Violence In Our Student's Lives or When Keeping It Real Goes Wrong.

Did you see the Sun-Times story about the stabbing on Thanksgiving day?

The quote from the dad really got to me: ""I didn't know she had a knife, but I'm glad she did. It saved her life," John Jones said after his 18-year-old daughter appeared in bond court."

Read the Sun-Times story here.

I didn't know she had a knife but I am glad she did. Wow. I don't know what to say to that.

Kendra Jones is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Laura Joslin, a sixth-grader who died after being stabbed in the throat during a clash in the 7300 block of South Claremont.

This has been a topic of discussion with my colleagues, as students in our classes speak to us about how they knew one or both of the girls involved in this tragedy. All I know is that a sixth grader is dead, stabbed in the throat.

Then I stumbled across this story, all 4 sentences of it, that describes a shooting in Pilsen that resulted in two teens being seriously injured. The shooting took place very close to St. Ann Elementary School. UPDATE: The Tribune now has a longer story and confirms that the students who were shot attended Juarez H.S.

Even if we are lucky enough to have good security in our buildings, the fact is violence is very much a part of the fabric of our student's lives and the community in which they live.

Several teachers have spoken with me about violent female students. They share their sense that things are out of hand with our female students and that they witness young women exhibiting violent outbursts at a higher rate than the boys.

What is your sense of this phenomenon? How do you deal with these issues in you school, classroom, community?

I am at a loss for words.

November Elections - No Words Necessary

Open Enrollment Alert: Did You Know...

In this open enrollment period, here are a few facts for CTU members:

Did you know…

…that you can save up to $800 dollars on health care costs--every year--by using the contractual Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefit? Check out the contract (page 282) and your open enrollment materials.

Did you know...

...that the most economical health care choice is the Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO? That the premiums are the same average percent of salary as pre-2005 and there are no deductibles, no out-of-pocket maximums, and the plan pays 100% of costs after co-pays? Check out the contract for details (page 278) and check out bcbsil.com/cps to see if your doctors and hospitals are in the plan. The majority of CTU members choose this plan. It may be the best choice for you.

Did you know....

...that you can save 50% on your prescription drug costs by using the mail order option? That it’s really easy, fast and a huge savings (e.g. generics are $5). Check out the contract (page 281) and your open enrollment materials.

Hope this is useful-
Deborah Lynch

Tribune Covers LPHS and the Dismissal of Eshoo

Full story is here.

Excerpt:

What started as a protest over the layoff of a popular librarian at Lincoln Park High School has escalated into a rancorous debate about student free speech and teacher intimidation at one of the city's flagship neighborhood schools...

...Principal Bessie Karvelas said Eshoo, who had been at the school for 16 years, was fired because of budget cuts. But students and teachers have questioned whether Eshoo was let go because she challenged the principal on various issues.

"We're supposed to be one of the best schools in the system, but a lot of teachers want to leave. They are so afraid to speak out," said senior Michelle Gautier

It seems the kids get it. Too bad Clark Street doesn't.

Got Off Track There For A While

I got off track (and some of you said so in comments) by posting items of a general political and/or cultural interest.

You said you wanted this to about CPS classroom and union issues.

So, to further that goal, I have deleted several off-topic posts and I will try to stay on track more.

Thanks for your feedback.

Now, how do you feel about Merit Pay?