Charter schools now leading Chicago and New Orleans in Jim Crow schools...
At one time charter schools were viewed by some in the media and in the corporate "school reform" leadership as a way of providing educational equity and choice for parents and students. Many in those . . .
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A closer look at the racism of Paul Vallas's New Orleans 'miracle'... When School Reform Falters (if You’re Black and Poor) in New Orleans.....
[Introductory by Jim Schwab. While I was in New Orleans April 19-24 for the American Planning Association’s 2018 National Planning Conference, my wife, Jean, was also there. A retired Chicago Public Schools teacher and retiree . . .
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Student based budgeting a major topic at the CORE convention... CORE Convention – Student- Based Budgeting, “Your enrollment dictates your budget”
When I entered the CORE convention workshop on Student Based Budgeting, we heard these very stark and threatening words: “Your enrollment dictates your budget.” Sarah Hainds and Nick Limbeck led the discussion: Every school are . . .
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Protest against Republican tax bill shuts down LaSalle St...
A protest agains the Republican tax bill currently being debated in Washington took place on Monday, December 4, 2017, with the intention of shutting down LaSalle St. the Wall Street of the Midwest. | Article |
BOARDWATCH: Report barred from December 8 Board of Education meeting covers protests in the lobby of Board headquarters
I went to the Chicago Board of Education's December 6, 2017 meeting, but could not get in. Security was very tight, and I was told that the meeting was "filled to capacity." The lobby was . . .
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Chicago Metro Retirees
The members of Chicago Metro Retirees, part of Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans met September 26,2016, at SEIU Healthcare Union at2229 S. Halsted Street. The meeting’s agenda was to form a three-way "intergenerational alliance." |
CTA strike looms... Union activist explains strike issues to Chicago Metro Retirees...
ChicagoMetro Retirees, Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans met on September 25, 2017. The topics for discussion were Trump Care and Why 98% of CTA El Train Workers Voted Yes to a Preliminary Strike Vote. The . . .
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LEAD Dinner 2017 hears from gubernatorial candidates and several legislators...
The Chicago Teachers Union LEAD (Legislators Educators Appreciation Dinner) Dinner 2017 was held at the CTU Carroll St. center on Friday, October 27, 2017. It was the first LEAD since 2015, as the event was . . .
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Board meeting
I was about ten minutes early for the FY18 Capital Plan hearing, one of four, at 6:00 -8:00, at Bridge Elementary School,3800 N. New England Ave. on August 21. I have attended a couple of . . .
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Dramatic protest gets widespread notice as children take desks to the 606 Trail to protest poor funding for CPS...
I didn’t really know what to expect when I rode my bike on the 606 Trail near my house on August 10, 2017. I knew that there was supposed to be a 9:30 a.m. demonstration . . .
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Rat on Western Avenue... Carpenters union pickets non-union site in Lincoln Square...
I was driving down Western Avenue on August 16th and saw a big rat displayed. There were two demonstrators out in front of an apartment building being built on Eastwood and Western Avenue. There were . . .
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School funding was discussed at Humboldt Park meeting...
On Monday, July, 31, 2017 I attended a meeting on school funding at Humboldt Park Library. The first visual to catch my eye was a list of money added or taken away from schools around . . .
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Chicago Metro Retirees briefed on legislative agenda...
The Chicago Metro Retirees met June 26, 2017, to discuss the June 17th Intergen Retreat. According to everyone, the retreat was a success. I personally can attest that attendance was great since I tried to . . .
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Chicago Metro seniors April meeting of Chicago Metro Retirees worries about Climate Change and Trump policies...
There is growing concern with issues of climate change and protection of our environment among the Illinois Alliance for Retired People who met in April. Alarm bells are going off daily with regulations against pollution . . .
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The 'RESIST Movement'... Community organizing featured at event at CTU is part of planning for the May Day event...
Community grassroots groups met on April 4, 2017, at the Chicago Teachers Union for a teach-in to prepare for a May 1 2017 rally. The Resist. Re-imagine. Rebuild. rally will occur at Ogden and Roosevelt . . .
