Project Learning and the New Community Learning Centers

I came across this interesting info on psd150.org about Project Based learning. Being a Project chick myself (Project Manager), this program certainly piqued my interest. This program is exciting, there is even a Pre-K component for working with parents.

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What do we mean by projects?
Projects, or deep investigations, will be an integral part of the curriculum at the new Glen Oak and Harrison Community Learning Centers. Project work is never considered a whole curriculum but is another vehicle for approaching curriculum which provides practice in 21st century knowledge and skills. Project learning is centered on the aspects of curriculum which students find most interesting and is characterized by high engagement.

Students at all ages are involved in finding answers to questions that are complex for their age and grade level. Project work emphasizes the need for collaboration and teamwork. A key to project work is interaction with experts and the use of authentic topics. Project work is rich in literacy, mathematics and science skill development. Students discover reasons for learning academic skills. They see why reading, writing, and mastering technology is important. They also have an opportunity to practice the use of academic skills as they do independent research, organize information, and share what they have learned. Project work provides real world application of concepts and skills learned in curriculum experiences.

Why do projects?
Project work generally increases motivation to learn and can have a positive effect on the learning environment. Students are energized as they find answers to their own questions and complex problems. Students represent their learning in a variety of ways including preparing reports, writing books and articles, giving speeches, building experiments and models.

Projects are considered part of the experiences that students need to be successful in 21st century. Research in neuroscience and psychology show that knowledge, thinking and doing are inextricably tied. The 21st century learning and working environment will be one where social skills and the ability to operate in the context of a variety of cultures and communities will be important. Learners feed back information and actively use what they know to explore, negotiate, interpret and create solutions to problems with others. Students who can learn to solve problems in schools are more likely to be the creative and collaborative workers we need in the future.

How will project work look in the schools?
Project work will look different based on the age level of the students. In the earliest experiences, those provided by caregivers and parents, projects will be home projects. Seminars will teach parents how to identify a child’s interest and provide experiences including books which match the child’s interest. Beginning with the pre-kindergarten years, the Project Approach will be used. This method of project work investigates project topics which are nearby and are based on student generated questions. For example, a class may study snakes when a snake is discovered on the playground and a science curriculum goal is understanding the needs of living things.

In the late elementary years (3-5th grade) projects will follow the outline of Problem Based Learning, in which teachers coach student thinking and guide student inquiry, facilitating learning toward deeper levels of understanding while entering the inquiry as a co-investigator.

For example, students in the age level may study the geo-thermal systems that heat and cool their building and conduct experiments with different kinds of systems. In the middle school level (6-8th grade) projects will combine Problem Based Learning with Service Learning. The Service Learning teaching and learning strategy integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. For example, students may become involved in a project on recycling which leads them to develop a recycling education program for the neighborhood. In each of these types of learning experiences, students play a key role in defining the topic, designing strategies for investigation, doing the investigating, and then sharing or presenting their findings in some way.

In each of these types of project work the emphasis is on long term experiences in which students learn to take ownership for outcomes. In each of these types of project work, students develop higher level thinking skills such as observing and reflecting, developing hypotheses, drawing conclusions and inferences, and developing practical implications. Students involved in project work develop a strong sense of accomplishment and confidence in academic work.

For more info visit: www.edutopia.org/; www.projectapproach.org/

Do your own school research

Although rumors, snide comments and misinformation abound on the blogs about District 150, I encourage parents to do your own research and find out what is really happening in District 150. There are some promising projects on the horizon and personally, I remain encouraged by the prospect of new leadership; the push to increase parental involvement; the possibility of the Math Science Charter School; and especially the efforts behind the new community schools (Glen Oak and Harrison).
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from psd150.org

Much of central Harlem, a New York City neighborhood, has grown a lot over the last decade. It has been growing its residents and the community as a whole, out of what has been known as an area filled with poverty-stricken children and families. The effort really got started nearly 40 years ago as the city’s first truancy-prevention program. During the 1980’s and 1990’s, crack became more common than any structure of family in Harlem. While many felt the neighborhood was destroyed by the drug epidemic, some began looking at new approaches to reach individuals and change the community.

A school was eventually turned into one of the city’s first Beacon Centers, a place that instead of shutting its doors at the end of the school day or for the Summer, began keeping them open with help from AmeriCorps volunteers. Activities and services were continuously offered. Later in the 1990’s, a pilot project was launched for an entire city block in the Harlem neighborhood.

