Gresham continues to fight back against 'turnaround'
Gresham continues to fight back against tyranny of turnaround. On Tuesday, June 10, 2014 I decided to attend the Chat meeting for parents at Gresham School to discuss matters about the school �turnaround. My friend, Ronald Jackson, told me that he attended the meetings. The school was much bigger than I had imagined with two large buildings. Included was a track in the back with basket ball hoops and a large playground with relatively new equipment. It looked like the school took up the whole block.
The Chat Group had about eight members and pointed out that Kindergarten Graduation was today. Members included Patricia Henderson, LSC, Christina Thinston,, Parents United for Change and LSC member and Sandra Dickerson. There were quite a few people in the building and the children were beautiful.
Gresham sustained its protests against the Board of Education's turnaround vote even after the Board's May 2014 decision. Above, the principal speaking to the Board's May meeting. Substance photo by George N. Schmidt. We went to the second floor and found that learning was going on, even with all the exciting events happening. I mainly talked with Anthony Jackson, Chairman of the parent group, who told me that Gresham had heard from President Vitale�s office. They were going to send something in writing today. It would be Barbara Byrd Bennett�s recommendation. Jackson stated that since the announcement of the turnaround, the school has been talking with Barbara Byrd Bennett and trying to reach out to members of the Board of Education and, while not hearing a response from some, Gresham School parents were very hopeful today.
Either way Gresham will hold a news conference. I asked why Gresham was being turned around and Jackson stated �that CPS has been systematically taking over the whole system to privatize. It�s not fair to the kids. That is an injustice in itself. CPS has been using our tax dollars for the privatization.�
