Friday, August 6, 2010

REP. DAVIS LAUNCHES ATTACK ON BULLYING & HARASSMENT



Congressman Danny K. Davis (IL-7) has introduced legislation amending the Safe & Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act to include bullying and harassment prevention programs. Davis held a press conference at Frederick Douglass Academy High School to announce his initiative. With him were educators, police, psychiatrists, clergy, and other elected officials.
“Crime, violence, anti-social behavior and overall harassment of citizens by citizens is wreaking havoc in the lives of citizens throughout America,” Congressman Davis declared in explaining the reasons for his legislative initiative.
Specifically, the legislation is designed to provide assistance that state educational agencies will use to provide direction and help to schools in their efforts to prevent and appropriately respond to incidents of bullying and harassment, and describes how agencies should respond to deal with such actions.
The bill calls for annual notice to parents and students describing and defining the full range of prohibited conduct contained in the school discipline policies. Educators and police have complained that bullying and harassment lacked specific definition for action to be taken and there is also the need to include jurisdictional authority to allow schools and police to act.
The proposed legislation requires development and notification of complaint procedures for students and parents that seek to file charges regarding prohibited conduct contained in the discipline policies, including the names of school district officials who are designated as responsible for receiving such complaints and timelines to follow to resolve complaints.
Some of the authorized activities in this legislation are:
• Teaching students about the consequences of bullying and harassment.
• Institution of programs that address the causes of bullying and harassment, and training teachers, administrators, and counselors regarding strategies to prevent bullying and harassment, and to effectively intervene when incidents occur.
• The legislation provides an easy to understand definition of bullying, which includes conduct that is based on a student’s actual or perceived identity with regard to race, color, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or any other distinguishing characteristics which may be defined by a state or local educational agency, including cyber bullying.
• This conduct can be directed at one or more students.
• This conduct substantially interferes with educational opportunities or educational programs of students.
• This conduct adversely affects the ability of a student to participate in or benefit from the school’s educational programs or activities by placing a student in reasonable fear of physical harm.
Bullying includes the repeated use of the Internet, cell phones, or other technology to send or post images or text designed to hurt or embarrass another person. This includes “sexting”, posting a threat or an embarrassing photo or video on a website or spreading a rumor about someone via text message or e-mail. It may include adopting a false identity online in order to trick, tease, harass, or spread rumors about another person.
The legislation also provides specific definitions for harassment so action can be taken to stop it and punish persons engaging in such conduct.
“It is hoped that passage and implementation of this legislation will help our nation get a better grip on this increase in and devastating impact of bullying, which often leads to violence and other kinds of anti-social behavior,” Davis stated.

DANNY K. DAVIS HOSTING BACK-TO-SCHOOL PARADE & PICNIC AUG. 21

Mark your calendars and start decorating your floats. Congressman Danny K. Davis and an array of community sponsors are planning the 2010 Back-To-School Parade & Picnic for Saturday, August 21. To contribute, volunteer, or reserve your space in the parade, call 773/626-8481.

PREVENTION PARTNERSHIP & CEDA PRESENTING FREE ECONOMIC STABILITY SEMINAR AUG. 17

The Prevention Partnership, Inc., West Side elected officials, an array of local agencies, and THE VOICE Newspapers are sponsoring another session of the unique Economic Stability Seminar at Frederick Douglass Academy High School, 534 North Waller Avenue, on Tuesday, August 17, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Participation is free and includes breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
    Topics addressed in the seminar include personal goal setting, developing job readiness skills, job seeking techniques, resume writing, interviewing strategies, communication skill development, entrepreneurial opportunities, and hints for dressing for success.
    To reserve space at this valuable event, call Novella Bates at 773/378-4195, ext. 11. Each seminar is limited to 50 participants.

WRIGHT COLLEGE HOLDING FINAL KIDS CAMPS OF SUMMER

Two Summer Camps for Children – a Dance Camp and a Computer Camp – are still open for registration at Wilbur Wright College, 4300 North Narragansett Avenue.
    Rainbow Dance Connection is being held August 10-12. This 3-day camp teaches dance forms, including jazz, tap, hip-hop, and ballet. The one-hour daily session for ages 4-6 costs $30; the 75-minute session for ages 7-12 costs $35.
    Wright’s Computer Camp teaches children how to use computers for more than just IMs and YouTube. This 5-day camp for 9-15-year-olds covers website design, graphics, and animation. It is being held August 9-12 and August 14 for $110.
    To register for either of these Summer Camps, call 773/481-8800 or e-mail Family College Director Diane Prosser at dprosser@ccc.edu.

COOK COUNTY JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICERS PRESENTING 3rd AUSTIN BACK-TO-SCHOOL RALLY AUG. 6

    The Austin Unit of Cook County Juvenile Probation Officers is presenting their 3rd Annual Austin Back-To-School Rally on Friday, August 6, at St. Angela School, 1335 North Menard Avenue, 11:00 AM-3:00 PM.
    Admission is free. There will be free food, fun, games, and entertainment. Free school supplies will be given to the first 150 students arriving.

AUSTIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTING 4TH GOLF IN AUSTIN SEPT. 24

    The Austin Chamber of Commerce is presenting its 4th Annual Golf In Austin fundraiser on Friday, September 24. This event benefits the ACC Summer Youth Program and Holiday Parade & Tree-Lighting Celebration.
    For information regarding sponsorship or competing in Golf In Austin, call 773/854-5063.