Many communities, such as Chicago, have taken note of the HCZ’s success and have already began implementing their own versions, prior to any federal funding initiatives. Now, the Obama administration plans to fund approximately 20 communities that are interested in replicating the Harlem Children’s Zone model. Planning grants are anticipated in early 2010 with implementation in 2011.

Peoria Public Schools recently hosted two informational sessions regarding Promise Neighborhoods and the HCZ model. From these meetings, a delegation of six people volunteered to attend a conference to learn more about the model and how it may be replicated in Peoria. Those six people were part of a 1,400 person audience from across the country that attended a HCZ presentation in New York City titled Changing the Odds: Learning from the Harlem Children’s Zone Model. Community members have also expressed interest in serving on local committees such as planning, data collection and grant writing.

Members of the New York delegation feel that Peoria is rich in resources and community assets and has laid the foundation for building on the HCZ model. The construction of two state of the art birth to 8th grade community schools, Glen Oak on the east bluff; and Harrison on the south end of Peoria, as well as the planning and community collaboration that has taken place to bring these schools to reality positions Peoria for viable grant opportunities from many sources.

The Promise Neighborhoods Planning Team will host another informational meeting on December 4th from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the South Side Library on Krause across from Harrison School (on the 2nd fl). This meeting is open to the public.

A Thanksgiving farewell message to Staff from Superintendent Hinton

As my final days come to a close in our remarkable school system, please allow me to share things with you that I am thankful for at this special time of year.

First and foremost, I am so thankful for the thousands of students, district staff and parents I have been blessed to work with, get to know, help and assist in the experience of learning. There are few words that can express the joy of seeing teachers, staff and students be successful in school and then in life.

For all the newly implemented opportunities that now avail themselves to our students, staff and parents, which I’ve been able to be a small part of, I am grateful.

Your vision and support to see them come to fruition has made the difference.

Again, please know I understand the work you do in our school system and appreciate what all of you do for our children. I also understand that at times it may not seem that way, but for all you do, I respect, appreciate and I’m most thankful.

Your continuous work and care with our students expresses your commitment and determination to focus on success for them.

So in parting, let me say I’ll miss you and thank you for your most important work you provide to our children. I am hoping and praying nothing but the best for you all in this special time of the year and always.

By the way...

Check out the Teachers Salary Schedule 2006 - 2009 here.

Not a good look for a Sheriff hoping to be re-lected

UPDATED: Just receive a robocall from District 150 that the Sheriff's Department believes that the escapees may be in the Peoria area and the schools are on look out.

First this: Sheriff McCoy defends County's actions involving his son, now this...

Area police are on a manhunt, searching for two men who escaped from the Peoria County Jail this morning.

According to police, 44–year old James Fuller and 28–year old Aaron Cook where discovered missing during breakfast at the jail around seven o'clock this morning.

Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy says a hole was found in a second floor cell ceiling. McCoy says their escape was made to the roof of the jail. After it was discovered they were gone, the jail was put on lockdown. Sheriff's police called in canine units to help search the perimeter of the jail.

Fuller was behind bars on felony charges for home invasion and criminal sexual assault. Cook had pending charges on theft, obstructing justice and Aggravated Battery of a child. McCoy says both men should be considered armed and dangerous.

Officials at Norwood School put their building on lockdown after they learned the inmates had escaped.

McCoy says twenty officers are in the field searching for the inmates. He says employees who worked last night are being called back to work to be interviewed.

School board chief reportedly shot himself in the head

A preliminary investigation indicates Michael Scott, president of the Chicago Board of Education, apparently shot himself in the head along the banks of the Chicago River early this morning, sources say.

Scott's family had reported him missing on Sunday. Police used his cell phone to locate his body and his car behind the Chicago Apparel Center at 350 N. Orleans along the north branch of the river, police sources tell the Chicago Tribune.

He apparently fell forward after shooting himself, and the gun was found near the body, the sources say.

While police sources say it appears the gunshot wound was self-inflicted, the Cook County medical examiner's office was still conducting its investigation and hadn't determined how he died.


Read the entire article here.

What would you request for your last meal?

Can a death row inmate request anything he wants for his final meal? Sure, but he might not get it. Final meals are generally limited to food that can be prepared on-site.

