CPS is again ignoring community voice and public opinion and is proposing to close about 20 schools (or "turnaround" or consolidate or "phase out"). This is a continuation of the privatization/corporatization/destruction of public education in the city. R2010 is, and always was, a BUSINESS plan (linked to gentrification and the displacement of low-income people of color), it NEVER was an educational plan!

A strong coalition including many community organizations, school reform groups, the Chicago Teachers Union, the union rank and file caucus, and MANY teachers/parents/students from the affected schools are opposing and organizing on a city-wide basis.

The coalition is organizing a PROTEST at the next CPS Board meeting, January 28. There are two parts to the Board meeting...public testimony (starting at around 10:30, usually later), and the actual voting by the Board (later in the afternoon).

We are asking for people to come to 125 S. Clark St. (Board HQ) at 3:30 for a massive public protest. If enough people show up...we can make our voices heard!

We are also asking all CPS teachers to take a personal day and COME to the Board meeting. IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK, YOU NEED TO BE THERE VERY VERY EARLY (like 6AM) to sign up (first come, first served). And if you spoke there last month, you cannot this month.

Pack the Board Chambers! Come to the mass public protest at 3:30! The CTU is chartering buses from the affected schools, so our numbers should be large. Make your voice be heard too!!!

IF YOU KNOW ANYONE IN THE AFFECTED SCHOOLS AND YOU OR THEY WANT TO BE INVOLVED, CONTACT US OR ANY OF THE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COALITION!!!

Closing
Las Casas Occupational - closed (don't want to renew the lease, building not in good shape) - students will go to home schools
South Chicago Elementary (under-enrolled), students going to home school
Peabody Elem 1440 W Augusta - receiving schools Ogden, Talcott, Lozano
Carpenter - receiving schools Ogden, Talcott, Lozano--PROBABLY SHIFTED TO PHASE OUT
Nia Foundation -
Princeton - students go to home schools

Consolidation
Abbott - consolidated into Hendrix
Schiller - consolidated into Jenner
Medill - consolidated into Smith-Joyner
Global Vision consolidated into New Millenium
Davis Developmental Center 91st Jeffery - will consolidate with Hughes into new building being built for Hughes (which burned down)

Phase out
Key - Ellington receiving
Lathrop - receiving schools Johnson and Lawndale
Hamilton - receiving Blaine, Burley, Audubon
Best Practice
Reed - receiving Banneker Parker and Nicholson

Turnaround
Dulles
Johnson 1420 S. Albany
Bethune 3030 N, Lawndale
Ross - 6059 S. Wabash--PROBABLY TAKEN OFF THE LIST
Holmes - 955 W. Garfield
Yale Curtis--PROBABLY TAKEN OFF THE LIST Lavizzo--PROBABLY TAKEN OFF THE LIST Fenger HS