Emerge Peoria

It appears the BOE is tracking curriculum changes

2012-01-27T10:48:00.003-06:00

So, if you are not pleased with how it's going, be sure and let them know. The following is excerpted from an Jan/Feb 2012 article on the Illinois Association of School Boards website entitled "Reading: Pumping up the Basics"...

The reason why the BOE meeting schedule was changed (from the article)

In order to keep track of the curriculum changes that arebeing implemented, the District 150 board has modified its meeting schedule.While the board still meets twice a month, one meeting is devoted to businesswith a 10-minute slot allotted for teacher or student presentations. The othermeeting allots from 30 minutes to two hours for individual program presentationsand discussion topics. These in-depth explanations also give the community thetransparency and information that they have been asking for.

The District’s literacy plan is COMPLETE (from the article)

With the beginning of the 2011-12 school years, District 150embarked on an orchestrated quest to pump up its reading scores on the IllinoisStandard Achievement Test (ISAT). The multi-pronged approach is supported byteachers and tutors in the classroom all the way up through the superintendentand the school board.

“We really want theboard to see how this is working; Becky (Lindholm) and Shameika(Sykes-Patterson) can go through programs with them and not be concerned aboutthe amount of time allotted.” Board President Butler

The basics of the change involve a daily dedicated 90minutes of reading instruction throughout the elementary grades and anadditional 45 minutes of grouped reading work every day. While the 90-minutereading block was in place before, it has now become sacrosanct. No student canbe pulled out of that 90-minute reading block — not for speech, not for band,not for anything.

Superintendent Lathan knows that in order to make adifference, the district — from the board down to the teachers — must follow theplan that has been created. “This has to be done with fidelity,” Lathan said.To achieve that fidelity in the classroom, the district is providingprofessional development for teachers and principals on the new balancedliteracy program, doing walk-throughs in classrooms to observe progress andimplementing coaching where help is needed.

The district’s ambitious three-year strategic plan showsmuch work remains to be completed by 2014. But the important strategy ofcreating a new literacy program is checked off as complete. Read complete article here…

Superintendent Grenita Lathan being blamed for problems in San Diego Unified's special education program

2012-01-26T21:32:00.000-06:00

Today I heard about how it was going for teachers who are now teaching giftedclasses in District 150. They are excited to have the opportunity. The only problem is, the teachers I heard about have not had anytraining, the principal was not given any resources, there were no materialspurchased and there is no directive on what the teachers should be teaching.When the teachers registered to receive training on gifted education at aseminar in Chicago, the District Administration denied the request. This soundsa lot like the San Diego Unified issue:

San Diego Unified's Big Special Ed Shift

It was the biggest change in the way San Diego Unifiededucates its students with special needs in a decade, and we wanted to know howthe district had coped with the transition.

In 2008, after a report concluded that children withdisabilities were too often being segregated into separate classrooms, thedistrict began a concentrated effort to include far more children with specialneeds in general education classrooms in their neighborhood schools.

The shift required a complex reorganization of where kidswith special needs would go to school. Rather than being grouped at relativelyfew sites that focused on special education, thousands of students withdisabilities instead began flooding into their local schools.

Here are the conclusions we came to:

• Interviews with more than two dozen teachers, principals,experts and parents revealed a haphazard rollout of the new special educationmodel that was plagued by a lack of vision and leadership.

• On the issue of training, specifically, there wasconfusion. Despite advocates pushing for mandatory training for teachers,nobody at the district ever tried to make that happen.

• There's also disagreement about how principals weretrained for the big change. The top official at the district's SpecialEducation Division says she was blocked from approaching principals to tellthem about training. But that claim is refuted by her former boss, who nolonger works in San Diego.

• What's clear is that individual schools were essentiallyleft to work out how to make the move on their own, with little help from thedistrict.

• Though many schools say they have now ironed out most ofthe kinks in making the transition, that's taken time and has placed unduestress on teachers while impacting the education of kids with special needs andthe children they now share classrooms with.

• Some principals said three years later they're stillstruggling to implement the new model, as each year they must learn to teachchildren with disabilities they have not encountered at the school before.

Why Training Was Never Mandated

Back in October, we described how many general educationteachers at the district were suddenly faced with teaching children withspecial needs, despite having no training on how to do so.What we didn't tell you was why the district never made thattraining compulsory for the thousands of teachers making the transition.

Here's why: Nobody at the district ever tried to maketraining mandatory, despite being urged to do so by some advocates of thechange.

Arguably the district's biggestchallenge in implementing the new approach was convincing skeptical teachersand principals that it was the right thing to do. An effective way to do that was to get those teachers intotraining sessions, to show them the benefits of inclusion, said MarvinElementary School Principal E. Jay Derwae.

"Of course training should have been mandatory. You have to make sure everybody buys into the new paradigmshift, and you've got to be able to hold teachers' hands through the changes."

Jay Derwae

Many Principals Weren't Trained Either

While the decision that more inclusion was needed came downfrom the higher echelons of the district, the foot soldiers in the effort tomake the change a reality were individual school principals. Like teachers, many principals at the district neededcrucial training to help them assimilate their new found students with specialneeds into their schools. And there were practical considerations too, like how to setup "sensory rooms" where children with certain disabilities couldcool down after getting upset.

Special education training was never mandated for principalseither. And there's more.

Susan Martinez, executive director of the district's SpecialEducation Division, said she was told principals were too busy to hear aboutadditional training. She said she was told not to attend meetings with principals,and was barred from putting information about training on the district'swebsite.

"Because of the way the system was, we were not allowedaccess to principals. So, the word was out there that we didn't want to workwith principals," Martinez said. "We would say 'We can do training,we want to do training, but we're not allowed to.'"

Asked who barred her from approaching principals, Martineznamed Grenita Lathan, who used to serve as a deputy superintendent and is nowsuperintendent of a school district in Peoria, Ill.

Lathan said Martinez's claim is untrue. She said she'll becontacting the district. Source

Does this person appear to be threatening the POTUS?

2012-01-26T15:32:00.000-06:00

Why didn't the Secret Service tackle her behind?

First up on the 1st District appeasement list...

2012-01-26T14:43:00.000-06:00

1st District Councilman Clyde Gulley

Spring Grove, which is the new gated subdivision that the majority of well do black people who live in Southtown reside in.

At Tuesday's City Council meeting the local newspaper reporter who was live blogging, blogged that the Mayor accused Sandberg and Gulley of grandstanding for the audience. Now we know that Sandberg is always going to speak on behalf of constituents, but Gulley, ummmm, not so much.

But hey, it appears that this Southtown TIF thingy has revived him.

Check it out he really has a lot to say:

1st District City Councilman Clyde Gulley, who represents the Southtown area, said Urich's office should not "assume" there are no neighborhood concerns before the council tackles items.
"If you really don't know whether or not there are any concerns, you shouldn't say there are not concerns," Gulley said.
Gulley said the city should focus the TIF district money on projects of importance within Southtown.
Gulley cited a street lighting project within the Spring Grove subdivision he says has been needed for years, though the project is not specifically included in the city's capital budget plan.
Gulley said some of the passionate calls to keep the money in Southtown reflects the frustrations of residents in that area.
"It's because there have been a lot of promises broken, I think the people in the south side are tired of it," said Gulley.
There are a lot of things going on wrong in our community. It's almost like the State of the City is what everyone is talking about. But this is a whole different city we are living in, said Gulley.
Gulley said we have 9.9 percent unemployment (but the city has) the best credit ratings because people with jobs are doing fine. You have people without jobs; they don't have a credit score." Source

Don't worry Southtown Gulley's got your back.

Just how sharp is Sharp?

2012-01-25T12:11:00.000-06:00

In last night’s local newspaper, when live blogging about the City Council meeting, the local political reporter, who one would think would be in touch with the community, started his report like this:

City Council meeting — 1/24/2012Following along to the highlights of tonight’s Peoria City Council meeting. The meeting starts at 6:15 p.m

Expect a lot of discussion on the potential delay of the redevelopment agreement with EM Properties for the Marriott Hotel project. I wouldn’t anticipate any shocking decision tonight (aka, cancellation of the agreement…though it’s a possibility).

A large crowd in the council chambers (not sure why).

Ummmm, really? You don't know why? Isn't the Southtown TIF on the Agenda?

In today’s newspaper, that same reporter did a follow-up report on the Council meeting. In that report the reporter described the people who attended the meeting as “a mostly black crowd”. This description of the people who attended the meeting didn’t sit well with some of the folks who read the article...

PEORIA - 11 hours ago...John, WHY call attention to the majority of the audience's race? Which has nothing to do withmunicipal funding. I, highly, doubt that you would describe a crowded 5thdistrict audience, in print, as the ' mostly white Peorians ' . These Southtownresidents concerns are valid, about this issue, no matter what race they are!

Stormin Norman - 10 hours ago...PEORIA said it first and said it best...

Trustbutverify - 6 hours ago...PEORIA is exactly right!Just another shoddy piece of journalism from our local birdcage liner.

Mrdippy - 2 hours ago...PEORIA: Local government in my experience is very cautious to not offend demographic groups whetherrace, religious, neighbordhood, etc.. Perhaps its just part of being a politician and looking out for that career. Isn't it kind of racist for you to think that including mention of race in the article might imply some sort of lack of credibility for their concerns? When I read the article I didn't pick up on any sort of conotation along those lines and had to re-read the articleto see what you commented about. I think it is fair to include that mention because demographics are relevant for politics, and the make up of different parts of the city are known facts lets hope we can all acknowledge.

Writingmomma - 2 hours ago...I think it is time for some real changes in Peoria. There needs to be more diversity on the ballots there. Get busy Peoria residents. Out with the old and in with the new. It is high time to get the racist rhetoric away from the present way of life. Yes, African Americans make up the largest majority in south Peoria, but it doesn't matter. People are people! There are also White Americans living there too.There are also Asian, Indian and several other races. Stop grouping people together and thinking that they are less worthy of the tax dollars that 'they' too pay as well. Where do you think TIF monies come from, a fairy? People are not blind. When shady business practices are being done or racistarticles are printed, corruption is present, it is seen! It is time to put Peoria on the map as a place with diverse quality of living.No racial profiling. There needs to be transparency in governmental hiring practices, that includes,police officers, city council, fire departments.

And for the PJ Star , you need to hire more than just Pam Adams to go into theblack neighborhoods to report. Race baiting while reporting on a story is justsad in 2012.

Suffy - 2 hours ago...I think John Sharp'sdescription of the audience in attendance was appropriate. I could not attendbut listened to the meeting on Bradley University's 89.9. It was wonderful tohear so many Southtown Residents show up and speak so passionately about the TIFand the area that is their home and neighborhood. They articulated their ideasand finally the council listened to someone other than Matthews and the othersthat seem to have a magic hold on them. Everyone knows all the financing is notin place, the documents are not signed and finalized and there are legal issuesas well among the various partners in this project.

... And then something really strange happened...

John Plevka JS ManagingEditor - 1 hour ago...
John Sharp is anexcellent and experienced reporter. His attention to detail is razor sharp.However, we agree with commenter PEORIA, the need to describe the racial mix ofTuesday nights audience was not salient to the issues being weighed at themeeting. Race had not been introduced as a factor in the debate and, thus,describing the crowd in this fashion was not relevant. We have since removedthe reference from the online version of the story.

What do you think? Was it worth the mention that the people who turned out to protest this issue were mostly black? Isn't it a fact that the majority of residents who would be most affected by the City giving the Southtown TIF funds to Matthews and the Warehouse District black? Why would the Peoria Journal Star be so sensitive about this one story?

Peoria City Council caught with their hand in the cookie jar

2012-01-24T22:33:00.001-06:00

Tonight the attempt to take money out of the Southtown TIF and give it to Gary Matthews and the Warehouse District was thwarted when folks from Southtown showed up to stand up for their community.

The measure was unanimously defeated and left Councilman Gully trying to save face when he was more than likely prepared to vote for the measure to pass. After being confronted by the people who would vote his behind out of office, his tone changed. See what happens we stand up for our community?

Congratulations Southtown, stay vocal, stay strong!

Restorative justice in schools

2012-01-24T16:00:00.000-06:00

While prepping this post, I hear a call on the police scanner to come to Trewyn School. A five (5) year old was slammed into a locker and the older sibling was assaulted. The mother called the police. Should this issue be handled within the school, or should the parent press assault charges?

Restorative Justice
Restorative justice is a practice characterized by bringing together administrators, educators, advocates, school resource officers, parents and students with a history of truancy for a series of goal-oriented meetings in order to counsel towards problem solving in the area of daily and class based attendance, or other behavioral or academic issues at hand. Typically, a restorative justice model will maintain conducting three to five meetings of the necessary personnel to bring the student at fault to understand how his/her absence is affecting his/her potential. The meetings will often be centered on discussion of offenses and consequences, which will lead to the creation of a contract between students, parents and educators, promising change in a student’s attendance rates. The restorative justice model is emerging as one of the most dynamic and effective ways to address truancy without the use of suspension or court order. Source

Issues of discipline in our school have teachers and many in the community at their wits end. We want children to just behave already and fall in line. Regardless of how much we want that and secretly wish these children will just go away to a place made just for them, we realize that it's really not that simple.