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Chicago Metro Retirees meeting hears from younger workers about local struggles and the need for progressive revenue solutions for Illinois...
The membership of the Chicago Metro Retirees section of the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, is increasing with more space needed for all the Intergenerational people attending meetings. Chairs were added at the February 27, . . .
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Lois Weiner talked strategy at CTU delegate training... 'Confidence, creativity, and critique...'
The following is part of the speech given to Chicago Teachers Union delegates during the Delegates Training March 18, 2017 at the CTU headquarters by Lois Weiner, author, historian, and education activist. The speech was . . .
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Chicago Metro Seniors warn of fallout if 'Obamacare' is ended...
Chicago-Metro Chapter met January 23,2017 to discuss Medicare, Medicaid and Obama Care as part of the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans. Here is the Speech by Jeanne Cameron, E.D. of Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans... | Article |
CPS discusses further charter expansion despite promise to the Chicago Teachers Union that charters would be 'frozen' under the contract approved by the union's leaders and members...
Despite a claim by the Chicago Public Schools leadership that the Board of Education would "freeze" charter school expansion in Chicago during the length of the new Chicago Teachers Union contract, hearings held during Thanksgiving . . .
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Retirees November meeting...
Everyone expected the November meeting of the Chicago Metro Retirees would be a celebration acknowledging members, who phone banked, went to Iowa and worked to get our candidates elected. Instead, it became a brainstorming session . . .
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The New No Child Left Behind... 'Listening Tour' comes to Chicago...
Tuesday September 27,2016, Simeon Career High School hosted an Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Title One "Listening Tour" on the new The New No Child Left Behind. The meeting was moderated by Melinda Wright, . . .
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Metro retirees back Hillary Clinton
The members of "Chicago Metro Retirees," part of the Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, met September 26, 2016, at SEIU Healthcare Union at 2229 S. Halsted Street. The meeting’s agenda was to form a "three-way . . .
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Communities across Chicago urged to 'Vote No' on charter expansion ballot referendum...
On Saturday October 22, 2016, Grassroots Illinois Action along with others had a meeting at San Lucas United Church of Christ, 2914 W. North Ave. The meeting, a forum, was entitled: Save Our Neighborhood Schools, . . .
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BOOK REVIEW: 'Labor Pains' shares important lessons about organizing...
Even though it was published more than a decade ago, the book, Labor Pains, By Suzan Erem is worth studying today. Suzan Erem was very involved as an organizer, union representative and communications director for . . .
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Humboldt Park meeting demands progressive revenue solutions to Chicago Public Schools financial problems...
The flyer entitled “Fighting for the Schools our Students Deserve” arrived in my mailbox on Friday, July 29, 2016. It said that there was going to be a meeting August 1, 2016 at the Humboldt . . .
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Capital budget hearing began early so media missed much of it...
I was late, apparently very late, for the August 17, 2016 Chicago Board of Education "hearing" on the proposed 2016 - 2017 capital budget. The hearing had been listed on the CPS website as starting . . .
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Labor Notes 'Troublemakers' school August 20 was all about striking...
It was all about striking! Labor Notes Chicago Troublemakers School, Saturday, August 20, at University of Illinois at Chicago Student Union was all about going on strike. The speakers were union members that had gone . . .
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Chicago Teachers Union and allied groups march downtown, then rally at City Hall after being locked out of Bruce Rauner's State of Illinois building... 'Day of actions' demands local revenue as well as 'Springfield solutions'...
Hundreds of teachers, students, parents, and community leaders converged on Chicago's City Hall on June 22, 2016, in the latest in a series of protests demanding that Chicago fully fund its public schools. The actions . . .
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Chicago Teachers Union Black Caucus holds meeting on police issues the night before the April Board of Education meeting...
A very informative meeting of the Chicago Teachers Union Black Caucus was held Tuesday, April 26, at 4:45pm at the United Electrical Workers union hall at 37 S Ashland. There were about 20 people present . . .
