What's Going On At Lawrence Elementary?

What's going on at Robert H. Lawrence Elementary School for Mathematics and Science?  According to a letter sent to Arne Duncan earlier this week by one of the school's teachers (see below), it's certainly got some problems, which the teacher lays squarely at the feet of the principal, Jewel McClinton.

The comments from parents on GreatSchools.net about Lawerence aren't very good, though some come from before she arrived.  Nor does the school seem to compare well to other neighborhood schools.  According to Catalyst, McClinton was awarded a contract this past summer. According to this Roosevelt student handbook (PDF) which profiles her on page 68, she graduated last spring with an EdD.

Updated more info:  Here's some basic information about what area etc. the school is in (18). The Mr. Avery referred to in the comments is the AIO for 18.  Here's a recent Catalyst story that mentions him.  Here's another.  Here's what trulia.com, a real estate site, says about the neighborhood, jeffrey manor.  Here's the only mention of Lawrence that I can find in a board report -- an 05 change of boundary attendance zones.  Things I don't know but want to know -- Who's on the LSC, current and old? Who are the main community players? Has there been any other board action or consideration of this in board reports? Have the Lawrence parents come to the baord?

Here's the full letter:

 

March 21, 2007

125 S. Clark Street 5^th Fl

Chicago, ILL 60603

Dear Mr. Duncan:

I have graciously taught many grade levels in the CPS system for nearly 10years and in this profession the years of service hold no weight to the hundreds of minds teachers have reached. I love being an educator, not to control, demean, or stifle the growth of the young, but to help minds flourish with their own thought process. I want to give children tools to make themselves productive men and women, I want children to understand the struggles of their ancestors, so that they can begin to understand why they must research their history and become grounded in the rich legacy of their cultures. When I entered this realm of teaching in the public school system, I was trained by some of the best! I successfully completed the Teachers for Chicago program; under the guidance of Dr. Pamela Sanders and Mr. Fred Chesnek. I have had the pleasure of having professors such as Dr. Larry Sondler, Dr. Sandra Westbrook and Dr. Balter, retune my mind so that I may center myself before these young souls.

Through my journey, I have had some very interesting principals, caring individuals who love children as much as the staff. These leaders took the time to unite groups of diverse individuals, so that they can see the common goals and purpose of our being behind those old walls. I dare not say my former principals were perfect, they had their flaws, like many people do, but they listened, acknowledged, and humbled themselves enough to know that calm environments help increase creative minds. I watched these men and women glide through the test score tango and other inner city blues; that come along with working in communities embedded in poverty, racism, and lack of knowledge!

With all the obstacles, educators have to teach their children to maneuver so that they can reach their minds; I’ve never factored in the obstacle of an unqualified principal. I have worked at Robert H. Lawrence Elementary School for Mathematics and Science for 5years. While at Lawrence, I received my Science endorsement, through the University of Chicago’s Sesame Program. I have seen the school re-group, so that we could get ourselves out of the probation ditch, before you all threw dirt on us!  It is not easy for new principals to enter into these schools where some individuals have been for years and many are complacent in their positions, but a qualified, humbled, perceptive, fair and decent human being can conquer that task.  Mrs. Jewel McClinton seems to lack these qualities. My experience with her so far has been disheartening and uninspiring. Any leader, who attempts to rule over its faculty and staff through a dictatorship, is a leader who is insecure and uncertain in their position.  I have prayed a thousand prayers, asking the Lord to order my steps and those of my colleagues, as we enter into this tense, demeaning and erratic environment.

It seems as if Mrs. McClinton has been allowed and given the authority to destroy the careers and livelihoods of her staff. How can one person come into a facility and eliminate all the productive programs that have been established. How does the board expect children to learn in settings wear they have no outlet to release their creativity, athleticism, and voices!  Whenever an educator speaks of the injustices of the school system, administrators throw the phrase “Children First”, at us as if we are being selfish. Mr. Duncan I knew poverty and classism, I still know racism. I refuse to know and dwell in ignorance, so if my speaking out is the assumption that I don’t put children first, then I suggest that those individuals who feel this way, research the civil rights movement. Is it fair to the children that their teachers are relocating to other schools, rather than have their principal defame their character, diminish their capabilities, and treat them as if they are dim-witted!  Are the students at Lawrence Elementary entitled to have highly qualified teachers?