Recently people commenting on the blog have begun to talk about issues of restorative justice. After taking a look at an article recommended in comments by Jon (Sharon Crews' arch nemesis), I realized that I have seen some aspects of restorative justice in use. However, I don't feel like it was effective, because school administrators did not name the process, nor did they follow through on it. If there are no efforts to get students, families and the community to buy in, piecemeal applications will not work.

The expectation of zero tolerance makes the restorative justice process a complete paradigm shift for schools and it takes time. Unfortunately, some children enjoy the drama and attention they get when misbehaving and as a result, bad behaviors can be slow to change. A district's suspension rates may begin to go down, but in the meantime, the children who are prepared and want to learn are losing valuable time. Parents who may have options are giving up and looking for safe havens. However, if given time and resources, with buy in from students, parents and community members, I believe restorative justice to be worth the efforts.

School Board member calls student behavior 'atrocious'

2012-01-24T10:20:00.000-06:00

Yesterday the School Board met as a Committee of the Wholeat Washington Gifted School. The issue of discipline was a hot topic, as theBoard received a report on student discipline.

Kudos to the Lathan Administration, they seem to becognizant of the civil rights issues surrounding inconsistent enforcement ofproblem behaviors in schools and they appear to be working diligently to insurethat a discipline policy is instituted that will be applied equally across theDistrict.

There are very few issues that School Board members arevocal about and I am pleased that they are vocal about resolving issuesof discipline. However, in my opinion, it is unfortunate to hear a steward ofour children’s education speak with such disdain for the clients they serve. I understand the frustrations, but words can hurt. When dealing with children, we must make every effort to temper our emotions.

"I used the term 'atrocious' to describe behavior

lasttime, I'm going to leave that word in place."

School Board member Rick Cloyd,

referring to an earlier first-quarter report on discipline.

It's time to give Reservoir School back to it's neighborhood.

2012-01-24T09:26:00.000-06:00

It is reported that this year, about 50 more fourth-graderswere tested and referred to Washington Gifted School for the 2011 school year thanin 2010. Apparently the District now has several new programs in place that aredesigned to identify and reach high-ability learners at various grade levels.

"The key here is now there are services [gifted]available
at every school in the district.”

Superintendent Grenita Lathan

If that’s the case, now it's time for the District to begin sending thegifted students that are currently isolated at Washington Gifted back to their home schools.

Ann her bony knees are knocking...

2012-01-23T14:44:00.000-06:00

The conservative queen of the "glib cheap shot" is so terrified of Newty the Booty chaser getting the Republication nomination; she has actually come to her senses. Keep in mind, this chick LOVES disrespecting President Obama, so this clip is priceless!

Working to increase parental involvement through Parent University

2012-01-22T17:24:00.000-06:00

If you check the District 150 website, it touts the Parent University as something that is "new". The fact of the matter is, Parent University has been around since 2008 and it was brought to the District by Board of Education (BOE) member Martha Ross, who had visited Parent University in other cities.

The first Parent University was held in 2009 at the Civic Center. It was well attended, as it was part of a school fair where parents registered for the upcoming school year and they also received book bags for students. The parents would attend sessions related to issues that they told the Board they were interested in seeing via a survey they filled out - before getting the book bags.

The Distirct 150 Title 1 Director holds the purse for the Parent University, however, it is the input from parents that should drive what sessions are offered. During the Hinton Administration, Sandra Burke was the parent liason and parents were able to give input via Parent Advisory Groups that the District is required by the State to have in every Title 1 school. Each school then sends parents to the district wide Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) quarterly meetings, to help ensure that parents are involved and informed about programs and policies in the school district.

Individuals from the PAC should then be appointed to a BOE sub-committee, where input is to be given directly to the BOE via members who chair the sub-committee. The BOE members who currently co-chair the District 150 Parent Advisory Committee is Martha Ross and Lynn Costic. As Sandra Burke is now retired, the district wide PAC meetings are now led by York Powers (who is new to the area). York is the District's Family & Community Coordinator and works under Rebecca Lindholm, who is the District's Title 1 Director. Although I sit on the District 150 Parent Advisory Committee, I have not been able to obtain any information on whether District wide PAC meetings have been held this year.

I attended the first Parent University that was held at Glen Oak Community School. There were about ten (10) parents there, along with a couple of BOE members (one of which seemed to be there mainly to take advantage of the opportunity to pass around her petition to retain her school board seat) and several teachers, who attended to teach sessions.

Marsha Dodson of Empower Parents was the speaker at that event. The Glen Oak Parent University was Mrs. Dodson's second trip to P-Town to speak to parents. Dodson was brought in from San Diego, so it is quite unfortunate that parents did not turn out to take advantage of her expertise.

At the Harrison School Parent University, Dodson gave a thirty minute keynote address and then parents were to spend the remainder of their evening participating in smaller workshops, including:

-Job Readiness (Tri-County Urban League)

-Healthy Eating (American Cancer Society)

-Emergency Preparedness (Peoria County Health Department)

-Legal Services (Prairie State Leagal Services)

-Peoria Promise (Peoria Promise Foundation)

-Housing Assistance (METEC)

-Getting College Ready for Parents (Empowering Parents)

-H.S. Curriculum Fair (Dist. 150)

-Reading Strategies (Dist. 150)

-Testing and Assessments (Dist. 150)

-Gifted Programs (Dist. 150)

-Compass Learning (Dist. 150)

-Primary Math Strategies (Dist. 150)

-Middle School Math Strategies (Dist. 150)

-High School Math Strategies (Dist. 150)

To learn that only five (5) parents came out to the Parent University is unfortunate, because there is some expense in putting these things on. It is also unfortunate that the Parent University seems to have gotten away from the issues that parents revealed in survey that they were most interested in learning about. The photo from the District website, seems to indicate that only one (1) parent showed up for the session that Dodson gave on "Getting College Ready for Parents."

A few of the issues that parents previously indicated they were interested in: how to advocate for your child; how to best communicate with teachers; dealing with issues of bullying; getting teachers involved in parent activities; utilizing parent resource centers and working on computers in resource areas; or support meetings to help parents cope with the “teenage” years, etc.

There are three (3) hubs where Parent Universities are being conducted: Glen Oak Community Learning Center, Harrison Community Learning Center, and Northmoor Primary School. What parents want to see will vary from hub to hub. Surveying parents on their needs most certainly have an impact on turn out. It will be interesting to see what level of workshops will be available to parents who attend the sessions at the Northmoor Primary School hub.

City loosing years of business on the Mariott/Matthews "deal"

2012-01-20T12:22:00.000-06:00

Not only are City "leaders" crippling the inner city, they are also doing damage to the business community in their on going efforts to do the Mariott deal. Business leaders have begun to speak out about their concerns, but the Mayor advises that they tend to their own business.

Business Leaders React to Latest Delay in Downtown Marriott Project

Some Peoria business leaders are sick of waiting for the downtown Marriott hotel project to get started. Some believe another delay could cost Peoria a lot of money. Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau say every month progress isn't made is "potentially dangerous" to attracting future business. Bob Marx, president of the Peoria's CVB, says multiple delays in the hotel project are costing the city millions of dollars. He says uncertainty behind the hotel deal is making it too difficult to land big conventions.

"We have hit a wall because we can only stall these people so much," said Marx. Marx says at least a dozen groups will not come to Peoria because the deal is not done. He says this could mean years of missed opportunities.

Bob Marx
"Every month that its delayed groups are going to book somewhere else." "And when they book somewhere else, they usually book several years out. So what that's going to do for us is it's not going to allow us to talk to them until 2014, 2015, or 2016."

The same is happening for Peoria's Convention Center. It says it can't just sit back and wait for the deal to happen. The economic impact of conventions is huge. But you know people are spending up to $150 per day," said Mark Burnett, marketing director for Peoria's Convention Center. "So we can't wait for that shovel to go into the ground."

Marx says time is running out.

"We can only romance them so long until they say you know what, we love you, but we gotta' move on."

"I would say [Peoria Area] Convention and Visitor's Bureau need to be more focused on doing their job and allowing us to get ours done," said Ardis. "So I'll just put that out there for Mr. Marx." Source

Note to the inner city: The COP does not care about you

2012-01-20T10:00:00.000-06:00

The School District shuts down schools because they "can't afford to keep them open" and inner city neighborhoods are ripped apart. The Park District closes down inner city YMCA/YWCA, limiting places where inner city children can play, thereby leaving children to make do on the streets.

In the meantime, the COP is creating TIF Districts specifically for private developers and as soon as the TIF reaches maturity, giving payouts to private developers, rather than returning the monies back to the Districts.

The Southtown TIF district, which was created in 1978, currently has a $4.6 million balance and will expirenext year. The TIF-generated payouts SHOULD go back to taxing districts such as the School District and the Park District. Instead the COP has decided that a private developer is entitled to three-quarters of the payout. In addition, the SouthtownTIF could also be tapped to pay for ongoing work in the Warehouse District.

pjstar
“…in 2010, $3.5 million in property taxrevenues that would otherwise have gone to District 150 was redirected to CityHall for projects within the TIF districts.”

David Kinney, the comptroller and treasurer of District 150

Does this sound like a City that cares about inner city children and the neighborhoods in which they live? Not to me.

Who is this blonde beauty?

2012-01-18T10:11:00.000-06:00

(a) Gisele Bundchen

(b) Ana Beatriz Barros

(c) Beyonce Carter

(d) Petra Nemcova

(e) Claudia Schiffer

(f) Rebecca Romijn

We already discussed Beyonce and her issues with color last year. But once again, Ms. Thang has decided to push the envelope.

Happy Birthday to ya!

2012-01-16T09:10:00.000-06:00

The MLK Luncheon with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson was by far the best MLK event I have ever attended in Peoria. I'm sure some folks were none to happy that Dr. Dyson spent the first 15 minutes of his speech backing up the work of his "friend", Tavis Smiley and essentially spanking the people who "demonized him for doing exactly what Martin would do." He went on to say that to demonize Tavis puts him in the company of great men, including Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr., who would also speak truth to power, be it black or white.

Dr. Dyson agreed with Tavis' position about the lack of attention to the needs of those in poverty and shamed anybody who would want to silence the issue when it is so evident in our country and our community (as expounded upon by Gary Moore when

introducing Dr. Dyson). He went on to say that if Dr. King were alive, he too would criticize this Administration for the lack of attention to the working poor and unemployed. Dr Dyson also made it clear that he has a great deal of love and respect for the President and would, no doubt vote for him again.

Out of 19,000 Peorians who live below the poverty line, 11,000 are blacks (38% of the city's black population), and nearly 1,500 are Latinos (about 25%).

There are more blacks under correctional control today -- in prison or jail, on probation or parole -- than were enslaved in 1850, a decade before the Civil War began.

As of 2004, more African American men were disenfranchised (due to felon disenfranchisement laws) than in 1870, the year the Fifteenth Amendment was ratified prohibiting laws that explicitly deny the right to vote on the basis of race.

Statistics compiled by Charles Blow

and author

Michelle Alexander

(author of

The New Jim Crow

People are shooting on the regular on the East Bluff and South end and never get caught

2012-01-15T08:10:00.001-06:00

But let somebody get shot out North and all kinds of suspects get arrested. But then again, we already know where this City's priorities lay and it ain't with the inner city neighborhoods. Did we find at least one of the 4-5 guys who committed the strong armed robbery in broad daylight down at Church's Chicken yesterday?

Three more held in Thursday shooting
One suspect arrested at hospital after being shot

A man who was shot in the forearm Thursday night is one of three additional people to be arrested in connection with another shooting that took place less than an hour earlier in Northwest Peoria, according to Peoria police.

Andre M. Ewing, 28, of 2306 W. Wiswall St. was arrested Saturday afternoon at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. He was taken to St. Francis after sustaining a gunshot wound that brought police to an apartment at 2604 N. Lavalle Court before 7 p.m. Thursday.

Ewing is a suspect in the shooting that left an unidentified man in critical condition at St. Francis. The victim, who was shot in the head, was found outside the home of Juan F. Nesbit, 21, of 3616 Hedgehill Lane. Nesbit remains in Peoria County Jail pending a second appearance Tuesday in bonding court.

Police also have arrested Aaron S. Frazier, 21, of 2009 W. Starr St. and Tonica E. Fullilove, 21, of 810 E. McClure Ave. in connection with the Hedgehill Lane shooting.Ewing, Frazier and Fullilove were booked on charges of attempted murder. Ewing faces additional charges of obstructing justice and false reporting of an offense.A bond of $500,000 was set Saturday for Nesbit on a charge of aggravated battery. Source

For homeless children, being able to continue their education can make all the difference

2012-01-13T15:47:00.002-06:00

This very important information about homeless families inour City was a part of another article in the local newspaper:

Peoria High School, Thomas Jefferson, Roosevelt and WhittierSchools had the highest number of homeless students, ranging from 49 at PeoriaHigh to 27 at Whittier.
Based on number of District 150 students receiving free orreduced-price lunch, the number of homeless students should be between 600 and800.
The District has found that families are reluctant todivulge their circumstances to school officials. Others may not realize thatdoubling-up with relatives or friends also qualifies them for the homelessassistance services school districts are legally required to provide.
The assistance includes providing uniforms, school suppliesand transportation to allow students to remain in their home schools.

Homeless Teenager Is Intel Competition Semifinalist

Samantha Garvey and her father at Brentwood High School -
Brentwood, NY - Jan 12, 2012

The 17-year-old senior says she cannot believe that she isone of the semifinalists in the highly prestigious Intel Science Competition,in part because she lives in a Bay Shore homeless shelter with her parents,brother, and twin sisters.

“I am currently homeless. Like I’ve said, this motivates meto do better. I do well and I pursue my passion because it’s what I have andit’s a way out, you know, and it’ll lead to better things.”

She said she was blown away and started crying when shelearned about her place in the competition.

Garvey is one of 61 Long Island students who have a chanceat the competition’s top prize of $100,000. “I did a marsh study where I looked at mussels in a marshand I saw that when they were exposed to crabs, they grew heavier shells,” shesaid. After that, she introduced the situation to a lab setting.

Her guidance counselor Karin Feil said Garvey takesadvantage of anything offered to her. She also studies Italian and plays the violin. Plus, she has3.9 grade point average. Samantha said she dreams of becoming a marine biologist afterattending Brown or Yale.

Police dispatchers, doing their part to save our City, one call at a time

2012-01-13T12:34:00.000-06:00

Just the other day, I noticed how the PPD dispatchers appear to be working a lot of hours. The same voice I heard in the morning, I also seemed to hear when I turned the radio back on in the evening. Now I know why, the dispatchers have recently faced layoffs and retirements, right along with the police. From the comments section: Anonymous said...

"I will start out by saying thank you, Dispatch does not get noticed very often. More times than not we are the ones on the other end of 911 being yelled at or cursed at during all 8-16 hours of our shift. The PPD gets a bad rep too because of the cuts city council has made, we (the whole force & dispatch) are under staffed so severely it's crazy. I am not someone who speaks on politics because I do not follow close enough to be accurate in my comments. I will say that when I started in dispatch 2 & 1/2 years ago this city had 32 dispatch positions available. We have been cut to 29. The officers have been cut from 5 shifts to 4. I do not have the exact numbers to post however when you have 1 officer to cover 3 districts it can get hairy.

With the last round of layoffs there was an early retirement option offered. Several of your dispatchers have the time on the job & took it. We now have around 20 radio trained dispatchers. This post is not about only dispatch however it caught my attention because "The voice" you speak about is a co-worker & my good friend. She works 3rd shift & yes she does run the streets on main radio as each of us do when we sit in that seat. We get screamed at so much it's nice to hear a "good job" every now and then. Because if that call taker (dispatcher more than likely because we do it all in that room) didn't get a description from your neighbor of the suspect, he would have been walking free. I would love for city council to come & sit in the dispatch room for 8 hours or 16 if we are short staffed, see how they handle it. maybe they'll realize the money they are handing out for all these projects could go to better places, law enforcement to start...To fight the crime you have to have enough manpower. Plainly put we do not!

I agree with the person who said parents need to step up. Who calls the police because they can't control their 7 year old child, or because their 7 year old child has stolen money from their purse & has been caught lying? You discipline them you don't take an officer away from the streets to come to your house to "scare" your child!!!!! Be the parent, that's not the officers job!

Someone mentioned the several shots fired calls, alot of times when we get the calls we get "I didn't see anything I just heard it" which is understandable people fear retaliation. By the time we get officers in the area (who are usually on other calls we have to clear them) there is no one out in the streets. No one ever wants to meet with the officers to validate the claims. This city is stuck in a tough spot, I hate to think it's only going to get worse before it gets better.

I enjoyed reading your post about "The Voice" thank you!

Hey OSF, how about building a new trauma center for all the gun shot victims you continue to get?

2012-01-12T18:36:00.003-06:00

Two people shot within the last hour. One person shot by the Lincoln Library, he was called in unconscious. When the PPD got there, they found he was shot in the head.

Another person at Aspen Bluff Apartments was shot in the arm. There is no further information on this victim at this time.

Both victims were of course taken to OSF St. Francis, Central Illinois' Premiere Downstate Trauma Center - specializing in gun shot wounds.

The voice from the police scanner called my home at 4:32 a.m.

2012-01-10T18:42:00.002-06:00

... it was surreal.

My husband has a NASCAR radio, which I sometimes get to use to listen to the police scanner station. If you listen to the scanner enough, you begin to recognize the voice of the dispatchers (who work very hard, by the way) and I'll tell you what, the PPD has some good ones.

The other morning at approximately 4:32 a.m. my phone rings. I pop up from a dead sleep and grab it on the first ring, so it won't wake everybody up. On the other end, the voice says "this is the Peoria Police. There is an officer at your door, would you please go answer it and talk to him." And of course I say "What, at my door?"

It was weird, because I had heard the voice so many times before. It was that one chick, the cool one, who not only gave the PPD officers calls, she runs the streets when she is on the air. Still in a haze, I put on my plush, leopard housecoat and proceed towards the front door. When I get there, I look out the window and there is nobody there.

By this time, I know I ain't dreamin' because the dog is pacing and my feet are cold. So, I go back and I call the voice, she answers on the first ring and I say, "there is no officer at my door." She responded, "hold the line please, I'll contact him." (It wasn't really a request, it was more of a demand, so I held the line).

She came back on the line and said, "the officer is at your door now mam", just as somebody was knocking at my door. I said, "what does he want, I didn't call the police." She said, "the officer will explain."

So, the hubby opens the door and the officer says, "we got a call from your neighbor about your vehicle being ransacked. We caught the suspects down the street going through another car. We have the suspects and the stuff they took around the corner. If you can identify some of your stuff in the items they have, it would help with our investigation."

So, the hubby gets dressed, goes outside and find they have a couple of items from our car, which we get back on the spot.

It was really weird getting the call in the middle of the night from the voice. Truth be told this is the THIRD time within six months that cars in our area have been hit. We have one vehicle that was hit twice late last year and another that was hit once. This is the first time that they actually took something of value. At least we got it back. Thanks PPD.

Even though we were told the culprits hit several cars, we never saw the report on the local news station, or in the local news paper.

What made me think about writing this post now...

is the fact that THE STREETS ARE HOT TONIGHT and unfortunately, if you don't read it here, you probably won't hear it anywhere.

There have been at least two reports of shots being fired in different areas of town, just during the time it took to prep this post.

Additionally, there continues to be regular shooting going on in the East Bluff and on the South end of Peoria, that is not reported in the news. Just yesterday, somewhere within my hearing range, there were shots fired; several calls were made to the PPD and the voice on the scanner indicated that police were investigating, yet there is no newspaper report on any of it. A friend has told me of witness reports of hearing regular shooting in areas on the South end of the town, yet nothing is reported in the news.

Are we expecting too much to expect to hear the reports about shots fired around Peoria? Should we get the news reports even though the police are essentially chasing the sound of bullets?

Cancellation of Tavis Smiley brings huge publicity for his "cause"

2012-01-10T11:49:00.000-06:00

... and boy is he working it. We already saw the write up on Politico, but today Tavis continues to move forward with a rejuvenation of his campaign (and his cancellation fee) to "hold the President accountable." This cancellation comes at quite an opportune time in the campaign season, as bad mouthing the Obama White House is in vogue. Tavis has been all over Fox doing what he does.

What was supposed to be an event to celebrate MLK turns out to be wonderful publicity for Tavis, but not a good look for Peoria and the black folks who assimilate here. All across the blogosphere folks have an opinion on brother Tavis and how he was treated by the "Peoria Civic Center group"...

Tavis Smiley Ousted As MLK Luncheon Keynote Speaker

Smiley’s replacement will be Hip-Hop intellectual and Georgetownprofessor Michael Eric Dyson. Smiley was set to earn $37,000, but will be givena smaller cancellation fee instead. Should officials at the Peoria Civic Center have buckled tothe pressure of a few Obama supporters? And do you feel Tavis Smiley has beentreated unfairly because he is a black public figure who criticizes thePresident? Give us your thoughts!

Tavis Smiley Pulled from MLK Event

Tavis Smiley was set to speak at the annual Martin LutherKing luncheon Jan. 16 at Peoria Civic Center until Obama supporters began aboycott of the event.

TAVIS SMILEY BOOTED FROM MLK EVENT…IS THIS RIGHT?

Tavis Smiley was scheduled to speak at a Martin Luther Kingcelebration event in Illinois. smiley has been a frequent critic of PresidentObama. Obama supporters threatened to boycott the event and the invitation wasrecsinded. Smiley speaking to Fox News said “I don’t see my roles as one ofcriticizing the president. I see my roles as one of holding the president–thispresident –accountable. I am no fan of Smiley but this is not right. Sure anorganization has a right to choose a speaker for an event but why invite himand then uninvite him this is just bad taste.

Smiley Canceled as MLK Keynote Speaker

Tavis Smiley will not be the keynote speaker at the annualPeoria MLK Luncheon. Event Organizers say the threat of a boycott prompted themto cancel Smiley's contract.

Tavis Smiley Ousted As Keynote Speaker From MLK Event

Tavis Smiley was set to deliver the keynote address at anMLK luncheon hosted by the Peoria Civic Center next week in central Illinoisuntil a group of Obama supporters demanded that he be replaced or face aboycott…

Tavis Smiley Says Everybody is Hating on Him

Tavis Smiley replaced as speaker @ MLK event in Peoria, IL
Tavis Smiley was booted from the 20th annualMLK luncheon on Jan. ... aware of unfortunately so we made the decision tocancel his contract...

Ooops, Politico accuses the Peoria Civic Center of cancelling Tavis Smiley, even though it was the Colored Ladies Book Club that booted him

2012-01-09T17:40:00.001-06:00

Good news for Alma Brown (who is in the PR business), she gets a mention in Politico! Not so good news for the Peoria Civic Center who is also in the PR business...

Tavis Smiley booted from MLK event

Tavis Smiley, the PBS talk show host who has criticizedPresident Barack Obama for not doing enough for the African-American community,says he was ousted as the speaker at a Martin Luther King luncheon because hewas trying to hold the president accountable.

“I don’t see my role as one of criticizing the president. Isee my role as one of holding the president – this and every otherpresident—accountable,” Smiley said on Fox News on Monday.

“Something is wrongwith this country … that so often the political right, and I am no defender ofthe political right … gets accused of playing the game of politicalcorrectness. What this underscores is that those on the left, the Democrats canplay that game of political correctness as well,” he added.

Smiley was booted from the 20th annual MLK luncheon on Jan.16 that is hosted by the Peoria Civic Center. The group announced last weekthat Smiley had been replaced by Michael Eric Dyson as the guest speaker of theevent, citing people who were “upset about comments that Tavis Smiley hasmade.”

“What’s important to us is putting together a luncheon thatcelebrates the life and work of Dr.King, it became evident over the lastfew days that people were upset about comments that Tavis Smiley had made,comments that we weren’t aware of unfortunately so we made the decision tocancel his contract.” Alma Brown

Smiley said Monday that some 1,500 guests had bought ticketsto attend the luncheon, but the “six people” that complained ended up “trumpingthe entire event,” calling the situation a “quintessential example of politicalcorrectness.”

Last summer, Smiley had teamed up with civil rights activistCornel West to embark on a 16-city “poverty bus tour” to highlight the economicdisparity in the country, especially as it effected the nation’s blackcommunity. Back then, Smiley said in an interview that “it would be nice tohear the president say the word poor – to say the word poverty.”

“But we can’t get this president or any leaders to say thewords poor or poverty, much less do anything about it,” he said.

click image to enlarge

... and the Colored Ladies approve!

2012-01-08T13:48:00.000-06:00

click image to enlarge

Other than possibly being considered to portray Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in a bio-pic, I never understood why Forest Whitaker would be a pick to speak at the 2012 MLK Luncheon. The second choice, Tavis Smiley, while entitled to his opinion of the President, was a bit too provocative of a pick for the mostly Democratic leaning crowd. The final pick, Michael Eric Dyson, while just as provocative as Tavis, he is a little better at playing both sides.

Dyson has some healthy criticisms of the President, but he delivers them with respect to the man and the office and he probably should have been the first pick to speak at the MLK Luncheon.

For those of us who are not inclined to put down the $40.00; or those of us who don't have an employer buying up tables to help the cause and giving the away tickets - The Reverend Dr. Michael Eric Dyson:

"Barack Obama stands tall. “He must also stand tall and defend us, as we defend him. All we want is a little bit of love in return.’ Michael Eric Dyson

Peoria County considering giving private groups loans to save neighborhood schools

2012-01-06T10:32:00.000-06:00

I am an advocate for public schools and school choice, which is inclusive of magnet and charter schools. It will be interesting to see if the County Board decides to get in the business of lending to public schools, as it could potentially breath life into other public schools in District 150 that have been shuttered.

From today's local newspaper:

Facing the need to make $750,000 in mandatory health, life and safety facility improvements at the same time it is continuing to grow, officials at Quest Charter Academy are turning to the Peoria County Board for some aid. They're asking for a $500,000 line of credit to make the repairs to the shuttered Columbia Middle School and expand there in the fall when the school adds an additional grade and offers both middle school and the first year of high school for students.

I can't help but question the County Board deciding to give a loan to remodel schools that the District has previously shuttered and deemed unworthy of being open. In the article the County Board members talked about the neighborhood stabilization element to the loan:

"If we don't improve and use (the schools), they will fall into decay and it will be a magnet for trouble," board member Allen Mayer said. Board member Andrew Rand agreed. "When you turn the lights back on in these schools, it does so much."