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Retirees back Duckworth over Zopp, while Duckworth keeps her criticisms aimed at Republican adversary... Duckworth notes that Republican incumbent Mark Kirk has voted to privatize Medicare, among other reactionary votes...
The Alliance for Retired Workers, representing over 4.3 million retirees and community activists, including more than 257,000 members in Illinois, proudly endorsed Tammy Duckworth for election to the U.S. Senate today, March 7, 2016, at . . .
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Protests against Republicans on State Street took place hours before Trump protests hit Pavilion...
Just hours before thousands of protesters showed up west of Chicago's Loop to protest the attempted appearance in Chicago of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, a spirited protest on both sides of State Street hit . . .
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BOARDWATCH: Chicago Board of Education meeting of March 23, 2016 highlighted by continued protests against CPS lies...
The Chicago Board of Education met for its monthly meeting as usual at its downtown offices (currently at Madison and Dearborn) and as usual during the day when most working people can't attend. Faced with . . .
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Parents and children hold an 'art in' at the Art Institute to protest tax breaks for Chicago billionaire Ken Griffin... Griffin didn't buy the local artists' work despite a recent $500 million art purchase for his private collection...
On March 25, 2016, about 60 or more parents and children gathered in front of the Art Institute of Chicago to draw pictures and walk to Ken Griffin's office at the beautiful Citadel building nearby. . . .
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Why Shut Down Chicago?!... Teachers for Social Justice Teach-In prepares for April 1 and beyond... Fight for elected school board, revenue, and political changes...
On March 26, 2016, Teachers for Social Justice (TSJ) hosted a Teach-In -- "Why Shut Down Chicago, Building for April 1 and Beyond Saturday" to help put the upcoming events in perspective. The Teach-In was . . .
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Chicago Teachers Union Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast attended by 450 people around the theme of speaking out and organizing for justice...
The P.E.A.C.E. steering committee and Chicago Teachers Union officers held a breakfast on Friday, January 15, 2016, in honor of the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to continue to promote the work of . . .
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Reverend Osagyefo Sekou's speech at the Chicago Teachers Union's Martin Luther King breakfast... The speaker, just returned from Palestine, compared the plight of the people of Palestine with the plight of black people in the USA...
The main speaker at the January 15, 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast, sponsored mainly by the Chicago Teachers Union, was the Reverend Osagyefo Sekou. During his remarks, the majority of the members of the . . .
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Hundreds block streets and march through the Loop demanding that Rahm resign while Chicago's mayor delivers his phony apology speech inside City Hall...
Hundreds (perhaps more than a thousand) of protesters circled Chicago's City Hall and then marched through the Loop, at time stopping to do a sit-in, demanding that Mayor Rahm Emanuel resign. The march came following . . .
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Rep Soto works with Moos Elementary School parents at a school breakfast...
Moos Elementary School is "on the move," as parents and guardians were told during Breakfast with Principal Karmine Asaf. Parents turned in signed forms stating that their students were doing well at Moos school and . . .
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Teachers for Social Justice annual Curriculum Fair features hunger strikers from Dyett... Pushes for an elected representative school board...
Below here at excerpts from : Teachers for Social Justice 14th Teachers for Social Justice Curriculum Fair... "Sustainable community school: Defend and Transform public Education. The event was held on Saturday, November 21, 2015. | Article |
Barbara Byrd Bennett pleads guilty, October 13, 2015... Guilty on one of the 23 counts, she will be sentenced after her cooperation is evaluated... 'The government attorney stated that this investigation is expanding to several others states...'...
The arraignment for Barbara Byrd Bennett, former "Chief Executive Officer" of Chicago's public schools, took place on October 13, 2015, before U.S. District Judge Edmond Chang in the federal courthouse at 219 S. Dearborn in . . .
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NAC meeting hears challenges to adding charter schools in Chicago's Austin community...
