CPS would seem to have its Priorities Backwards

CPS appoints an apparent Racists Principal Katherine Konopasek to Adlai E. Stevenson Elementary School.  It would appear that the Board of Education of the City of Chicago has really lost all concept of what they are doing or rational thought.  It would seem that in 1998 Katherine Konopasek wrote an internal memo that didn’t remain internal for long.  This memo was about Hispanic students and their parents at Benito Juarez High School were Katherine Konopasek made some very upsetting racist comments as school parents called them.  The memo saying among other things that numerous female students at the mostly Latino school were being “beaten by their male relatives” and that they failed to report the beatings because of "cultural mores." Half of all Juarez girls were suicidal according to the memo.  The Chicago Tribune reported “Chicago school board officials said they would launch an investigation into the author of the internal memo, Katherine Konopasek, who works in the board's Department of School Quality Reviews.”

It would appear that Katherine Konopasek attempted to blame nurses and the social worker for the school.  These staff members apparently deny the comments saying most was taken out of context or misinterpreted in the memo.  In this five page memo one excerpt was found to be very offensive and over the line.  "Besides the gang problem, the school nurse and social worker see numerous students, mostly females, who are beaten by their fathers, brothers, and boyfriends. Many male family members are heavily involved with alcohol. Mothers and daughters suffer from the abuse this addiction brings. Many female students, at least 50 percent, are suicidal and experience bouts of depression. Mental illness exists and many young ladies are placed on medication for this. The community will not face or acknowledge this endemic problem. There are only a few Alcoholics Anonymous programs in the community, mostly for males and attended by few. Cultural mores do not allow females to verbalize their feelings and needs to stop the abuse they experience daily. The school must be proactive. An Alanon program must be instituted in the school. The curriculum as a whole must implement an alcohol awareness and abuse prevention program for all students."

This may have something to do with the fact that Katherine Konopasek’s father was a severe alcoholic and would seem to have been abusive to her mother according to court divorce records.  Maybe Katherine Konopasek just sees alcoholic child beaters everywhere due to her own past and experiences?  No one can say what causes someone to say or think things like this but it seems clear from the memo that Katherine Konopasek is harboring some past resentments.  I can’t speak to what Katherine Konopasek thinks or feels but one must wonder why CPS would make her a Principal of Stevenson Elementary School which is largely Hispanic in its student population.  Maybe they assumed because the children are younger that the “abuse this addiction brings” has not started yet.  When one internet searches Stevenson School reviews by parents the results seem to start to make sense.

Chicago Public Schools Chief Paul Vallas said he would take no disciplinary action regarding an internal memo written by Katherine Konopasek.  However, Katherine Konopasek will no longer conduct academic audits of schools Mr Vallas states.  Mr. Vallas also said that her reassignment to another unit within the Chicago School Board's Office of Accountability had nothing to do with the internal memo that had become public.  Although this may have happened some time ago people do not just change their personal opinions and ideologies no matter how much time passes.  It would seem that Katherine Konopasek’s Mother was stern and some would argue as abusive today.  It is ironic that she seems to be observed as being a by the book person that is stern and unwavering.  I have tried to reach Principal Konopasek for comments but have received no reply, and I was unable to reach her by phone.

I bring this up because it would seem that CPS and Katherine Konopasek has still not learned a lesson from the past as her current actions at Stevenson Elementary are questionable at best.  Recently refusing to allow a homeless student to enroll and after forced to allow him to be enrolled she has retaliated against the 4^th grader and his Mother.  One teacher said that she was yelled at humiliated by Konopasek because she told the mother of this student the truth.  It involves an incident where the mother was called and told her child smelled like urine and feces.  I guess she has strong feeling about the homeless as well, unfortunately for her the student has clean clothes and a bath every day.  Once it was discovered that it was not the 4^th grade student Konopasek not only did not apologize she was angry at a teacher for telling the truth.  This is confusing as the mother upon picking up her son would have realized that he did not smell and as the school has refused to provide uniforms he was in his same cloths.

If all this is not bad enough it would seem that Principal Konopasek then called the CPS Law Department where she had her friend Lee Ann Lowder (Attorney) further attempt to harass the family herself violating several laws to do so.  The Advocate for the mother had been in contact with Ms. Lee Ann Lowder for some time then when this violation was brought to her attention via email her replies abruptly stopped according to Glen Presnell the Child Advocate.  Mr. Presnell also says that he has contacted everyone he could at the Board about this from Jean-Claude Brizard, Patrick Rocks (Boards General Counsel), and many, many more.  To date CPS has been silent and no response has been given to the Parent of the Student or the Advocate.  I will keep you up to date about future events and what is done if anything by CPS in this matter.

By: Jason Glenn

Bullying at CPS it must STOP!

Lately I watched a show on CNN, “Anderson Cooper Special Report – Bullying: It Stops Here” I live in Chicago and deal with CPS all the time.  Though this show was about children bullying each other I found the irony that the biggest bullies I have found at CPS are the Administrators and Lawyers.  I have had many dealings with CPS as a Special Education Advocate, a Parent, and as a Community Member.  It seems like the Chicago Public School District has no accountability and even when you have evidence against them they are allowed to “deal with it”.  I have some horrible stories but the truth is that the worst are still out there and I am shocked by CPS’s actions every day. 

At present in Chicago the Chicago Teachers Union a.k.a the teachers are being bullied by what seems to be everyone.  Ironically we ask these very teachers training them to watch out for bullies and bulling in their school.  The whole time these very teachers are being bullied by the Board of Education for the City of Chicago including the Politicians and Parents.  The Board is allowing Principals more absolute powers over there Schools with little to no accountability other than their contract renewals.  The reason for this is of course to cut costs by any means necessary.  This includes tenured teachers with cheaper inexperience teachers, cutting Special Education forcing teachers to prove every little reason.  Even when they do the Principals try everything to deny the services and when the teachers complain they just get rid of them.  Then you have the Principals who for whatever reason just simply does not like a teacher they E-3 them and get rid of them.  If that’s not bullying enough not only do the principals get rid of them but make sure they are put on the no-hire-list for the future.

Then the Board changes and some appointee(s) decide to bring their friend(s) in which then they decide to change the curriculum.  This is done without any teacher input, then when the teachers are struggling trying to teach a new way and system they are yelled at and bullied.  So when Parents find out that their children are not doing so well or have extra homework they complain to the teacher.  This is the one person who has nothing to do with the curriculum or situation the teachers.  Then the teachers are asked to work more hours for less money and haven’t received adequate raises due to the large student loans most still have.  So the teachers decide to March or strike and the parents get mad at the teachers because they make well enough money, they get the summer off, they have it made.  I dare one of those parents to do a teachers job for one month and see how easy it is to teacher an overcrowded classroom of children of all kinds and needs.  All the time being bullied and worrying weather you will have a job next week or next month. 

Recently after attending an IEP meeting at Adlai E. Stevenson Elementary School I was shocked once again by CPS.  The Principal Kathleen Konopasek recently appointed to the position has a very interesting past I have come to learn.  It was no surprise to me that her Mother Dorothy Dillon once sued her own daughter Karyn for visitation rights.  The daughter she sued was Kathleen Konopasek’s sister who would also become a teacher.  A school teacher also at one time, Mrs. Kathleen Konopasek stated that her sister was "My sister is an angry woman who blames my mother for everything, from not giving her braces on her teeth to not paying for music lessons," says Katherine Konopasek in an interview by William Plummer.  This seems to be the flippant attitude that she has about her own sister and a huge court battle that is on the verge of breaking her sister and her husband financially and emotionally. 

This would be the type of things I would expect to hear from someone who was abused by their mother and possibly father in my opinion.  Music lessons and Braces is no reason to battle your mother in court refusing her access to your child yet this is Kathleen Konopasek’s rationale.  This is also the Principal of an Elementary School which is why I should not be so surprised by her actions and the way she is willing to allow children to be abused and/or neglected under her care or lack thereof.  I have spoken to several teachers at Stevenson school as well as some parents who all said the same thing she if tough and unfair not seeming to care about children but rather the rules and her own job.

This is a Principal that was brought in after the school failed to meet AYP (Annual Yearly Progress) for three years or more in a row.  So this is not a principal that was elected by an LSC, but rather an appointee from the Board to make sure the school looks good to the books and media.  Principal Konopasek even has admitted that she has made real efforts to encourage good and positive media coverage.  Since most media don’t have children who attend the school or attend LSC meetings the truth is left to people like me to expose to the light of day.  This is a woman who refused a homeless child, which is becoming more frequent, an education or admittance to “her school”.  Then when she was forced to follow the law what does she do, she gets the law department one Lee Ann Lowder to harass the parent and Advocate who keeps putting her in her place.

I have requested numerous requests for an interview with both women to ask some hard questions about their actions in this case to no avail.  The advocate has told me that he has requested to observe his client and both the principal and Lee Ann Lowder from the Board law department have refused.  He has assured me that he will be observing his client or force the school to have him arrested for trespassing.  I will be doing a later interview on this Advocate who is a priest and a man who accepts no money from the parents that need his help.  He states “I do it for the children so in fact I work for them and they cannot afford to pay me except with smiles and a good future”.  I also wished to ask if the rumors that Principal Konopasek and Lee Ann Lowder are in a relationship and do they feel this would be a conflict of interest.  Again no reply to my many requests but I am willing to have an interview with them to hear their sides whenever they choose to respond.

