"Mothers" of the Chicago savages respond

What can you say when you are a mother confronted with images of your child behaving like a savage and brutally murdering another person? I don't have anything good or constructive to say about these people (the parents or the savages that they brought into this world).

This Derrion Albert beating situation angers me to no end - and make no mistake people - these are the same thugs that are now taking over Peoria. They are like rabid dogs, showing their arses, running the street. Okay - sure, some of these people may just be in a bad situation and just need a way out; but there are some that are sheer predators and they NEED TO BE TAKEN DOWN. The good kids don't stand a chance against these savages.

From the Chicago Tribune...
Now the mothers of two of the four boys charged with Derrion Albert's murder are speaking out and one can't bear to watch the video.

"That's Gene. That's my son," said Eugene Riley's mother, Sherry Smith, to the Chicago Tribune. "I'm not going to lie about that." Smith offered her condolences to Albert's family.

Desiyan Bacon, Riley's aunt, attended Monday's vigil at the school and said her nephew didn't have anything to do with the beating and was a friend of the victim. "They need to stop the crime, but when they do it, they need to get the right person," Bacon said.

Riley, 18, has been charged with first-degree murder with three other teens: Silvonus Shannon, 19, Eric Carson, 16, and Eugene Bailey, 18.

Silvonus Shannon's mother, Tamaray Shannon, told the Chicago Tribune she could not bear to watch the video, which purportedly shows her son stomping on Albert's head. "Silvonus is not a bad kid," she told the paper. "He was protecting himself. Silvonus is not what they are making him out to be."

I refuse to post the video, but this is a blow by blow…

Albert was knocked unconscious when Carson struck him in the head with a board and the second person punched him in the face. Albert regained consciousness and was trying to get up when he was attacked a second time by five people and was struck in the head with a board by Riley and stomped in the head by Shannon.

Derrion Albert beating video: A gang recruitment tool?

The video showing Derrion Albert (Chicago) getting stomped and beat with wooden planks has troubled me for days, I refuse to post it. Derrion was a high-achieving, honor roll student, who attended Christian Fenger Academy High School. He was walking to a bus stop when he got caught up in the clash.

After being hit on the head with a wooden plank Derrion falls and was then attacked by five people who stomped and beat him to death.

The violence stemmed from a shooting last Thursday involving two groups of students from different neighborhoods. When school ended, members of the groups began fighting near the Agape Community Center.

Derrion, who was a bystander and not part of either gang had refused to join a gang. Do you think Derrion would be alive today if he had a gang to protect him?

The killing has ramped up pressure on officials to crack down on chronic violence involving young people in the city. More than 30 students died violently in Chicago during the past school year.

Senseless and random violence - the crabs in a bucket mentality is in full effect. I have heard that a lot of the clowns killing and reeking havoc here in Peoria are from Chicago. Something about the projects up there pushing people out and they are coming to Peoria. Below is an example of senseless and random violence in the Uptown neighborhood in Chicago...

What a riot! from Joe Gray on Vimeo.

Meet some members of the Tea Party

Video of the 9/12, DC Tea Party March with interviews. If the misinformation campaign wasn't so sad - it would be funny.

Reporter: So what did you come out here mainly to oppose, or what is your purpose here today?
Tea Bagger: Well mainly it’s the health care bill
Reporter: Can you tell me about the bills that are being proposed right now?
Tea Bagger: Not really.
—–
Reporter to Tea Bagger with “Joe Wilson for President” sign: Joe Wilson had yelled “You Lie” out in the President’s speech.
Tea Bagger: I had yelled it before he did a number of times, and so when he finally said it, I thought, somebody finally said it.
Reporter: He did vote in the past to provide some level of health care for illegal immigrants, which makes what he yelled ironic.
Tea Bagger: Joe Wilson supported that?
Reporter: Yeah.
Tea Bagger: Yeah, I am not supporting Joe Wilson for President.
—–
Tea Bagger: I’d like to see a Christian in the White House, that’s what I’d like to see.
Reporter: You don’t think Obama’s a Christian?
Tea Bagger: No I don’t! He’s a Muslim.
—–
Junior Tea Bagger: He’s already destroyed, like, most of the country. I mean come on, that’s crazy.
—–
Tea Bagger: The Nazis had the brown shirts. Okay, Obama has proposed, and I keep hearing him talk about it, he wants to have a nation of 2 million citizen army, armed as well as the Army.
Reporter: Well he’s talking about an army of volunteers, to do volunteer work.
Tea Bagger: They’re going to be armed.
Reporter: I don’t think they’re going to be armed with weapons.
Tea Bagger: They’re going to be armed as well as the Army is.
—–
Reporter: “Fire those wacky czars.” Now tell me about this concern over czars.
Tea Bagger: What is a czar? They’re a Russian king. Here, Jesus is our king.
—–
Tea Bagger: We don’t know who they answer to. Are they going to be given land, and power over the government?
Reporter: No actually all the czars that have been appointed, under Ronald Reagan, under George W. Bush, even under Obama, they have no executive powers, they only act as advisory committees.
Tea Bagger: You know this how?

Source

State Representative Jehan Gordon - Racing to the Top

State Representative, Jehan Gordon sits on the Race to the Top committee and is working with the Illinois State Board of Education to ensure that Peoria schools are not overlooked. To follow is a short statement about her commitment to RT3.