For the city our students deserve
Rebecca Martinez, a CTU organizer, sent me an e-mail that said, �Chicago Public Schools (CPS) formed Neighborhood Advisory Councils (NACs) in communities where CPS received proposals to open new . . .
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Protst against Rahm's layoffs at City Hall... 'This is despicable, disgusting and completely unacceptable...'
A little over two hundred teachers, students, parents and union members marched on LaSalle street in front of city hall to demonstrate their opposition for the reported layoff of 1,400 educators and the reduction of . . .
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Logan Square rally July 28, 2015... '...These cuts are unjust. Our children have paid enough. We�ve gone through 50 school closures; we�ve seen thousands of teachers laid off. We�ve seen cuts to sports and after school activities...' -- Alderman Carlos Rosa...
It was 89 degrees on July 28th 2015 during the Logan Square Rally. In addition to more than 200 people at the rally, alderman and women spoke eloquently. The rally, called by the Logan Square . . .
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Chicago Teachers Union shows solidarity at the Puerto Rican Day parade
There were thousands of people at the Puerto Rican Parade in Humboldt Park on Saturday, June 20, 2015, and many of those were from the Chicago Teachers Union. CTU was also marching, passing out flyers, . . .
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Chuy Garcia receives standing ovation from more than 200 Chicago Teachers Union leaders during surprise appearance at CTU leadership training on March 12...Meanwhile, Rahm is hiding from the people and refusing to answer questions from reporters he doesn't already own...
More than 200 Chicago Teachers Union staff and delegates gave a standing ovation to mayoral candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia when he showed up to thank the teachers and the CTU for support. The brief appearance . . .
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Fletcher urges CTU delegates to remain active at all levels...
Bill Fletcher Jr., Author of �They�re Bankrupting Us!� And 20 other Myths about Unions", spoke to the Chicago Teachers Union delegates training at Westinghouse High School on March 14, 2015.
Fletcher told the group that . . .
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March 26 'Rally for Educational Justice' features upcoming CTU contract fight and speakers from others cities...
It was a little chilly, but several hundred people were in attendance at the Rally for Education Justice at the Thomprson Building on March 26, 2015. The crowd estimate was according to Jackson Potter, CTU . . .
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Democracy nixed on the West Side... Jason Ervin has a hundred percent rating supporting Emanuel, but managed to eliminate opponents... Teacher Tammie Vinson was knocked off the ballot even though she had more than double the necessary signatures!
In Chicago elections, circulating nominating petitions and talking with your neighbors about the upcoming election is only the beginning of the fight to (a) get on the ballot and (b) win the election. Everyone familiar . . .
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Karen Lewis leads 'Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia for Mayor' election rally of 700 people at the Grand Ballroom on January 24
Surrounded by signs reading "Chuy," more than 700 people, many of them children, participated in a rally for Jesus "Chuy" Garcia at the Grand Ballroom on Cottage Grove Ave. on January 24, 2015. KOCO's (Kenwood . . .
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Chuy Garcia's speech from the January 24 Grand Ballroom rally... 'the main thrust of my campaign is to marshal the power of the people of Chicago so the neighborhoods will be at the center of new government in this city...'
The rally for Jesus "Chuy" Garcia was held Saturday, January 24, 2015, at The Grand Ballroom on 63rd and Cottage Grove Ave in the heart of Chicago's South Side. More than 700 people attended,.The energy . . .
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Energy grows at 'Take Back Chicago' march and rally on Veterans Day 2014
Despite unpleasant weather, the energy of the more than 1,000 people from all over Chicago who showed up for the highly publicized "Take Back Chicago" march and rally on November 11, 2014 grew as the . . .
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Endorsements for aldermanic candidates begin at 'Reclaim Chicago' meeting on November 15, 2014
Despite the fact that Chicago will not even know which candidates for municipal office have submitted valid nominating petitions until more than a week later, another group announced its endorsements for the February 24, 2014 . . .