By: Jason B. Glenn

Federico Garcia Lorca Elementary School

Let me put to rest all the doom and gloom for one minute and tell you about a School that I can tell is doing it right.  I have found a diamond in the rough a place where teachers care, the Administration knows what is needed to teach children.  The Special Education teacher(s) are great and not only know how to help the Children they want to.  When I say they want to I mean it’s a passion I thought I would never see I assumed CPS had beaten it out of the teachers. 

I place where if a Child or Parent needs help not only will they get the help needed or asked for they get much more they get kindness and understanding.  I will put it this way from what I have seen firsthand, what I have heard from other Children and their Parents the School should be nominated for a Golden Apple.  All too often, and I am a small part of this, we hear about the problems with Schools but us journalist rarely report on the great Schools with no problems.  In our defense it seems that ratings are better when you report the negative more that the positive.  I am here to begin to right that wrong and tell you about a great place that other CPS Schools could learn from. 

I am mentioning this wonderful School because for the first time I see a hope for CPS, a chance for some small measure of redemption.  Federico Garcia Lorca Elementary School is not just staffed with the best its very design is the best.  If you go to the School you will see that it’s very planning and design makes it the most conducive place anyone could want to learn.  Natural light is provided whenever possible; the building is energy efficient so our Tax dollars are used in the most efficient way.  Schroeder Murchie Niemiec Gazda-Auskalnis Architects, Ltd. is the Architect on record and let me tell you they should be proud.  They have embodied an entire structure that is designed for but one thing Children and an environment designed for learning.

 This is Federico Garcia Lorca Elementary School. http://www.pbcchicago.com/upload/8977.pdf To learn more about the School and features click the link.

The Principal is an amazing administrator; the Office Staff is like extended family to the Children, the Teachers are there to push the Children Academically and help the students achieve the most they can.  It is like nothing I have ever seen in a CPS School before staff working together to help each other and the Children get the best education possible.  I think that I have given my opinion enough so I interviewed three Children and one parent so I could get a more objective view.  Instead of a long point by point question answer I will just tell you the children said which will or should give you an understanding of the questions.  Also all the children that I interviewed came to Lorca from another school in the area so all the questions were based on the differences between Lorca and their previous Schools.

Child #1:  An 8^th grade student had these things to say, the child “…liked that the classroom instructions and lessons are so much better explained that it makes doing homework so much easier.”  I asked about the staff and teachers, “…the people are so much nicer and you can tell that they actually care.”  I asked what the student liked about the School, “It is much easier to move around, you get to have your own locker, the Library is big and has a much better selection of reading materials.  The Gym is huge so you can do so much more activities and things, the lunchroom is bigger and the food is good with a better variety.”  I asked what the student didn’t like, “No technology class for the 8^th Grade yet.”

Child #2: A 5^th grade student and the student had these things to say, “They have a great salad bar, and not a lot of homework on Fridays, because we are learning more during the week from the teachers in the classrooms.”  I asked how the student felt about the staff, “The staff is much nicer at Lorca you can tell they are nice and really care.”  I asked the student what they liked about the building, “Everything is recycled, they use less energy including for the lights.  I like that I have my own locker, and I like that it has three floors, its better exercise.  Everything is so clean and perfect.”  I was surprised about the exercise it was something I had never considered and with the child obesity rate going so high that is nice.  I would like to know whether the designers took that into consideration or if they would just be happy that is a byproduct.

Child #3: A 7^th grade student and this is what the student said, “All the teachers are nicer, and they explain things easier.  The teachers also don’t just sit at their desks they go around to make sure everyone gets it, both as a group and as individuals.”  I asked what the student did not like, “The quantity of homework is less then at the other school but the quality id higher.  I would like the lockers to be bigger.” (As you may have guessed this is a straight A student and overachiever.) I then asked what was good or better at Lorca, “Library is way bigger and you learn stuff which is great because you can have homework.  I like the desks; they are shaped like an arrow so when you are doing group activities you get to face each other.  The bathrooms are much nicer and well designed for privacy, and they have a body mirror so you can check how you look.  The bathrooms are also way cleaner, the soap dispenser is automatic, and there are two bathrooms on every floor.”  I asked about the staff, “We always see the Principal, Vice Principal and other staff around, which shows they care, and that means there is less chance of a fight in the hallways.” This is a student who would be great on the debate club or student counsel.