*****************

A strategic team has been put in place for RTTT. This money will flow through the Illinois State Board of Education and as a State Representative, I will be in constant contact with that agency and utilize every resource that I have in Springfield to best position our community for this phenomenal opportunity. This is a team effort and it will require hard work on behalf of many people to get this done. I am up for the challenge because the reward--our children receiving the kind of education that we all can be proud of--is the ultimate prize!

Read the entire statement here...

President Obama on Race to the Top (RT3)

President Obama gives remarks at the Department of Education on Race to the Top, a competition to get states to implement school reforms that produce real results. The $4.35 billion fund will reward eligible states for their accomplishments, and create incentives for future improvements. July 24, 2009.

Kudos to Mayor Ardis, et al.

At first I was somewhat skeptical when I heard the Mayor was meeting with U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Let's face it, he already has enough on his plate, running the City and all. However, obtaining a commitment from the Secretary of Education, pledging his department's assistance to help Peoria turn around schools is wonderful news. The 'Race to the Top' fund is just too good to ignore.

The Illinois State Board of Education has already begun shaping the application in competition for the $4.35 billion in federal funds. And with Mayor Ardis’ promise from Duncan, it looks like school reform is most definitely coming to Peoria!

Race to the Top is somewhat of a catch 22 for educators, because getting the funds means tying teacher evaluation to student performance. It’s kind of a put up or shut up type of situation.

From the ISBE website:
The $4.35 billion Race to the Top funding is intended to drive educational innovation nationwide and the U.S. Department of Education has clearly signaled that for states to be competitive, reforms must be system-wide, innovative, and ambitious. The RT3 further requires that states demonstrate considerable reform around four areas: 1) internationally benchmarked standards and assessments; 2) data systems to support instruction; 3) great teachers and leaders; and 4) intervention in the lowest-performing schools and districts

Lawmakers passed legislation earlier this year that will allow a newly installed state database to make those links between student data and teachers and administrators.

In the area of great teachers and leaders Illinois will need to take significant steps and will require new legislation to move forward. Illinois will need to make comprehensive changes to how teachers and principals are evaluated, and must be able to tie teacher and principal evaluations to student growth. The State Board of Education will also be examining the certification process as well as working closely with higher education on the redesign of teacher education programs. Illinois will also need to expand opportunities for alternative certification programs, and focus on ensuring highly effective teachers and principals work in the schools where they are most needed.

In the final RT3 area, improving struggling schools Illinois has made some initial gains by enacting legislation that allows for the increase in charter schools. However, more extensive reform is needed which may include strategies such as public-private partnerships to turnaround under performing schools, using available state and federal resources to encourage districts to shut-down chronically low-performing schools and replace them with high quality options, or possibly utilizing RT3 funds to encourage districts to reorganize or consolidate.

“It’s important that Illinois move forward now because of the tight timelines involved in what is going to be a major reform movement within our state," said Robin Steans, Executive Director of Advance Illinois."The State Board can certainly set the wheels in motion, but legislators, business, labor groups and other stakeholders must be involved to ensure we have a highly competitive application that will allow us to make fundamental change in our education system."

The RT3 will be awarded in two rounds. Phase I applications must be completed by December of this year and Phase II applications must be completed in late spring of 2010. Illinois intends to prepare a highly competitive application for Phase I of the RT3 competition.

Curbing the violence in school consolidations

Many in Peoria are concerned that the consolidation of Woodruff and Peoria High School will spark an increase in gang violence. Maybe it will - maybe it won't. However, it is a gamble that District 150 cannot take.

In 2007, Detroit, who is undergoing the largest school reorganization in the nation, unveiled several public safety initiatives. The initiatives were in response to concerns raised by parents about the impact that the consolidation of students from rival high schools could have on the classroom environment.

Examples of DPS' public safety measures:

Creation of mini-stations. The mini-stations, which are staffed by full-time DPS police officers, are housed in the high schools. The officers work closely with students and staff at the high schools.

Creation of two DPS police precincts or substations. One located on the Eastside and another on the Westside of the city. These precincts heightened the visibility of the District’s police officers in the city’s neighborhoods.

Motorcycle patrol. District officers patrol school parking lots and neighborhoods surrounding the schools on a consistent basis.

Police reserve unit. Provided training for volunteer police officers. The officers help patrol to supplement the efforts of the District’s regular police officers.

Implementation of P.A. 330 Program. This gave state certified individuals limited police powers to write tickets and detain individuals on school properties.

Police chaplain corps. A team of volunteer ministers who work closely with the District’s police officers. They also provide counseling and other faith-based assistance.

Other initiatives included the use of private firms to supplement security efforts, a greater use of foot patrols outside school buildings, and increased training of teachers, staff and administrators in basic safety concepts. The District also stepped up efforts to recruit more parent volunteers and upgrade its website to include up-to-date security information and public safety tips. In addition, the District utilized Crime Stoppers to report criminal activity in and around the schools.

That TIF guy is out!

Craig Hullinger, the Economic Development Director for the City of Peoria has turned in his resignation. Hullinger, a master of the TIFs, has been directly responsible for a lot of positive things happening here in Peoria. [sidebar - exactly what does the Economic Development Council do?] Does the positive out weigh all of the fall out from the TIF’s? In my opinion, probably not, however, without Hullinger where would economic development in Peoria be? Hullinger, who is highly respected by his colleagues, is genuinely a nice guy (I have been told). He will be missed.

Just wondering, does this solidify Rachel Parker's position? I hope so.