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Petitions for elected school board will result in referendums in at least 38 wards
At least 38 of Chicago's 50 wards will get to vote on whether voters in those wards want Chicago to have an elected school board, as the result of a massive citywide petition drive to . . .
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New Orleans interview... How the destruction of the real public schools of New Orleans and Teach for America helped fill the school to prison pipeline
Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans on August 28, 2005, and life was never the same for the citizens of New Orleans who depended on the New Orleans Public Schools to educate their children. Many of . . .
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Massive expansion of charter schools pushed out all the teachers the children needed most!... New Orleans' 'miracle' is really a story of racism and hypocrisy
It's been a full nine years since the world was shocked as the most powerful hurricane ever to hit the Gulf Coast of the United States created a terrifying disaster for much of the region . . .
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AFT CONVENTION REPORT: Human Rights luncheon highlights Chicago outreach other issues
One of the highlights of the conventions of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is the Human Rights luncheon. And this year, it was a major event for the Chicago Teachers Union as two of . . .
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Bronzeville community continues fight for Dyett High School
It was obvious that the Bronzeville community�s vision for Dyett High School was different from that of the Chicago Public Schools � and that CPS and Alderman Will Burns were not interested in hearing from . . .
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Malcolm X budget hearing on July 16, 2014 shows the arrogance of CPS executives in the face of real problems articulated despite the two-minute time limit by taxpayers and the community
It was obvious that people were angry at the same old same old reports given by the Board of Education and Tim Cwaley, who anchored the administrators' table in the front of the room during . . .
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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, . . .
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Bayou children have 'boating' instead of busing to get to school... Louisiana activists show fight is the same all over
Rosina Phillippe, an activist in Grand Bayou, Louisiana, may at first glance seem to have little in common with Chicago parents and teachers in their fight against closing schools. Phillippe is a Native American living . . .
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'...test takers needed to consider not the best answer, but the best answer that someone dumb wrote'... A Forum sponsored by More Than a Score continues public protest against mindless testing
"Change the Stakes on Testing!", an April 29, 2014, forum at Union Park in Chicago, drew a lively group of parents, teachers, students, and community members. Teachers comprised most of the audience for the 6 . . .
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Tribune forum on charter schools and 'Choice' -- 'Chicago Forward: the School Choice Debate'
Chicago Forward: the School Choice Debate witnessed four panelists who spoke at the Chicago Tribune event, all with diverse opinions on charter schools. The forum, which had been publicized widely, took place on May 21, . . .
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Gresham challenges 'turnaround' verdict
More than 100 (three bus loads and others) determined, angry, community members, staff and students of Gresham Elementary School attended the hearing on the turnaround of Gresham Elementary School. The Gresham school community is telling . . .
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Huge outpouring of opposition to 'turnaround' at Dvorak Elementary School
Angry parents, staff, community members and students greeted Chicago Public Schools officials at the hearing on the proposed reconstitution of Dvorak School of Technology, on Wednesday, April 9, 2014. at 125 North Clark. The hearing . . .
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Rape prompts major meeting on Northwest Side
Neighborhood violence and how to alleviate it was the topic as residents of the Belmont-Cragin community met on Jan. 25, at 10:00 at Northwest Community Church in the 5300 block of West Diversey. Organized by . . .
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Teachers, firefighters, police and other public workers make their voice heard in Springfield chanting a loud
More than a dozen buses and hundreds of cars carried the rank-and-file and leaders of Chicago's public worker unions to Springfield on February 19, 2014 to fill the rotunda of the Illinois state government and . . .
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More than 300 people show up and denounce idea that charters will 'relieve overcrowding'... Charter schools opposed in Southwest Side forum
On January 14, 2014, a forum on charter school expansion at and its Impact on the city's real public schools drew more than 300 participants at a standing-room-only forum held at Shields Middle School, 2611 . . .
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�[The corporations] take necessities away from the many to give luxuries to the few...� Dr. King's memory is honored at 'Hope In An Age of Crisis'
Thousands of people assembled January 19, 2014, at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 8235 S. South Shore Dr., to celebrate �Hope in an Age of Crisis� Reclaiming Dr. King�s Radical Vision for Economic Equality." The . . .