Prisoners usually submit their final meal request a couple of days before their execution date. The request is passed along to the prison's chef—often a prisoner himself—who then prepares the meal. When the food is ready, it's covered and brought to the prisoner's cell a few hours before the execution. (In Virginia, the food has to be served at least four hours beforehand.)

The most popular request is a cheeseburger and fries. Steak, fried chicken, and ice cream are also common. A communications representative often announces the menu to reporters, but a prisoner can request that his choice remain secret. Until 2004, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice posted the last meals of executed prisoners on its Web site but removed the list after receiving complaints that it was offensive.

The last request listed is from double homicide convict Larry Hayes, who asked for "Two bacon double cheeseburgers, French fries, onion rings, ketchup, cole slaw, two diet Cokes, one quart of milk, one pint of rocky road ice cream, one pint of fried okra, salad dressing, tomato, and onion." (Texas still posts the names and crimes of its executed offenders, as well as their last statements.) According to the TDCJ, a prisoner set to be executed Tuesday, Yosvanis Valle, asked for four hamburgers, Mexican rice, tomato, jalapeños, cheese, onions, and salad dressing. His request was granted.
The last meals of death row inmates are often quite memorable. Karla Faye Tucker requested a fruit plate but didn't eat it. John Wayne Gacy asked for shrimp, fried chicken, French fries, and a pound of strawberries. Timothy McVeigh ate two pints of mint chocolate chip ice cream. Instead of a last meal, Tennessee convict Philip Workman requested that pizza be distributed to the homeless in Nashville. (Prison officials denied his request, but local groups passed out pizza in his honor.)

Before his execution in 2000, convicted rapist and murderer Odell Barnes requested a last meal of "Justice, Equality, World Peace." In 1992, Arkansas convict Ricky Ray Rector, who had brain damage from shooting himself in the head after killing a police officer, ate a final meal of steak, fried chicken, and cherry Kool-Aid, but famously said he wanted to save his pecan pie for later.

Read the entire article here.

Are alternative schools a second chance? Really?

Peoria's District 150 currently has five alternative schools: The Developmental Center; Greeley Regional Safe School; Robert A. Jamieson School; Knoxville Center for Student Success and the Adult Education Center. The average student who enrolls in an alternative school faces steep odds to graduating. Low skills, tough lives and scarce resources at schools are big barriers.

Second chance for dropouts
by Sarah Karp, October, 2009

On day two of her second try at high school, Brianna Gibson is full of resolve. In a windowless classroom with a world map on the wall and history books on the shelves, the young woman slides into a desk, offers up a smile and says she thinks that the small alternative school she chose is going to be a good experience.

The teachers seem nice, she says. They would take time to explain assignments, something the teachers at her former high school didn’t seem to want to do. Brianna adds that she doesn’t know many of the other students, but in her mind, that’s a plus. Being anonymous should keep her from getting into fights and into trouble.

“I won’t get caught up,” Brianna explains. She was suspended from Clemente High in Humboldt Park last year for fighting, and never returned.

But for all her confidence, Brianna’s expectations signal trouble ahead. At 17, she’s antsy to move on from high school and plans to enroll in evening, Saturday, online and summer courses in an attempt to graduate within a year.

“One year,” she insists. “I guess I would do two if I absolutely had to. But I can’t be here for three. No way.”

Yet Brianna arrived in September at CCA Academy, one of 22 alternative schools operated by Youth Connections Charter, with only one credit. She needs to earn at least 21 to get a diploma—an unrealistic goal, given that most high school students earn about six credits a year. (CCA was formerly called Community Christian Alternative, but has no religious affiliation.)

Read the entire article here and come here and share your thoughts.

The Student’s Prayer

Don’t impose on me what you know, I want to explore the unknown
and be the source of my own discoveries.
Let the known be my liberation, not my slavery.
The world of your truth can be my limitation;

your wisdom my negation.
Don’t instruct me; let’s walk together.
Let my richness begin where yours ends.
Show me so that I can stand on your shoulders.
Reveal yourself so that I can be something different.
You believe that every human being can love and create.
I understand, then, your fears when

I ask you to live according to your wisdom.
You will not know who I am by listening to yourself.
Don’t instruct me; let me be.
Your failure is that I be identical to you.”

