 2010 initiative.

19 new schools proposed for Chicago Crain's
The new school proposals include six high schools, three combined middle and high schools, one middle school, and nine elementary schools. Fifteen are slated to open in fall of 2008, and four schools are slated to open the following fall, pending approval from the Board of Education.

19 new public schools wanted in next 2 years Sun Times
Chicago hopes to add 19 public schools in the next two years, including a school for the arts for gifted kids and three schools linked to area universities, Chicago Schools CEO Arne Duncan announced Tuesday.

More Details About New Schools Proposed

Here's the fuller list of schools proposed at today's press event, the main elements of which were previewed in the dailies this morning.

Caption Contest: What Is Arne Thinking?

Check out these pictures from the recent Powerhouse High event, thanks to DTK, and while you're at it suggest a caption for this pic of Arne looking sorta awkward:

Some possibilities:

"Remember, Hillary told you that a fake laugh always works in situations like these."

"Who are all these old men and what am I doing here?"