Does this mean that neighborhood associations can now get together and go to the County Board to save schools that have been shuttered in their neighborhoods? If all it took was a few hundred thousand dollars to save a neighborhood school and thereby a neighborhood, why did the District shutter them? Why did they cause disruptions and displace students and teachers; why spend all the extra money figuring out busing when they could have just invested a few hundred thousand dollars in the neighborhood schools? Why didn't the District approach the County for a loan? How can the District consider shuttering any other schools, if this type of loan is an option?

If the County moves forward with this loan, they should tread lightly, as they appear to be on the cusp of taking part in setting up two tiers of education for District 150. This looks too much like we can remodel and improve Loucks and Columbia for Quest students because they are somehow more worthy to receive a better facility than the kids who live around the school and had to leave when the District shut the schools down. Now the school age children who live in the neighborhoods can walk by their neighborhood school on the way to the bus stop and see the students from Quest in their newly renovated, private facility? Something about that does not seem right.

The article states that if Quest is ever unable to make payments, they could use the schools themselves as collateral. If PCSI fell into default, the County could repossess the buildings and be in the position to sell them - or demolish the schools and sell the land on which they sit. Further, the Board also will consider including language specifying that the county would consider applications from other public schools for loans, though they feel it is "less clear what other schools would be able to offer as collateral."

Don't call this the county explicitly getting into the education business, though.

Board member Stephen Morris emphasized this was the county continuing to consider offering loans to institutions "when there is a legitimate need and a legitimate ability to pay it back."

If the PCSI can use public school facilities - for collateral, why couldn't other schools use their buildings for collateral? The article further states that ...

Quest and its governing Peoria Charter School Initiativeboard have no bonding authority; they aren't a taxing body. And they faceddifficulties getting a traditional bank loan because of some bureaucraticdifficulties - they expect to be around for a lengthy period, but the technicallength of their initial charter is too short to pay back a loan.

Where in the paragraph above is there ANY indication of the "legitimate ability to pay it" [the money] back? As we know, District 150 has not yet agreed to extend the charter contract once it comes up for renewal.

Do you think that is this a viable loan for the County to make? Should the County be getting in the business of education and giving loans to public schools that are represented by private interests?

Bratz Dolls / Barbie Dolls = Kardashian Dolls

2012-01-05T20:29:00.000-06:00

Bratz Dolls

For years now the Mattel company (the makers of Barbie) has been fighting the makers of the Bratz Dolls. If you are not familiar with the Bratz dolls, notice the image above and you will see they do not resemble Mattel’s Barbie dolls: neither aesthetically nor in demeanor. Visibly there’s a certain multi-cultural/diverse feel to the Bratz dolls that Barbie has never been able to fully grasp or create. The Bratz Dolls have exotic names like Yasmin, Chloe, Katia, Sasha and Jade.

According to an E! Online source, Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian dolls are coming our way. The limited edition dolls are expected to be released later this year and they’ll be available where all Barbie dolls are sold. The Kardashian sisters like to refer to their fans and the employees at their Dash retail stores as “Dash Dolls,” and the source says the mini Kardashians will be outfitted with clothes available at their shops. Mattel, the makers of Barbie, tells the site that it doesn’t discuss product rumors.

It would seem to me that if Mattel does go forward with the Kardashian sister dolls, they run a good risk of infringing on the Bratz Dolls copyright, considering how much the Bratz Dolls look like the Kardashian sisters.

Kourtney, Khloe and Kim Kardashian

Bratz doll maker MGA wins court battle with Mattel

April 22, 2011 - A jury in the federal retrial over who owns the rights to the billion-dollar Bratz franchise finds that Mattel stole trade secrets from MGA and owes the company $88.5 million. In siding with MGA Entertainment Inc. over rival Mattel Inc. in the retrial over who owns the rights to the billion-dollar Bratz doll franchise, a federal jury said the toy giant had not proved its allegations of copyright infringement.

The eight-person jury unanimously rejected Mattel's copyright infringement claims; said Mattel did not own the rights to the dolls, early models or sketches; and said MGA did not steal trade secrets. Instead, it found that Mattel had stolen trade secrets from MGA and owed MGA $88.5 million. MGA had accused its rival of stealing 114 trade secrets; the jury awarded damages on 26 of them.

In Mattel's only win, the jury found that MGA and its chief executive, Isaac Larian, intentionally interfered with Mattel's contractual relations with Bratz creator Carter Bryant, a former Barbie designer. Mattel was awarded a total of $10,000 on those claims.

The decision came in federal court, capping eight days of jury deliberations, nearly three months of testimony and years of corporate bickering. Dozens of spectators packed U.S. District Judge David O. Carter's courtroom for the announcement, including the CEOs of both companies. The decision was a major turnabout from the first trial in 2008, when a jury in Riverside awarded $100 million in damages to Mattel in the copyright infringement case; MGA was ordered to turn over the franchise to Mattel and stop making and selling Bratz products.

Michael Eric Dyson, the purveyor of “Niggerdom” to speak at MLK Luncheon

2012-01-05T11:05:00.001-06:00

The Public Employees for Community Concerns’ annual MLK Luncheon usually comes and goes before most people know it happened. However, this year, the logistics of putting on the luncheon is turning out to be quite the spectacle. Who knew that when Forest Whittaker pulled out, that things would get so interesting?

About five days ago, a group known as the Colored Ladies Book Club began a rather commendable war of words against Whitaker’s replacement speaker, Tavis Smiley and threatened to boycott the luncheon. While being careful to not offend the group that hired Tavis for the MLK Luncheon, the Ladies kept the lines of communication open, but continued to move forward with an editorial in the local newspaper entitled “Tavis Smiley does not speak for the black community”.

The Ladies of the book club hold a high level of gravitas and is inclusive of Illinois Appellate Court Judge Mary McDade, Barbara Penelton, a retired professor of education at Bradley University and Ernestine Jackson, wife of the President of the Illinois NAACP; along with Kathryn Timmes, Valerie Timmes, Gloria Campbell, Jeanne St. Julian and Joan Wesley.

I know some of us are surprised that in 2012 a group of ladies are good with referring to themselves as “colored”. For most of us, the term is considered outdated and not very p.c. But it’s kind of hard to totally denounce it when the word “colored” happens to be the “C” in the acronym NAACP. Black folks of a certain age don’t consider it derogatory, so they use it.

If you read this blog, you know I don’t like Tavis and I too thought he was a rather provocative speaker to bring to the luncheon. However, this close to MLK Day, there are not a whole lot of speakers out there, so of course Tavis was available to speak on MLK Day when Whitaker dropped out.

Today, reports are that Tavis has now been replaced with a new speaker, Michael Eric Dyson. I’m curious though, did the Ladies approve this choice? Michael Eric Dyson is slick in how he has managed to play both sides, but most of are not fooled and know he is just as messy as Tavis. After all, he was/is the third part of the cross country Tavis Smiley and Cornell West: Barack Obama Haterade Bus Tour:

It is commendable that the Public Employees for Community Concerns want to accommodate and not offend some of their most distinguished benefactors, but boy did they open a can of worms on this one.

How are we supposed to send well wishes?

2012-01-03T15:36:00.000-06:00

Ah, the first born baby of the new year. Big news story in any town, including Peoria. It started with a short story on the local news station. They showed the mom and the beautiful little baby girl. The mom didn't want her last name revealed. A mid-day news story gave a brief glimpse of a guy who was the dad (a black guy). A more expanded news story on the evening news gave the dad a chance to say a couple of words, he appeared to be proud.

The article that ran on the first baby of the new year in the local newspaper had a little more info. Interestingly enough, it didn't show a photo of the proud mom and dad with the baby. However, it did mention two other children the mom had, both of which had, shall we say, rather ethnic sounding names (just saying). The article was sans any mention of the proud papa.

The first commenter on the article noticed the lack of comment from the dad and sarcastically wondered what the dad thought. Five comments later, comments on the feel good story of the year were cut off.

Why do you think comments would have been cut off on such a feel good story?

What are you doing New Year's Eve?

2011-12-30T08:40:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T08:54:00.001-06:00

I hope to return in 2012 with my muse, which has gone astray. Thanks for reading and being open to discussion. Have a safe, happy and blessed holiday season.

Oh joy, a three week Winter Break!

2011-12-22T08:51:00.001-06:00

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Winter break, but can somebody please help me understand why District 150 will be taking THREE WEEKS for winter break! They get out today and return JANUARY 10th!

Most have termed 2011 the worst start to the school year EVER, with a large number of teachers not receiving text books and materials until just recently. Even the teachers in the very special Fusion program that we've heard so much about are still photo copying pages. So much confusion and change and then a three week break? Amazing.

The AVID program is now at Lincoln Middle School

2011-12-11T14:47:00.001-06:00

After submitting an application and interviewing for a slot in the school's first AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) classroom, approximately 15 students were selected based on their application and interview, as well as the AVID team's belief that they will succeed.

AVID is a college or career preparation program which has an impressive success rate at its schools around the United States and other countries. AVID targets B, C and D - grade earning students that have a drive to succeed and want to go to college.

AVID helps build an academic framework that provides more academic challenges and opportunities to enroll in a four-year university. Richwoods and Peoria High Schools began using the program with freshmen this school year.

Manual Academy is in the planning stages and plan to launch the program next year. Each high school region will also eventually have a program at a feeder middle school, like Lincoln will be to Peoria High School. Source

I swear, I was not eaves dropping...

2011-12-11T13:39:00.001-06:00

but I got an ear full today (Sunday), while in a Bergner's Sheridan Village dressing room. The lady that was doing most of the talking remarked that in her 15+ years of experience, this year in District 150 was the worst of her career.

I have no idea what schools they were referring to and I of course, eliminated any names I heard. Some of what was said:

A secretary had her wrist(?) hurt by a student (this is where I walked in, so I caught this piece on the tail end);

They still do not have some of their textbooks;

Schools are supposed to be working on some kind oflong-range goals (upwards of 25), but they have little/no guidance on how toachieve this;

A teacher was punched;

A friend's principal was told his job is day-to-day;

In another incident a teacher was pushed down;

The attempted child abduction was not immediately reportedto the PPD.

I was somewhat apprehensive about posting this, because Ifound it a HUGE coincidence that somebody in the stall next to me would betalking about this stuff. But I rationalized that away by remembering they werealready in their stall when I walked in. ANDwhat they were saying seems consistent with comments already made on theblogs.

If you are a teacher and you recognize yourself in this post... sorry... but I hope you didn't buy that sweater with the Christmas decorations on it. That is NOT cute.

If you thought you were safe when you were out and about last night in Peoria - you would be mistaken

2011-12-11T07:29:00.001-06:00

The PPD was chasing bullets all over town...

There was so much shooting going on, we were simply in awe of what we were hearing on the police scanner. In one instance, a black SUV was spotted in the vicinity of two separate drive bys. To my knowledge, none of the shooters were apprehended.

From the 10-12 shots fired in the parking lot of Friar Tuck (which is in University Square Shopping Center) during the evening when the Fish House, Starbucks and Chilli's was probably packed; down to the East Bluff; and on down to south end of Peoria, bullets were flying. Yet there's not one word of what was happening in the local news. Not to mention an incident that took place on Thursday morning at one of the new boutiques across from the Metro Center that has yet to be reported on.

Chances are, if all of the shootings and muggings were in the news, citizens would be in a panic. So, while you are out doing your boutiquing in our lovely little city, don't take it for granted that you are safe. I would suggest you be extra vigilant - the PPD can only be in so many places and it's usually after the fact.

Update - Warning to folks who live in East Bluff this A.M.

2011-12-09T06:28:00.001-06:00

It is 6:30 a.m. and if you happen to be looking at the blog before leaving your home - this is a warning that an armed robbery just occured and the person is currently loose in the areas of Wilcox, Wisconsin and Atlantic. Be safe.

UPDATE @ 7:30 a.m. - It is believed the person may have left the area in a vehicle.

Principals just wanna have fun!

2011-12-05T09:35:00.001-06:00

Principal Sharron Smalls' sexy Facebook photo spread throughout the school

A South Bronx principal accused of credit-fudging has landed in more hot water — after students plastered the school with Facebook pictures of a shirtless stud hosing her down.

The NY Daily News revealed earlier this week that city Education officials are investigating Sharron Smalls, the principal of Jane Addams High School, for a massive course credit scandal that may have jeopardized graduation for half of the current senior class.

On Friday students retaliated by plastering the school with the photo of a bare-chested man spraying the scantily dressed principal with what looks like melted chocolate as the two grind on a dance floor. Until this week Smalls used the photo for her Facebook profile. The pic has left kids flabbergasted, considering her dress code for the school declares “the thug look is out.”

“I cannot believe my principal would dance like that,” said shocked senior Christine Daniels, 18, who saw the photo online, where it has also been making the rounds on email. “She doesn't want us to come to school with short shorts and then she turns around and does this,” said senior Tehrra Smith, 17. “It’s gonna be bad for college, very bad.”

Smalls, 43, is accused of handing students chemistry credits for cosmetology courses and geography credits for tourism classes. Teachers say the fraud may lead to more than 100 seniors not graduating from the F-rated school because they lack credits in high-level math courses.

