News
Whitney Houston: The Queen of Pop Remembered
Posted on 14. Feb, 2012 by citizen in Entertainment, News
The Chicago Citizen Newspaper remembers the life and talent of Whitney Houston. She is pictured here in Beverly Hills, Calif. at a charity event in 2006. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles-File)
While the music world is still reeling from the recent deaths of Don Cornelius and Etta James, the industry received another shocking blow on February 11, 2012.
The news of Whitney Houston’s death spread quickly across the globe; ironically on the eve of the televised Grammy music awards show where Houston was scheduled to make a highly anticipated appearance.
Houston was found dead in the bath tub inside the Beverly Hilton hotel where she was staying during Grammy weekend. The fallen star was planning to attend a pre-Grammy party at the hotel which was being thrown by Sony Music Entertainment executive Clive Davis. Davis reportedly discovered Houston’s talent.
Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born August 9, 1963 in Newark, NJ to Cissy and John Houston. She was the youngest of the couple’s three children and had two older brothers.
The songstress, who for nearly 30 years, provided life soundtracks to three generations, was constantly surrounded by music growing up.
Houston’s mother Cissy is a renowned gospel singer who has also sang background for several legendary artists including Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley. Franklin is Houston’s godmother and the celebrated singer Dionne Warwick is her cousin.
Houston found her voice while singing in her church choir as a child, notably in 1974, when she began performing as a soloist in the junior gospel choir at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark. Even then, the power and influence of her young voice amazed and floored the church’s congregation.
Houston was remembered by New Hope’s pastor, Joe A. Carter during its Sunday morning worship service, the day after the tragic news of the singer’s death spread.
“Our hearts are broken,” Carter said. “How saddened we are at the death of one of the greatest voices of the modern age.”
Other reports cite that Houston, who was affectionately called “Nippy” by those close to her, is remembered by her family and childhood friends as being destined for greatness.
Toni Gregory, a childhood friend of Houston told a local Newark newspaper that as kids she and Houston dressed up and sang songs to an imaginary audience.
But not soon after Houston’s teenaged years, she soared to superstar status, wowing the world with her break out hits, “You Give Good Love” and “Saving All My Love for You.” The rest was history.
In 1992, Houston married R&B singer Bobby Brown, who was once part of the well-known singing group New Edition. The following year Houston gave birth to the couple’s only child together, Bobbi Kristina.
Bobbi Kristina was hospitalized twice after hearing about and trying to cope with the reality of her mother’s death. According to news reports she was treated for stress and anxiety.
Students at Houston’s childhood school in New Jersey remembered her this past Monday by holding a small procession to her former home, according to NBC New York.
The school is located in East Orange, NJ and has been renamed to Whitney E. Houston Academy of Performing Arts.
The students released a bouquet of white balloons as Houston’s famous song “Greatest Love of All” was played in the background music.
“I beg of every boy and girl to think in terms of what she accomplished,” the school’s principal Henry Hamilton told students and local dignitaries at a ceremony after the procession.
Sony Music Entertainment issued the following statement on Houston’s passing:
“Whitney Houston was an icon and an once-in-a-lifetime talent who inspired a generation of singers and brought joy to millions of fans around the world. She had a voice of unmatched beauty and power that changed music forever, and she leaves behind an indelible legacy of timeless songs that will never be forgotten. She also was an important member of the Sony Music family who spent her storied recording career with Arista Records. She will be greatly missed. Our deepest condolences go out to her daughter and her entire family.”
Houston’s body was flown to New Jersey Monday evening via a private jet owned by movie producer Tyler Perry. It is reported that he offered it to the family during their time of need.
Arrangements for the singing legend are being arranged to occur later this week.
Whitney Houston undeniably possessed the most brilliant and powerful musical voice in the history of the world.
We will all miss you terribly, Queen of Pop.
by Thelma Sardin
State of Union Features An Obama Some Have Been Waiting For
Posted on 08. Feb, 2012 by citizen in News
The president, who faces re-election in November, touched on small business, education and foreclosure during his recent State of the Union address.