The dichotomy of color

My dream for every public school student in District 150: A world class education in beautiful, well maintained facilities. However, I can't help but to mention that the dichotomy of what is happening North of War Memorial in District 150 and South of War Memorial in District 150 is simply astounding.

How wonderful for the children and their parents North of War Memorial that their school system appears to be working like a well oiled machine. Is this a different school system or something? What is it called - District #150(a)? The continuity that these students receive in their education, no doubt puts them leaps and bounds ahead of the majority of the children South of War Memorial Drive. The District Report Card is telling.

South of War Memorial in District 150:
Four schools to close
District 150 corrects report of Irving's closure
What happens next for Woodruff?
Board members want option of closing Peoria High
Kingman, Tyng closed and stripped down

Manual undergoing federally mandated reorganization

North of War Memorial in District 150:
Tours of Lindbergh, Kellar schools will be Thursday
The total $11 million capital project, which also included work on Richwoods High School, created new rooms, secure entry ways and administrative offices at Lindbergh. About $2.1 million was spent at Kellar on new classrooms and windows. Richwoods had nearly $5 million in renovations which updated the security system, added some classrooms and renovated the restrooms. Work on that project should be finished by the end of the month.

Another school included in the project was Northmoor Edison Primary School, which saw about $2.1 million in work that largely mirrored work done at Lindbergh. In addition, a new cafeteria was constructed.

Source: pjstar.com

What is the impact of school closings on students?

Chicago Public Schools (“CPS”) have been dealing with school closings for years now. In 1988, when parents saw that sweeping changes were needed to improve their schools, they began to meet and formed school reform groups. Today they are organized as Parents United for Responsible Education (“PURE”) and they continue to advocate on behalf of schools; their parents; and teachers. PURE has been instrumental in the development of the CPS School Closings Policy and are now looking for the data to show what impact the closings are having on their students.

Read more on Peoria Parents

It's wonderful to see an elected official doing their job

I went to Ms. Petelle’s blog this morning - it appears all of her blogging friends have disappeared. Why is that? Ms. Petelle is one of the few members of the Board of Education who is not afraid to do what she was elected to do. In this instance alone she has proven to be one of the most conscientious, hard working Board of Education members in recent history. She should be commended for the homework she did and the way she laid out her thought process. I trust the decision she made in the end – because I saw her working through it. Good look Ms. Petelle.

BOE votes to close Woodruff!

Roll Call
Parker - no
Wolfmeyer - yes
Pettele - yes
Stowell - no
Gorenz - yes
Butler - yes
Ross - no

New Blog-Peoria Parents Involved In Public Schools

My name is Stephanie and I am a huge fan of EmergePeoria!

The fact that EmergePeoria cares about parental involvement in schools comes through loud and clear. Recently, when hanging with the girls, talks began to turn towards the need for a new blog spot for parents and others who actually volunteer in schools. The blog was set up Emerge style and away we go!

It was comments from Chris Setti that appeared on an Emerge post regarding “District 150 working to increase parental involvement” that made it clear that there is a need for exchanging information among volunteers; what works and what doesn’t.

While there are many parents who are on the front lines battling for our children’s education, there are just as many who are in the schools, in the classroom with hands on making a difference. This new blog spot will focus on those stories AND the District’s progress in increasing parental involvement. You will also find helpful information that hopefully will encourage you to volunteer in a school.

Full Disclosure: Because I am so passionate about increasing parental involvement in schools, I volunteer my time to the Parental Advisory Sub-committee at the Peoria Board of Education. The Committee is chaired by Martha Ross. I am also a Reading Coach, Picture Mom and a Room Mom at my child’s school.

My good friend Emerge has been a HUGE help and will be posting both here and there. Check it out!

All black model line-up hits London Fashion Week

It seems that so far London Fashion Week has been more about the controversial model casting than the clothes. First Mark Fast sent three size 14 models down the catwalk and then PPQ cast the first ever all-black show in the capital. (Something Sophie Theallet did in New York last year). Picking up on an issue that’s been hotly debated in the fashion industry recently – just a fortnight ago Naomi Campbell said she thought the recession was harming black model’s chances to get cast – we decided to nip backstage to find out what had influenced PPQ’s Amy Molyneaux and Percy Parker decision. 'During our castings for this show one gorgeous black girl after the other turned up and they just looked so amazing, we decided to snap up all of the best black girls for the show,’ Amy told us. ‘All the models today have been so great, calm, no tantrums, no hissy fits, it's been totally chilled.’ Percy concurred: ‘It’s not something we really considered. We just wanted to find the most beautiful models and those were the best ones.’ But if the design duo didn’t think it was a big deal, the watching crowd certainly did. There were those that thought the casting was anything other than nonchalant and just a chance for PPQ to get a few extra column inches and those that celebrated the diversity. Former Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams, perched on the front row, was one of the latter: ‘I don’t want to turn this into a race issue but I know this is what people are going to talk about. And it’s great that it’s happened here.

Source

Why it's time to talk about our children

WATCH - About Our Children, airing tonight (Sunday September 20th) on MSNBC from 7-9 pm.

By Michelle Bernard

Fifty-four years ago, the late Thurgood Marshall via the Brown v. Board of Education decision, affirmed one of the core principals upon which this society is based: equality. Separate was inherently unequal, and African-American children across this country--in under-resourced schools--were to finally have their chance at an equal opportunity to education. An equal opportunity to access the American dream.