Smalls has already been blasted by teachers and parents over the scandal - and now officials say she should have shown better judgment online.

“When you are in a leadership position in a school, you have to consider the potential downside of exposing your personal life on social media,” said Education Department spokeswoman Margie Feinberg.

But the abysmal performance of Smalls’ school is more important than her performance on the dance floor, said Feinberg.“This is a school that has for years performed far below citywide averages,” Feinberg said. “This is why we are considering phasing it out.”

Just 45% seniors at Jane Addams graduated on time last year. In 2011, the school earned F’s in every category of its city-issued progress report.

Since the News broke the credit-fudging scandal on Thursday, officials have been scrambling to make sure seniors have the classes they need to graduate.

But some in the school feel the problem won’t be solved until Smalls, who earns $140,074 a year and has been principal since 2007, is removed from the building. “These photos are just another example of our leader’s poor judgment,” said Stephen Tavano, 58, who has taught math at Jane Addams for 19 years and heads the local chapter of the teachers union.

“No matter how this turns out, principal Smalls needs to go,” he said. Smalls did not return repeated requests for comment for this article. Source

Lawsuit filed against former States Attorney Kevin Lyons

2011-12-02T20:07:00.001-06:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PEORIA, IL – General Parker filed a lawsuit in federal court today against former state’s attorney Kevin Lyons, and other defendants for violating his civil rights in February of this year by removing his name from the ballot for school board.

Parker says he believes that Kevin Lyons colluded with the judges in this matter and Debbie Wolfmeyer, who is also a defendant, and possibly other county board officials to basically hold a kangaroo court to prevent him from being elected and giving African Americans their first majority in the history of District 150’s school board. Parker states that he has left the door open to amend the complaint into a class action suit for those members of the second district who were disenfranchised by the illegal and unprecedented actions of the former state’s attorney that prevented them from being able to vote for the candidate of their choice.

“Too often, we as a society have viewed the African community as an under-caste, second class of citizens, who are unworthy of the same rights and benefits of those of other races or socio-economic status.” “I plan to put an end to that kind of thinking.” Parker said. “What’s even worse is, I have received word from a handwriting analyst that, the petitions Wolfmeyer submitted had fraudulent signatures on them. So it kind of makes you wonder why Mr. Lyons had it in for me when clearly there were actual crimes being committed.”

Parker is planning on holding a press conference soon. He says there are issues in the community concerning the treatment of African Americans in the Peoria area that can’t be allowed to stand. Mr. Parker is intent on giving the black community a voice and will discuss next steps regarding the school board and other races.

“Those who control the education of the children,

controls the future of that race!”

Parker says he refuses to relinquish control of our black children or the future of blacks in Peoria to outsiders or corporate Peoria. Those wishing to join in the class action suit can contact: Richard Fedder at (618) 201-5834 or

Of course, it's most certainly double taxation...

2011-12-01T07:45:00.000-06:00

but it happened years ago when the special taxing district was first formed.

The folks in the Uplands get extra police protection through a special grant, but the folks in the East Bluff get police protection through double taxation? Just another example of those that have the least being forced to pay more. Why does my life in Peoria resemble being trapped in a pay day loan scheme?

Through all of the allegations about the East Bluff Neighborhood Housing Service for being shady, many of the allegations which have proven true, NOW City leaders don't think they are doing good business? Really?

Well, here's the thing about that... we're not currently getting anything for our tax dollars and the folks in the East Bluff are just the right amount of desperate and apathetic to go along with this new scheme.

East Bluffneighborhood group looks to future

The future of a25-year-old organization that oversees property rehabilitation in the EastBluff is in flux after its board members and City Council members appear to besplit on its future mission.

Following aspirited meeting Wednesday, 3rd District City Councilman Timothy Riggenbach andmembers of the East Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services board agreed tonegotiate a program based on measurable results.

In the meantime,the approximately $65,000 in property taxes the group gets each year to pay foroperational expenses will be held by a third-party escrow for up to six months,essentially meaning the neighborhood board's funding will be frozen for thefirst part of 2012.

"I can'tsupport giving total disbursements back to the NHS"
Riggenbach

The agreement willbe voted on by the City Council on Dec. 13. Riggenbach and members of theneighborhood housing services board will meet in January. The discussion onWednesday produced some fireworks between the two sides with the maindisagreements focused on Riggenbach's plan to use the $65,000 on a one-yearprogram to increase police patrols. "We needhelp," he said. "Ultimately, that is, in my opinion, the mostpressing need we see in this area right now."

The Rev. SimonHolly, president of the neighborhood group, said the residents already pay forpolice services through their property tax money. The $65,000 comes from aspecial service-area tax levied on East Bluff residents, and costs 18 cents per$100 assessed value. "Seems to me,it's double taxation," he said.

Other boardmembers called the proposal potentially illegal and offensive. Riggenbach saidthe proposal was only temporary and was needed because the neighborhood grouphas been unable to make loans, largely because of federal regulatoryrestrictions and not having an adequate funding source.

Holly and othermembers said they lacked city support to provide a funding source. Also, thegroup stressed that it had provided Riggenbach and city officials withdocuments showing how they plan to operate next year. Riggenbach,though, said the group's plan lacked measurable results. Holly fired backsaying he was confused on what, exactly, the city wanted.

"I believethis organization is getting thrown under the bus. We've done everything you've asked."

Holly

East BluffNeighborhood Housing Services, which formed in 1986 to provide loans forrehabilitation projects, has faced difficulties in recent years in making thoseloans. The group currently oversees 17 loans, with more than 50 percent of themin arrears. The group also owns four properties.

Over policing of schools and racial disparities

2011-11-30T09:23:00.001-06:00

A recent report from the NYPD School Safety Division shows that police arrest an average of one student a day in city schools - nearly always a black or Hispanic boy. We know police are called to District 150 schools regularly, what would you say if Peoria's average is comparable to New York?

The New York Civil Liberties Union said the statistics are “troubling” and confirm its suspicions about “over-policing.” The numbers, released to comply with a new city law, only cover July 1 to Sept. 30 — two-thirds of which was summer school.

Cops arrested 63 students -- about one a day in 50 days of classes -- and issued 182 summons to students -- three a day for offenses ranging from robbery to riding a bike on the sidewalk. Of the arrests, 68% of the students were black and 25% were Latino.

The civil liberties group noted that blacks make up about 29% of the school system’s 1.1 million students and an estimated 37% of summer school students. “We see an enormous racial disparity,” Lieberman said.

She complained that the Police Department did not release data from April to June, as required. The report only covered officers who are part of the School Safety Division — not precinct cops who are often called into the schools.

Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott said he will be looking at the data “to examine disparities in race and ethnicity” — but he noted crime in schools is down 49% in the last decade.

The NYPD credited an increased police presence in city schools for the reduction, but did not address the lopsided arrest rate.Source

Mr. City Manager, it's time to pull in the Housing Authority...

2011-11-29T08:00:00.008-06:00

the School District, all social service agencies, Health Department and the Peoria Police and ~~hold them accountable for~~ work together to find some answers to the nonsense that is happening in our streets!

I don't presume to begin to understand what it takes to manage a city, however, the recent murder of Monterrious Dillard, which was followed up by the retaliatory shooting at Taft Homes appears to be just one more glaring example of entire families spiraling out of control here in Peoria. Another glaring example, was the murder of the Billups child who was shot in his head, during a drive by, while he was sleeping. Much of the crime that we are seeing in the streets and in the school is not only gang related - it is familial.

We may be witnessing instances of not just the children being violent, but so is the mother, the father and the extended family. Local pastors are starting to be concerned about having funeral services in their church, because the probability of violence during the services.

The streets of inner city Peoria continue to be in chaos, yet all our city leaders can focus on is the facade. It appears that some people in this town hate black boys so much, that if they ever got a chance to put their hands on them, they could beat the life out of them. While families mourn their dead children, some are rejoicing as black boys are gunned down in the streets, as evidenced by this quote from a local blog:

"These stories always put a smile on my face. That's one more piece of **** now off the street. Bring on the families airbrushed RIP t-shirts paid for the link card's cash assistance -- funded by paycheck. Have you ever noticed while driving around Peoria and you see Cornelius or Demetrius or Tai-Shawwn or Little Ray-Ray walking down the road and he's turning his head with his eyes glued on you as you approach and drive past him? These ghetto ****s are so paranoid that they give "watch your back" it's literal meaning."

As the chaos in the streets continue, we can certainly expect the children who live in the inner city and matriculate in inner city schools to continue to show signs of being traumatized. We can expect that they will be acting out, as evidenced by the calls to the Peoria Police by District 150 Schools on Monday. During the time that I was listening, I heard five calls.

It's past time for an emergency meeting, Mr. City Manager, a meeting about the quality of life of the children who reside in this community. It's a quality of life that cannot be improved by a Peoria Promise, museums, a hotel, a new Zoo, or one experimental charter school.

Our inner city is in crisis, yet the only people who appear to be outraged enough to do anything about it are those that are filled with disdain for the very children who are caught in Peoria's vicious cycle of poverty.

As a home owner in the inner City of Peoria who is feeling over taxed; as a black mother with hard working children; as an African American mother who blogs about failing schools and the dying inner city, I see you Mr. City Manager...

I see you managing to find a way to turn garbage into streets, now let me see you clean up those very same crime riddled streets. I think we can agree, its going to take a lot more than a special toter from PDC.

Giving thanks for giving

2011-11-25T08:22:00.001-06:00

What's really going on with District 150 teachers?

2011-11-16T11:00:00.001-06:00

Comments left on the blog of late, indicate that teachers in District 150 are highly frustrated with the current state of the District. When we are witnessing teachers who absolutely love teaching losing their jobs and/or considering leaving the profession, it's a clear indicator that the situation must be pretty dire.

From what I am reading, it appears that teachers are moving towards forming their own type of District Watch. The education landscape is changing so drastically, that teachers and parents alike, need to be as vigilant as possible to insure that all voices are being heard, as we set standards for the future of our schools. It’s a good thing if teachers are actively working on having a real voice in the District's decision making process.

The post below is from a commenter called "teachingrocks".

teachingrocks said...

It is hard to be one of the teachers who was in the trenches last year and kicked to the curb this year.

I continue to repeating the truth that some of these schools are OUT OF CONTROL. By being upset at raising suspension numbers, things are NOT going to change. Students will continue to act out and now will get even less discipline because the numbers "are so bad".

These suspension numbers are easy to manipulate if you keep the student in an ACE room and don't put that in the system or send them home and don't report it to the atendance system, etc. I am worried because if the numbers are worse this year and people are upset about it, it seems like even LESS is going to be done at a time when the teachers must have MORE support in dealing with these MAJOR behavior issues.

A few students in each classroom are robbing all students of their education. Emerge was right when she was asking parents to speak up. That's a place to start. 150 has the alternative school so let's start using it. There are children who should NOT be in a traditional classroom. Even the word traditional in 150 isn't what it used to be.

The teachers are working so very hard to create an environment which meets the needs of all the students in the classroom. They are dealing with things in some of the schools which are not the norm across the district. The revolving door of people in the home, students who strive to grow up and go to jail, the abuse, the drugs, the shootings, etc. Believe me, teachers have adjusted through the years to respond to the change as best they can. This CHRONIC, OUT OF CONTROL behavior is not something teachers can control or adjust on their own. And yet, with the lack of support from the office and above, they are attempting to do just that because that is what they are told they HAVE to do.

If you are "lucky" enough to have tenure, you will keep your job--maybe not in the current school or grade level. If you are a teacher who is dedicated to hold all students to the same standards, won't let children run wild in your room, and demand (but don't receive) some sort of consequence (after you've implented four of five of your own and talked to the parent) from the office and have no tenure----enjoy the time off during this school year because your bags are packed and you are labled unable to control the classroom. It is heartbreaking...and what I am doing.

I have no chance to speak up and say my peace. I am already someone who is having a hard time trying to get back into the classroom. What are my chances of being hired again as a full-time teacher if I have the audacity to speak the truth of what is happening in the classrooms in front of the school board. Trust me, there are people who keep track of who is "causing trouble" by not just shutting up and keeping kids in their classroom no matter what. If they have any opportunity to get rid of you, they will.

Wed., November 16, 2011

teachingrocks said...

I am not making a statement that every teacher who isn't employed this year should be. There are legitimate reasons for getting rid of teachers and there are some teachers in their classrooms now who shouldn't be there. The union is in sad shape and it is so depressing the teachers have noone to turn to regarding the current situations at some schools.

I can continue to monitor and contribute to the blog. I gather information and try to let people know what is really happening.

I am not some anonymous nut who has no experience about what I am talking. I am a teacher. I am dedicated to giving children the best opportunity possible to make something of their lives--let them know they are important to me if noone else in their lives lets them know. I want to make this world a better place by empowering these kids with the knowledge someone is in their court and rooting for them. THIS is the goal of almost every teacher in these classrooms and their hands are being tied by a few families who can't (won't) control their children and by administrators who won't (can't) control their student body.

Wed., November 16, 2011

Peoria’s inner city is in chaos, is there any wonder the children are acting out?