President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Jan. 24 included some tough talk and drew lines in the sand that many African Americans like Rev. Booker Vance longed for.
“He kind of drew the line on some issues and laid out clearly his position on things — which he had not done before — in a strong manner,” Vance told the Chicago Citizen. The outspoken pastor of the St. Stephens Lutheran Evangelical Church is also president of the Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation community organization in Chicago.
In his speech, the president called on Congress to be more cooperative or offer viable alternatives and he vowed to take on political obstacles.
“In 2008, the house of cards collapsed. … It was wrong. It was irresponsible. And it plunged our economy into a crisis that put millions out of work, saddled us with more debt and left innocent hard-working Americans holding the bag,” said Obama.
The president, who faces re-election in November, touched on small business, education and foreclosure, among other issues, telling how his administration plans to send legislation to Congress to help the “fragile” economy continue to recover.
Vance took note of the president’s talk of a plan that would allow some homeowners to refinance their mortgages. Obama also said he would have U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to meet with attorney generals around the country to widen the investigation of activities that led to the nation’s housing crisis. Several in Vance’s 150-member congregation were affected by that crisis with some losing their home to foreclosure and a few ending up homeless. Further, as many as 20 homes near the church are vacant due to foreclosure.
“We’re seeing the impact not only internally but in the houses on the block,” Vance said, calling Obama’s plan a “good gesture.”
He said homeowners should have some recourse against banks and mortgage lenders.
“The banks have and these lending institutions have basically ripped off the public,” he said. “These banks and the mortgage companies should be held accountable for all of the money they took from people.”
John Meyer watched the president’s address as a small business owner. Obama called for tax relief for small businesses he credited with increasing wages and creating jobs.
“Any cut in taxes would help us help the employee — and the employer — definitely,” said Meyer, owner of BJ’s Market & Bakery restaurant, with locations in the Auburn-Gresham and Avalon areas of Chicago.
Being creative helped him to stay in business during the troubled economy. He did have to shed about 10 percent of his workforce and those he was able to keep had to step up their skills and deal with fewer hours.
“I think we’re a better company than we were two years ago. However, the sales aren’t what they were two years ago,” he said. “Many Americans, including myself, are probably going through some things that they never had to go through probably in their lifetime. It’s very different.
By Rhonda Gillespie
Brizard Meets with Neighborhood press
Posted on 26. Jan, 2012 by admin in Chatham, Local News, News
CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard met with reporters from local community newspapers to answer questions and discuss programs being implemented at the Chicago Public Schools. (Photo by Thelma Sardin)
CPS CEO Jean Claude Brizard met with reporters from community newspapers at school district headquarters Thursday, a move to keep neighborhood press in the loop about CPS issues.
The forum came nearly two weeks after Brizard and Mayor Rahm Emanuel visited Benjamin Mays Academy on Chicago’s South Side, on the first day of the longer school day schedule.
Mays is a “pioneer school”, a term used for schools that adopted the longer school day before the required system wide implementation goes into effect next school year.
The Chicago Citizen asked Brizard how Mays is responding to the longer school day.
“Every single pioneer school that I have visited, the process has been flawless,” Brizard said. “You expect hiccups when people are changing schedules… One, I found the kids to be extremely happy with what is going on. Second, the teachers were very happy and the principal was ecstatic.”
CPS is moving to a 7.5 hour day and 180 day year. According to CPS, students will go from having the shortest school day and year among the nation’s largest cities to leveling with the national average for instructional time in elementary and high school as well as length of the school year.
The school system also reports that its elementary students currently receive 22 percent less instructional time than the national average, while high school students receive 15 percent less.
CPS recently released parameters for elementary and high schools regarding the longer school day and its implementation for the 2012-2013 school year.
Elementary school students can expect 6.5 hours of instruction, 45 minutes for recess and lunch and 15 minutes for passing. High school students will receive 6 hours and 8 minutes of instruction, an increase of 46 minutes, a 46 minute lunch period and 36 minutes to get from one class to the other and building entry. Mandatory homeroom or “division” for high school students will be terminated.
