Grinnell Street Boys & Girls Club closed for security reasons

What does that tell us about the success of the Harrison School/Neighborhood Impact Zone?

The East Bluff Boys and Girls Club (shown in photo above) is already crammed full of kids, in an area where crime is just a little too normal (the Glen Oak School Neighborhood Impact Zone). They are confined to playing on a very small lot, directly across the street from the Glen Oak Community Center. Now the Boys and Girls Club is adding 60 children from the Grinnell Street location to the mix - is there even room? And why bus them from the Harrison area to the East Bluff, can't they make use of the Harrison School, birth-through-eighth grade Community Learning Center?

Boys and Girls Club's site closed for summer
About 60 children being transported to East Bluff due to security concerns

The Boys and Girls Club's Grinnell Street site near the old Harrison Homes is closed for the summer because of security reasons, according to Leslie Matuszak, the agency's director. Instead, employees or parents are transporting about 60 children daily from the Harrison Homes area to the Boys and Girls Club along Kansas Street in the East Bluff.

"We're primarily running everything from our East Bluff location, primarily because of safety and costs," Matuszak said.

The closing stemmed from concerns about the safety of staff, as well as children who walk back and forth to Boys and Girls Club programs during the summer. Though the club is not responsible for children en route, Matuszak said some children have been approached by drug dealers or bullies as they walked back and forth to the Grinnell site.

"I can't pay a security guard $28 an hour and that's the going rate," she said. Security is less of a problem when school is in session, Matuszak added. Increased activity in and around Harrison Community Learning Center acts as a safety buffer.

One mother, dropping her children off at a van parked at the Grinnell Street site Monday, said her children preferred the East Bluff location. She did not want her named used.

Though the Grinnell site is closed, the agency still offers some programs on the south side this summer. For instance, children walk to a tutoring and mentoring program the Boys and Girls Club offers at Manual Academy.

The summer closing has also resulted in adjustments in the maintenance of a teaching garden the club maintains at Harrison school. Originally, children from the Grinnell Street site would care for the garden during the summer months. Currently, Boys and Girls Club staff transports children from the Kansas Street site a few times a week.

The Grinnell Street location has been closed since mid-June and will reopen in mid-August. About 500 children are involved in the club's summer programs. Source

It was supposed to be an oasis in the urban desert

... instead the new Glen Oak Community Learning Center looks like a desert. The grass is dead, newly planted trees are dead and the property was devoid of any activity on a beautiful summer day. A "four-city-block area" with dead grass all around.

It could be that the District doesn't have the funds to run the sprinkler system (assuming one was installed for brand new landscaping); or maybe it's because they can't afford the water bill.

Recall the hype: Glen Oak Community Learning Center In the very heart of Peoria’s historic East Bluff neighborhood, a four-city-block area is being profoundly transformed via a unique set of public and private partnerships. The crown jewel in this development is an all-new 126,000-square-foot Glen Oak School and Community Center that will serve pupils from birth through eighth grade. From both urban and architectural design perspectives, the school itself breaks new ground by providing an all-weather pedestrian street that links a two-story academic wing with a one-story community facility wing. This pedestrian way is on axis with Frye Street, an important east-west connector that extends all the way to Prospect Avenue on the eastern edge of the East Bluff, and to Knoxville Avenue on its western edge.

Back of Community Learning Center

Glen Oak’s all-weather pedestrian street is intended to serve as the nucleus for the entire four-block development. Both the school’s expansive media center (to the north) and its cafeteria and multi-purpose community space (to the south) open directly to this interior venue. In the academic wing to the north, integrated learning laboratories can be found on both levels, which can be used collaboratively by student groups across several classes and grade levels. In the community wing to the south, residents of the surrounding neighborhood can take a night class, utilize the full-service gymnasium, or enjoy an exercise routine while looking out over the public park.