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Chicago teachers joined lobbying against 'pension reform' during heated day in Springfield
On December 3, 2013, dozens of CTU members were in Springfield lobbying against the vote for so-called "pension reform." In addition to days of telephone lobbying by members of the CTU, the union sent one . . .
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Rape of high school student along 'Safe Passage' route enflames anger on Northwest Side
Chicago Public Schools officials haven't found the dollars to relieve overcrowding on the city's vast and growing Northwest Side, and they continue to promote the expansion of charter schools in communities that have decisively rejected . . .
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First 'Neighborhood Schools Fair' draws sixty real public schools for a day of exhibits and a celebration of the city's real public schools
Rousemary Vega described to the packed gym at the Neighborhood School Festival how she and her family had tried to keep their neighborhood school, Lafayette, open. They had unsuccessfully occupied it. They had spoken and . . .
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Met in Uptown church the night before the official CPS Board...Peoples Board continues its boycott of the regular meetings of the Chicago Board of Education
There was a "People�s School Board Meeting" on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, the night before the regular monthly meeting of the Chicago Board of Education. The "peoples" event took place from six to eight p.m. . . .
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LEAD in Chicago features Chicago Teachers Union political agenda amid largest turnout ever
The smell of corned beef and cabbage wafted through Plumbers Hall along with potatoes and carrots as the dinner began. A packed hall tends to generate more excitement, and the 2013 Legislators, Educators Appreciation Dinner . . .
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Malcolm X budget hearing showed lack of trust for CPS officials, budget claims
Trust is a precious commodity in public affairs. If the Chicago Public Schools budget hearing held on Friday evening, August 2, 2013 at Malcolm X College, is any indication, the Chicago Public Schools administration has . . .
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Trumbull's day in court doesn't bring justice as U.S. District Judge Gary Feinerman rules that CPS can do just about anything it wants when claiming 'billion dollar deficits' and closing 'underutilized' schools
On Wednesday, August 7, 2013, Plaintiffs presented a strong case against the claims by Chicago Public Schools officials that Trumbull Elementary School (Ashland and Foster) had to be closed because it was "underutilized." The problem . . .
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Voices echo outside City Hall and CPS... Elected school board and an end to charters are among demands of rally
Hundreds of parents, students and community members voiced their opposition to the new school budget, school resource cuts and the closing of 52 schools, Wednesday, August 28, at the CPS headquarters located at 125 S. . . .
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BOARDWATCH: Held up in the 'Holding Room' -- parents, teachers, and activists speak out about the Board's June 26 meeting and police state tactics
It was interesting being in the long line of people that were not “preregistered” and ending up on the 15th floor in what is called the "Holding Room" during the June 26, 2013 meeting of . . .
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How can 'See it? Say it...' work if the kids have to face retaliation for 'snitching'? Tilden administration side-stepping complaints about protection for student whistle-blowts
Everyone who has ever worked in a real Chicago public school or done community organizing in a real Chicago community knows there is "Reality" (the version you might get to see on the news) and . . .
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Ana Roque deDuprey, Von Humboldt closings draw bitter criticisms from parents, community leaders
There were plenty of hugs and tears on June 24, 2013, the last day of school at Ana Roque deDuprey School and Von Humboldt Schools in East Humboldt Park. The two schools, which have shared . . .
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A new version of 'Division Street America'... Manierre hearing repeats how CPS move is racist, and will result in violence if children are forced to cross Division St.
The hearing on the proposed closing of George Manierre Elementary School and Ferguson Child Parent Center was held on April 30, 2013, and the supporters of Manierre made it clear they weren't giving up and . . .
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Protests against closings result in 23 arrests on Monday, May 20, 2013
The final day of protests against the proposed massive school closings in Chicago ended with 23 activists being arrested at Chicago's City Hall. The arrests came as the public became aware of the fact that . . .
