On Tuesday, a federal judge denied an injunction to halt the closing of Trumbull Elementary School in Andersonville. Trumbull is now officially closing. On Wednesday, CPS had the moving vans outside Trumbull. I'm sure this was probably just a continuation of inventory already being moved out.
As part of the CPS destruction of public schools Trumbull was declared underutilized. A lawsuit was filed on behalf of two students with disabilities. The suit claimed CPS incorrectly used the utilization formula at Trumbull because it did not take into account the high special education population at the school. The building was found to be underutilized by CPS. According to the Trumbull Local School Council, however, when state and federal mandated guidelines for special education are used Trumbull is at 88% utilization. See there report here.
The closing of Trumbull will affect three other area schools; Chappell, McPherson and McCutcheon. Those are the schools Trumbull's students will be officially moved to. It would seem that Pierce and the Stockton/Courtenay merger, which are two other area schools, could possibly be affected also. There are also concerns about "safe passage" to the receiving schools. The crossing of busy streets, continued construction on Lawrence Avenue between Ashland and Western, renovation to the Metra line along Ravenswood and gang activity east of Clark Street have all been mentioned as issues.
As a resident of the Andersonville/Ravenswood/Uptown area I have heard much discussion of what will happen to the building located on the northwest corner of Ashland and Foster. There are concerns that it will be converted to a charter school. Others worry that it will be converted into loft apartments or worse just sit there vacant for years. According to CPS Chief Administrative Officer Tim Cawley CPS has failed to sell off the buildings from last years closings. The neighborhood fears another huge vacant and abandoned building like Edgewater Hospital which closed in December of 2001 and still sits there.
I share two more pictures from Trumbull with you. First, the traditional elementary school name attached to the traditional wrought iron fence of CPS schools. The second picture is a banner hung up recently. Watching the fight of Trumbull parents and students for their school I feel they really do believe "Once a Charger, Always a Charger."
I have been out of town for a week and so I haven't posted anything for a while. Had an enjoyable vacation with my daughter as we celebrated her birthday.
This week there is some fun stuff happening. Tonight there is a free screening and panel of the film "United States of ALEC." ALEC stands for the American Legislative Exchange Council. It is a group that helps to lobby the interests of corporations and other right wing groups. ALEC helped get the Stand Your Ground law passed in Florida. If your interested here is a link you can use to register. Sorry for the short notice.
Tomorrow there will be a protest against ALEC outside of the Palmer House. ALEC is having its 40th anniversary conference in downtown Chicago. Let's get down there and wish them a happy birthday, Chicago style. I will be there right after my CTU Special Education Committee meeting. The special education committee is really dedicated as we planned to meet before the school year even starts. I love those guys. Here is a link with info about the protest.
On Friday, I will have the pleasure of meeting social justice teacher union activists from around the country. Delegations from around the country will come to Chicago to discuss social justice teacher unionism and try to set a national agenda for activism. Groups from NYC, Los Angeles, Detroit, Milwaukee and Kansas City just to name a few will be here. It should be awesome. You can read a letter here from Julie Cavanagh who ran for UFT President this past school year and will be in attendance. CORE will be hosting some social functions for those who are interested. More info on that under upcoming events on the CORE website.
Finally, Saturday is the 84th annual Bud Billiken Back to School Parade. CTU will be marching as usual. After the parade meet CTU behind Dyett High School near the parking lot for a picnic. Dyett H.S. is located at 555 E. 51st Street. Here is a link for the parade.
Hope to see people out at these events.