Fifty-four years later, you can walk down the street in any American city and see that the promise of Brown has been broken. Our schools are still as segregated as they once where and, as a result, opportunities remain scarce. The endemic poverty that exists in parallel with poor education has expanded to envelop not only African Americans, but Hispanics and poor whites across this country as well. There are more African American men in prison than in colleges and universities. And opportunities to escape the malaise of poverty remain in the shortest of supply.

In 2005, I watched Dr. Bill Cosby give an address to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People that addressed exactly this broken promise. A promise, in his words, broken at both ends; among low-income African Americans for whom education, health and success were obscured by a street-level culture that blocked out learning and family, and a government that continued to tinker on the edges of genuine reforms that would finally make the intent of Brown real. Dr. Cosby's words reached me in ways I could not easily express, but it was clear what I needed to do.

About Our Children, airing tonight (Sunday September 20th) on MSNBC from 7-9 pm, is the culmination of four years of effort by myself, and the staff of the Independent Women's Forum, of which I am President and CEO, and the support of Dr. Bill Cosby, who at every step helped me focus on why we need to talk about the issues that affect poor people in this country. Put simply, if we can't be honest about our problems, we'll never find the solutions.

About Our Children, a two-hour, live town hall meeting featuring Dr. Cosby, myslf, and numerous experts on poverty, healthcare and, most importantly, education, will address these issues in the way they must be: head on. Dr. Cosby and our panelists are determined to get to the root of why inequality is still presented as one of limited options to low-income people in America. What people can do to help themselves, and their children, and what our institutions and leaders must do to help stop the cycle of poverty which stands ready to consume another generation of our most precious resource, our children.

About Our Children is a discussion had privately by far too many Americans. Now it's time to have it publically.

Photos: Taken by moi, at the 17th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Luncheon - Bill Cosby's meeting with parents and educators, held on January 19, 2009 at the Peoria Civic Center.

Increase in African-American parents volunteering in schools

The good news out of a bad economy is that more parents are volunteering their services to schools...

It's the start of a new school year, and PTAs are in full force recruiting members. But they might not need to campaign quite so much this year.

Richard White, father of 6-year-old Meeya, wasn't that involved at his daughter's school last year. But after being laid off from his job because of cut backs, he's seeing it as an opportunity to spend more time with his daughter. He's stepped up to serve as the school's PTA treasurer this year. Already he's seeing more parents volunteering their services.

"If the number was 10 last year, it's 25 this year," White said.

The greatest increase was found among African-American parents. Of those surveyed, Great Schools found there was a 37 percent increase in the number of parents saying they plan to volunteer this year.

Mother of two Sonya Hampton spends much of her day at her sons' school trying to help out where she can.

"Us as black folks, we're used to not having," Hampton said. "We know how to survive when we don't have anything and right now in the times that we have now, we are not leaving our children at stake."

"What we're seeing is that it's not just yes we are going to be doing it, but that we are going to be spending more time doing it," Regina Corso, Vice President of Harris Poll Solutions said. Great Schools commissioned Corso's department to conduct the online survey.

The president and his family are also a motivating factor.

"They see also, here's Obama, the president, who goes to his daughter's soccer games, who goes to the daughters' schools for events," Corso said. "Well, if he can do it, I guess I can do it for an hour as well."

The important role parents play in their children's lives is one of Obama's favorite topics to address.

"And the last point that I always make -- so I'll make this again -- is we've got to do our jobs as parents," Obama said in March at a California town hall meeting. "You can't put all the burden on a teacher. If you're not making sure your child does their homework, if you're not reading to them, instilling a sense of excellence and a thirst for knowledge in them, then they're not going to do very well, no matter how good your teacher is."

A job that parents, especially African-American parents, are taking to heart. "It's creating time, it's time management, it's wanting to get involved," White said. "And I see an increase of that especially from the African community and I applaud it. I welcome it. It is my hope that the schools that these people are participating in are welcoming it as well."

Source: The Grio
Related reading: 'Obama Effect' at school: Black parents volunteer

It's the weekennnd baby!

For more hugs all around, click here...

OMG! District 150 has a new grading scale!

We were informed by our Principal of the District’s new grading scale last week. Because I don’t have the time or the inclination to micro-manage or second guess every cotton picken' decision that District 150 makes, we as a family have digested this information and are working with it.

Unfortunately, it is believed by some that the scale makes it “significantly easier” to get higher letter grades. Once again the implication is that District 150's students are inferior, therefore, they must give their students an “easier grading scale”. Comparisons to schools in surrounding communities have been made and clearly District 150 students must be getting off easy. Right?

Wrong! I know many students, primary through high school, who are hard working, conscientious and making the grade. They work beyond what is taught in a classroom to be better people and better students. They know that their work is to get a good education. What they need more than anything, is for some in this community to quit equating every decision that District 150 makes to their intelligence level.

It is past time for this community to start believing in our children.

Related reading: Peoria Promise sends 320 kids to college.

Do we need a quicker route to teaching careers?

With Detroit, Michigan currently undergoing the largest public school district overhaul of its kind, the Michigan Department of Education is concerned about teacher shortages in math, science and career education. Are we really facing a shortage of qualified teachers? Do we really need a quicker route to teaching careers?

*****************

A quicker route to a high school teaching career was recently laid out for the Michigan state board of education scrutiny, but the idea got a cold reception from the state's teacher colleges.

In discussion at the May state board of education meeting, Jennifer Haberling, a secondary education teacher in Hudsonville, said that career-changers who move into high school teaching jobs could partner with current classroom teachers to the benefit of each. Current teachers would have new opportunities for mentoring and coaching, and also gain expertise by working with someone who has on-the-job experience in a given subject.