From Spiritual Intelligence, The Ultimate
Intelligence by Danah Zohar and Ian Marshall

Is Sean Carter the new Francis Albert?

JAY-Z started spreadin’ the news in September, and since then he has taken every prominent opportunity to remind us: he has a candidate for a new New York anthem, and he wants our votes.

Read the article here.

My heart goes out to you...

A little while back, local blogger Middle Aged Woman Blogging (MAWB) was chastised by another local blogger (the infamous kcdad) for saying "my heart goes out" to the families...

I have been thinking about the strength of that statement ever since, trying to understand why such a simple statement made kcdad feel the need to berate MAWB. I don't understand it and I'm fine with that.

Last night I was watching the mother who lost her 17 year old daughter over the weekend; as she sat there saying this child was "the light of my life", a tear rolled own my face, my hand went up to my heart and for that brief moment - I felt her pain. As I watched the families of the people shot and killed at Fort Hood, my throat started to constrict, a tear welled up in my eye and my hand instinctively went up to my heart - I briefly felt their pain.

My girls laugh at me when they see me watching a news report and be moved to tears. I used to try and hide it, but I don't anymore. I care about my fellow human beings and I want my children to know that empathy is okay - it makes one human.

EMPATHY - the intellectual identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another.

As I look at MAWB's blog today, she is struggling with the loss of a family friend. I read her post; I looked at the picture of the young man; I thought of his mother; my throat started to constrict and a tear welled up in my eye. I thought of my children; I thought of the mother and friends who are struggling with the loss of their loved one; and for a brief moment, my heart felt heavy and I just wanted to say...

I empathize with what you are going through ... my heart goes out to you.

Reclassification of juniors to avoid taking the PSAE

Rich East High School in Chicago has seen state test scores for its 11th-graders improve by a stunning 37 percent during the last two years - a gain so impressive that regional education officials asked the Park Forest school to host a seminar to help others emulate its success.

There's only one problem: Rich East did not give the Prairie State Achievement Exam to about 40 percent of its juniors last school year. And it excluded the ones furthest behind academically.

It's not the only school to keep the most underachieving students off the books, according to a Tribune analysis of new state Report Card test data.

School districts statewide are using a loophole that allows them to define what constitutes a "junior." By ratcheting up the credit hour requirements, schools are disqualifying thousands of third-year high school students from taking the 11th-grade exam that is the primary tool to hold the schools accountable for student achievement.

Many then take the test as seniors, but their scores are not used for state and federal No Child Left Behind accountability purposes. In fact, the state does not even track how well seniors perform on the test.

School officials say that giving students more time in class better prepares them for the exam.

A Tribune analysis found that 20 percent of Illinois sophomores didn't officially advance to junior-level status last year and, therefore, never took the exam.

Officials with the Illinois State Board of Education have known for years that schools were reclassifying juniors. But the practice became so pervasive last year, state officials said they launched an investigation. They will not provide any details of what they uncovered, saying they will present their findings to the state testing review committee this month.

"This is not an appropriate way to engage in the accountability system," said Joyce Zurkowski, who oversees student assessment for the Illinois State Board of Education. "This is an accountability test, and it's the gauge of how ready students are. By keeping out the kids who are most at risk, you are not being held accountable."

It's impossible to know exactly how many third-year high school students skipped the PSAE last school year because they were not counted as juniors.

But a Tribune analysis shows there were about 167,000 sophomores in 2007-08. By last school year - when this class moved into its junior year - only about 133,000 took the exam, according to the state data.

So 34,000 students - about 20 percent of the original sophomore class - either dropped out, transferred out of state or, most likely, simply were not counted as juniors.

In many cases, the missing students then reappear on state enrollment data as seniors come to their fourth year, according to state data. So, in effect, they were never classified as juniors on state enrollment data.

Traditionally, Illinois high schools have determined what class a student is in based on years in school. In the last five years, however, many districts began basing it on credit hours completed.

More recently, districts ratcheted up the requirements by insisting that students complete specific courses in math, English, social studies and science before they advance. As a result, thousands of students have not advanced as juniors.

How widespread is the practice? In 130 of the state's 660 high schools, at least a quarter of students dropped off the radar between sophomore year and junior test-taking time, according to a Tribune analysis of 2009 test score data.