On many occasions I have attempted to communicate with Mrs. McClinton, but she seems incapable of listening. Every conversation with her is about her vision and what she sees. She refuses to answer our questions, dismissing us as if we are beneath her existence. I have witnessed her talk to adults as if they are children, she yells and screams, which only makes for loud noise not understood philosophies. She has spoken and written lies about her faculty, with no remorse of her actions. Many staff members have written letters to our area officer and your office, little did we know that we would have people come out and speak to us as if we are not mothers, fathers, voters, educators, and adults!

Do you work in a stressful environment where people are treating you as if you’re a nonentity? Does your title and Harvard degree permit you to fair labor practices but not myself? Do you have to witness your colleagues being abused by a person who misuses their authority? 

Mr. Duncan I ask that you show me what it takes for the teachers at Robert H. Lawrence to have peace on our jobs, so that we all can realistically put children first.

Sincerely,

Ruth Kimbrough

Science Specialist

Comments

The author is upset but doesn't make clear exactly what the principal is doing or has done. It seems a bit slanderous for it to be posted here. If the principal just took over in August, is it fair to associate the comments on the greatschools.com or test scores to this principal's leadership?

I do not want to be mean. But this letter would get a very poor grade for getting to its topic as a business letter. As 10:46 notes there is a dramatic lack of specifics in the letter.

For example she writes: "How can one person come into a facility and eliminate all the productive programs that have been established." Ms. Kimbrough should know that in a bussiness letter of this type the specific programs eliminated and the date of their elimination should be listed. The reason why Ms. Kimbrough believes these programs were "productive" should be stated and the basis for that determination. She should have also indicated how the funds saved from the program eliminations were utilized by the principal. The letter states teachers are "relocating to other schools" over a lack of professional treatment on the part of the principal. How many of these teachers are leaving? Is this percentage of teachers high based on the history of the school.

I would guess that Ms KimKimbrough believes all of the details are known by CPS. But even so, they need to be set forward in a letter of this type that is being made public.

Teachers who want to get rid of Principals seem to have a template of what to say to Arne that will get their principal removed. Reading through the lines, I would suspect that this new principal is asking her staff to:
1. Come to work on time and every day.

2. Be accountable for their time in the building with perhaps, lesson plans or activity logs that "they never had to do before."

3. Show respect for students, staff and others just as they would demand respect for themselves.

It's a summary letter not a research paper. Wake up and smell the coffee, in fact, there are some real tyrants out there. They are there for power and money and have inflated egos.

[Alexander]

not so fast, folks -- some more details are coming in from the teacher - unconfirmed but at least specific:

Yesterday the parents protested in front of the school!

Mrs. McClinton has had 2 teachers removed from the building, under false accusations.

She refused to give one teacher an administrative transfer back in October, only to have him fired last week.

She hit one teacher in the back and threatened the aide who witnessed it!

The teacher called the police and was told the principal didn't mean it.

The teacher did receive a police report pertaining to the incident.

The next day our AIO came into the building with the police and had that teacher removed!

She now sits at region 5, unsure of why she was removed from the building, during testing!

When teachers call in sick, which is often due to the present environment, she lies about them not reporting their absences!

She placed her assistant principal, whom she hired in the classroom permanently. She informed her that after the Christmas break that she will be in the classroom, because she no longer wants her in the building.

This is the first year we have had no sports or social activities.

I could send you a packet we have put together with letters sent to the board, pertaining to the internal problems that have escalated at the school.

We also had Operation Push send a report on our behalf to the school board pertaining to the injustices at our school.

