AFRICAN DELEGATION VISITS PREVENTION PARTNERSHIP TO DISCUSS HEALTH ISSUES & GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

PARADE FOR JESUS LARGEST EVER

BUILDING A HEALTHIER AUSTIN BEGINS WITH A WALK

BUILDING A HEALTHIER AUSTIN

VOLUNTEER WALK CLUB LEADERS
Carolyn Ball
Larry Chandler
Laverne Grayson
Carolyn Mack
Steven McKinley
William Nelson
Willy Earl Pullen
Johnny Sandifer
Phyllis Stewart

BUILDING A HEALTHIER AUSTIN
Planning Committee

Director: Elizabeth Jarvis LeBreton, HHS
Athena Williams
Hermese Bryant
Janice Henry
Victoria Prewitt

ELLA FLAGG YOUNG STUDENTS TREATED TO WORLD CULTURE ASSEMBLY

MORTON SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE RISING LIKE A PHOENIX FROM ITS OWN ASHES

 Angel Turner explains that it is her job as
an elementary school principal not just to
prepare students for high school, but for
college and to compete in a global economy.
(Photo by Isaac Jones)

 Morton Librarian Kristy Rieger says she
works to introduce students to a variety
of different texts and genres, including
graphic novels – good literature in
comic book format. (Photo by Isaac Jones)

 Morton School of Excellence is a Teacher Training
Academy where Resident Instructors learn beside
experienced Mentor Teachers. (Photo by Isaac Jones)

 Morton teachers are carefully
selected to meet differing
learning styles of students.
(Photo by Isaac Jones)

 Faye Jett, Athletic Director & Phys. Ed. Teacher,
uses creative techniques for keeping kids fit, active
& involved. (Photo by Isaac Jones)

 As an AUSL school, Morton benefits from extra resources, such as offering Spanish classes through Language Stars. (Photo by Isaac Jones)

Morton School of Excellence surged from one of the state’s worst-performing schools to a
top academic school with over 90% of students Meeting & Exceeding state standards under
AUSL management. (Photo by Isaac Jones)

It is almost impossible to believe that in three short years Morton School of Excellence, 431 North Troy, has gone from being one of the very worst performing schools in the state of Illinois to making the second-largest test score gains in the city of Chicago. In 2008, the Chicago Public Schools contracted the Academy for Urban School Leadership to manage Morton. AUSL is a private company that specializes in repositioning underperforming schools, relaunching them for success. AUSL manages Dodge Renaissance Academy, Bethune School of Excellence, Howe School of Excellence, Johnson School of Excellence, Orr High School, and Collins High School on Chicago’s West Side, as well as several South Side schools.
The schools managed by AUSL remain Chicago Public Schools – not charter schools – and all instructors are members of the Chicago Teachers Union.
Usually, the turnaround schools are closed and AUSL personnel repair and upgrade the plant facilities. The administration and teaching staffs are also replaced by specially selected educators expert at promoting student achievement. AUSL operates several Teacher Training Academies with Resident Instructors assigned to experienced Mentor Teachers. Morton is now a Teacher Training Academy for AUSL.
AUSL also makes resources and partnerships available to which other Chicago Public Schools do not have access. For instance, on the Martin Luther King holiday in January, the Illinois Lottery and WGCI Radio teamed with volunteers to transform Morton’s library into a modern multi-media center. Through the Community Schools Initiative, the YMCA is housed inside Morton, providing after-school programs for students. Morton participates in a partnership with the Joffrey Ballet, teaching Hip-Hop dance to middle school students four days a week. Language Stars brings a Spanish teacher to the school. AUSL has a Fine Arts & Performing Arts Director who assists Morton in obtaining programs in drama, music, and the visual arts. In addition, a partnership with Merit Music brings music classes to Morton students, while other public schools complain that budget constraints are removing the arts from their schools.
AUSL operates the only tackle football and baseball leagues in the city for elementary level students, and provides equipment. In spring, an athletic practice field was created adjacent to the Morton building through a creative land swap with a neighboring agency. A former collegiate all-star runs Morton’s football program. Morton’s Double-Dutch Team placed #1 in the city.
Angel Turner is the visionary Principal of Morton School of Excellence, guiding the 20 instructors, 30 support staff, 350 students, and members of the Local Parent Advisory Council. When she came to Morton in 2009, Turner says, “Students and parents were totally out of control.” She met with school stakeholders and let them know the school needed a change in culture and climate. Turner said it took a long time to establish a regular in-school routine and get parents to understand that they could not run the school and disrupt classes. Before she arrived, police were called to Morton daily because of students fighting and disruptive parents.
Turner explains that children yearn for structure, routines, and systems. She says it is important for adults to model for kids and help them channel energy positively. She and the staff promoted the slogan: It’s Not Playtime – It’s Crunchtime!
As a result of the changes made in the school, Morton was named #1 in the city for improvement in safety and security by the University of Chicago. Turner emphasizes that the same students are attending Morton now as when the school was failing academically and conditions were out of control.
Another gauge of change at Morton is that children are arriving before school opens, going to the library to read and study. “The building is open every day until 6:00 PM,” Turner notes. “But, we have to tell students that we are closed and they have to go home.”
Morton proudly proclaims itself a 90-90-90 School: 90% low income, 90% African American, and 90% of students Meeting and Exceeding state academic standards.
The first year Turner was Principal, three Morton students were accepted to selective enrollment high schools. This year, 20 Morton graduates are attending prestigious high schools.
Ms Turner explains, “The responsibility for elementary school principals is not just to prepare students for high school, but to prepare them for post-secondary and college.” She says her job is to prepare students to compete in a global economy by developing their critical thinking methodologies.
With 350 students in a building that accommodates 1,000, Morton has the luxury of room for special programs and projects. As a Balanced Literacy School, Morton is open seven days a week for teachers to come in and plan innovative lessons. Morton provides Pre-K3, PreK4, and Kindergarten through 8th grade. For information on enrolling children at Morton School of Excellence, call 773/534-6791.

