Comment to Evanston Roundtable by Keith Terry

On March 14, 2012, former school board president Keith Terry submitted the following comment to the Evanston Roundtable:

On March 20, voters will make a very important choice about education in District 65, voting on the $48.2 million dollar school capital improvement referendum.

For many years, the D65 School Board has grappled with trying to solve complex capacity and inequity issues. Yes, the Board did the right thing by putting this comprehensive referendum question on the ballot. As a former School Board member and Board president, I urge you to join me in voting “yes” for our schools and “Yes” for our community.

Voting yes will bring a new, state of the art school to the Central Core of Evanston, serving the fifth ward and parts of the second ward. A new neighborhood school will drastically reduce busing for nearly 400 students, address space issues at Lincolnwood, Willard and Orrington, bring economic development to all of Evanston, and most importantly, bring dynamic new programs to our District.

Second, the initiative builds 21st century additions at Haven and Nichols middle schools to relieve the pressing demands of high enrollment. By 2016, there will be over 850 students enrolled at Haven and nearly 740 at Nichols. The Better Schools Initiative builds16 new classrooms eight at both Haven and Nichols.

Finally, new funds will enable us to create STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) labs at the all middle schools in addition to King Lab and locker rooms at Bessie Rhodes, a critical improvement in privacy. By bringing new science approaches and new engineering capabilities, STEM labs give students an exciting arena to learn about the world. Passage of the referendum means that funds currently allocated for building maintenance and repair, life safety work and technology updates throughout the district can be preserved for that purpose and not used to solve capacity issues.

D65 needs the support from our entire Evanston community to enhance our public schools. To do so will require new ways of doing things and a concerted focus by the entire community. This referendum is long over due.

On March 20, vote “yes.” Our students need you.

Comment to Evanston Roundtable from Rev. Harold Bramwell and Other Clergy

The following comment by Rev. Harold Bramwell (and other clergy) was posted in the Evanston Roundtable Community Forum on March 14, 2012. Rev. Harold Bramwell writes:

Evanston is a community of deep roots and also a town of change. We are a people who believe in giving our children the best foundation and brightest future.

On March 20th, we have a chance to come together and move forward.

For years, as a faith community, we have been working, across denominations to build a brighter future for our children. Today, we offer this statement as a public letter, announcing our collective support for the District 65 Referendum.

“On the basis of social justice, we personally support the Better Schools Initiative to build a new school in the central core of Evanston, which offers access to a neighborhood school and choice for 5th ward residents who are currently bused (outside of their community) to school.”

We thank Rev. Bramwell and other clergy for their vision and support for better education for all Evanston children.

A Love Note to Neighborhood Schools

On March 15, 2012, Evanston resident and D65 referendum supporter Elizabeth Pardoe wrote a passionate and moving "Love Note to Neighborhood Schools."

Thank you Ms. Pardoe. We applaud your vision, your voice and your support for neighborhood schools for all Evanston children.

Key Feature of Community Schools - Lifelong Learning

"Continue to learn in the journey of life." -- Chinese proverb

One of the most powerful aspects of the community school movement is the idea that a "school" should not be just be for the young, but should be a resource for members of the community of every age. The community school promotes, encourages and provides opportunities for lifelong learning. There is no such thing as "leaving school." Children enter the school at five or six, but continue to use the school as an educational resource throughout their lives. Adult education courses, second chance learning for disengaged youth, vocational training, open libraries with wifi access and extended day computer labs for community use are just a few examples of how community schools fuel lifelong learning and erase the traditional lines of demarcation between the school and the community it serves.

Let's build a community school for the children of our city. Say yes to the future. Vote yes on March 20th for the Better Schools Initiative.

Key Feature of Community Schools - Democratization

One of the questions that often arises in the ongoing debate about the proposed new school in the central core is whether or not a school in "a low income area" can succeed academically. Putting aside the issue of whether or not the central core community can or should be characterized as a "low income" community, this much we know is true -- there is a direct and undeniable correlation between student achievement and the degree of community involvement and participation in the school. Schools where parental and community involvement are high have lower drop out rates, higher test scores, less truancy, fewer disciplinary problems and greater participation in after school activities. Why? One single word -- empowerment. When a community feels engaged and empowered by its educational institutions, community involvement and student achievement often soar.

Empowerment and community involvement, or democratization, are key elements of a community school. In a community school, internal structures are created for the external community to influence and guide the policy of the school. Examples of this include the development of school councils involving students, staff and community residents; the fostering of various parent groups and volunteer organizations; even the suggestion that the school itself needs to be regarded more as a sort of community association, with the governing body including representatives from all stakeholders.

The key here is that "democratization" is more than just "dialogue." Empowered and vested stakeholders fuel community involvement and a greater sense of pride and ownership in the school and its educational outcomes. This, in turn, fuels greater academic success.

Next: Key Feature of Community Schools - Lifelong Education

Source: Community Schools

Key Feature of Community Schools - Openness

One of the key characteristics of a community school is that it is not closed and insular, but "open" to the public and the community. This notion of 'openness' isn't simply rhetorical - it influences classroom practice, administrative process and the design of the school itself.

Examples include:

• the absence of fences or walls keeping students in and the public out;

• retention or creation of public rights of way passing through the school site (in some cases the through the building itself)
  

• co-locating public services, i.e., shops, libraries, leisure facilities, on campus;

• building on central rather than peripheral sites, i.e. adjacent to a large public field;

• open plan teaching areas.

However, simply being "open" is not the ultimate aim of a community school. The ultimate aim is for the school to "fuse with the community" and to "obliterate the boundary between school and community" by turning "the community into a school and the school into a community."

