Education & Families News
The staff at Namaste Charter School, 3737 S. Paulina St., earlier this month filed their intent to unionize with the National Labor Relations Board. According to a report by Chicago Tonight, the staff is making these moves to have a greater role in educational and other programs at the school.
If the staff does unionize, they will join Chicago ACTS Local 4343, which is affiliated with both the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers. This unionization push comes as these federations are moving closer to merging with the Chicago Teachers Union.
A report from the Chicago Tribune notes this change comes amidst a broader movement of unionization at Chicago charter schools and coordination of charter school unions with the Chicago Teachers Union.
Principal Mary Kay RichardsonMary Kay Richardson, principal of the Velma Thomas Early Childoood Center at 3625 S. Hoyne Ave., has joined the ranks of leading Chicago Public Schools (CPS) principals by entering the Independent Schools Principals progam. This program rewards high-performing CPS principals with more autonomy and networks top educators together to share best practices and further develop professional skills.
"I am most excited about the Reggio-inspired professional development benefits that I hope to leverage for my staff," Richardson said. "We can learn so much from seeing other schools ... and collaborating with them to strengthen our early childhood program."
Read more: Velma Thomas Principal Promoted to CPS Leadership Program
The McKinley Park Civic Association, the neighborhood's longest-serving community group, has set forth its 2018 plans, including its 47th annual banquet on Sunday, March 4. Held at Polonia Banquets, the event honors leading local educators and unveils the winner of the William H.G. Toms Community Service Award.
The Outstanding Educators of 2018 will be feted at the banquet. They are:
- Diane Brown of De La Salle Institute
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Lilia Esposito of Montessori Foundations of Chicago
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Pastor Adam Gawel of St. Andrew Lutheran Church
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Monica Guerrero-Diaz of Evergreen Academy Middle School
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Cynthia Hengst of Nathanael Greene Elementary School
- Maribel Herrera of Burroughs Elementary School
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Guan Liang (Jack) Mei of Thomas Kelly High School
- Brother John Scherer of Aquinas Literacy Center
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Kaccey Skrbec of Horizon Science Academy McKinley Park
Read more: Civic Association Sets 2018 Plans and Educator Awardees
The Aquinas Literacy Center, a McKinley Park non-profit that for over 20 years has provided free English literacy services, has graduated a new batch of 17 volunteer tutors through its ongoing training program. Now, these individuals can join the ranks of fellow tutors who instruct English learners at the Center's new facility at 1751 W. 35th Street.
The growing demand for literacy training means the Center needs even more help, and it has scheduled another training session December 1-2 to get more volunteer tutors on board. Once trained, these individuals will work one-on-one for 90 minutes per week with local adults who wish to learn English.
Read more: Aquinas Graduates New Language Tutors, Seeks More Volunteers
The McKinley Park Civic Association (MPCA), the McKinley Park neighborhood's longest-serving community group, honored local educators and community leaders on Sunday, March 5, 2017, at the 46th Annual Community Celebration, held at Polonia Banquets, 4604 S. Archer Ave.
The annual awards ceremony and dinner is the primary fund-raiser for the assocation, which meets throughout the year and spearheads neighborhood initiatives and activities, including the popular Memorial Day parade.
Read more: Civic Association Celebrates Local Leaders and Educators at Annual Banquet