Our LSC is full of incompetent, power hungry, attention grabbing fools. They have been offered jobs and they have been put out of the building on many occasions by Mrs. McClinton.

I have tapes of the LSC meetings were things get down right nasty. I can have former LSC members give their account of how they were bamboozled into voting her in!

I want people to know that we are not disgruntled employees, this principal is out of control!

Alexander--please be careful what you place here. I am surprised you just listed 12:24 "as is."
Many of these allegations are just not true or very, very overinflated. The earlier responders above got it right, especially on the three points about teachers being accountable, planning lessons and coming to school on time and may I add, appropriately dressed. (!)
The LSC past and current at this school is problematic and becasue of the lax laws and guidelines, felt that they could violate the principal's contract.
(There were two parents yesterday at the "protest" and 5 students at most. I witnessed this.)
Let's deal with facts, otherwise, this blog will go downhill.

[Mrs Charlene Moore]

To Whom It May Concern:

We have sent several letters out to individuals in authority at the Board of Education to assist in this invaded catastrophic environment that has erupted the educational process at Lawrence Elementary because of the new principal, Mrs. McClinton. Various people at central office, including Arne Duncan, have responded in a negative manner by sending out people to assist the principal at Lawrence Elementary to carry out her deceitful acts against the teachers. Several teachers have left the school because of the principal’s disrespectful and rude behavior toward them and the students. We feel as though she didn’t come to Lawrence to assist in educating the students or aid in getting the school off probation, but to carry out revengeful acts against the old administration for Mr. Thomas Avery, the AIO. With behavior such as Mrs. McClinton, it’s impossible for learning to take place in the school.

Our students don’t have the privilege of any sports activities or extracurricular outside of the standard curriculum that would foster them into a more circular education. The principal is setting the students up for failure. Furthermore, teachers are being treated like little kids, as if they can’t voice their own opinion about what’s going on in the school. Teachers have become fearful in their work environment in a school they once enjoyed coming to educate the children. The students have become belligerent and rebellious toward teachers and administration due to the principal’s lack of communication, and respect for them and others. The principal doesn’t allow parents into the building. Now, the parents are consistently engaged in altercations with the principal daily, along with the students.

However, before this occurrence our students were performing better every school year. For instance, in the 2006 school year we had an increase of 18% gain. This year is a lost of education and taxpayer’s money. Educators can’t teach in a hostile environment that’s full of chaos, turmoil, turbulence, and negativity on a daily basic. This isn’t a dictator’s country. Once again, Mrs. McClinton leadership style doesn’t fit our school environment or culture; therefore, it’s unfair to sacrifice our children because central office selected her to be the principal of the school. If children are first then what is the problem with this picture? In this enveloped you will find various documents that will inform you the current state of Lawrence School.

Your support is greatly appreciated in this matter!

Thank you,

Save Our Students

[Mrs. Charlene Moore]

Parent to parent

From A Concern Parent
I’m asking all parents to come out and discuss the problems and issues concerning R.H. Lawrence school. because I’m a parent who cares about our children education and safety . your opinion counts!

Location:
Chicago public school Library
2401 E. 100th street
time : 2:00 p.m
date: March 24, 2007



thank you ,
concern parent

How about this? Jewel McClinton is an inexperience, deceitful, mischievous, vicious, principal who is inhuman and incapable of leading, an eminently school such as Lawrence. Furthmore, she doesn't care about the welfare of the students or their learning environment. In addition, she doesn't know how to incourage, motivate, or inspire her staff or teachers. In my conclusion, she is the devil who has sold her soul to Mr. Avery to carry out his mission. Destroy Lawrence School!