“We are moving to a full school day to give children the time they need to focus on core subjects and ultimately provide students with the education they deserve,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Lengthening the school day gives our kids the time they need to excel in school and succeed in a global economy.”
According to CPS, the longer school day will enhance student achievement as students across the system are struggling. The district reports that more than 123,000 students-one third of all children- are in failing schools. In 2011, only 7.9 percent of all 11th graders tested college ready while the high school graduation rates stands at 57.5 percent and achievement gaps for Black and Latino students remain in the double digits, according to a CPS press release.
Brizard has drawn a conclusion from his time in Chicago.
“Every city has one metric by which it measures success,” the schools leader said. My assumption thus far in Chicago is that people care most about the neighborhood schools. It’s not about graduation rates, it’s not about reading and writing rates, although people care about that, but what they care most about is the ability to access a good school in their neighborhood.”
By Thelma Sardin
Robert Carter, Fighter Against Segregation, Dies
Posted on 11. Jan, 2012 by citizen in National News, News
United States District Judge Robert L. Carter
By DEEPTI HAJELA
NEW YORK – Robert Carter, a lawyer who was an integral member of the team led by Thurgood Marshall that turned to the courts to battle segregation, has died. He was 94.
Carter, who later spent decades on the federal judiciary, died at a Manhattan hospital after suffering a stroke, said his son, John Carter, who is a judge on the New York state bench.
Robert Carter joined Marshall at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Legal Defense and Education Fund after leaving military service in 1944.
He worked on a number of anti-segregation cases, the most high-profile of which was Brown v. the Board of Education. In that case, the plaintiffs represented by the NAACP team argued that the system of legal segregation was unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed in a 1954 decision.
Carter “was always a fighter,” his son said. “I saw through him the kind of progress that one could make in fighting evil through law.”
NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous said in a statement that the legal philosophy Carter helped create has “defined the NAACP for decades.
“He believed in equality not only in the public school system, but in every institution across this country,” he said. “His long-term vision and tremendous success in the courtroom made him a legendary figure in the Association and in the nation as a whole.”
Carter was born in Florida in 1917 and grew up in Newark, N.J. He entered college at 16 years old, attending Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. He went to Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C. and then to Columbia University in New York for an advanced legal degree, which he received in 1941.
He then entered the U.S. Army and became a second lieutenant. His experiences with racial hostility in the military only hardened his determination to fight for equality, his son said.
President Richard Nixon nominated Carter to the federal bench in the Southern District of New York in 1972.
His tenure on the bench also had some high-profile episodes. He oversaw the merger between the National Basketball Association and the American Basketball Association, and in 1979, found in favor of black and Hispanic officers challenging the hiring practices of the New York Police Department.
Carter also is survived by another son, David; a sister, and a grandson. AP
Veteran Newsman Remembered
Posted on 05. Jan, 2012 by citizen in National News, News
Michigan Chronicle Publisher Sam Logan Jr. died Dec. 28. He was 78. (AP Photo/The Detroit News, Ricardo Thomas)
Sam Logan Jr., a prominent Detroit newspaper publisher passed away Dec.28. He was 78 years old.
Logan published the Michigan Chronicle and founded the Michigan Front Page newspapers. He is credited with making significant contributions to the Black Press and the journalism industry respectively.
Logan’s family released a statement following his death.
“It is with deep regret that we announce the death of our father and grandfather Samuel Logan, longtime and legendary publisher of the Michigan Chronicle. At 78 our father lived a fulfilled life of service to Detroit and this nation. We thank everyone for their prayers and support at this time of grief.”
William Garth Sr., CEO, Chicago Citizen Newspaper Group, a longtime colleague of Logan, reflected on his life.
“I’ve known him a long time. I wasn’t even a publisher at the time and he treated me fairly. We got along pretty good and he was very knowledgeable of publishing. He was a community activist and had a lot of community involvement. He is going to be missed in Detroit,” he said.