Michigan Department of Education staff told the board they developed the Michigan Nontraditional Route to Teacher Certification to address predicted teacher shortages in math, science and career education, and also to tap into the talent pool of out-of-work scientists and engineers.

But representatives from the public and private universities that currently train most of Michigan's teachers said they aren't sure a shortage exists. They also questioned whether an expedited program would turn out quality teachers.

As proposed, alternate certification routes would be available to people who already have a bachelor's degree with a major in the content area in which they want to teach. Candidates would have to complete 15 credit hours of coursework and supervised student teaching, among other requirements. The plan would allow schools to hire an individual for a teaching position under a limited permit while that person completes the certification requirements.

No program should take longer than 15 months. The program would be limited to people who want to teach sixth through 12th grade, driven by the new state requirement that all secondary students successfully complete four years of math and three of science. However, the state also anticipates needing teachers in career education, bilingual education and for English-language learning programs.

The Professional Standards Commission for Teachers, a committee appointed by the state board, which already is studying teacher preparation in Michigan, has concerns. The Michigan Association of Colleges for Teacher Education also opposes the plan, stating "Numbers are not the issue here. Teacher quality is," calling the proposal an "effort to lower the bar."

MDE-Teacher Certification

Our Congressman the model

When I first heard Congressman Aaron Shock was going to be in Gentleman's Quarterly (GQ) I was impressed. I believe in giving props where they are due. GQ, not to shabby, nice public relations coup. I figured he would do the standard, dry politician at work photo shoot. You know, wearing fabulous suits as he is: walking and meeting with staffers; talking on a celly while climbing the Capitol stairs; walking to work with a newspaper and coffee. You know, the standard politician AT WORK photo shoot.

But noooo, I am pleasantly surprised to see that Congressman Shock is quite the model. He is actually posing and doing a pretty good job of it. He gives a little Blue Steel, then throws in a little Ferrari and do I see a hint of the Magnum? Very cool photos.

It's great to see Congressman Shock enjoying the fame that his election has made possible.

Does President Carter's statement hurt race relations?

Jessie Jackson won't dare say it. Al Sharpton won't say it either. Why, because saying somebody is a racist is a luxury that African Americans cannot afford. It only brings more vitriol to the dialogue - it gets us no where...

Opinion

In an NBC news interview Jimmy Carter echoed what many people have been saying, both openly and in private, about the tone of the anti-Obama movement. The anger, indignation and out-of-control behavior displayed at the health care reform town hall meetings and tea parties, the association of Obama to Nazism, Marxism, Communism and any scary other "-ism", the ranting of right-wing commentators and the growing lack of respect and civility that is being shown towards the president are, according to Carter, representative of "an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president". He also said that last week's surprising and uncalled-for outburst by" Southern congressman Joe Wilson during the president's address to congress was "based on racism".

Well, he is certainly right that racism is alive and well in America - that it is being expressed through some parts of the anti-Obama movement, and that it is also sometimes disguised as opposition to Obama's policies. But we must be careful not to label all those who disagree with the president as "racist".

It has been difficult for many people to watch the recent goings-on and not to think that the sentiments that have been expressed go, as Carter also said, way beyond reasonable debate. The virulence of some anti-Obama sentiment is shocking and one wonders how it can be based on policy alone, when all the man says he wants to do is to ensure that all Americans have access to basic healthcare and that he wants to encourage bi-partisanship. (Of course, those are not the entirety of Obama's policies, but they are the ones that people have apparently been railing against recently.)

Unfortunately, many people who have openly shared Carter's view have been accused - either of seeing racism where it doesn't exist, of being overly sensitive, or of trying to make white people feel guilty. And it is probable that Carter will be dismissed as a white liberal who also apparently feels the burden of white guilt.

It is disappointing that this is the case, considering that the election of the president was supposed to be a sign of progress in America's attitudes towards race. But, in all honesty, we saw this coming. Remember the town hall meetings that John McCain hosted before the elections? How about the old woman who expressed how afraid she was because Obama looked likely to become president. That exchange resulted in John McCain, Obama's then opponent, having to defend Obama's honor. How about the man who said he feared for his unborn children if Obama became president?

John McCain and Sarah Palin gave us a preview of what's happening now, with their linking of Obama to terrorism and terrorists, the suggestion that he was a foreigner and that he wasn't one of "them". Even Hillary Clinton insisted on playing on fears about Obama being "the other". So even then - way before Obama was even elected - that feeling that Carter talks about was in evidence. It didn't suddenly disappear on November 4th last year.

There is no doubt in my mind that some elements of the anti-Obama movement - particularly the birther movement - have racist undertones and that there are some Americans who don't want a black man in the White House. The most vocal and high profile right-wing commentators - such as Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Pat Buchanan - are certainly standing in as figureheads for those who don't like the idea that a black man now runs the country.

The truth is, though, that there are many Americans who are strongly opposed to Obama's policies. Some do genuinely disagree with his health care plan and believe that he wants to turn America into a mini-version of a European social democracy. There are those who are afraid that America will no longer be a capitalist country if Obama has his way. And those people, even if one doesn't agree with them, should not be lumped into the racist box.

The problem is that right now, it is hard to know who is who. Those who genuinely do disagree with the president should discuss their opinions based on policy, not on codes that appear to carry racist implications. But there is certainly something ugly going on. And that needs to be discussed - and most importantly, confronted.