[MS Mooris]

. McClinton:

I am asking for confirmation the agenda was sent home with the students. My children did not receive notices yesterday or today. If the meeting was not posted and parents were not notified, then this would be an illegal meeting according to the OMA. This message assures that the notice was given to you in a timely manner to have it copied and send home and the agenda posted. The announcement was not sent last month either. I have also sent you a yearly calendar for the meetings so there is no reason for the meetings to not be announced and posted. I am complying with your wishes to not post or have anything posted without your permission. I sent this originally on Saturday, so please let me know what needs to occur to eliminate this issue. It has been my hopes and intentions to work with you to make Lawrence Elemnetary successful. However, that does not seem to be the case. I ask that reconsider your current course action and begin one that is condusive to the Lawrence family.

Regarding your irate phone call this morning, I feel totally disrespected. Your response to me informing you that the conference pre-registration price has now expired was met with the response of replacing me with another parent. There was not a need for a negative attitude nor the yelling. This is not a condusive solution as again, the parents must vote to decide what to do with parent development funds, not the principal. If you do not want me to go, that is fine and well noted. If you do not respect me, the same.

However, if you plan to be at Lawrence for some time then I advise that you find a way to work with me, because just as you said to me you aren't going anywhere, neither am I for the next 7 years at least. This is my neighborhood school and I will not abandon it. Everything, that I ask for is in accordance with the law, all I ask, all I have ever asked for is that we, LSC and parents, not be cut out of the loop on the decisions being made regarding our children. I believe this is fair, wouldn't you?

You and others may wonder why I chose not to call you to discuss this matter, the reason is--at this time, I do not feel comfortable having one-on-one conversations with you anymore as what I say becomes misconstronstrued. The proper medium for us to have discussions will be through written and technological media henceforth until I can become comfortable.

Have a good night all!


Peace and Love to all
Lydnise N. Morris, BBA, (MBA, Prep 2007)

-----Original Message-----EMAIL ADDRESSES REMOVED BY REQUEST
Sent: Sat, 17 Mar 2007 9:33 PM
Subject: PAC Meeting

Mrs McClinton:

Please post the agenda and send notices home for the PAC meeting that will take place on Wednesday. If you have any questions feel free to contact me.

Peace and Love to all
N. Morris, BBA, (MBA, Prep 2007)

[lisa]

Alexander-- I agree be very careful about what you post,because 12:50pm must be someone who knows the principal. There were at least 20 parents out their when I came , some coming and going, because we do have jobs! This person obviously needs some math lessons.I ask if the protest was so uneventful why did the Area instructional officer,his assistant and several other board members feel the need to be out there? Yes that LSC is problematic, but it's funny how they work well when they are doing what the principal demands! It's also funny how people are quick to critize a profession that I guarantee most of you buisness minded folks couldn't and will not do! If all these teachers want is a comfortable environment in which to educate our kids, I say give it to them. As to 11:59am, is ridiculous the basis of your comment!

I would be very cautious as a teacher in writing such "accusations" in regards to the principal. Remember what has happened in the past.

I would be very cautious as a teacher in writing such "accusations" in regards to the principal. Remember what has happened in the past.

Daily Negative Activities at Lawrence Elementary School

On 10/06/06, upper graders had a food fight causing injury to a third grader who had to be taken to the hospital. Also, two upper graders were fighting in the front by the office. However, no one was suspended.

On 10/13/06, 2 food fights took place in the lunchroom and no one was held accountable.

On 10/17/06, a six grader slapped his teacher. This teacher hasn’t returned to work since.

On 10/18/06, a parent and a 7th grader got into a fight in front of the school.

On 10/20/06, Mrs. Mc Clinton didn’t attend the 8th grade parent meeting at the school.

On 10/20/06, another food fight took place between room 208 and 209.

On 10/25/06, a 7th grader from room 110 jumped out the widow.

On 10/25/06, two students were fighting in room 208. There was a substitute teacher in the class. She fired the substitute because he couldn’t control the students. She embarrassed him in from of the students.

On 10/26/06, the same two students from room 208 fought outside at 2:50. They weren’t suspended.

On 10/27/06, the student from room 208 fought this morning before school started.

On 10/30/06, 3 high school boys jumped on one of Lawrence’s student, a boy. Also, another fight took place inside the school; a boy bites another boy in the chest. He was taken to the hospital.