Logan, a Louisiana native, started his career at the Chronicle as a writer and delivering newspapers.
He eventually became publisher, a role he held for over 40 years.
Logan was outspoken on critical issues pertinent to the Black community including public education and race relations. According to reports, his cause of the death had not yet been determined.
“Sam Logan was more than a Detroit icon, he was a respected pioneer in Black journalism who championed the need for coverage of a community not totally served by the mainstream media,” Detroit Mayor Dave Bing said in a written statement. “More importantly, Sam was a loyal friend who will be deeply missed by all Detroiters.
Visitation for Logan will be held Wednesday and Thursday at Swanson Funeral Home in Detroit. The funeral will be held Friday at Greater Grace Temple also in Detroit at 10 a.m.
The Chronicle announced that Hiram Jackson, CEO of its parent company, Real Times Media Inc., will serve as the paper’s interim publisher.
“I am humbled to be asked by the board to carry on his mission on an interim basis. I do this knowing that Sam’s first order to all of us at this time of great sorrow and loss for all of us would be to focus on continuing to get his newspaper out on time. We are going to do that,” said Jackson.
By Thelma Sardin
FAMU Drum Major’s Death Ruled a Homicide
Posted on 29. Dec, 2011 by citizen in National News, News
Champion died after the annual Florida Classic football game between FAMU and Bethune Cookman on Nov. 19. Authorities have said the drum major died after an apparent hazing ritual on a parked band bus.
Florida A&M University drum major Robert Champion’s death was ruled a homicide.
An autopsy conducted by the Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner’s Office “revealed extensive contusions of his chest, arms, shoulder, and back with extensive hemorrhage.”
The results of the autopsy showed that Champion, 26, died because of blunt-force trauma suffered during a hazing incident.
Even though there were no broken bones to 26-year-old Champion’s internal organs, there was “a significant rapid blood loss” due to the injuries he suffered, the report further stated.
The medical examiner added that Champion died as “the result of hemorrhagic shock due to soft tissue hemorrhage, incurred by blunt force trauma sustained during a hazing incident.”
The Orlando Sentinel reported that sheriff’s investigators said they will meet with the State Attorney’s Office soon to determine what, if any, criminal charges will be filed.
Champion’s mother, Pamela, reached at her Georgia home, said she’s “still trying to come to terms and absorb” the information contained in the report, according to The Orlando Sentinel.
A joint statement issued by Dr. Solomon L. Badger III, chairman of the FAMU board, and Ammons, called the autopsy information “extremely upsetting for all of us, even though it confirmed what we suspected.
“We again convey our deepest condolences to the Champion family. We will continue to cooperate with all agencies looking into the matter and are committed to creating a safe environment for the entire FAMU community and ensuring that this never happens again at FAMU.”
Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner officials said the autopsy found no evidence of a natural cause for Champion’s death, including disease, sickle-cell trait, drugs or alcohol.
“Immediately after the hazing incident, he complained of thirst and fatigue; minutes later, he noted loss of vision” and soon suffered cardiac arrest, the medical examiner said.
Gainesville lawyer Christopher Chestnut, who is representing Champion’s family, said, “It confirms our suspicions.”
The family is distraught, he said, and wants to put an end to hazing. The Champions have already filed notice of intent to sue the school, although they do not know who was involved, what was done or where.
Special to the NNPA from the Florida Courier
Information from The Associated Press and The Orlando Sentinel were used in compiling this report.
Blago to Report to Prison Later
Posted on 13. Dec, 2011 by citizen in News
Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Dec. 7. The sentence was handed down following the conclusion of the impeached governor’s second corruption trial.
On Tuesday afternoon, Rod Blagojevich was granted another month before the start of his 14 year sentence.
The reprieve was handed down by Judge James Zagel who recommended that Blagojevich be sent to the Englewood federal prison in Colorado. The former governor is now due to report prison on March 15, after the initial Feb.16 date.
Judge Zagel sentenced Blagojevich to 14 years on Dec. 7. Blagojevich was convicted on 18 counts of corruption including his June convictions on charges of an attempt to sell or trade President Barack Obama’s old U.S. Senate seat.