Source

Related Post: Blueollie, Peoria Anti-Pundit, Girl Bleeder

Carter: Race plays role in Obama dislike

In an interview with NBC's Brian Williams, former Democratic President Jimmy Carter attributed much of the conservative opposition that President Obama is receiving to the issue of race.

"I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man," Carter said. "I live in the South, and I've seen the South come a long way, and I've seen the rest of the country that share the South's attitude toward minority groups at that time, particularly African Americans."

Carter continued, "And that racism inclination still exists. And I think it's bubbled up to the surface because of the belief of many white people, not just in the South but around the country, that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country. It's an abominable circumstance, and it grieves me and concerns me very deeply."

From NBC's Mark Murray

It's up to the principal to make schools better

The scandal surrounding the former Principal of Lindbergh Middle School heated up this week. With Mary Davis being placed on indefinite leave, speculation is rampant about how this case will play out.

I have seen Mary Davis going about her work on different occasions. Frankly, this whole incident comes as a surprise me, because she always appeared so professional and conscientious. She came across as an effective Principal and Lindbergh School seemed to benefit from it.

Many will be sorely disappointed if they were to find out that she was doing anything other than working hard to make her school better.

*******************

Why it's up to the principal to make schools better.

By Rachel Skerritt

Studies have repeatedly shown that the key to education reform is improving teacher quality. Within school walls, teachers make the largest difference in the life of an individual child. However, it is the principal who carries the greatest responsibility when it comes to whole school change. Recently on The Root, Kenneth Cooper wrote, “I’d take a good faculty with a bad principal over a bad faculty with a good principal.” But the long-term chances of success for the second school are greater. With a talented principal, many of the teachers will improve. At the school with the bad principal, the phenomenal teachers just might pick up and leave.

In the national dialogue about our nation’s public schools, a widespread belief has developed that there is an overwhelming number of “bad teachers” who need to leave the profession. Most teachers are not excellent on their first day in the classroom. Just like any other employees, they require supervision, coaching and support. The principal must serve as the instructional leader for the entire school: providing the direction of the staff’s professional development, giving regular formal and informal feedback to teachers on what’s working and not working in their classrooms, and using student achievement data to determine short- and long-term goals.

Gone are the days where principals can sit in their offices, preparing their National Honor Society speeches and sending the occasional student to detention. Principals must serve as “teachers of teachers,” even as they fulfill all of the other duties of the position, such as fundraising; facilities management; student discipline; adhering to district mandates; communicating with families and creating a spirited school climate. The job requires a vast skill set and huge time demands.

Recruiting strong school leaders should be on the priority list of any school district that wants to turn its schools around. Putting all recruitment efforts into finding good teachers will be wasted energy if their bosses don’t nurture their talent.

An open letter to Sharon Crews

Dear Sharon:

Wow, where do I start? I love reading your stuff you are so insightful. But can we talk...

I was just looking at your comments today about the Math and Science Academy and I just cringed because I believe the charter school has promise. You clearly care about the community, the schools and the children. You sound like you were/are a wonderful teacher. But when you continue to hit District 150 so hard with negativity it is really disheartening.

From reading your comments, I can see that working for the District has provided you and others with a wonderful retirement. You now have the privilege of being able to rally behind the people and the causes you care about - teachers. Caring about teachers and making sure they get a fair shake is commendable. There are some wonderful teachers out there and they need advocates.

There is no denying that there is a whole lot wrong at District 150. And yes, they need to be watched. And most definitely the Board needs to be reminded of the role they need to play. But the constant negative comments... I must admit, I am taken aback.

I am a taxpaying citizen who has elected to work with District 150, in the hopes that I can help make a difference. I have a child in a District 150 school. It concerns me that the impression of the District that is being widely spread will make people automatically judge my child’s education as inferior because she attends a District 150 school. How can our students ever overcome all of the bad press?

Think about it. The professors at Bradley and ICC would probably be justified in having a certain impression in their minds about what a graduate from a District 150 school will be capable of (especially if you come from Woodruff, Central or heaven forbid Manuel). As a matter of fact, I have heard some of these negative comments from people in the work place. Additionally, students on Bradley's and ICC's campus who come from outside of Peoria and/or Illinois will automatically think our children are inferior. I know personally former District 150 students who are currently dealing with this stigma at Bradley.

I am seriously concerned that after graduation if they stay in this community our students will never be able to overcome the stigma of attending a District 150 school. Even the teachers must face some stigma about teaching at District 150 when they go home to their communities. I don't think it's a stretch to imagine that they field a lot of jokes at the expense of District 150 and it's students. I would also imagine that in the long run teacher moral is hurt.

You are a true community advocate with a big heart. You have a powerful voice in the blogs and in the District 150 Watch Group. You are hardly the only person with something negative to say about District 150. I don't by any means doubt that a large amount of your criticism is based upon your past and present experiences, but... could you puulease think about cutting District 150 some slack?

Thank you for your consideration,

EmergePeoria

District 150 graduate and Mother of a former and current,

hard working and accomplished District 150 student(s)

A letter from Senator Edward M. Kennedy to the President

The following is the text of the letter from Senator Edward Kennedy referenced by the President in his address to a Joint Session of Congress.

May 12, 2009

Dear Mr. President,

I wanted to write a few final words to you to express my gratitude for your repeated personal kindnesses to me – and one last time, to salute your leadership in giving our country back its future and its truth.