On 11/28/06 around 1:20, 209 two eighth graders were in the hall using an enormous around of profanity language toward each other trying to fight but no one got suspended. No administration came up to the classroom. Again this interrupted the instruction in the other classrooms.
On 11/28/06 at 12:20 Mrs. Edison and Ms. Harvell students were fighting in the hall in front of rooms 206, 208 and 209. There were no security around. These students were referred to Mr. Jones with the paper work. The students were not suspended.

On 12/6/06, there was a fight at 9:30 on the first floor with two 7th graders Paris and Lena
Also, a six grader was trying to fight an eighth grader. She used all kind of profanity language and Ms.Konopecki was present and didn’t suspend the girl.

On 12/6/06, there were two fights from room 209 around 10:45 while assessment testing were going on. One fight was in the classroom and the other one was in the hall. Mr. Simpson called for security and they didn’t come. Mr. Jones came and told him to write it up but didn’t remove the students.

On 12/14/06, there was a walkout that included 8th graders 207, 208, and 209

On 12/15/06, another walkout which was only room 208 six students, no suspension

On 12/18/06, a student from room 208 was in the bathroom smoking marijuana.

On 12/20/06, there was a food fight in the lunchroom and extended out into the hall. They called the police. The police took a boy out in handcuff from Special Ed.

On 12/21/06, there was a parent (Ms. Shelton) fighting a student (Charlie) in room 208 and another student jumped in.

On 1/9/06, there was a food fight in the lunchroom with the upper graders

On 1/10/07, a student walked into the Sp. Ed classroom to fight another student.
On 1/17/07, a fight was in the lunchroom
On 1/19/07, a fight in the lunchroom, a student punch a teacher in the chest, a special ed. student hit his teacher in the stomach.

Press Release
Parent-To-Parent Committee and Supporters protest the Injustice of Education under the Appalling Leadership of Mrs. Jewel McClinton.

We will rally Friday, March 23, 2007 at 9:00am, across from: Robert H. Lawrence Elementary School
9928 S. Crandon
Chicago, Illinois 60617

The Parent-To- Parent committee and supporters are protesting the growing number of problems, which have inundated the school since the beginning of the year. The parents and members of the community care about the education of our children in the Jeffery Manor Neighborhood. We have lost too many teachers at the school, due to a vicious agenda set forth by the AIO and Principal. We have an LSC that has been offered employment and other favors, as an effort to influence their votes and decisions.

Our Children have spent an entire school year with no athletic or social activities that allow them to further display their talents and release their frustrations. Our 8th graders have had no confirmed activities and a very dismal year.

We have no choice but to publicize the existing problems that have invaded our learning institution that seems to escape the Board of Education.

Thank you,

Parent-To-Parent Committee

Hey, check this out! You know 8th grade is a bridge grade; however, the principal, Jewel McClinton saw fit to terminate two 8th grade teachers who are highly qualified and certified to teacher, two months before graduation. Here are the facts: subtitute teacher in one class, no test preparation before the test, no communication with the students or interaction, no dates have been set for the following 8th grade activities: trip, pictures, ribbon pinning, dance, picnic, and graduation. You do the math, after you have carefully analysis the information than ask youself, what principal would deprive young minds of such things?

[Alexander]

see the updated post at top for more information about the area, the AIO, the neighborhood, etc. -- all preliminary, but interesting.

It is amazing that someone would post "I would be very cautious as a teacher in writing such "accusations" in regards to the principal. Remember what has happened in the past" TWICE! This is a prime example of the malicious behavior being excepted at Lawrence Elementary. I understand that some of the readers do not realize what is really going on. If you are so willing to comment on what we as parents, teachers, and students should do then I extend an invitation to come out to Lawrence unannounce and see for yourself. Also, to give you readers additional information, Mrs. McClinton was collecting the ISAT Test Booklets and Documents on March 13, 14, 16,19 and 20th. Looks like testing impropriorities is going on at Lawrence. I wonder, who is going to come out an investigate this?

