NBA ALL-STAR ISIAH THOMAS TELLS KIDS: “I WAS YOU”

NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas tells young people, “I was you,” and urges them to dream, plan, and work for success.

Isiah Thomas shows 4th, 5th & 6th graders he’s still got the skills that made him successful on and off the basketball court.

IT’S SO COOL TO BE SMART PROGRAM EARNING WEST SIDE STUDENTS PLACES ON SCHOOL HONOR ROLLS

With encouragement and rewarding educational enrichment activities from the “It’s So Cool To Be Smart” program, students of Lewis Elementary School are now proud to be smart. Shown are: Crystal Lujano, parent winner Ms LaShanda Williams, Whitney Rankins, Jayla Glanton, teacher coordinator Mrs. Shontrece Wilson, Keyshun Davenport, and Principal Dr. Sharon Brown-Haynes.

Middle school students from six Chicago Public Schools, including Leslie Lewis Elementary School and Horatio May Community Academy in Austin, have earned positions on their school honor rolls through a new program called, It’s So Cool To Be Smart, a project of Teach America’s Children.
    According to implementers of the program, “For many, this achievement required overcoming name-calling and rejection from their peer group.” Studies suggest that African American and Latino honor students often cave to classmates’ taunts that they’re “acting white.” To win their peers’ acceptance, they set aside schoolwork and their grades decline. This new program, It’s So Cool To Be Smart, has transformed studiousness into coolness.
    Since its introduction, schools report that they have increased the number of honor students since the first quarter of this school year. Teach America’s Children awarded grants of up to $10,000 to each participating school.
    The honor roll students are continuing to excel and many of their classmates now want to join the Smart Club and participate in academic enhancement activities, such as the Is It Cool To Be Smart? Essay contest. Ariel Thompson, an 8th grade student at Leslie Lewis, won 3rd Place in the essay contest.
    Students in the program attend special programs at area universities, math and science camps, and compete for scholarships. A Langford Elementary School 8th grader won a $4,000 scholarship to Providence-St. Mel High School. The award can be renewed annually.
    Parents of honor roll students are also recognized for their efforts, including LaShanda Williams of Leslie Lewis and Tiffany Shell of Horatio May Academy.

In one of their Smart Club activities, students from May Academy made a presentation to executives at Old World Industries in Northbrook, explaining the T-shirt business they created. Their plan is entitled SMART – Savvy Motivated Achievers Running Things.

LOUIS ARMSTRONG NAMED 21st CENTURY SCHOOL – TEST SCORES SOAR 9 POINTS

Louis Armstrong Elementary School provides an intimate, small-school experience where all students receive the attention they require to excel, plus an array of enrichment and cultural programs. As a result, Armstrong has been designated a 21st Century School. (Photo by Brad)

Louis Armstrong Elementary School, 5345 West Congress Parkway, has long been one of the best-kept secrets on Chicago’s West Side. But now, the secret is coming out!
    The school of about 200 students in grades 3 through 6 has always offered small classes with teachers providing close attention to the educational needs of individual students. It also offers a unique array of cultural and enrichment programs to support classroom instruction and expand student horizons. Principal Demetrius Bunch announced that student scores on the most recent ISAT standardized achievement test increased by an amazing 9 points.
    Now, Louis Armstrong is recognized as a 21st Century School, a prestigious designation in partnership with Children’s Home + Aid, with a grant providing an even more extensive menu of learning and recreational opportunities for students and their family members.
    Mrs. Bunch explains that student and family wellness, plus other parent and family programs will be offered on a weekly basis, providing support for Armstrong students.
    New at Louis Armstrong this year is student Band instruction, building on the school’s popular Music Scholars Program. In addition, a Parent Resource Room is being opened with computer literacy training and Internet access to ensure that at Armstrong education is a family affair.
    Successful programs being continued and expanded include: Student Cheer Squad, F.R.E.S.H. health and nutrition program for students and parents, Gifted Classes, Big Ten-S.C.O.R.E. Program, Adult G.E.D. & Basic Skills Classes, free Parent Fitness Classes, and the popular Mother-Son and Father-Daughter Dances.
    An Open Enrollment Day with tours of the school is being held Tuesday, July 31, 9:00 AM-2:30 PM. No appointments are required. For information about curriculum, enrollment, and registration at Louis Armstrong Elementary School, call Mrs. Demetrius Bunch at 773/534-6365.

SPENCER ACADEMY SALUTES PARENT SCHOLARS AT LUNCHEON

MOTHER LEE DELLA O’NEAL CELEBRATES 75th BIRTHDAY

Mt. Vernon Baptist Church’s congregation turned out with family and friends of Mother Lee Della O’Neal recently to help her mark a milestone birthday – Three-quarters of a Century! 

ESSIE CLEAR: MILLER MATRIARCH MARKS MILESTONE

     June 1 was a very special day for the Miller & Clear families. The matriarch of this large family, Essie Clear, whom everyone calls Dear, celebrated her 80th birthday and 150 family members arrived in Chicago from St. Louis, Memphis, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Williamsburg, Virginia, and New York to join Chicago-based relatives in throwing a huge party for Dear. Essie is mother to eleven children, all high school graduates who went on to attend college. They include three prominent ministers on Chicago’s West Side – Reverend Johnny L. Miller, Reverend Matthew Miller, PhD, and Reverend Leon Miller – a physician, Dr. James L. Miller; Colonel Samuel L Clear, U.S. Army; and a U.S. Naval officer with a PhD, currently serving in Afghanistan; plus five hardworking and successful daughters. Dear has 32 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. Essie may have come from humble beginnings in Mississippi, but her children remember her as a beautiful, strong woman singing hymns and cooking great meals. She delivered the same speech each morning as she sent her children off to school: “Go to school, listen and learn so that you can be successful.” They followed her orders. Happy Birthday, Dear!