2011-11-15T11:50:00.001-06:00

Take a look at the local newspaper, the crime reports will tell the story of the community that we live in: Senior citizens being mugged, drive by shootings, children being shot dead while sleeping, daily large street fights, arsons, babies making babies, rampant STDs. Lest we forget - the run down properties, lead paint, large groups of people without jobs, generations of families unemployed, run down sidewalks and streets, rat problems, sewer problems, closed neighborhood schools, schools without books, failing schools, fighting in schools.

When you look at the overall picture, it becomes clear that a segment of our community is living in chaos. There are neighborhoods that have set their own rules, there is no fear of the police, and the neighborhoods are run by the criminals who live and/or congregate there.

Any child that comes out of the environment mentioned above and who is not traumatized, would be unique.

As we sit at our computers and discuss on blogs how bad children are in our schools and in our community, is there no wonder that these children are acting out? It is all too easy to loose sight of the fact that these children who are acting out are victims of the chaotic city, the chaotic times, in which they live.

All things considered, is it any wonder that children in Peoria’s inner city are experiencing thoughts, emotions, and feelings of being out of control? They are fearful of the future and are dealing with the anxiety and pain associated with living in chaos the best way they know how.

Events that can induce trauma include the sudden death of a loved one, assaultive violence (combat, domestic violence, rape, torture, mugging), serious accidents, witnessing someone being injured or killed, or discovering a dead body. Trauma is an ordinary day in the life of the children in District #150 and more specifically in Peoria’s inner city.

Such adversities experienced for an extended period after the trauma (such as a living in Taft, Harrison, East Bluff, near North Side, etc…, series of different placements, schools closing, or separation from a caregiver) can and does influence the severity of trauma reactions.

Recently I experienced an up close look at a disruptive classroom. While I understood that the children misbehaving were more than likely acting out; while I understood that suspensions are known to be a direct linkage to children being incarcerated; while I understood that children do not learn while they are out of school… it did not stop me from wanting these children to go away, so that the classroom could calm down and so that the children who came to learn could get the education that they are entitled to.

It is a well known fact that in the past, District #150 was all too quick to sideline a certain segment of the student body. As a result, those that were sidelined never received the education that they should have. In an effort to right the wrongs of the past, we can’t just now say no we are no longer handling discipline and suspensions like we have in the past, without putting sufficient supports, policies and procedures in place to handle the issues.

There are no easy answers, but it is absolutely imperative that we find it in our hearts to stop blaming the victims. I know that when you are in the trenches getting cussed out by a ten year old, it’s difficult. It's also difficult when you are a parent with a student who is caught in the chaos. However, we must all remain mindful of the fact that it will take a village to find a way to pull these children, who are shouting out for help, out of the chaos.

Stopping the re-traumitization of students in schools

2011-11-15T11:29:00.001-06:00

It will take extra efforts on the part of teachers and principals to help children who are acting out in District #150 schools. Unfortunately, there are so many children acting out, there is not enough time in the day to teach the children who are behaving and ready to learn. It is imperative that District #150's Board and Administration put the necessary supports in place to assist the teachers and principals who are in the trenches dealing with Peoria's traumatized children.

School Board member, Rick Cloyd has started the conversation, let's see where it goes from here.

Training educators to identify the symptoms of traumatized children is a crucial starting point in developing a comprehensive school-wide approach to helping traumatized children learn. At a minimum, a training curriculum should:

Help teachers understand that traumatized children may not be able to express their suffering in ways adults can understand.

Lacking the words to communicate their pain, these children may express feelings of vulnerability by “acting out,” becoming aggressive, or feigning disinterest in academic success because they believe they can’t succeed. Teachers must be helped to understand that the traumatic symptoms most detrimental to children’s educational experiences often do not originate in willful defiance, but in their feelings of vulnerability. With this insight, school personnel are far less likely to re-traumatize children with surface-oriented punishments, such as suspension and expulsion, “dumbed-down curriculums,” and demeaning comments (“You’re just not trying.”).

This is critical to ensure that the experiences of maltreatment do not become the prominent feature of any child’s identity.

Teach children how to calm themselves and modulate their emotions.

When children bring traumatic memories with them to school, any event (a look, the color of someone’s hair) that reminds them of their trauma can trigger behaviors that may not be appropriate in the classroom. This is a classic symptom of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Mental health professionals must help educators develop techniques for calming children and helping them to modulate their emotional response to the classroom environment, and thus, their behavior in it.

Help traumatized children learn to influence what “happens” to them. Children who come from chaotic homes often fail to learn basic notions of cause and effect.[5]

Prepare teachers to work with parents victimized by violence.

It is critical that teacher training help teachers understand the cycle of violence and its effects on adults as well as child victims. This information may enable teachers to better partner with parents who may also be victims of violence.

School-Wide Policies

Policies must be developed that respond to traumatized children’s needs for predictability, sensitivity, and clear expectations. A predictable daily routine can contribute greatly to a child’s feeling of safety in the school setting. Schools must also create consistent individualized response systems so that each child in the school knows how adults will respond to their behavior whether they are in homeroom or art class.

If, for example, a rule exists in a child’s primary classroom that he/she can take a three-minute “breather” when frustrated, and the same rule exists in art class, the child can use the same coping strategies throughout the day. The child can thus assume greater responsibility for regulating his/her own behavior, which promotes a sense of self-control and feelings of safety.

When feeling stressed and near “losing control,” the consistency of rules enables the child to handle his/her emotions more constructively by at least providing a stable, predictable environment in which they can manage their inner controls. Where the expectations of traumatized children are clearly established, they are better able to grasp the difference between their life at school and life in the unpredictable and uncontrollable world in which they were traumatized. The end result is that the child has more energy and attention for important academic tasks and far greater likelihood of behavioral and academic success in mainstream classes. Source

Data indicates that Lincoln Middle School is "completely and totally out of control"

2011-11-15T08:25:00.001-06:00

For some time now, we have been getting reports on the blogs of principals being brow beaten by the current Superintendent of Schools for suspending students. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that there is not just one or two students in a specific classroom who are disruptive, teachers/students who come to school to teach/learn are dealing with several disruptive students in one classroom. They act out, get a referral written (may be removed from class), come right back to class energized and continue disrupting.

Until the School Board and the Superintendent of Schools can come up with a better solution for handling the disruptive students (who look forward to in school suspensions) there is still an obligation that this District has to the children who behave and come to school to learn. I commend the principals who are looking out for the best interest of the students who cooperate and come to school looking for an education.

As a parent/volunteer who has experienced disruptive classrooms up close and personal, I would encourage principals to continue following the current procedure and discipline and suspend students where warranted. The current Superintendent of Schools may not like it - but as long as you are following the procedure that is currently on the books, what she gon do?

Suspensions on rise this year in District 150 schools

The School Board was given a first-quarter discipline report by Bill Salzman, the district's director of student affairs and formerly principal at Manual. Salzman's report, which compared the first nine weeks of this school year to the same period in 2010, showed there have been 1,125 suspensions that account for a total of 3,028 missed school days.

That's an increase of 72 suspensions from last year:
Manual Academy (253/161)

Peoria High School (193/211)

Lincoln Middle School (116/50)

Glen Oak Middle School (52/48)

CLOYD: "Looking at the data, it looks like Lincoln is completely and totally out of control… And Manual isn't much better. These behavior problems are just appalling. Just ridiculous.”

CLOYD: "The disruption it has caused for the students who want to be there and do their job and learn, by one or two students who can't get it right and won't get it, is absolutely atrocious."

CLOYD: "It's completely unacceptable and we've got to get this fixed."

SALZMAN: “The increase in suspensions can be attributed to a handful of repeat offenders who have been suspended multiple times”

CLOYD: "Then why are they still in these schools?"

SALZMAN: Building principals have been inconsistent in their enforcement of the district's policy on cellphones, which requires students to keep the phones turned off and put away during school hours. Students using cellphones during lunch and transition times have caused a number of problems, such as the pregnant Manual student who was injured when she allegedly tried to record video of a lunchroom fight.

And in addressing an increase in discipline cases in the primary schools, at least two of which involved students bringing knives to school,

SALZMAN: "In my opinion, more problems in the grade schools is a reflection of what's happening in this town.

"What's happening on the streets is showing up in our schools." Source

Anybody missing a baby?

2011-11-14T10:16:00.001-06:00

It's alleged that last week in the Harrison Homes, a naked baby was found.

Because the people who found the baby know the neighborhood, they went door to door through Harrison looking for the mother. Unfortunately, no one had any idea what or who.

After going door to door and getting no answers, they called the police and turned the baby over.

To date, no parent has been located and no one has reported the incident in the news.

I'm sure finding the baby was upsetting and trying to locate the parents is a natural reaction, which is commendable, but IMO anybody who would let their baby wander off, doesn't deserve to have the child just handed back over to them.

An SOS from Robillard, Haiti

2011-11-14T09:09:00.001-06:00

In March of 2010, I posted about a frequent commenter who was leaving on a mission to Haiti. She returned with a heavy heart that was full of hope, which she shared with us. I personally don't know a lot about the people of Haiti. However, I remain intrigued by the people who have personally made an effort to make a difference in the face of such devastation. I recall seeing a blog post by Dr. John Carroll, in the pjstar in mid October of 2011 (photos Dr. Carroll):

Improvement in Remote Cholera Treatment Center in Haiti "I posted the other day about the dire situation at a Cholera Treatment Center (CTC) in Robillard, Haiti. Robillard is a tiny village located in northern Haiti. Father Andre, the pastor of their Catholic church, was pleading for help…and he still is. It seems like Robillard did receive some help for its CTC but much more support is needed."

Fast forward to today and I receive an e-mail that is literally an SOS for the "abandoned population of Robillard". The e-mail explains how rural Haiti continues to be very bad off. Tuberculosis is becoming the new epidemic and it is becoming increasingly dangerous for the nurses and doctors. Reports are that the new Haitian president has done little in terms of medical treatment for the Haitian people.

The least I can personally do, is mention the dire situation on this blog:

Father André Pleading for an "Abandoned Population" in Robillard, Haiti Submitted on November 11, 2011

"Hi, all! I had short meeting with my medical staff this morning. They shared their concerns with me. They reported that they realized that several of the family members of the cholera inpatients of the CTC of Robillard have TB symptoms. My staff is worried for themselves and for all the people who are in CTC of Robillard. The situation of Robilllard is definitely becoming chaotic. I called someone from the Mininstry of Health in Cap Haitian to talk about the new development in the CTC of Robillard. I do not know yet what they are going to do and the situation is urgent. We cannot expose an entire population to some TB people."

Read Father Andre's entire post here...

Reduced rate internet and computers for households below $25,000

2011-11-11T07:50:00.001-06:00

Families who qualify for free school lunches will be able to sign up for $9.95 a month high-speed Internet services from top cable providers.

Further, families eligible for free or reduced-price school lunches will be able to buy low-cost computers.

Specifically, households need at least one child that participates in the National School Lunch Program to be eligible for the reduced-cost high-speed Internet service.

The initiative is part of the Federal Communications Commission's effort to extend affordable broadband Internet access across the United States.

A third of Americans, some 100 million people, do not have high-speed Internet services in their homes, with cost being among the top barriers to broadband adoption.

A Commerce Department report on U.S. broadband adoption released on Wednesday found that only 43 percent of households with annual incomes below $25,000 had broadband access at home, while 93 percent of households with incomes exceeding $100,000 had broadband.

Eligible families will be able to sign up for the service during a three-year period starting in the spring in some areas, with the offer going nationwide by next September to coincide with the school year.

"Providing our children with a quality education requires much more than the teaching and learning that takes place inside of the classroom," said Michael Powell, head of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association.

Families can enjoy the discounted rate for two years. Source

Would it help if District #150 had more teachers of color?

2011-11-11T07:44:00.000-06:00

A new report is out that states that empirical evidence shows that "... students of color do better ... if they're taught by teachers of color."

Isn't that the crux of the very sticky situation that enabled several teachers to win a lawsuit against District #150, citing racial discrimination?

In Illinois, 46 percent of students are of color but only about 11 percent of teachers are of color. A new report released by the Center for American Progress finds that nearly every state is experiencing a large teacher diversity gap, or a significant difference between the number of students and teachers of color.

Teacher Diversity Matters

The report, titled "Teacher Diversity Matters: A State-by-State Analysis of Teachers of Color," indicates that such large diversity gaps are common across the country. In fact, more than 20 states have differences of 25 percentage points or more.

"... the makeup of the nation’s teacher workforce force has not kept up with ... changing demographics. At the national level, students of color make up more than 40 percent of the public school population. In contrast, teachers of color—teachers who are not non-Hispanic white—are only 17 percent of the teaching force.

This is a problem for students, schools, and the public at large. Teachers of color serve as role models for students, giving them a clear and concrete sense of what diversity in education—and in our society—looks like. A recent review of empirical studies also shows that students of color do better on a variety of academic outcomes if they’re taught by teachers of color. "

Findings from the report suggest that "the nation needs a two-pronged approach to improving teacher diversity; the need to expand high-quality recruitment programs, ... with some of this being done through the alternative certification programs; and the need to do more to improve the professional experience of teachers of color."

Read entire report here.

The McArdle defense fails Mary Davis

2011-11-10T08:03:00.000-06:00

It’s ironic that Mary Davis would attempt to use the actions (or inactions) of Julie McArdle as part of her defense. McArdle claimed that Davis and District 150 retaliated against her and violated her First Amendment rights when they tried to prevent her from speaking out about Davis’ taking money from the school. Quite a turn of events to now see Davis attempting to hang her defense on McArdle not speaking out in a timely manner.