The Glen Oak development does not stop with simply a new school building. It includes a new public park (above the 110 deep wells that were dug for the geothermal heating and cooling system serving the school), designed in cooperation with the Peoria Park District, and a coordinated ensemble of new streets and intersections around the perimeter of the four-block site, designed and built by the City of Peoria. Beyond these public stakeholders, the private businesses in the adjacent Wisconsin Avenue Business District have begun organizing themselves in an effort to provide a powerful and dynamic private-sector complement to all of these public sector inputs.

Frye Street side of Community Learning Center

The Glen Oak Birth—8th Grade Community Learning Center development represents all the best and most profound elements of sustainability. The new school itself includes a geothermal heating and cooling system, generous amounts of natural daylighting, extensive use of recycled materials and systems, numerous bioswales and other natural catchments, and other up-to-the-minute green features. More importantly, it returns a significant portion of formerly “developed” urban area to a “natural” state (in the form of a public park, school sports fields and several outdoor nature explorer classrooms). And, perhaps most critically, it rejuvenates and “recycles” an existing, older neighborhood taking full advantage of all of the embodied energy and infrastructure that such a neighborhood has to offer.

Are full service community schools servicing the community?

At one time Community Builders oversaw the Community School effort.

Glen Oak Community School (click images to enlarge)

I thought we were told that the multi-million dollar Glen Oak School, would be a full service community school. However, on any given day or time, you can drive by the building and it is clear that the building is currently being under utilized in a neighborhood filled with crime and children with nothing to do.

The Community School Initiative is being run by Bradley and they have assembled a very impressive board. However, the St. Bernard's scenario below, is an example of volunteers who are actually doing the work needed for the community vs. a bunch of impressive folks sitting around a board table having donuts and coffee for one hour every month.

St. Bernard's School on Kansas

A local group is turning the old St. Bernard's School into a community center. St. Bernard's School is currently being used for summer youth basketball leagues. But city leaders, community members, and local pastors want to expand that by opening part of the building as a neighborhood outreach center.

Meals, recreation, and educational opportunities would be offered to people of all ages. The group is in talks with organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and the Peoria Park District for potential programming.

"We don't really have neighborhood schools anymore. So we're kind of hoping we can step in and fill that gap. And this will be the place that people look to for that center of the community." Organizer, Father Tom Stone

The organization is currently seeking funding for the center, which it hopes to open this fall. The information below is from psd150 website.

Full Service Community Schools

Bradley University’s College of Education and Health Sciences, along with the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service, serve as the lead agency for the Peoria Full Service Community Schools (PFSCS) project. Guided by The Federation for Community Schools, this initiative is funded through various grants, including Heart of Illinois United Way and Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation. The partnership is governed by a community advisory council that includes representatives from Bradley University, Peoria School District 150, City of Peoria, Peoria City Council, Illinois Central College, Caterpillar Inc., Methodist Medical Center, United Way, Two Rivers Professional Development Center, Southside Bank, and Peoria County Health Department.

PFSCS is responsible for implementation of the full service community schools model, which targets health, families, community, and academics, by providing a continuum of care and support that will empower students and their families to become productive, engaged members of the community. Currently, PFSCS serves three Peoria School District 150 schools: Harrison Community Learning Center, Trewyn Middle School, and Manual Academy. The project also supports a Parent Mobile Resource Center (a renovated school bus) that will travel in the neighborhoods surrounding the three designated community schools to provide information, connection to resources and District 150’s Parent University, and services such as immunizations, screenings, and parent education/workshops.

The PFSCS goals for the 2011-2012 academic year include hiring a resource coordinator for each school, engaging parents, teachers, and community members in promoting the well being and academic success of the students in these schools, promoting students’ mental health, physical health, and safety, and establishing data collection and analysis protocols to measure the partnership’s success over time.