Oh, don't rain on the protesters parade baby, because it was a total of 40 people going strong, coming and going, including myself and friends. I don't think Mr. Avery (AIO) would have concerned himself with 2 parents and 5 students. Therefore, it must have been a threat to him and his queens to stay their for almost the whole day. You forgot to mention that the press, CLTV, was their. Did you see the 20 protesters today, March 23,2007? oh, maybe not, you were hiding in the office. This is only the beginning.

This is an incredible indication of the value and risk of a blog site. Blog as bill board, meeting space, political organizing locus. Alexander, you have done something here. Not sure where it will take you or us, but it is something remarkable, a bit worrying and provocative.

Hello concerned readers. I am a veteran teacher of Lawrence and have never witnessed in all my years at CPS the anger, and defiance of our children. They are clearly and conscientiously making the new administration aware of how they feel about the lack of leadership, support, communication, and respect that they recieve from our BRAND NEW BOSS, Mrs. Jewel McClinton. Our CPS sports program, where we compete with other schools, was canceled on November 20, 2006 by our BOSS because we didn't have an operating Booster Club, the parent committee that raises money for student-based programs. But it was made very clear to our BOSS that the program could be ran and operated with special funds. Our students have tried to contact and communicate with our Boss in the form of letters, school government meetings, LSC meetings, parent meetings, etc... but to NO AVAIL. But why would the students have to set up meetings with the principal about their concerns or problems? Oh, I know why, because she is tooooo busy calling the law department for concerns that the janitor can answer, calling the law dept because the president of CTU didn't sign in, calling the law dept for teacher absences, too busy demanding that our incompetent payroll clerk give '0' days to teachers and staff that have sick and personal business days, too busy at the region looking for leadership rather than being a leader, too busy disrespecting, donw-grading, scheming and plotting against teachers who are very competent, respected, creative, diligent, and hard working professionals who do not and will not tolerate anyone destroying the cohesiveness we've enjoyed in past years, the unity we've created, and the fundamental foundation for years of growth and progressive learning that we've built with and under past leaders like MR. HARRIS and MR. CHARLES DAVIS. WHY would any so-called leader attempt to get rid of an employee that never misses a day of work, who is very knowledgeable in their field, has the respect of their co-workers, has the love and admiration of all students, and is among the best at their job. WHY?

CLTV will show the two parents and five children with them protesting yesterday. (I wonder if these children's parent knew they skipped school all day to do this.)Did those two parents have the permission to keep other parents kids out of school all day. And since they yelled more when the cameras were there--didn't the interfere with the ISAT testing going?

Dear 1:48:
Sounds like the parents need to get their children together and teach them how to behave in school.
STOP BLaming the school and the teachers and the principal! Where is parent responsibility?
Also, why are students names and their classroom numbers and employee names being placed on this blog?
Shameful. The parents of these children mentioned here should be worried that adults are doing this.

I'm not sure that "be careful" is the right advice for Mr. Russo.

What he's doing is "crowdsourcing", a newly coined term that means taking a job traditionally performed (or ignored) by professional journalists, and outsourcing it to a largely anonymous, large group of people in the form of his blog's readership. The work is compensated by no pay, generally, and relies on amateurs and volunteers working in their spare time (or at the expense of their employer) to create content.

I'm a GenX'er, so I'm too young have lived through the sixties, but in my opinion, crowdsourcing is akin to this generation what sex-and-drugs-and-rock-and-roll was to that generation.

The advice I have for Alex and readers of this blog is "Tune in, Log on, Speak out".

Parents are you aware that Ms. NAME REMOVED BY REQUEST dragged a kindergarten down the hall and suspended her for six days? The little baby had to be in pain. Last week, she hit a seven grade student and pulled his earring out of his ear. Guest what? Mrs. McClinton did nothing to help the students. Who's hands are your children in?