In little over two months, the disgraced public official will say goodbye to his family—wife Patti and two daughters, Amy, 15 and Annie, 8.
The sentence was handed down following the conclusion of the impeached governor’s second corruption trial.
The first trial concluded with deadlocked jurors who agreed on one of 24 counts—that Blagojevich lied to the FBI.
During the second trial, Blago was found guilty on 17 out of 20 counts.
In written statements, several state elected officials responded to the sentencing.
Secretary of State Jesse White said he hopes Blagojevich’s fate is a solid example that corruption is intolerable.
“I want to commend Judge James Zagel on his firm but just sentence of former governor Rod Blagojevich. Hopefully this sends a strong message that unethical conduct is unacceptable,” said White.
Attorney General Lisa Madigan also issued a statement saying the former governor “deserves” the sentence.
“Based on his convictions — for numerous crimes he was caught on tape committing during just one six-week period – Blagojevich deserves a lengthy prison sentence. Unfortunately, though, it cannot fix the damage he inflicted on our state over his six years as governor. Blagojevich became governor by promising ethical reform, but from the start, he relentlessly used his position to pursue illegal and morally bankrupt schemes motivated by power and greed,” stated Madigan.
Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka who ran against Blagojevich for the governor’s seat in 2006 also released a statement saying she emphasizes for his family but does believes justice was served.
“To be clear, I take no joy in seeing any father taken from his children and family for an extended period of time. And yet there is no question in my mind that it is the right decision given the extraordinary damage Blagojevich caused our state, and the importance of sending a clear and unmistakable message that corruption will not be tolerated in our government,” said Topinka.
Blagojevich’s legal trouble began when he was arrested at his Ravenswood home in Dec. 2008. His arrest consisted of federal corruption charges including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery.
by Thelma Sardin
Jewel-Osco Provides 4,000 Holiday Meals To Chicago Families In Need
Posted on 07. Dec, 2011 by citizen in News
L-R Frances Wright, President of Black on Black Love and Miguel Alba, Community Relations and Government Affairs Director at Jewel-Osco pose near the mounds of food donated by Jewel-Osco as part of the company’s “Unity in the Community” program. Four thousand families will benefit from the donated meals.
CHICAGO– Jewel-Osco, a leading Midwest grocery and pharmaceutical retailer, in partnership with Frito Lay and Pepsi – donated $30,000 to provide nearly 4,000 meals to families in need across Chicago this holiday season. The food donations were presented during a joyous ceremony on November 22 at Kennedy King College, 741 W. 63rd St. in Chicago.
Under the “Unity in Community,” outreach program, Jewel-Osco invited six local multicultural social service organizations serving the African-American, Hispanic and Polish communities to take part in this uplifting event, including: Black on Black Love, Lathrop Homes, Holy Trinity Church, El Hogar del Niño, Hispanic Heritage Organization, and River of Life.
“This is a special time of the year when food plays a major role in bringing people together,” said Miguel Alba, Community Relations and Government Affairs Director at Jewel-Osco. “Not only will this event provide thousands of meals to needy families, it also sends an important message about how we, as a diverse community, are united in helping those most in need.”
The Black on Black Love Inspirational Choir performs during Jewel-Osco’s “Unity in the Community” ceremony at Kennedy King College in Chicago.
“In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, we are thankful to Jewel-Osco for their support,” said Frances Wright, President of Black on Black Love. “Their generosity will help so many families in our community that worry about putting food on the table to enjoy a healthy and plentiful Thanksgiving meal.”
Hunger relief is a key social agenda for Jewel-Osco. Amongst its ongoing efforts, the company donates millions of pounds of food a year to area food banks, has developed grant programs to help local food pantries, and has raised millions of dollars in food and cash during Hunger Action Month.
Unity in Community is an umbrella program created by Jewel-Osco to address the growing need for hunger relief in the communities they serve. Partnering with local community organizations, Jewel-Osco’s mission is to develop tailored, innovative responses in areas of highest need addressing huger relief, nutrition and health education and environmental stewardship.