Core Advisory Council

Michele Anderson, South Side Bank

Renee Andrews, Principal, Trewyn Middle School

Judy Dietrich, Illinois Central College

Steve Fairbanks, Community Development Specialist, City of Peoria

Curt Fenton, Peoria City/County Health Department

Dr. Jana Hunzicker, Bradley University, College of Education and Health Sciences 

Taunya Jenkins, Principal, Manual Academy

Jan Leonard, Two Rivers Professional Development Center (Regional Office of Education)

Dr. Chris Lucas, Bradley University, College of Education and Health Sciences

Karin Maybanks, In-School Health Coordinator, Methodist Medical Center

Renee McKinnon, Peoria School District 150

Veralee Smith, Principal, Harrison Community Learning Center

Michael Stephan, President, Heart of Illinois United Way

Dr. Jenny Tripses, Bradley University, College of Education and Health Sciences

Chuck Weaver, Peoria City Council

Jennifer Zammuto, Caterpillar Foundation

Manual Academy

Manual Academy, which serves students in grades seven through twelve, is divided into four “schools within the school”. It houses a Middle School Preparatory Academy, a Ninth Grade Success Academy, and two career-focused academies for sophomores, juniors, and seniors: the Health Academy and the Business Academy. In 2008, Manual implemented the Johns Hopkins Talent Development Program, which incorporates features such as novel-based literature programs, quarterly academic progress conferences between students and community volunteers, and a daily advisory program. Manual’s mission is to redefine teaching and learning. The school’s website states, “We will ensure that each student reaches his or her full academic and personal potential through an educational approach characterized by continuously re-conceptualizing teaching and learning in a nurturing environment.” Manual received an Illinois Academic Improvement Award in 2010.

Trewyn Middle School

Trewyn Middle School, serves students in grades kindergarten through eight. Partnering with the Peoria Park District and Carl Cannon’s E.L.I.T.E. program, Trewyn’s mission is “to collaboratively transform, inspire, and empower students to be goal oriented and proactive in their education, using best practices while maintaining the highest standards of accountability”. E.L.I.T.E. is a code of conduct and communication that is based on the concept of mutual respect. It is, therefore, everyone’s responsibility to: (a) use Phrases for Success (please, thank you, you’re welcome, yes ma’am, no ma’am, excuse me, I’m sorry, help me, I have, I can, etc.), honor others through simple acts of courtesy, and exhibit self-respect in the way we dress, speak and act.

Harrison Community Learning Center

Harrison Community Learning Center, which serves students from birth through eighth grade, opened the doors of its new facility in 2010. The school is described as “one of the most researched and studied facility designs to be developed in the United States”. The school provides a variety of programs and services, including the 21st Century after school program, which engages third through sixth grade students in reading, math, science, and social studies through the fine arts. Harrison’s mission is “to ensure that all children build an academic foundation, develop (become life-long learners), and grow in self-confidence and compassion through a challenging curriculum which nurtures each student’s abilities and aspirations in partnership with parents, family, and community”.

Parent Mobile Resource Center

The Parent Mobile Resource Center (MPRC), the brainchild of former parent educator Julie Lonteen, launched on June 23, 2011. A true collaboration, Julie brought together Peoria District 150, the City of Peoria, and Bradley University to plan an innovative approach to parent engagement through the revitalization of an old, retired school bus. The actual revitalization of the bus was a true community project with individuals, businesses, and unions stepping forward by donating money, supplies, time, and talent to turn Julie’s vision into reality. This bus travel s in the neighborhoods surrounding our three community schools to provide information and services, including Parent University classes, early childhood screenings, immunizations, a lending library, and workshops and activities designed especially for parents.

Citizen Schools a viable way to lengthen the school day/year

... and give middle school age students something to do, while being inspired to learn. The Glen Oak Community Learning Center and the Harrison Community Learning Center are waiting. 

Citizen Schools is an non-profit organization that partners with middle schools across the United States to expand the learning day for low-income children. Its stated mission is "educating children and strengthening communities". Currently, Citizen Schools serves over 4,400 students and recruits over 4,000 volunteers over 37 program sites in 19 cities across 7 states. The center pieces of the Citizen Schools model are its apprenticeship programs run by volunteers that culminate in public demonstrations called WOW!s, and partnering with some middle schools to expand learning time for students. Citizen Schools offers the AmeriCorps National Teaching Fellowship providing a 2-year leadership development program with an optional enrollment in a Master's program in out-of-school learning.

click image to enlarge

Working to increase parental involvement through Parent University

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.