The Great Charter School Debate -Amy

As some of you may know, I am currently a 3rd grade teacher at a Charter School on the West Side of Chicago and I have loved it. I've been pro-charter school ever since I started and was more than willing to sing praises for charter schools to anyone I met. However, I've recently been reading up on the different chartering processes for charter schools in Indiana and Illinois because Indiana is starting to push for more charters, and I know a lot of really smart, educated, and hard working teachers in Indiana who are opposing the charter school proposal. I wanted to look more into it, because I truly respect the opinions of these teachers, some who have MANY years of experience on me, and I decided it was time to make sure I was getting my facts straight. So, for anyone interested, or currently affected by a charter school proposal, here is what I've put together.

I think it is really important to realize that the chartering process for charter schools can differ from state to state. What I have noticed, is that the MAJOR difference between the charter schools in Chicago and the charter school proposal happening in Indiana is all about who can sponsor (or approve and designate public funds for) a charter school. Every charter school, in every state, needs a sponsor to approve their charter. However, in Chicago (and in the school where I teach) the sponsor is required to be Chicago Public Schools. Therefore, we do not have to adhere to all of the same guidelines as public schools, but we DO have meet the same high expectations for acheivement that are set for tradionally public schools, AND we have to get a proposal approved by the public school corporation that we will be apart of that says how we are going to reach those standards. We are then monitored and have to apply for a new charter every 5 years. CPS does not have to recharter us if we haven't met those goals.

What I'm seeing in the proposal in Indiana is that a school corporation CAN be the one to sponsor a charter school, but Universities and Mayoral offices can also sponsor a charter. Therefore, the school corporation is not always the one who gets to decide whether the proposals are adequate. I can DEFINITELY see how it would be frustrating and confusing for a government office (other than a school board) or a University to be able to approve a charter school and then the school corporation (who may or may not agree with that approval) is forced to share funds with that school.

I guess I just wanted to write this for all of my teacher friends in Indiana who may be getting a bad taste in their mouth for charter schools. I sort of felt the need to defend myself and my position as pro-charter after being referred to as "one of those charter school teachers" by a friend in education in Indiana. I just wanted to shed light that the problem may not be charter schools themselves, but more about how they are to be run, managaged, and approved.



Thanks for reading... feel free to let me know if something I've said is not accurate or if I've misunderstood something. I'm all about being informed!

Spring Fever....-Amy

Ok, so I seriously believe in seasonal depression. Was I depressed this winter? No. But, I have noticed a HUGE change in my mood since the days have been getting warmer. You know the part in Elf when Will Farrell is singing, "I'm in a store! And I'm singing!" Well, this morning I actually caught myself singing that tune in my head but with these words, "I'm in the car! With my window down!" No joke.

I didn't think winter really bothered me, and I actually have thought to myself that I was handling my first chilly Chicago winter very well. And I still think I did. BUT, I never wanted to leave the apartment after I was in, I had to brace myself to go outside, and I only went places that I could get to with a minimal walk.

Now, I want to be outside ALL DAY LONG. I actually look forward to my morning duties at school that involve me standing outside. I voluntarily take the long way outside just to feel the fresh air. I am meeting up with people more often. Errands aren't as annoying. The drive home is excellent with the window cracked.

And... I catch myself singing in my head.

I'm afraid that this is just a cruel, cruel hoax and that the dreaded sub zero temperatures will come back. But for now... I've definitely got Spring Fever!

P.S. I would be happily singing in my head even more if I was headed to Siesta Key with my sisters... I'm so jealous. Miss you Grandma and Grandpa!

In one week and two days I will be here. Siesta Key, Florida to visit my grandparents.

My family has gone to this beach once a year for as long as I can remember. It's one of my favorite places in the world. Chicago has warmed up considerably recently, but I can't stop thinking about my trip.

Some plans I have:

- Lots of beach running. Kelly (who's coming with me) and I are officially training for a marathon, and jogging by the ocean is the best.

- Beverages: Coffee. Green Tea. Banana steamers. Beer. Everything tastes better in the sunshine.

- Sunrises. I really love to get up early on vacation, even though it can be tough. I plan on spending a couple of mornings down by the water.

- Village exploring. We tend to go back to the same places every year, so this vacation I want to take an afternoon and only go to shops and restaurants I've never tried before.

- Cocktail hours. No one does them like my grandpa and grandma, especially when they're in Florida.

- Point of Rocks. On Crescent Beach there's a long stretch of rocks where you can seashell hunt, explore tide pools, and watch the waves come in. I want to make it all the way around it this year.

- Grilling out. I just want to do it. Winter has been looooong and throwing some (veggie) burgers on the grill seems so summertime.

- Yoga on the beach. Yes.

- In general, I just want to forget about work, forget about schedules, and relax.

Exciting! -Amy

I am super excited because my very best friend, Ashlie, got engaged! Ashlie and I go way back and have countless ridiculous memories together. I could not be more excited for her and her fiance, Nick. It's extra fun, because Nick has been a friend of our family's forever, so it's double good news for the Jones family! I couldn't be more excited to get to take part in wedding plans and preparations... and of course to dance the night away on their big day!

Congratulations Ash! I couldn't be more excited for you!

It's the time of year... - Kelly

... when it's impossible to keep track of where I'm headed and when I'm in Chicago.

In the next few weeks I'm headed to DC, St. Louis, Florida, Houston, and somewhere random for a selection tour for work.

If I'm a little M.I.A that is why... for some reason February- April is ridiculous in my world!

It was everything I hoped it would be. - Brady

The snowpocalypse was awesome. Our power and heat stayed on, everybody I know in Chicago was safe, and Kevin and I spent the entire afternoon and evening in front of the fire.

This morning we ventured out to one of the few open restaurants for breakfast. We're supposed to get more precipitation today, but the worst seems to be over.

Click here to see photos Kevin took this morning.

Let the Snowpocalypse Begin! - Brady

This is what it looks like outside my window right now. Although I don't think the photo really captures the drama.

It's the snowpocalypse everybody! I've been looking forward to this for two days. 20 inches of snow. 25 foot waves on Lake Michigan. Northwestern classes cancelled. Yes.

I have big, big plans. I can't decide what to do. Kelly and Amy were planning on coming over tonight, so if they can still make it (remember we live within walking distance of each other - hey-yo!), that will be fab. A trip to Arkansas for Kevin got postponed, so he'll be here too to watch movies and do face masks with us. If it doesn't turn out to be a sister snowzapalooza and it doesn't seem TOO dangerous out there, I might see if Kev wants to get a beer at a bar about a block away. If not, we have firewood and good food here. And tomorrow, again if it's not overly scary, I might make Kevin get up and go out to breakfast with me so we can fully participate in this historic snowbilation.

I think this will all go well. At least until our power goes out. Then I'll be super whiny.