On a personal level, you and Michelle reached out to Vicki, to our family and me in so many different ways. You helped to make these difficult months a happy time in my life.

You also made it a time of hope for me and for our country.

When I thought of all the years, all the battles, and all the memories of my long public life, I felt confident in these closing days that while I will not be there when it happens, you will be the President who at long last signs into law the health care reform that is the great unfinished business of our society. For me, this cause stretched across decades; it has been disappointed, but never finally defeated. It was the cause of my life. And in the past year, the prospect of victory sustained me-and the work of achieving it summoned my energy and determination.

There will be struggles – there always have been – and they are already underway again. But as we moved forward in these months, I learned that you will not yield to calls to retreat – that you will stay with the cause until it is won. I saw your conviction that the time is now and witnessed your unwavering commitment and understanding that health care is a decisive issue for our future prosperity. But you have also reminded all of us that it concerns more than material things; that what we face is above all a moral issue; that at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country.

And so because of your vision and resolve, I came to believe that soon, very soon, affordable health coverage will be available to all, in an America where the state of a family’s health will never again depend on the amount of a family’s wealth. And while I will not see the victory, I was able to look forward and know that we will – yes, we will – fulfill the promise of health care in America as a right and not a privilege.

In closing, let me say again how proud I was to be part of your campaign- and proud as well to play a part in the early months of a new era of high purpose and achievement. I entered public life with a young President who inspired a generation and the world. It gives me great hope that as I leave, another young President inspires another generation and once more on America’s behalf inspires the entire world.

So, I wrote this to thank you one last time as a friend- and to stand with you one last time for change and the America we can become.

At the Denver Convention where you were nominated, I said the dream lives on.

And I finished this letter with unshakable faith that the dream will be fulfilled for this generation, and preserved and enlarged for generations to come.

With deep respect and abiding affection,

[Ted]

Republicans suffer massive FAIL at keeping it classy

Huey Freeman wants BET shut down.

Huey Freeman is a character on The Boondocks, which is a social satire of American culture and race relations (or stereotypes in the world), revolving around the lives of the Freeman family (ten-year-old Huey, his younger brother, eight-year-old Riley, and their grandfather, Robert). The Boondocks, an animated series created by Aaron McGruder for Adult Swim, is based upon McGruder's comic strip of the same name. Source

Warning: Adult language and flagrant use of the “n-word” (two of the main reasons I don’t usually indulge in The Boondocks). Regardless, this lil clip about BET was so apropos, I just couldn’t resist:

AND a former BET executive has had it and he is done with BET! Check the scathing e-mail he recently sent to media types. Is he bitter? Perhaps. It's still juicy:

Over the past year, I've seen a lot to reinforce my position that BET is too far gone in the negative to turn into a positive. We have all always thought the worst, but to actually see it in action is another thing in its entirety. The unprofessionalism, the tomfoolery, the favors, the misappropriation of resources, the bad ideas that reinforce negative stereotypes, the emasculation of men, the meetings that break down in full-fledged cursing battles, the unpaid overtime, the tears from employees scared for their underpaid and overworked positions and ultimately the unwillingness to change are all harsh realities that I've witnessed firsthand.

Read the entire e-mail here.

Hiring a New Superintendent - Some Appropriate Roles

I am trying to understand exactly what phase District #150 is in as far as hiring a Superintendent. The Search Committee has been in place for close to a year now (since last October); a school board member is currently fielding comments on her blog about whether the person should live in the District and/or whether the Search Committee has sent somebody forward who may have a "bias toward charter schools"; and the District has a how do you like em' survey where you can vote on which quality you want to see in a Superintendent.

I am hardly all knowledgeable about Peoria schools or the school District, nor do I strive to be. However, I remember reading an article on the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) website about appropriate roles and timing that school boards should adhere to as far as hiring a Superintendent.

The bottom line is the School Board is responsible for setting the criteria for and hiring of the Superintendent. Not the people who may have helped a school board member get elected; not the news media; and not a Search Committee. The article from the ISBA follows...

There are appropriate roles for citizens and news media in the hiring of a new school district superintendent. There also are some inappropriate roles that can make selection of a new superintendent a school board nightmare.

The problems arise when: interest groups publicly demand to interview candidates for the job and to express their opinions as to who should be hired, and/or the identities of candidates are leaked to the news media.

The first problem is sure to discourage serious candidates and likely to result in a mismatch between the superintendent and the school board. (If the board expects the new superintendent to be accountable to the board, then the board must do the hiring, not the teachers union, business community or local television station.)

The second problem creates embarrassment for candidates who had been getting along fine with their current employers and is likely to result in withdrawals, not to mention a reduced pool of candidates the next time that school board goes looking for a superintendent.

To prevent such situations from arising, a school board that is about to launch a superintendent search must clearly establish its role as the employer. School boards are elected to represent the public, and one of their most important jobs is to employ a superintendent. Interviewing finalists and selecting the one who best meets the school district's needs is the job of the school board.

Activities that are appropriate to an election have no place in the selection of an educational leader for the school district.

It is not appropriate, for example, for a school board to present candidates to the public and make a selection on the basis of a popularity poll. News media representatives who advocate public forums evaluating candidates confuse election campaigns with the employment process.

By the same token, news media representatives who treat candidates for the superintendency like public celebrities create a reputation for their school districts that discourages successful administrators from becoming candidates.