Judge allows theft charges against D150 principal to stand

An area judge threw out a request by a former District 150 principal to dismiss charges alleging she stole money from the school district.

Peoria County Circuit Judge Timothy Lucas shot down arguments by Mary C. Davis that indictments handed down last year were barred by the statute of limitations and failed to pass muster for other legal technicalities.

Davis, 52, of Dunlap was charged in April 2010 with 16 felony counts of official misconduct and theft. The counts allege that while principal at Charles Lindbergh Middle School she took money several times between 2005 and 2007.

Davis' attorney contended at a hearing in September that prosecutors didn't file charges in time. At the crux of Davis' argument was that her successor at Lindbergh, Julie McArdle, waited too long to tell authorities, thus barring any prosecution.

But Assistant State's Attorney Seth Uphoff, at a hearing in September, assailed that notion, saying McArdle had no such legal duty to report to police and, regardless, charges were filed within a year of notification. That, the prosecutor said, satisfied any statute of limitations requirement.

Lucas agreed, writing in a two-page order Wednesday that McArdle was not a department or division head and had not been delegated such authority.

Davis is set for trial in January. Source

Some observations, draw your own conclusions...

2011-11-09T09:34:00.000-06:00

Every day, sometimes several times a day, the PPD dispatcher receives a call that prompts her/him to ask this question: “Is anyone from District #150 on the air?”;

The dispatcher seldom if ever gets a response to the question “Is anyone from District #150 on the air?”;

The dispatcher recently acknowledged (today) to a person who asked her “Is anyone from District #150 on the air?”, that she more than likely won’t get a response to the question “Is anyone from District #150 on the air?”;

The PPD dispatcher then proceeded to ask who was the student and problem (they are getting regular calls from this school… clue, it is in West Peoria);

The PPD appears to be handling District #150 calls by default;

Principals are being reprimanded for calling for help and giving suspensions;

Carl Cannon at Trewyn has his own “Carl Cannon detail” and his calls are handled differently than other District #150 calls;

There appears to be an up tick in calls for the middle schools.

Could the scenario below describe the local school board?

2011-11-05T09:06:00.000-05:00

Once managerial discretion is removed through contracts, state and federal statutes, school boards shall be demoted to ceremonial roles.

Ceremonial roles: graduations, honor roll dinners, concerts, ball games, etc..

Local voting rights historian: “…cumulative voting worked.”

2011-11-03T13:42:00.000-05:00

The thought of Peoria deciding to “reform” the current voting process should be a cause of concern for all Peorians, especially minorities.

The forums being held to give citizens a chance to offer input are a must, but getting a good representative sample of citizens who know enough about the process is a challenge.

I'm pleased to see that local civil rights leader, Joyce Banks is taking part in the discussions. Mrs. Banks is a part of the history of Peoria’s voting rights process, her involvement gives me some hope that the fairest system will prevail.

Peoria voting forum raises questions

Questions about the effectiveness of the process in reforming Peoria city government and how its members are elected surfaced during a public forum Wednesday, where about 30 people gathered at the Frank Campbell Community Room at RiverWest.

The goal is to see whether cumulative voting should continue as a way to elect the city's five at-large council members.

Some people questioned if a federal judge's opinion would be sought by city leaders if the City Council opts to move away from cumulative voting. In return, the council could endorse increasing the number of districts from the current five.

The meeting at RiverWest was the second of two public forums on cumulative voting and the future political makeup of the council.

The City Council on Nov. 15 will likely decide if the city should pursue an opinion from a federal judge on whether a new political map - and the potential for increased districts, along with the elimination of cumulative voting - should be allowed to move forward.

If so, the council could endorse a referendum for the March 20 election.

Cumulative voting has been the way the public has voted for at-large candidates since 1991.

Its unique style allows a voter to potentially cast five votes for one candidate, or to divide the votes proportionally.

It was instituted after a 1987 federal lawsuit was brought by black voters against the City Council, District 150 and the Peoria Park Board aimed at increasing the number of minorities elected to public office.

Debates have ensued in recent years about whether cumulative voting has actually attracted more minority political representation.

Joyce Banks, a plaintiff in that 1987 lawsuit, said she once felt that going to 10 districts, and eliminating the at-large council seats, might produce a more fair council. She said she hopes a political scientist could examine the prospects of 10 districts to see if it could produce a better opportunity for greater minority representation on the Horesehoe. Source

If being black and Republican makes you a better black; does being white and Republican make you a better white?

2011-11-03T11:34:00.002-05:00

A couple of days ago, unconventional Republican presidential candidate, Herman Cain played the race card after news broke of his alleged sexual misconduct in the workplace, during his tenure as President of the National Restaurant Association:

"During a Fox News appearance, Cain responded to pundit Charles Krauthammer's question as to whether race, specifically his being a black conservative, was behind the allegations of sexual harassment:

I believe the answer is yes, but we do not have any evidence to support it. But because I am unconventional candidate running an unconventional campaign and achieving some unexpected unconventional results in terms of my, the poll, we believe that, yes, there are some people who are Democrats, liberals, who do not want to see me win the nomination. And there could be some people on the right who don't want to see me because I'm not the, quote/unquote, establishment candidate. No evidence.

KRAUTHAMMER: But does race have any part of that? Establishment, maverick, yes. What about race?

CAIN: Relative to the left, I believe race is a bigger driving factor. I don't think it's a driving factor on the right. This is just based upon our speculation." Source

But oh, lookie here… today Cain blames fellow GOPer Perry; who then turns around and blames fellow GOPer Romney. Interesting that as long as these allegations are coming from the left Cain believes “race is a bigger driving factor”, but if the allegations are coming from the right, it's about him not being a "quote/unquote, establishment candidate".

Cain Says Perry Camp Behind Sex Harassment Leak

Was the recent attack on Herman Cain’s presidential campaign a professional hit job? Absolutely, says Herman Cain. And he says he knows just where to look for the guy who did it: At 815 Slaters Lane in Alexandria, Virginia, a low-slung former warehouse in the shadow of a coal plant.

There, beside rusting rail lines, is the home of OnMessage Inc., a Republican-leaning consulting firm recently hired to bolster Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s presidential campaign.

Perry Says Romney Camp Behind Sex Harassment Leak

As Herman Cain blames Rick Perry for the stories about his alleged sexual harassment, one Perry spokesman suggests another culprit:

"That is false, patently untrue, no one at this campaign was involved in this story," said Perry communications director Ray Sullivan.

Sullivan then suggested to CBS News and National Journal reporter Rebecca Kaplan that Mitt Romney's campaign is behind the allegations.

"I wouldn't put it past them," he said, stating that blog posts have noted that Cain's successor at the Restaurant Association "is a big Romney donor."

"There are much closer connections between the Restaurant Association, Cain and the Romney camp than there are with us," he said.

You better get your behind back out there and deal with it!

2011-11-01T20:45:00.002-05:00

Hillary Rodham Clinton’s mother passed away today. Mrs. Rodham is being credited for raising a standout student, with a powerful personality, a former FLOTUS. What Hillary’s mom taught her about standing up to bullies is accredited as the starting point for Hillary’s assertive nature.

As a young child, growing up in Park Ridge, Illinois, Hillary once came home crying about how another child had bullied her. Hillary’s mother told her to march right back out and confront the bully. Hillary did, and that experience is often accredited with starting her assertive nature. Source

So, Hillary’s mom is being lauded for telling her to get her ~~ass~~ behind back out there and deal with (i.e., fight) the bully. In the past, posters have complained of local parents that allegedly put their children up to fighting. We even saw a video on Glen Oak School property with parents goading their children to fight.

A little earlier this evening, an Anonymous poster, whom I assume to be a teacher, complained that local mothers are saying this to their children:

"She hit you?!? Well, $%&**# $*%*&(, hit her back!"

Is that not essentially the exact same thing Hillary Clinton’s mother told her? Is what Hillary’s mom said any better than what is alleged that local moms are telling their children about fighting or standing up to bullies? If so, why?

Old Hippy says "blacks in Dunlap are straight from Africa"

2011-11-01T14:41:00.000-05:00

Just today, I mentioned to somebody about the low opinion that people from other places have of black people here in Peoria.

In Sunday’s local newspaper, there’s an article about schools not making adequate progress in Peoria. But the good news is, schools are making adequate gains right up the road in Dunlap. You wanna know why? It’s because Dunlap blacks are better than Peoria blacks. Oh wow.

Posted to pjstar by Old Hippy
13 hours ago

"Dunlap doesn't have very many American blacks... The blacks we do have are straight from Africa and are the children of Caterpillar engineers and sales execs.... aka African intellectuals...

But, don't worry, the mayor of Dunlap and the trustees have big plans to turn Dunlap into Peoria as fast as they can so eventually we will have the low scores and street gangs too..."

Sounds eerily similar to the bigoted nonsense that Ann Coulter is spewing about black Republicans…

“Our blacks are so much better than their blacks,” she said, speaking of Democrats. “To become a black Republican, you don’t just roll into it. You’re not going with the flow…and that’s why we have very impressive blacks in the Republican party.”

SMDH.

Increased PPD protection for folks in the Bradley-Moss neighborhoods (e.g., "the area around Bradley University")

2011-10-31T11:51:00.001-05:00

The Peoria Police will immediately be kicking up patrols around Bradley University until March 2012, thanks to a grant that was received by Bradley University. Although the patrols are billed as "additional party patrols and DUI enforcement", I'm sure the folks who live in the area are pleased to know that there will be increased patrols, because they have been experiencing increased rates of crime on and around the Bradley campus.

By the way, crime in other parts of the City (East Bluff & South end ) continues to be wild! In Harrison Homes on Sunday, two people were stabbed, the police had to ram an apartment door in to get inside, did you hear about that? Several people were shot over the weekend, there was a blip about that; someone was stabbed last night on Starr, did you hear about that?

The news story below does not indicate whether Peoria Police will be hiring additional officers to work the area "around Bradley University"; or if they will be pulled from other parts of the City (where folks are getting beat, mugged and shot on a more consistent basis); or will they be offered the opportunity to take advantage of working overtime to earn money for the holidays, even though they are already worn out? One would have thought that Bradley's Campus Police would take care of "campus party patrols and DUI enforcement".

Grant to pay for increased patrols near Bradley University

Peoria Police will be conducting additional party patrols and DUI enforcement activities starting Halloween weekend and continuing until the end of March. The majority of the enforcement will take place around Bradley University. WEEK News 25 reports school officials say the enforcement will be funded by the Enforcement of Underage Drinking Laws grant. Bradley applied for the grant in an effort to decrease alcohol abuse on campus. Source

The above Incident Report was done on PPD Crime View; 1/4 mile radius around

Bradley University; for the period 8/1/2011 - 10/28/2011 (89 days).

Letter sent to Bradley Scout from student concerned about safety

October 28th, 2011 - "I don’t feel safe on campus, and unfortunately, I’m not the only one.

I’ve always been super paranoid about walking around on and off campus at night by myself and try to avoid it as much as possible. However, it’s starting to look like I need to be cautious walking around campus by myself in broad daylight.

In the last month, there have been several incidences where a student was robbed on or just off campus before sunset. One was even alarmingly close to noon." Read entire letter here.

"Expect the latter."

2011-10-31T07:58:00.000-05:00

Interestingly enough, the post from last Monday, which talked about District 150 terminating the contract with the Peoria Charter School Initiative ("PCSI" the Board for Quest Charter Academy) in 2015, continues to get loads of hits.

I originally thought the quote (shown above) about the 2015 termination of the contract was a typo, so I have been checking the on-line edition for a retraction. To date, I have yet to see a retraction on the statement.

Within the same article as the comment about ending the contract in 2015, the Superintendent of Peoria Public Schools was quoted as saying "I'm excited about the success at Quest,...it's a benefit to the district... (Quest) is expanding into high school for next year and they will continue to have district support. They are meeting the needs of the district and the community." Therein lies the contradiction.

The most recent interview the Superintendent of Peoria Public Schools gave to the local newspaper, didn't reveal any new information on the subject.

Perhaps the retraction was in the "print edition" of the local newspaper. However, I don't take the "print edition" of the local paper. So, if anybody has seen the retraction, please advise.

The ~~final~~ decision to deny, revoke or not renew the PCSI contract in 2015, will be made by the local school board.

Glen Barton named to State Charter School Commission

Former Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Glen Barton has been appointed to a new state commission dealing with charter schools. Barton was one of nine people selected by the Illinois Board of Education for the State Charter School Commission.

Its goal is to review charter school applications and consider them for approval or denial. This will primarily deal with appeals of charter agreements that have been denied, revoked or not renewed by local school boards.

Barton is the current President of the Quest Charter Academy Board in Peoria. The new appointment begins November 1st.Source

Those kids in Detroit don't have text books either

2011-10-30T11:44:00.000-05:00

Whenever there is a post on some blog about rampant crime, closing schools and aging inner city neighborhoods, you are more than likely going to see somebody make a Detroit to Peoria comparison. Now that same comparison can be made when you talk about students being without text books for months.

Thousands of Detroit students without books for months

The 2011-2012 Detroit Public School year started on Sept. 6, with thousands of homes and streets all over the city adorned with signs that had the two-word slogan “I’m In” everywhere. Nearly two months into the school year, the one thing that is not in a lot of Detroit Schools right now are books.