10TH ANNUAL GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY COUNTY FAIR SET FOR SEPT. 18

Experience the excitement and fun of a county fair in the middle of the city. Chicago’s original urban hoedown is being held on Saturday, September 18, 11:00 AM-4:00 PM, at the Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 North Central Park Avenue. Admission is $5. Ages 3 and under are free.
    The Garfield Park Conservatory’s County Fair celebrates the harvest and healthy communities in an urban setting on Chicago’s West Side. The connection between plants, food, and American heritage are highlighted through a variety of activities, demonstrations, and entertainment. Families can enjoy hands-on activities, games, a petting zoo, pony rides for $1.00, compost demonstrations, a harvest showcase, beekeeping demonstrations, live music, food, a farmers market with fresh produce from local farms, and much more.
    For more information, log onto www.garfield-conservatory.org or call 773/638-1766, ext. 18.

LORETTO HOSPITAL HOLDING BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR ALL BABIES BORN THERE

On Saturday, August 7, Loretto Hospital, 645 South Central Avenue, is hosting a party for all people born at the institution since it opened. The party starts at 3:30 PM and runs until 9:00 PM. There will be entertainment, food, and fun. Persons planning to attend are asked to respond by August 3 to 773/854-5063. Free parking is available for this event in the Flournoy Parking Lot. Persons attending have the opportunity to win a 32-inch Flat Screen LCD Television.

COMMISSIONER COLLINS MAKES DELINQUENT TAX LISTINGS AVAILABLE TO WEST SIDERSCOMMISSIONER COLLINS MAKES DELINQUENT TAX LISTINGS AVAILABLE TO WEST SIDERS

Cook County Commissioner Earlean Collins demanded that the Delinquent Tax Listings contained in this edition of THE AUSTIN VOICE and THE GARFIELD-LAWNDALE VOICE be published in the largest circulation African American owned weekly newspapers published in West Township to ensure that all area property owners have access to this vital information.
    Commissioner Collins says it is appropriate and proper for these notices to be available to everyone and that they should be published in local newspapers with roots in the community. “That is what I advised the County Treasurer and I am extremely pleased that she took my advice,” Collins said. “This is information that, if not readily available in the major community newspaper, could cost a property owner his home,” she stated.
    The Delinquent Tax Listings contain the real estate parcels by address, PIN number, and amount of property taxes due, plus the auction schedule and rules for bidding to buy the delinquent taxes.

CIRCLE FAMILY HEALTHCARE NETWORK HOLDING HEALTH FAIR IN AUSTIN AUG. 11

Circle Family HealthCare Network is holding a Community Health Fair with social services and linkages. On Wednesday, August 11, the Health Fair moves to 4909 West Division Street from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. No appointments are necessary at the Health Fair.
    Childhood immunizations will be available to children accompanied by parents and guardians. Bring medical records showing inoculations, if possible. Screenings will be conducted for lead, hearing, vision, dental, blood pressure, diabetes, HIV, and kidney function. There will be asthma education and mental health assessments.
    The Greater Chicago Food Depository and SNAP Program are participating, along with WHOLE Foods, the State Treasurer, University of Illinois, Sickle Cell Association, Illinois Maternal & Child Health Hospital, Chicago Department of Public Health, Athena Dental, Loretto Hospital, National Kidney Foundation, CEDA, Hartgrove Hospital, Bright Dental, and Lupus Foundation, among others.
    Physical exams are available for $15. There will be a Children’s Tent with fun activities.

ST. CATHERINE/ST. LUCY PARISH HOLDING FREE COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR AUG. 7

St. Catherine/St. Lucy Catholic Church, 38 North Austin Boulevard, is offering a free, community-wide Health Fair on Saturday, August 7, 9:00 AM-1:30 PM.
    The free Health Fair is being offered in collaboration with THE VOICE Newspapers, Loretto Hospital, Saint Anthony Hospital, Jewel-Osco, Congressman Danny K. Davis, State Representative La Shawn K. Ford, Pathfinders Prevention Education Fund, St. Angela School, The Austin Senior Satellite Center, and numerous other medical and healthcare providers.
    Screenings, exams, immunizations, counseling, and information will be available for persons of all ages. For information, call 708/386-8077.

ALD. MITTS PRESENTING 11th BACK-TO-SCHOOL GOSPEL FEST AUG. 7

World famous gospel recording star Otis Clay is headlining a day of gospel choirs, groups, and solo performers at Alderman Emma Mitts’ popular annual Back-To-School Gospel Fest in LaFollette Park, 1333 North Laramie Avenue, on Saturday, August 7, 12 Noon to 7:00 PM. Admission, refreshments, entertainment, and all activities are free.
    Sponsors of the 37th Ward Gospel Fest include the 37th Ward Pastor’s Alliance, Mid-Austin Steering Committee, Walmart, Ujamaa Construction, T-Mobile, ComEd, World Vision, and The Buyer’s Market.

INDEPENDENCE & ARTHINGTON COMMUNITY REUNION SET FOR AUG. 21

The 2nd Community Reunion on Independence & Arthington for all current and former residents of the neighborhood is being held Saturday, August 21. The planning committee is still seeking people to help make this year’s event even bigger and more fun than last year’s. The next meeting is August 7. Anyone interested should call Robbin Robinson at 773/653-7378. They are in process of ordering custom-designed Tee-shirts and are trying to secure donations of book bags and school supplies for the kids.