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Trumbull closing hearing draws huge crowd, hears passionate defense of the school and lawsuit threat
It was an emotional hearing with 76 Trumbull supporters, 37 of them speaking, at CPS headquarters on April 26, 2013. They weren't deterred by the Friday night venue and the inconvenience of getting to a . . .
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Thousands promise protests against school closings will escalate... With more than 100 people arrested during civil disobedience, Mayor's office fails to spin the school closings story according to the City Hall script
Thousands (not hundreds) rallied, marched, and took part in civil disobedience during the massive protests against school closings on March 27, 2013 in downtown Chicago. The reporting on the actual events gave the public a . . .
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HIT LIST 2013: 'Fullerton Network' hearing February 28 continues protest against 'underutilization' claims for closing schools in the face of complex race, class and gentrification dynamics
The "Fullerton Network" community hearing held Thursday, February 28, 2013, at Armitage Progressive Baptist Church was anything but dull. About 500 participants filled the seats with others standing around the back of the sanctuary. Three . . .
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Civil Disobedience training begins as Chicago teachers and others expect CPS to order closing of schools despite the facts and the growing political calls for a moratorium on the closings
Saturday, March 16, 2013, more than 80 "fighters for our kids" met at Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church to learn how to fight back in a peaceful protest. The event was the first civil disobedience . . .
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Austin North Lawndale hearing
More than 900 people gathered from the Austin-North Lawndale network hearing on the school closing, where 16 elementary schools were given an opportunity to discuss reasons their schools should not be closed. The hearing was . . .
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How CPS sabotages the city's real public schools... Kelvyn Park HS being starved of resources
As Chicago debates another round of school closings based on another presentation of questionable "data" by those currently leading the school system, underlying much of the debate is the fact that for more than a . . .
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Jitu Brown... Journey for Justice
My interview with Jitu Brown, education organizer, Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO) was packed with revelations. Brown was talking about Grassroots Impact Tours, which are community groups that visit different cities throughout the United States . . .
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West Side canvassing with Blocks Together challenges Barbara Byrd Bennett's claim that Ryerson Elementary is 'underutilized'
For 19 parents, teachers and community members, Saturday, January 19, 2013 was just the beginning. They were meeting with Cecile Carroll of Blocks Together and CTU Organizer Norine Gutekanst at Blocks Together, 3455 West North . . .
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Tilden parent continues his fight outlining CPS sabotage of his high school... 'The Miracle of Dissatisfaction'
Ronald Jackson is a very ordinary man on what many consider an extraordinary mission. Anyone paying attention to CPS has seen him at the monthly Board of Education meetings. He may be asking about a . . .
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'A new way of testing'?... National testing expert Monty Neill of Fair Test helps Chicago
A new way of testing? It was an astounding meeting entitled "Assessments that Make Sense" sponsored by FairTest, Parents United for Responsible Education (PURE), CReATE, Parents 4 Teachers, CTU, The Illinois Association for Multilingual . . .
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Delegate training continues work won during the Chicago Teachers Strike of 2012...
“The work of the Union cannot be done completely from the Merchandize mart.” Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis told the delegates assembled to learn more about how to do their jobs. There were 100 . . .
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Byrd Bennett keeps a promise... Kelvyn Park gets additional special ed teachers after complaining to the Board of Education
The following was the presentation made to the Chicago Board of Education by Shawn Meade about Kelvyn Park High School on November 14, 2012. Although it took an additional three weeks, CPS officials did keep . . .
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Education Summit drew more than 500 teachers, students and community activists
More than 500 people attended the fourth annual "education summit" co-sponsored by the Chicago Teachers Union and a large number of community groups. The Grassroots Education Movement Summit was held at Marshall High School on . . .
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Humboldt Park community forum outlines problems at area schools, sabotage by Board of real public schools programs
More than 50 parents, community members, community activists, teachers and Public school staff members met at Humboldt Park, Wednesday, August 8th, to discuss school matters with Chicago Teachers Union leaders and members. Brandon Johnson, of . . .