Next: Key Feature of Community Schools - Democratization

Source: Community Schools

The Community School (Part I)

The District 65 vision for the new neighborhood school in the central core is as a "community school." But what exactly is a "community school?"

In the Evanston Roundtable's February 15, 2012 article, D65 Superintendent's Vision for Proposed School, Dr. Murphy characterized the new school as a place "where you have a network of supports, social service supports, that occur there at the school that are coordinated for the benefit of children and their families." Dr. Murphy also said that the District would actively find ways to partner with community organizations in Evanston "to help make the school the hub of those social services that support families in crisis."

The vision for this new school is significant. It represents a progressive, forward-thinking reimaging of the scope, role and traditional function of a school. We applaud and wholeheartedly endorse the District's vision for this new school.

The following series of blogs will highlight some of the unique features of a community school. We hope these blogs will inform and enlighten those uncertain about the educational merit and community impact of the proposed new school. It is our belief that the new central core school will be a model of educational innovation; entirely consistent with District's 65's historically lauded place as the "lighthouse district."

Progressive educator John Dewey once said, "If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow."

The idea, and ideals, of a new "community school" represent an exciting and bold new vision for the future of District 65 education.

Our Schools, Our Future

Why are we here? What is the District 65 Better Schools Initiative all about? Why is it so vital to the future of our children, our schools and our city? Watch Susan Hope Engel's inspirational and informative new film, Our Schools, Our Future.

Importance of STEM Education

This brief clip explains the White Houses emphasis on the ramifications of STEM education to the future of the country and our children.

A great week for Evanston education

In the past few days the following people have pledged their support for the District 65 Better Schools Initiative:

• Liz Tisdahl
• Senator Jeff Schoenberg
• Commissioner Larry Suffredin
• Representative Robyn Gabel
  

We applaud their leadership, vision and collective commitment to maintaining excellence in education in our community.

Thank you.

Why the schools have my vote

There are many reasons why I’m going to vote yes for the $48.2M school referendum. For starters, I believe in our schools. I moved my family to Evanston eight years ago, because we have a great district. Evanston is a town that loves learning and supports education. I know my children have a better chance at reaching their greatest potential, because we have great schools. This referendum is an investment in making our schools better.

Our schools need space and our children need room to learn. I haven’t met one teacher or one parent who thinks increasing class-sizes or re-districting our neighborhoods is the best idea. Personally, I don’t want my children in overcrowded classrooms. My daughter, a quiet kid, is the kind who easily gets lost in the shuffle. She has blossomed, as a learner and as a young girl, because she attends a great school. She sits in a class with 23 students, a teacher’s aide and additional supports. These things make a real difference.

Like most parents, I want my kids to go to a great middle school, one that offers the best learning tools that pave the way for high-school and beyond. I know this referendum will bring our middle schools new technology and science and engineering opportunities that are in line with trends across the country. I want my children to have the best education and I want them to be prepared for what the world will bring. Period.

I’m going to vote for this referendum because I want my children’s school to remain a great school. I’m not interested in converting our art rooms, offices or counseling rooms into classrooms. I want our school to be a space where students and teachers have the flexibility to learn together, to succeed together. I believe in our schools.

So, on March 20th, I’m going to make the choice to invest in our children and invest in our schools. It’s not a difficult or complicated decision. It really just boils down to choice.

Regards,
Colin P. Langan
Lincolnwood Elementary School

Senator Schoenberg supports the D65 referendum

We would like to thank Senator Jeff Schoenberg for his support of the District 65 Better School Initiative and proudly add his name to the growing list of C4BE supporters. To join our list of supporters, click here.

Commissioner Larry Suffredin supports the referendum

We would like to thank Commissioner Larry Suffredin for his support of the District 65 Better School Initiative and proudly add his name to the growing list of C4BE supporters. To join our list of supporters, click here.

Haven't registered to vote? "Grace Period" registration/voting still open

If you still haven't registered to vote, "Grace Period" registration/voting is still open for the March 20, 2012 election. Grace Period registration/voting is available until March 13, 2012. In order to vote, you must be:

• A US citizen,
• At least 18 years old by election day, and
• A resident of your precinct at least 30 days prior to election day

In order to vote, Grace Period registrants must present two forms of identification, one of which must have your current address. Acceptable forms of ID include:

• Illinois driver's license
• Illinois state ID
• Employee or student ID
• Credit card
• Social security card
• Birth certificate
• Utility bill in applicant's name
• Mail postmarked to the applicant
• Valid U.S. passport
• Public aid ID card
• Lease or rental contract

Grace Period registrants will vote on touch screen voting machines immediately after registering.

For more information about Grace Period registration, click here.

Patrick Hughes: Why I Support the Referendum

Evanston resident Patrick Hughes explains why he supports the District 65 Better Schools Initiative.

Liz Tisdahl supports D65 referendum

Great news today! We are so very grateful to include Liz Tisdahl among the growing ranks of C4BE supporters. We applaud Ms. Tisdahl's vision and commitment to maintaining excellence in education in our community. To join our list of supporters, click here.

Donate to C4BE by PayPal

In addition to being able to accept donations by mail, C4BE can now accept donations by PayPal. Please consider supporting our efforts to maintain excellence in education in our community. To donate or for more information, please click here.

Thank you for your support. Our children, our schools and our community need you.

C4BE has a new name

C4BE has a new name! Our official name is now Citizens for a Better Evanston to Support D65 Capital Referendum. Because we believe an investment in our schools is an investment in our future. For more information, please visit our website at www.c4be.com.