Parent #1: I asked if there was anything that the parent did not like, “The automobile traffic is bad and the school is not allowed to block Springfield a one way street.  The kids and parents that walk to school are sometimes blocked by cars blocking the sidewalk.  Also the parents who drop their kids off or the drivers don’t always pay attention it’s only a matter of time before someone gets hit.”  I asked about the School in general, “it is clean, plants are in the garden, the playground is beautiful, and the building is clean inside and well designed.”  I asked if there was anything else positive, “The building is green and environmentally friendly, the office is bigger with a small area for young children to play while the parents wait.  The staff is friendly and great about communicating and you can see them every day when school lets out if you have a question.”  I asked if there was anything she didn’t like, “The parent turnout was very low at the open house, and I would have liked to see more parent involvement.”

I feel that once the School has an LSC (Local School Counsel) in place there will be a better chance to get the Alderman and City Counsel behind some of the Parent #1’s concerns.  I also feel that with the staff that is so caring and involved the small little kinks every school that is new experiences will be a thing of the past.  I know that with Lorca’s leadership and staff that this is not only one school that cannot fail but that it should be a model for all CPS. 

As for the Parents not being as involved as some would like you have to consider that most school didn’t encourage parents’ involvement.  Sure they would put the notices up but at my children’s last school parents were an annoyance.  They even refused to answer question at the LSC meeting but would wait till the next meeting then if the parents were not at the next meeting no answer.  The School also had a huge digital timer which would only give parents two minutes for comments or questions.  I think once the parents realize this school is so very different they will be participating much more.

I am so glad that my children have a chance to go to a good school and have such good staff support, I know I never dreamed that there could be a school like this in CPS.  Whoever assembled this dream team of teachers, administrators, and staff should be our next CEO of the City of Chicago Board of education.  In closing I would like to say that my faith in CPS has a spark so keep looking for your spark school it may be out there. 

By: Glen Presnell

Does the Board meeting really help?

Like the Old School Buildings that most of the 666 CPS School’s are left over from the system and people still seem to have that old archaic back door deals idea of running things.  The Board of Education of the City of Chicago has one small problem it does nothing which is a big problem.  From the way the Board meetings are run to the edited/censored version that they let you see on public access. 
The meetings are once a month and no one person, people or subject are allowed to speak two months in a row.  If I have an issue that is not or has not been addressed then I should be able to speak at any public forum.  Even if the issue is different but the School is the same or the person then you can’t speak two months in a row. 
I guess the Board feels that nothing can happen in two months at a School no matter what they do or don’t do.  The most disturbing thing I found is that the video of the meeting itself is edited for content by “the Board” before it is aired on public television.  The Nazis and China tried that but Americans found that editing speech or what s said at a public meeting never works for transparency in government. 
The Board has no accountability from what seems like anyone even if an issue or violation of their policies they do nothing about it.  What good is having rules if when you don’t follow them nothing happens and even if they are forced to react the worst is you lose your job?
By: Jason Glenn   

What is the Problem with CPS

This is happening throughout CPS and is currently happening at Scammon School where many low income children go to school.  Only the reason the Principal Mary T. Weaver is doing this to teachers is that she does not like them personally.  Professionally they are the best teachers at the school including a Golden Apple nominee the Principal refused to endorse.  These teachers too went from excellent ratings to E3 unsatisfactory in one year with no real justifications.

Mr. Rahm Emanuel wants to give Principals more powers in their roles as evaluators the problem is that most of these Principals have little to no teaching backgrounds.  This is where personal issues and abuses take a front seat to teaching abilities and professionalism. 

You may be asking yourself what the Chicago Teachers Union is doing about all of this.  Well that is a great question and I wish I could give you an answer that makes sense.  In my experience thus far it seems that the Union is more concerned with making friends with CPS then defending hard working teachers that pay their dues.  Make no mistake I dread the days when the teachers had what seemed a strike every year but I know understand the reasons.  If teachers are unhappy and constantly nervous for their jobs how can they teach our children?  The answer is they can’t and more important we get teachers that hate going to work and that will affect everyone.  

Chicago Teachers, Children, and Parents deserve better then what they have right now and the way Mayor Rahm Emanuel is directing CPS we are headed for disaster.  The question is why would the Mayor hire a superintendent from a small district in New York, Jean-Claude Brizard to run CPS?  The only reason I can see is that possible Mr. Brizard has the “Yes Sir” mentality.  If you are Mayor who wants to get re-elected and are nervous that your policy may fail then have a fall guy ready and in place.  This way for the Mayor it is a win-win situation politically he can take credit for the policy change if all goes well.  If all does not go well then he has the perfect person to take the credit for the failure and he can replace. 