60 PASTORS HOLD STRATEGIC SUMMIT TO END CITY’S VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC

Alarmed by the increasing epidemic of violence on the streets of Chicago, The L.E.A.D.E.R.’s Network, a clergy-based social justice advocacy and disaster relief organization, called an emergency meeting with 60 ministers of different denominations, races, and cultural backgrounds from across the city working to determine how the faith community can respond to the escalating violence gripping Chicago’s neighborhoods this summer. The meeting was held at Greater St. John Bible Church, 1256 North Waller Avenue, Reverend Ira J. Acree, Pastor. The summit was facilitated by Pastor Cy Fields of New Landmark M.B. Church and President of The L.E.A.D.E.R.’s Network.            

The pastors recommended creating a Faith Community Clearinghouse highlighting effective programs at other churches and faith-based organizations. Pastor Acree stated, “As I listen to the pastors talk about the number of youth and children’s activities that their churches currently host, I am pleasantly surprised. Many safe havens already exist, but are underutilized due to limited marketing.” This information will be gathered, posted on a website and constantly updated.
Father Michael Pfleger galvanized the clergy’s major concern about the easy availability and volume of guns on the streets, especially assault weapons that are frequently used in fatal shootings. He told the group that the NRA is quietly working to pass legislation that will effectively allow concealed carry of firearms in Illinois and urged the pastors to contact legislators to ensure the measure does not become law.
Pastor Slim Coleman observed that the lack of jobs has created a drug economy that is sustained by the use of guns. Pastor Marshall Hatch of New Mt. Pilgrim M.B. Church added, “Father Pfleger has been on point and passionate about this issue. Moving forward, we will put the support of this group behind him and fight vehemently for sensible gun legislation.”
Pastor Leslie Sanders moderated a discussion about the need for modifications in police strategy and structure to improve community relations and curb violence. Pastor Walter Turner expressed concern that Chicago Public Schools students may not start class on time and that budget cuts will prevent churches from keeping children out of harm’s way during the critical after-school hours. Pastor Jacques Conway challenged faith leaders to confront the entertainment industry about negative influences on youth from violent video games and music lyrics.
Pastor Hatch announced plans for a citywide multi-racial ecumenical Peace Weekend. The event will urge all Chicagoans to attend churches, synagogues, and mosques to promote respect for human life, moral regard, and community mobilization to stop violence. The clergy coalition will become a vehicle to inform the general public about what community-based organizations are doing to make Chicago a safer place.
Larry Greenfield of the American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago declared, “We’re looking forward to mobilizing our clergy group to help address the violence issue in our city.”
The clergy voted unanimously to adopt the strategic proposals and initiate an implementation plan of action. For information, contact Rev. Cy Fields at pastorcy@sbcglobal.net, Rev. Ira J. Acree at iraacree39@sbcglobal.net, or Rev. Marshall Hatch at:
revmarshallhatch@newmtpilgrim.org.

They call Me Big Llou, On Sale Now!

AUSTIN PARENTS RALLY FOR QUALITY SCHOOLS

Austin residents and parents joined students and community leaders from across the city at a recent rally demanding great schools. The parent-led Voice Your Choice for Great Schools Rally kicked off a series of community initiatives aimed at engaging community members in a citywide effort to give every child access to a quality school. “We need our kids to succeed in science and math, to be college-ready when they graduate, to receive an education that prepares them to compete with the best from around the world,” says LaKisha Taylor, a parent of two from Austin. “And to do that, we need more parents to join us and help us bring better schools to our community.” In the coming months, parents like Ms Taylor will work with their friends, neighbors, and leaders to find solutions for the education crisis in Austin and other communities, including Lawndale, Humboldt Park, Englewood, and Roseland. They will hold town hall meetings, house parties, and roundtable discussions to explore options and rally around quality school solutions. Earlier this year, about 200 parents from across the city gathered to discuss what they want from public schools, identifying specific criteria, dubbed the 5 Fundamentals of every Great School. The criteria include strong academic programs, high expectations and respect for every student, meaningful testing, quality instruction and supported teachers, and effective community involvement. “As parents, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to make sure our kids get a good education,” explains Janise Collins, a parent of two. 

“Whether that is researching the best options or demanding better quality schools, I am going to do everything I can to make sure my children have the education they deserve. I’ve always lived in Austin, always worked in Austin, my kids go to school in Austin, and I want to continue that.” With more than 123.000 students attending low-performing or failing schools, Chicago finds itself in an education crisis. Parents and students who spoke at the rally called on their peers, city officials, and community leaders to join the effort to address and ultimately solve the crisis by making highly effective schools available to substantially more students. They pointed out that the movement has been quietly gaining momentum over the last few months. “We’ve gone from 27 parents connecting at a community meeting in March to more than 1,000 individuals and 100 organizations,” points out Chris Butler, Advocacy and Outreach Director of New Schools for Chicago. “We are at a tipping point and urge everyone who cares about public education to join us today.” For more information and to join the movement, go to www.newschoolsnow.org/voice or call 773/4-SCHOOLS. 

ALD. MITTS & WESTSIDE HEALTH AUTHORITY HOLD 3rd HEALTHY LIVING WALKING CHALLENGE