Black on Black Love is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization founded in 1983 with a mission to create and implement programs designed to break the cycle of crime. Each program provides positive alternatives that nurture self-love, self-respect and self-discipline; and are aimed at uplifting the less fortunate and giving hope to those seeking a better way.
Mayor Emanuel and CPS CEO Brizard Announce More Chicago Turnaround Schools
Posted on 05. Dec, 2011 by citizen in News, South End
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Jean-Claude Brizard.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Jean-Claude Brizard met today with parents of students in turnaround schools led by the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) to discuss their experiences in transitioning their children from an underperforming school to a turnaround school. CPS has proposed 10 new turnaround schools serving 5,800 students for the 2012-2013 school year including a record six schools to be managed by AUSL.
“Every child in Chicago deserves to have access to a world-class education, to compete and win in tomorrow’s economy, but too many schools in our communities are not giving students the tools they need,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Turnarounds across Chicago are driving immediate results for students – with the right school culture, leadership and staff these children can succeed.”
Currently 123,000 students in CPS attend low-performing schools and just 7.9% of CPS high school juniors tested as college-ready in the 2010-2011 school year. Turnarounds change under-performing CPS schools by completely overhauling them and investing in critical academic supports without moving students to another school. This model has been proven to increase student academic growth and put students on the path toward college readiness.
Parents from five AUSL turnaround schools joined Emanuel and Brizard at Morton School of Excellence to share their experiences and discuss the academic progress of their children under the AUSL Turnaround model. Morton has achieved significant academic growth since becoming a turnaround in 2008, earning a 33 percentage point increase in students meeting or exceeding state standards on the ISAT.
“Schools are the cornerstones of communities, but when our schools fail our children we have to stand up and make a change. We must put the academic needs of our students first before they fall any farther behind,” said CPS CEO Brizard.
The turnaround strategy at CPS began in 2006 with the conversion of Sherman Elementary School by AUSL. Since then, AUSL has developed a strong overall track record of increasing student academic achievement within its 12 turnaround schools. Academic growth for AUSL students (8%) was more than twice that of the district average (3.8%) on the 2011 ISAT composite.
AUSL Turnarounds build successful students because of two critical investments: a top-to-bottom school transformation and comprehensive teacher training that prepares teachers to tackle the challenges of growing student achievement within low-performing schools. Students return in the fall to a school that is re-built around an entirely new culture of success.
AUSL makes critical investments both in training teachers and in the academic supports students receive. Last summer, Mayor Emanuel announced that CPS would double its investment in AUSL teacher training academies from seven to 14 over the next two years, which will add 200 teachers into the system that are specially trained to teach in low performing schools. Teachers receive intensive training at these academies to better equip them for effectively impacting student academic growth in some of the district’s most chronically underperforming schools.
AUSL would be designated to implement the turnaround strategy at six of the schools serving nearly 3,200 students:
- Pablo Casals Elementary School, 3501 W. Potomac Avenue, which has been on academic probation for five consecutive years.
- Melville W. Fuller Elementary School, 4214 S. Saint Lawrence Avenue, which has been on academic probation for five consecutive years.
- Theodore Herzl Elementary School, 3711 W. Douglas Boulevard, which has been on academic probation for five consecutive years.
- Marquette Elementary School, 6550 S. Richmond Street, which has been on academic probation for five consecutive years.
- Brian Piccolo Elementary Specialty School, 1040 N. Keeler Avenue, which has been on academic probation for five consecutive years.
- Amos Alonzo Stagg Elementary School, 7424 S. Morgan Street, which has been on academic probation for 5 consecutive years.