Tom Truesdale, associate superintendent of Thornton School District 205 in the south suburbs, defended the district's decision to reclassify students. "I don't see this as gaming the system," he said. "We want to make sure students are adequately prepared. The credit hour requirements are used so students can adequately matriculate through the system and be ready to meet graduation requirements."

Read entire article here.

Title 1 schools using stimulus money to pay parents for involvement

Indiana - "It's part of a two-year effort at the South Bend Community School Corp. to tackle one of the most daunting challenges of students who fall behind: How do you get their parents more involved?

Henson is paid with federal stimulus money in the district's new Helping Hands program, which this fall began hiring parents of struggling students in various jobs at 11 of its Title I schools, which contain large numbers of poor kids. For $10 an hour, parents help up to 20 hours a week in the cafeteria, at recess, in the classroom, whatever is needed.

'By osmosis, they will learn how the school works,' says James Husband, program coordinator.

Deeper lessons, though, come from a partner program that's also fueled by stimulus money, Parent University, where parents at the same schools learn to help their children learn.

'We believe parents care; they just don't know how to help,' says Husband, who'd served as assistant principal at Jefferson and Marshall intermediate centers."

Read the entire article here, read about how parents are selected here.

Skin rejuvenation Sosa style

Sammy Sosa tells friends he is comfortable in his own skin. But a widely circulated photo of the former Cubs slugger makes his skin color appear several shades lighter.

"He's not trying to be Michael Jackson," said former Cubs employee Rebecca Polihronis, who talks frequently with Sosa. Sosa was photographed recently during an appearance at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

"He is going through a rejuvenation process for his skin," Polihronis said. "Women have it all of the time. He was surprised he came out looking so white. I thought it was a body double. Part of (the photo appearance) is just the lighting.

"He is in the middle of doing a cleansing process to his skin. The picture is deceiving. He said, 'If you saw me in person, you would be surprised. When you see me in person, it is not going to seem like the picture.'

"People who saw him in person did not react the same way. He can't believe it is such a big deal."

Polihronis, the former Cubs Care/Community Relations manager for the team, said Sosa told her he has used moisturizing treatment at night on his face. "He has always been concerned with the way he looks," she said. "Probably just bad timing going to an awards show."

Among the possible side effects for some laser skin rejuvenation methods include discoloration of the skin. The treated area may become lighter or darker in appearance.

"He was doing a dermatological skin process after years and years (of playing baseball) in the sun," Polihronis said. "It did come out looking weird (in the picture)."

Source

Several black mayors elected on November 3, 2009

On November 3, 2009, several African Americans won mayor's seats in several US cities while David Bing retained his seat in Detroit. Take a look at 6 of these new mayors below.

David Bing, Detroit, Michigan

Mia B. Love Saratoga Springs, Utah

Kim Bracey York Pensylvania

Setti Warren Newton Massachussetts

Anthony Foxx Charlotte NC

Linda Thompson, Harrisburg PA

I wanna wear my daddy's shoes Part III

What is the real issue here; is it the fact that the colleges and the athletics companies are exploiting players by forcing them to use specific equipment; or is this about Michael Jordan's son acting like a spoiled brat? So Adidas steps aside and Nike will step in and save the day. Just what Marcus wanted.

ORLANDO, Florida (AP) -- A fight over the shoes Michael Jordan's son will wear at the University of Central Florida has cost the school any future sponsorship with Adidas.

"The University of Central Florida has chosen not to deliver on their contractual commitment to adidas," Adidas spokeswoman Andrea Corso wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "As a result we have chosen not to continue our relationship with them moving forward."

First-year guard Marcus Jordan wore a pair of white Air Jordans during UCF's 84-65 exhibition win against Saint Leo on Wednesday, the Orlando Sentinel reported on its Web site. Jordan has said he will wear only his father's Nike Air Jordan shoes because they hold special meaning to his family.

UCF is in the final year of a five-year contract with adidas that requires coaches and athletes to use the company's apparel and equipment.

"We are disappointed to learn that adidas has chosen to discontinue its relationship with UCF Athletics," the school said in a statement released by spokesman Joe Hornstein. "Once we receive official notice we will be able to further respond."

Teachers engaging parents to help with homework

The parents of some ninth-grade students in NYC are spending their evenings this fall doing something they thought they had left behind long ago: homework. The ninth graders complete their assignments during class; the parents are supposed to write their responses either on an online blog created by the teacher or through hand written journal entries.