WESTSIDE ART SPACE HOSTS OPENING RECEPTION

A jazz trio entertains at the Westside Art Space exhibition reception. (Photo by Brad)

A young visitor to Westside Art Space studies pictures by Haitian artists displayed in the show. (Photo by Brad)

Victor Ochieng curates exhibitions at the Westside Art Space, 5847 W. Chicago Ave., and hosts the current show. For information, call 773/957-6510 or e-mail ZAARDHI@YAHOO.COM. (Photo by Brad)

The current show at Westside Art Space features a variety of styles by several artists. (Photo by Brad)

HARRISON POLICE DISTRICT SWEARS IN NEW PEER JURY MEMBERS

11th DISTRICT PEER JURORS
    Khadejah Bryant
    Powerhouse High School

    Kadesha Bynum
    Powerhouse High School

    Stephon Carter
    Powerhouse High School

    Kieyonna Chandler
    Academy of Scholastic Achievement

    Asia Davis
    Jensen Academy

    Crystal Dod
    Michele Clark High School
       
    De’Ahn Huddleston
    Lindblom Math & Science Academy

    Julius Lucas
    Academy of Scholastic Achievement

    E’lia Murry
    Academy of Scholastic Achievement

    Sherita Pickett
    Christ the King College Prep High School

    Angel Powell
    Powerhouse High School

    Khadijan Robinson
    Powerhouse High School

    Shanovia Wilson
    Academy of Scholastic Achievement

WEST SIDE CHURCHES HOLD A SEASON OF PRAYER IN LaFOLLETTE PARK

CHICAGO BULL C.J. WATSON DONATES COMPUTER CENTER TO SUMNER ACADEMY

Chicago Bulls Point Guard C.J. Watson donated a Student Computer Center to Charles Sumner Mathematics & Science Community Academy, 4320 West Fifth Avenue. The gift was made through Watson’s Quiet Storm Foundation. Other contributing partners include: Allegiant Athletic Agency, B2B Computer Products, Bergie’s Sports Card Dugout, Center for Financial Services Innovation, Chester Miller, Kristina Miller & Google, George Relyea, Porreca Freight, Randal Baudin, www.SandyWashington.com, Segal McCambridge Singer and Mahoney Law Firm, Ultimate Real Estate Group, LLC, and 5918 Inc. Catering.
    A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the school with Principal Mrs. W. Delores Robinson accepting the gift and 24th Ward Alderman Michael Chandler assisting.

COCA-COLA GIVES HOWE SCHOOL NEW PLAYGROUND THROUGH SPRITE SPARK PARKS

Coca-Cola presents an oversized check for $25,000 to pay for the Sprite Spark Parks playground at Howe School of Excellence. (Photo by Brad)

Coca-Cola presented Howe School of Excellence, 720 North Lorel Avenue, with a new, state-of-the-art playground for students through a $25,000 grant from the Sprite Spark Parks for Schools fund. The colorful and shiny equipment includes climbing bars, rope ladders, swings, and spinning wheels to entertain kids at recess and keep them fit. Underneath it all is a soft cushion surface to keep them safe if they fall. The gift to Howe is part of a $2 million nationwide initiative by Sprite Spark Parks. Jewel-Osco is also a partner in the playground grant.

Howe students cut the ribbon officially opening their new Sprite Spark Parks playground. (Photo by Brad)

Howe School of Excellence is a Chicago Public School managed by Academy for Urban School Leadership, a specialist in turning around underperforming schools. This is the second major gift to Howe School. Last year, AUSL tore down a dilapidated classroom building to make way for a modern athletic field – a gift from the Midwest Soccer Federation and other sports promoters. AUSL has given the school building a full makeover, with extensive repairs, remodeling, and bright paint throughout.
    Principal Keisha Campbell notes that children are responding favorably to the school’s physical improvements and dynamic new staff. In just three years, the percentage of Howe students meeting and exceeding state academic standards has risen from 3% to over 70%. Suspensions are down 80% and attendance is over 90%.
Alderman Emma Mitts, a strong champion of Howe School of Excellence, praised the school faculty and staff for their accomplishments, and thanked Coca-Cola for its generosity and community spirit. Then she took a ride on the new merry-go-round.
    Barbara Lumpkin, Vice President of External Affairs for the Chicago Public Schools, told the adults to “Close your eyes and imagine the possibilities.” The ribbon was cut and children happily pushed the adults out of their world, claiming ownership of the new playground.