To accommodate those eager for involvement and preclude unreasonable demands, the school board should establish procedures for ascertaining the views of the community in establishing qualifications and standards for the superintendency. There are many ways to seek these views, including surveys, committees, public hearings, and just generally listening to what people say they would like in a new superintendent. Newspapers and broadcast media can play a key role by encouraging interested people to speak up and publicizing different points of view as to what the district needs.

However, public discussion of what the district needs in a superintendent must come long before the pool of applicants is narrowed down to a few finalists. Identifying desired qualifications and characteristics should be an initial step, for this information plays an important part of the board's advertising to solicit candidates.

During the final stages of the selection process, there probably are key persons in any community that a prospective superintendent might want or need to meet. Matching a superintendent with a community is usually a two-way sales situation, so the community must sell itself to the candidate as well as vice versa. A school board might arrange for two or three finalists to meet key school-community leaders.

A school board might also provide a public explanation of the consequences of inappropriate procedures. A mismatch between the job and the person ultimately hired results when candidates receive a distorted picture of who the employer is. And when news reporters use personal contacts to learn the identities of candidates for the superintendency and publicize their names and their current employers, candidates become leery of applying for the job--including perhaps the very one who would have been best for the district.

School boards, community leaders and news media should work together in their appropriate roles in seeking the very best educational leader for their schools.

Source

Related reading: Will the new Superintendent Support Charter Schools?, Superintendent Search Committee Appointed

President Obama's Back to School Speech

Children in Arlington Virgina had the privilege of hearing the President of the United States (one of the most academically accomplished Presidents in recent history), speak live at a back to school event.

Wow, wish my children could have been there. Alas, I guess we will just have to settle for Aaron Schock showing up at your schools whenever he decides he wants a photo op.

Get Schooled, it makes the GOP angry

Compassionate conservatives are claiming that President Obama's September 8, speech about persisting and succeeding in school will "brainwash" school children and are comparing the address to Chinese communism. Some are calling for parents to "keep your kids home" from the "fascist in chief."

What is Get Schooled?
"Get Schooled: You Have the Right," a 30-minute special that highlights education challenges and breakthroughs experienced by three leading figures from the world of entertainment, sports and politics; along with the stories of three of their most trusted professional colleagues.

Want to know what it's like to work with Kelly Clarkson, LeBron James and President Obama --- and what it takes to get there? Then tune in to "Get Schooled: You Have The Right" on Tuesday, September 8 at 8PM EST. Airing on VH1 and its sister channels (BET, CMT, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, MTV and Spike), this 30-minute special shows how applying oneself during school will greatly affect the remaining 80% of your life.

"Get Schooled" profiles three real-life people with different social, economic and racial backgrounds, including Kelly Clarkson's Music Director, LeBron James' Marketing Manager and a speechwriter for President Barack Obama. All three of their bosses will introduce the viewer to the story, but each person profiled explains how education has made them the successful people they are today. In addition, flashbacks depict key educational moments that prepared the "Schooled Ones" for their careers and greatly influenced their lives. Get ready to learn about what it's like to work side by side with three of the most talented people in the world, including:

Kelly Clarkson -- Viewers find out who Kelly's Music Director is and how his education led him to work with one of the most gifted and respected musicians today. "Get Schooled" documents the two working closely together on an upcoming performance.

LeBron James -- Viewers learn who LeBron's Marketing Manager is, how she landed this position, and what she does in conjunction with LeBron. Viewers also learn how she took a very unconventional educational route to end up as a key member of the LeBron's team.

Barack Obama -- Obama's Speechwriter explains how education shaped their life, shaped their experiences and provided the opportunity to become a trusted and valued member of the President's inner circle. Viewers will also see the President and the Speechwriter collaborating on ideas for an important upcoming event.

From www.getschooled.com

District 150 working to increase parental involvement

I like how District 150 appears to be upping parental involvement efforts. The success of 1000 Remarkable Guys is a wonderful achievement and was really cute to witness.

Another very cool thing I have noticed about District 150 on the parental involvement front, is the addition of Sandra Burke as a School, Family and Community Liaison/Coordinator.

Sandra serves as a resource for parents that have questions or who might need to be directed to the appropriate sources for information. Information will be shared through the District web site or a parent can contact Sandra here.

Additionally, Sandra will be working with school PTO's and Parent Advisory Committees who will have representatives that meet with her quarterly. By joining a school's PTO, or sitting on a Parent Advisory Committee, parents can have direct input in District 150 schools.

Hmmm... let me see - 1000 Remarkable Guys, PTO, Parent Advisory Committees - just three more ways to put up, or ...

Source

A chance to put up...

Many people north of Forrest Hill Avenue have a lot of advice to give District 150's Board of Education about how to do their jobs. Now that there is a chance to put up, apparently candidates are hard to come by...

Petition packets are available for those who want to run for the Peoria District 150 School Board's District 3 seat in the February election.

Those interested in the seat can pick up petition packets between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the district's Central Office, 3202 N. Wisconsin Ave. District 3 largely covers the area of the city north of Forrest Hill Avenue.

So far, no one has requested petitions.

Candidates must obtain 200 signatures from registered voters who live in District 3. The petitions must then be returned to the district's administration offices between Nov. 16 and Nov. 23.

The election is Feb. 2. Winners serve five-year terms starting in July.

Candidates must be at least 18 years old and live within the district he or she is seeking to represent for at least one year.

For more information about the requirements or petitions to become a School Board member, call Julie Cramer at the district offices at 672-6763. Source