“I know there is a shortage and there is an order and they are still sharing books,” said Andrew Hayes, whose son is a third-grader at Fisher Magnet Elementary on the city’s east side. “There are a lot of frustrated parents. They want the kids to have what they are supposed to have. At the beginning of the year, we were told that every student would have the textbooks. It’s seven weeks into school.”

Teachers at Cass Technical High School — the city’s largest high school — say that they are short nearly 2,400 textbooks in all grade levels. According to the Detroit Federation of Teachers, the deficiencies range across all subjects including English, chemistry, geometry, Spanish, and U.S. history.

Teachers at Cass say they are missing 950 chemistry books and 250 history books, while teachers at Priest Elementary-Middle School on Detroit’s southwest side say they are missing nearly 3,500 books. Priest has nearly 1,000 Kindergarten through eighth-grade students. The missing books are for K-6 English classes as well as science workbooks and workbooks with tear-out sheets.

Cass Tech’s original building was vacated in 2005 in favor of the current multi-million dollar building, which sits some 30 feet away. It stood abandoned for six years with desks and old books left behind in the blighted building before finally being demolished in August. Source

District #150 Superintendent of Schools, a Dr. and a OG

2011-10-30T09:06:00.000-05:00

Today’s local newspaper has the first in what it calls an “occasional series that profiles the top educators in the Tri-County Area”. Up first, Superintendent of District #150 Schools (surprise). The article is accompanied by three (3) very animated photos, that seem to shed some light on the personality of Dr. Grenita Lathan (as described in the article):

“She's a self-described "old soul" with endless energy and boundless enthusiasm. …she has a rare combination of wisdom beyond her years and the vivaciousness of an upbeat teenager.” pjstar 10/30/2011

In other words, our Superintendent of schools is an OG (i.e., old girl), not to be confused with OG.

Having the "vivaciousness of an upbeat teenager" certainly comes in handy when you are the “hostess with the mostest" and hanging with your "inner circle"...

"In my inner circle, they call me the hostess with the mostest. I throw a great party."

However, I'm not so sure that being described as having the "vivaciousness of an upbeat teenager" is something you want when you are the Superintendent of schools. Some people might mistake that upbeat, teenage, vivaciousness as childish behavior coming from a professional with such a serious charge:

"...we have been tasked and charged with providing an education for children, and we only get one shot at it. We have one opportunity to do it, and we have to do it right."

Pregnant Manual Academy student stomped in a fight

2011-10-26T22:20:00.001-05:00

A Manual Academy student was taken to a hospital Tuesday after being injured in a fight in the school's cafeteria.

The 16-year-old girl, who is more than seven months pregnant, apparently was a bystander and not initially involved in the lunchtime fight between at least three male students.

During the struggle, the pregnant girl apparently was knocked down and hit her head on a nearby table.

According to a school official, the girl "started running toward the fight, trying to be nosey. One kid said she was trying to film the fight with her phone."

She then was stomped on by the students who were fighting. Source

Was last Wednesday's alleged mob action a result of "Wacky Wednesdays"?

2011-10-25T15:01:00.000-05:00

This morning, the website for the local newspaper had an article entitled "teen mobs harass motorists". If you click on the link, you will see that the story has since been taken down. The story told of two instances near the area where the words "black youth" and "mob action" made national headlines, via the Drudge Report this past summer. The article also made reference to the "kill the white people" phrase.

I wanted to post about the second story about mob action earlier, but I didn't have time, so I copied it, so I could post about it later. Now is later - here's the second story from the newspaper:

"A Meals on Wheels delivery driver was making his way to a home in the 800 block of West Nowland Avenue about 12:45 p.m. Wednesday when he encountered a group of 15 teens - 13 males and two females - walking down the middle of the road.

The group would not yield to the motorist, who followed him until reaching the house where he had to make the meal delivery. As he exited to take the food to the door, he was verbally attacked, according to a report on the incident.

One teen called him "honky," while another threatened to "kick his white (expletive)."

As the volunteer driver returned to his car to leave, the teens surrounded his car and pounded on it. The vehicle was not damaged, but police noted disturbances to dust on the vehicle, backing up the driver's story.

The group Wednesday likely had just left school after District 150 released students early for the day."

What do you think - is the newspapers linkage to 150 letting out early and kids in the streets harassing motorist a stretch?

District #150 expected to terminate agreement with Concept Schools in 2015

2011-10-24T07:21:00.001-05:00

It is reported in today's newspaper that in 2015, we can expect Peoria District 150 to terminate the agreement with Concept Schools, the management company for Quest Charter Academy. Read the entire article here...

The prediction is odd, considering the article is about the future of Quest Charter Academy and their efforts to expand into a high school. Additionally, in the article, Grenita Lathan, Superintendent of schools, is quoted as stating, "I'm excited about the success at Quest."

It's all quite contradictory. If the future of Quest is all good and 150 is all pleased, why would they terminate the agreement in 2015. I'm confused, is this a typo?

It should also be pointed out that the article is misleading about who holds the contract with Concept Schools.

District 150 has a contract with Peoria Charter School Initiative (PCSI). It is PCSI who hired Concept Schools to manage Quest Charter Academy. Concept Schools hired the Principal and the Business Manager to run Quest Charter Academy. PCSI, along with input from the Principal, hired the teachers, janitors and other administrators in the building, but they are Concept employees.

The distinction as to who holds the contract is important, as the ability to track accountability in charter schools is one of the largest complaints from folks who oppose charter schools.

So, pulling into a church parking lot at 1:00 a.m. is probable cause for the police to pull you over?

2011-10-23T11:14:00.000-05:00

It's always good news when the police can make an arrest of a felon who is in possession of a firearm and ammunition. However, if the news story below is accurate, the police didn't have any grounds for arresting this particular felon (i.e., probable cause). Don't get mad at the judge with this person is right back out on the street.

Night out on birthday ends with morning in jail

Jachion A. Johnson, 23, of 1725 N. Broadway St. was arrested at 1:01 a.m. Thursday and booked on charges of possession of drug equipment, possession of marijuana, escape, obstructing police, possession of a firearm by a felon, unlawful use of a weapon, possession of ammunition and criminal damage to property.

Johnson was seen exiting a vehicle in the parking lot of Laramie Street Baptist Church, 1611 S. Laramie St. A Peoria County Sheriff’s Department deputy approached Johnson and asked if he had anything illegal. Johnson reached for his left-front pocket, and the deputy put him in handcuffs.

A short time later, Johnson freed himself from the handcuffs and ran into the backyard of a house in the 3000 block of Fremont Street.

A deputy cornered Johnson as he tried to climb a fence. Johnson began to fight with the officer and was Tasered twice before being put into custody. Police found a sawed-off shotgun and ammunition in the trunk of the vehicle Johnson was driving.

He told police he ran because he didn’t want to go to jail on his birthday, which was Wednesday.

The making of propaganda

2011-10-20T22:57:00.000-05:00

We could call it a Parents Writing Contest. We could offer a chance to win up to $300:

And oh, by the way, don't forget to mention in small print, that by submitting an essay, the parent gives the school the right to display their essay on our website, other educational sites, or other schools printed materials.

Whatcu talkin' 'bout in the comments section

2011-10-19T17:20:00.000-05:00

"On the HR Report from the last district board meeting there appears to be 3 new positions created and I believe at least 2 out of the 3 new hires are from NC and/or have connection to Guilford County. One is a former student in Guilford County school district. New positions: Professional Development Coordinator, Human Resource Specialist, and Asst. Principal at Woodruff. No one in Peoria qualified for these jobs?"

"So the Wacky Wednesdays are back...half-days for kids and all staff was due in some other building, for professional development. Very poorly managed. You can bet the kids will be not at their best tomorrow, after having a half-day off during the week. SIP days need to go back to Friday. It makes more sense to the students that it is the last day of the week. It makes more sense for everybody. Wacky, wacky, wacky...that's D150 these days!"

"The other thing is these meetings with the union president Bob Darling. You really think teachers are going to talk openly in front of Darling when they know he is 'in bed' with Lathan and crew. Darling is an administrator pure and simple. Don't know many teachers who leave their homes after 8:30 am and are home in the middle of the day. Just some food for thought....."

Rough start for the new Woodruff Academy

2011-10-16T21:50:00.001-05:00

Apparently it's a little rough going over at the new Woodruff...

"They have it set up by ‘floors’ and each floor is supposed to have a ‘principal’ of sorts who is in charge of discipline. On one floor the principal lasted about a week, so there’s no one immediately available to assist with discipline. Most teachers have not been assigned their own rooms, and have to cart materials from class to class – and may even have to go from one floor to another.

Some teachers had already started teaching one subject at the beginning of the year, all of a sudden it changes so that students have to work through ‘modules’ but teachers have received virtually NO instruction about implementing these modules. Three (3) teachers out of seven (7) on one floor have quit – including one teacher who came to the program from Juvenile Department of Corrections (even HE couldn’t handle it) and another veteran teacher with more than a decade of experience in alternative education.

The biggest frustration is with the chaos amongst building/district administration. No organization or cohesiveness. All in all, the kids aren’t all that bad, but they are very disengaged – major truancy issues, flat out refusal to work, lack of skills – not behavior problems so much."

Take the guns from your sons - a local father's plea

2011-10-16T08:17:00.000-05:00

Don't get me wrong, it's always good with the PPD takes a shooter off the streets. I'm looking forward to the days when we find the shooters who are killing people. Do you think it depends on the location you are in when you get shot?

Man arrested in shooting in City Hall parking lot

An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a shooting in the City Hall parking lot on Oct. 9.

Cory W. Bragg was booked shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday on two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated battery with a firearm and damage to property.

On the night of the shooting, police had been dispatched at 11:57 p.m. to the Locker Room, 112 SW Jefferson Ave. An officer was flagged down after he arrived about shots being fired nearby in the 400 block of Fulton Street.

At least two people apparently had exchanged gunfire in the block after an under-21 party at the establishment. A 17-year-old girl was shot in the hand.

The vehicle the victim was sitting inside was hit twice - once in the driver's door and once in a rear passenger door. A window in the glass arcade of the Peoria Civic Center behind the parking lot also was shot out.Source

The video above was shot locally, all participants are locals. Michael Alexander is a native PIAien, who has lost loved ones (a son) in the struggles with the streets; he is a product of #150 schools. The video was shot mainly in Taft Homes, where Alexander grew up and is respected as a grass roots leader.

This IS a message to all teachers from Bobby Darling

2011-10-15T14:22:00.002-05:00

We have been informed by many teachers that the start of this school year has probably been the most challenging of their careers. We want everyone to know that we will be holding 3 meetings the week of Oct 24th. The purpose of these meetings will be to listen and try to address your concerns about grade level issues, curriculum, lack of materials, discipline, walk through's, testing, new initiatives and any other issues teachers would like to discuss.

Tuesday, Oct. 25th, Middle School teachers at Peoria High School 3:15 PM
Wednesday, Oct. 26th, Primary teachers at Peoria High School 4:15 PM
Thursday, Oct. 27th, High School teachers at Peoria High School 3:15 PM

Source: Sharon Crews (comments section)

Happy Friday!

2011-10-14T10:12:00.000-05:00

I'll take the 9 9 9 pizza special.

Inquiring minds are eager to know...

2011-10-13T11:53:00.000-05:00

The most important question for Americans, particularly African Americans, today is: “Where are the jobs?” But, another question is circulating in the wake of Friday’s jobs report: “Where did you find yours?”

As reported recently on Politic365.com, the unemployment rate for African Americans fell from 16.7% in August to 16% in September.

The number of Blacks easing into the labor market and making themselves available for hire increased to 18,103,000 in September from 17,930,000 in August.

The number of Blacks employed climbed to 15,209,000, up from the August total of 14,941,000. Just where are people finding work? It’s hard to say exactly.

The U.S. Department of Labor, which issues the jobs report, did not provide any specific data about what sectors of the economy added African American employees. Source

Why I dispise Ciroc Obama f/k/a Diddy

2011-10-08T10:48:00.000-05:00

A video that surfaced on the web last week shows Sean Combs (Diddy) lashing out at an Atlanta party-goer for not drinking Ciroc.

The notorious name-changer has recently taken to calling himself Ciroc Obama: Through his vodka deal with beverage giant Diageo, Diddy receives an annual cut of profits and a big chunk of cash if the Ciroc brand is ever sold (Ciroc’s value is soaring toward $1 billion). Diddy’s Net worth: $550 million. Source

In my opinion Sean John Combs, Shawn Corey Carter, Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. and the rest of these aging rappers are a pariah on the black community and need to give it a rest.

The video below is explicit, lots of cussing and use of the "N word", just general all around buffoonery on full display. The video shows Sean Combs (a/k/a Diddy, Puff Daddy, Puffy, P Diddy) being the true arse that he is: T.I. and Diddy hosted BET's Hip Hop Awards after party at Compound, ATL! Diddy calls out non-Ciroc drinkers and pours fresh Ciroc all over the crowd! Later on shots are fired in the club!

TI who is fresh out the pen (for the third time) and is still on probation, tries to redeem himself for being involved with the nonsense and attempts to put "Puff" (Diddy) in check.