The point is to keep parents involved in their children’s’ education well into high school. Studies have shown that parental involvement improves the quality of the education a student receives, but teenagers seldom invite that involvement. Some parents say they like the assignments because they can spark intellectual conversation with teenagers who are normally less than communicative; others are more resistant because at the end of a long work day, the last thing they want to do is homework.

Experts say that while many elementary school teachers ask parents to write letters introducing their children at the beginning of the school year, few teachers subject parents to a weekly regimen of reading and writing. Apparently these teachers are hoping to fix that.

Related - Helping Your Child With Homework; Homework Help for Parents

I wanna wear my daddy's shoes Part II

Marcus Jordan, son of basketball hall of famer Michael, will play in his first Central Florida game while wearing Air Jordan shoes, Bright House Sports Network reported Wednesday.

A source told the network even though UCF has a deal with Adidas, Jordan will wear Nike's Air Jordan shoes against Saint Leo in an exhibition game on Wednesday.

Jordan also wore the Air Jordan sneakers in a team scrimmage on Sunday.

Jordan will wear the Adidas uniform, with the exception of the sneakers. UCF's three-year deal with Adidas is worth $1.9 million for the school. It expires in 2010.

Source

EmergePeoria's hot stock to buy - ADT

You know, I appreciate that the Police are bent out of shape because they are facing cuts. I agree, crime is bad and we need an active, engaged and able bodied Police force to fight it. However, for Troy Skaggs to make the comment above makes be feel like "wow, did he just threaten the taxpayers? Really?" I know an officer would never "threaten the public" per se, but dang...

It would have been nice if the officer could have tried to ease a citizen's mind and said something like, "We will continue to keep our streets as safe as they currently are, we will do anything in our power to keep it from getting any worse."

I know, the police will have to work harder and smarter. However, this is Peoria, not Detroit, Chicago, or New Jersey. You can make it anywhere in this town in 20 minutes or under and even faster with a siren on. Additionally, considering how bad crime is now - makes one wonder how many officers they currently have patrolling the streets?

I see a market for private security firms. (hat tip to Frustrated). How would City Hall feel about seeing an upsurge in neighborhood patrols? Get Jim Stowell on the phone - tell him I am interested in ADT.

Inclusion is not just a disability issue

Just recently I have begun to pay more attention to inclusion students that are in some of the classrooms in my little one’s primary school. It is touching to see and there is no doubt that it is a worthwhile learning experience for all students involved. The lesson to be learned is huge, because inclusion is not just about disabilities; it is about human beings learning to embrace our diversity.

Co-Teaching: Adapting and Modifying the Curriculum
From PSD.150.org, Staff News

Some students with disabilities need accommodations or modifications to their educational program in order to participate in the general curriculum and to be successful in school. An accommodation allows a student to complete the same assignment or test as other students, but with a change in the timing, formatting, setting, scheduling, response and/or presentation. This does not alter in any significant way what the test or assignment measures. A modification is an adjustment to an assignment or a test that changes the standard or what the test or assignment is supposed to measure. Examples of modifications include completing work on part of a standard or a student completing an alternate assignment that is more easily achievable than the standard assignment.

Guidelines for Adapting Curriculum
1. Focus on what the student CAN do.
2. Accommodations can be used with any student; modifications should be documented on a student’s IEP.
3. Attempt to accommodate BEFORE you modify.
4. Accommodate and modify before changing the activity.
5. Use the least intrusive support first.
6. Use age-appropriate goals, materials, and activities when planning how to adapt.
7. Not all students learn the same thing, in the same way, at the same time-AND THAT IS OK.

Related: Aligning IEPs With State Standards and Accountability Systems

Tentative H1N1 vaccincation dates

At Monday night's BOE Meeting, five schools were approved to be used by the Peoria City/County Health Department to administer H1N1 flu vaccinations. The tentative dates for the clinics and schools are as follows:

Woodrow Wilson Primary School, 1907 W. Forrest Hill Ave., Nov. 10
Manual High School, 811 S. Griswold St., Nov. 16
Richwoods High School, 6301 N. University St., Nov. 17
Von Steuben Middle School, 801 E. Forrest Hill Ave., Nov. 23

Two alternate locations, Franklin-Edison and Charter Oak primary schools, were also approved.