AUSL sets aggressive, transparent goals for schools, teams and students. By providing a wide range of rigorous courses, after school programs and interventions that help students catch up, students build the skills they need to succeed in high school and college. Supports provided through the AUSL turnaround models include:
- Intervention and tutoring services for students who need extra support in reading and math;
- Systems in place to increase student attendance, decrease serious misconduct and increase student satisfaction;
- Advanced data systems and testing aligned with rigorous academic standards to help staff identify struggling students early and give them help they need to get back on track;
- After-school programs to give students access to additional instruction time to further accelerate student achievement;
- High-quality instruction including Common Core State Standards to ensure rigorous instructional program that gives students knowledge and skills needed to be ready for college and career;
- In-house training for aspiring teachers that gives teachers strategies and tools needed to address diverse needs of students in transitioning schools;
- Extensive extracurricular enhancements including fine arts and athletics to facilitate more well-rounded learning;
- Teacher collaboration across subjects to maximize student learning and ensure students are not falling behind in any area;
- Relentless efforts to recruit, retain, and motivate high-quality staff;
- Provide evidence-based social-emotional programming; and
- Full time social worker to provide one on one counseling.
Under the proposal, the CPS Office of School Improvement would implement the turnaround strategy at four other schools serving 2,650 students including:
- Chicago Vocational Career Academy (CVCA) High School, 2100 E. 87th Street, which has been on academic probation for 10 consecutive years.
- Edward Tilden Career Community Academy High School, 4747 S. Union Avenue, which has been on academic probation for eight consecutive years.
- Wendell Smith Elementary School, 744 E. 103rd Street, which has been on academic probation for five consecutive years.
- Carter G. Woodson South Elementary School, 4414 S. Evans Avenue, which has been on academic probation for five consecutive years.
More information on the School Actions process can be found at the CPS website by visiting www.cps.edu/qualityschools. CPS staff also will be available to answer parent questions at the school and through the CPS Quality Schools Hotline at 773-553-5020.
Chicago Mourns Loss Margaret “Maggie” Daley
Posted on 30. Nov, 2011 by citizen in News
An overflow crowd packed Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, witnessing the funeral services of Maggie Daley which she helped plan, while hundreds more gathered outside to hear the program over a loud speaker.
On Monday, hundreds gathered at Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at 700 W. Adams St. to pay their last respects to Chicago’s former first lady, Margaret “Maggie” Daley. Daley passed away on Nov. 24, 2011, Thanksgiving Day, at the age of 68 after a nine-year battle with breast cancer.
An overflow crowd packed Old St. Patrick’s and witnessed the service which Daley herself helped plan, while hundreds more gathered outside to hear the program over a loud speaker.
A multitude of dignitaries from across the country attended the service including first lady Michelle Obama, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Vice President Joe Biden, IL Gov. Pat Quinn and U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan.
Former Mayor Richard Daley arrived at the funeral with his children and grandchildren, all carrying a single white tulip and led by a British bagpipe band.
Former Mayor Richard Daley stands with his family during his wife’s funeral holding the hands of his grandchildren who are distraught with emotion.
The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. John Wall. “I often meet people from Pittsburgh and I ask them, do you know the best gift that Pittsburgh gave to Chicago? Maggie Corbett Daley, our first lady,” Wall spoke of Daley during the service. “It truly is the greatest gift, the best gift, that Pittsburgh ever gave this city.” said Wall.
Daley’s son, Patrick Daley delivered the eulogy with his sisters Nora Daley Conroy and Lally Daley Hotchkiss standing by his side.
“To us, she was a grandmother, aunt, sister, wife, and mother. We’re so proud of our mother. She lived a positive life, impacting so many. For such an accomplished woman with so many professional and personal commitments, she always had time to simply be our mother,” he said.
Daley is also remembered as a public servant and a caring person, dedicating most of her 22 years as Chicago’s first lady advocating for the city’s youth. For example, in 1991, Daley created and launched the After School Matters programs, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide Chicago public high school teens opportunities to explore and develop their talents, while gaining critical skills for work, college and beyond.
In addition, the Maggie Daley Center for Women’s Cancer Care at Northwestern University was named in honor of the city’s former first lady because she was an integral part of the Northwestern community for years, lending her name and support to raise awareness.
Daley was buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in south suburban Alsip, to be laid to rest near other Daley family members.
By: Abbréa Stiffend