If necessary hopefully the Union will strike and take our schools back from the bureaucrats and give it back to the educators, parents and advocates. 

How to truly know the system is broken…

Let me tell you about a true story that is happening right now at CPS and how the Board is doing nothing about the problem.  At Scammon School 4201 W Henderson there is a Principal named Mary T. Weaver and two assistant principals Angela Burgos and Manda Lukic.  I have learned that Ms. Weaver is currently being investigated for over 25 allegations ranging from Ethics violations, to criminal offenses.  My repeated requests for information on the current status of the investigation from CPS Board representatives have been ignored.  I have recently discovered that Ms. Weaver’s two children have used Scammon School to pad their resume’s Ms. Weaver’s son also works for the City of Chicago.  The investigation has been ongoing for well over a year with no conclusions.  Although CPS has been provided with concrete evidence for several of these allegations still the CPS Board has done nothing.

I have also learned that at one point in April 2011, the investigation was closed CPS stated they could find no evidence.  Then in April 2011, when a parent provided evidence the investigation was reopened but this seems to be a delay tactic to give Ms. Weaver time to correct the allegations.  I am happy to report that the Attorney General has agreed to do an outside investigation on this matter.  However this may be too little too late in the mean time Ms. Weaver is allowed to continue harassing teachers, students, and parents unchecked. 

All the policies and procedures that are in place by CPS to insure that this does not happen have gone ignored so why even have rules if they can be ignored?  If I break the law I’m arrested and charged, if I violate 20+ policies and rules at my job I get fired.  Maybe I should get a job as a Principal with CPS because if you have the right friends then I can just do what I want without worry.  Alicia Winckler Chief Human Capital Officer for CPS is ready to remove teachers for not putting lesson plans in a red folder.  Ms. Winckler is not willing to fire a Principal apparently no matter what she does as long as she is cutting teachers. 

When do we say enough is enough and force these people to follow the rules they are suppose to follow and let them know that we will demand accountability.  When do we as tax payers and parents say that we demand equal and fair treatment as well as punishment for those who are suppose to protect the public trust?  When is this broken system going to be fixed or are the inept and/or corrupt people going to be held accountable?

By: Jason Glenn        

Scammon Elementary School's Mary T. Weaver (Principal)

Chicago, Illinois.
The Chicago News Uncensored

 

Chicago Public School’s Principal Mary T. Weaver (seen above) of Jonathan Y. Scammon Elementary School is in Ethical trouble again.  Upon doing a search on the internet at www.linkedin.com for Mary T. Weaver’s two Children Paul and Alexandra I found that both claim in their profiles that they were tutors at Scammon School where their Mother Mary T. Weaver is the Principal.  Alexandra Weaver even claims that she has been doing this “since 2006 till Present”.  Paul Weaver work for the City of Chicago Committee on Finance, (312)744-3380 as what was described by one insider as a “helper position”.  The Office has admitted that Paul Weaver does in fact “work there”, they would not comment further on the allegations. 

Mary T. Weaver has been unavailable to contact in an attempt to get her side of the matter.  It is not known whether Mary Weaver was aware that her Children were using the School as a way of padding their resumes or if she has been contacted by any prospective employers including the City of Chicago to confirm the information. 

After the numerous scandals, and allegations surrounding this Principal it is amazing that The Chicago Board of Education or the new Mayor’s Office has done nothing about this Principal.  CBS 2 News Dave Savini has done two stories on the School involving this Principal and they were less than favorable.  One Parent a Mr. Presnell has at his own expense and time has provided this reporter with numerous communications providing evidence and witnesses to the Board on many occasions.  Through all this nothing from the Mayor’s Office or CPS and no CPS policies or procedures have been enforced.

This reporter will continue to follow up and investigate this Principal, Scammon School, and CPS to let you know what I find.  I must tell you the evidence I have seen thus far has left me wondering where is the CPS Board in this and what are they doing?  What is the Mayor Rahm Emanuel doing about this after his memo on Principal Accountability?  I have also learned that Parents, Teachers and Students are being harassed and intimidated by Mary T. Weaver more to follow…

By:  Jason Glenn

Comments or Evidence E-mail to TCNUjasonglenn@hotmail.com

 

CPS Employees that Lie

I have come across several CPS employees that have lied and seem to have no morals or concerns with the best needs of the children but only their own butts. The First experience I had was with the Principal at Scammon School who has lied so many times she should be removed from public service.

But, the considering the politicians in Illinois I should not be surprised.