Source

Identity conflicts and the education gap

In Peoria, whatever the extracurricular, whatever the educational venture, you will more often than not see an "only"...

Throughout my life I have often had the distinction of the being “the only” (the only black girl/woman in attendance). As a girl in ballet, gymnastics, archery; certain courses as I matriculated in college; as an adult on the job – every job; as a happily married, stay at home mom and volunteer. And the only life continues as my children excel educationally and I take them to music, swimming, chess club, tennis, gymnastics, ballet or volleyball.

I think that if the child can manage to be aware of the multifaceted life in which they live, they can thrive off of the diversity (or lack thereof). But for the child without a strong sense of family and identity, being the only can be a very isolating experience.

Facing Identity Conflicts, Black Students Fall Behind
By Nancy Solomon, NPR

The identity issues facing middle-class black and Latino teenagers might be a clue as to why they don't do as well academically as their white and Asian counterparts, some researchers and educators say. The teens often live in dual worlds: the suburban one they live in, and the rougher street life they see glorified in the media.

Known as the "minority achievement gap," the lower average test scores, grades and college attendance by black and Latino students have long perplexed researchers. Many have focused on the values and attitudes of students and whether black students think doing well in school is "acting white."

Read the entire article here.

Burying the dead is getting more affordable

Let's see, I need bananas, milk, tube socks, potting soil, kitchen curtains, bullets and oh yeah, let me check the caskets while I'm here.

First it was Unclaimed Freight - now it's WalMart. Introducing the Lady de Guadalupe Steel Casket:

Made of Superior Grade 18-gauge steel, Lady de Guadalupe's exterior is hand-painted by experienced craftsman in an exquisite slate blue metallic color, complemented with individual appliqués of the Lady de Guadalupe. The interior bedding, so soft to the touch, is sewn and gathered by hand in a sky-blue chalet crepe adorned by an embroidered figure of the Lady de Guadalupe. High-polished hardware and carry bars for easy handling complete this religious-themed edition.

Bloated

Other bloggers have made suggestions on where they think the City of Peoria should make cuts. I've been thinking about it for a while and I think I have a suggestion as well. Before our new City Manager makes any further cuts in the Police Department, perhaps he should consider making cuts here:

City of Peoria Planning and Growth Management Department
1 - Administrator
1 - Assistant Administrator
5 - Senior Urban Planners
2 - Urban Planners
1 - Zoning Enforcement Officer
1 - Graphic Artist
2 - Administrative Assistants

What are they doing that benefits the tax payers of Peoria? Whatever it is, do they really need this many people to do it?

7 Urban Planners - Just how does an "Urban Planner" validate their job during this economy?

Happy Halloween!

You knock on a door in the East Bluff and say "trick or treat"; a beautiful, black woman with a halo answers the door and gives you a sanitary hand wipe (thank H1N1); be sure and introduce yourself, you are at my house.

Citizen Alert - north Peoria

Interesting that this guy manages to get really close to his victims. Let go of the stereotypes people, be street smart and stay safe.

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The Peoria Police Department is investigating a rash of armed and attempted armed robberies occurring in business parking lots throughout north Peoria.

In each instance, a subject has approached lone females as they enter their vehicle. The suspect usually displays a handgun and demands money and then flees the area on foot. On one occasion, the suspect forced a victim to drive to an ATM where he forced her to withdraw funds.

The date, time, and locations of these robberies or robbery attempts are as follows:
Oct 23, 1312 Hrs Walgreens – 2515 N Knoxville
Oct 25, 2159 Hrs Krogers – 3311 N Sterling
Oct 25, 1940 Hrs Walmart – 8915 N Allen Road
Oct 29, 1927 Hrs Dairy Queen – 8530 N Knoxville
Oct 29, 1932 Hrs Busey Bank – 6699 N Sheridan Road

Although there have been no injuries, on each occasion the suspect has either displayed or inferred a handgun and covers his face by means of a hooded sweatshirt or wearing a Halloween style mask, similar to a white hockey mask.

The suspect is believed to be a white male, age unknown, 5’9”, 150 pounds, brown or light shaggy hair.

Citizens are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious persons or activity to the Peoria Police Department.

The Peoria Police Department urges anyone possessing any knowledge of these incidents to contact the Peoria Police Department at 673-4521 or Crime Stoppers at 673-9000.

Source