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Woodson South defends itself against lies and sabotage
Imagine that you are a school that has been given a very important assignment. Your school has been placed on "Probation" and your job is to raise the test scores so your school will not . . .
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Last day of City Hall Sit-In
This is Just the Beginning! was the word. On January 9, 2012, a small group of parents, LSC Leaders, KOCO members, grandmothers, Occupy Chicago activists, and community members held the last day of the sit . . .
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More than 150 march on Martin Luther King Day against Herzl school 'turnaround'
At least 150 supporters of Herzl school spent their Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday on January 16, 2012, protesting the proposed turnaround of Herzl Elementary School on Chicago's West Side. They assembled at Dvorak Elementary . . .
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Despite January 20 snow storm, parents, community leaders and students speak out against closing of Best Practices High School
On a snowy Friday, January 20, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. a meeting to discuss closing Best Practice High School (located at 2040 W. Adams) was held. There were 45 parents and community members at the . . .
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Most Rent-A-Protesters avoid January 23 Crane closing hearing at CPS headquarters
On January 23, the Chicago Board of Education chamber was almost filled to capacity with students, parents, staff and community members from Crane High School for the hearing on whether Crane should be "phased out". . . .
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Parent complaint adds to charges against Kenwood HS principal Elizabeth Kirby
A complaint has been filed at CPS concerning the November 8, 2011, Parent Advisory Council (PAC) election at Kenwood Academy High School. Clarinda Deveaux, a parent, former Vice Chairman and Acting Chair of the PAC, . . .
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'Enough is Enough!'... Organizing against the cuts... Teach-In draws hundreds to King High School as protests against Emanuel's 2012 Hit List grow
It was obvious that for more than 400 teachers, parents, CTU staff and community members attending the school closing Teach-In and workshop at Chicago's King High School on December 3, 2011 that enough is enough . . .
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Calling it like it is... School board meeting forced to postpone business as usual, then Board President discriminates in favor of charter schools
People were “calling it like it is” at the December 14, 2011, meeting of the Board of Education. After years of being dismissed and not listened to, members of the communities of Chicago finally had . . .
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Hit with 'turnaround' attack, school was sabotaged by CAO Janie Ortega... Marquette Elementary School is fighting Board move to destroy it through 'turnaround' after years of sabotage by CPS administration
On Thursday, December 22, 2011, a school that at one time was a "Rising Star School" had news conference to discuss the “turnaround “scheduled for their school. The school, one that has been overcrowded for . . .
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Stagg school community standing up to lies, slander, and 'turnaround'
Many powerful people must have believed that Chicago's millionaire mayor, Chicago's carpetbagger public schools administration, and their affluent backers could easily run over one or a couple of public schools that for generations have been . . .
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Music makes the Difference at Moos
Moos Elementary School had its Holiday Music Program on December 15, 2011. It was wonderful! It reminded me of why music is so important, besides lifting spirits and making people happy. Music teaches us to . . .
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CTU President joins with Jesse Jackson at Operation PUSH
Rev. Jesse Jackson hosted a packed audience at Operation PUSH on Saturday, September 3, 2011. Included in the program were a large Gospel choir and a wonderful singer. Two bands, from Alabama A & M . . .
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Activists gather in downtown Chicago at Labor Day rally
It was clearly a union event as 350 -500 people assembled on Labor Day, September 5, 2011, in Grant Park and CTU was there, although you couldn’t really tell because they dressed, you know, like . . .
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Raise Your Hand coalition refutes most Rahm Emanuel claims about 'Longer School Day'
Tuesday, September 27, 2011, the Raise Your Hand coalition had an open meeting regarding extending the school day. Everyone knew that day was coming, they just didn’t know when. Some thought, perhaps it would come . . .
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DO NOT HIRE hearing cancelled by CPS
Suppose you were invited to a hearing and were told not to come? In effect, that is precisely what the Chicago Public Schools did to no fewer than 17 teachers who had been placed on . . .
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