CPS and the Board seems to think we are Stupid

As the Case Manager for Scammon School Allison Dawson, the Principal Mary T. Weaver allows Carmita Ortiz the librarian to test Special Education students. Not only is Ms. Ortiz not Special Education certified Ms. Ortiz is not even a teacher.  Ms. Ortiz the Librarian for Scammon School also lives in Skokie, IL and has done so for many years thus never making her eligible for employment at CPS.  But as a long family friend of Mary T. Weaver she was given the job even though others who met the requirements.  Further, as the documents show (I am unable and unwilling to release Children’s private information) clearly someone was coaching the students so that Scammon would get off academic probation.  This would allow the school to have another three years until they would not be achieving AYP (Annual Yearly Progress) and have to cheat again. 

A teacher Ms. Edie Sokolnicki seems to have a magical like gift every time she test’s some Special Education students they seem to pass every time.  Not only that but they also seem to score almost twice as well as they did on the pretest.  The charts are literally off the charts in some cases the score nearly double.  Ironically Ms. Sokolnicki was a teacher at the School where Mary T. Weaver’s children went to School what is going on at the Board?  I would be interested in learning weather Mary t Weaver ever worked for Sears as Alicia Winckler CPS Human Resource Department came to CPS from Sears.  I will be investigating that in the future and will let you know what I find in next month’s issue.

When I asked the district how the 8^th Grade class was able to go from a score of 9.8 in ISAT testing in math in 2007.  Then the 8^th Grade students in 2008 scored 34.8 which is an increase that is statistically impossible without some form of cheating.  I was told by CPS that the reason was that they had a new teacher that year and she was very good.  The problem with that is because there was so many eyes are watching this teacher now that in 2009 8^th grade scored a 12.5.  This is almost an exact decrease in relation to the increase from 2007.  Maybe the teacher started drinking, or maybe she just forgot how she taught the year before? 

Let me give you some examples of things Mary T. Weaver has committed including numerous counts of tax evasion and allowed her staff to do the same.  Manda Lukic purchased five I Pads under the guise that they needed to see if they would work before a Federal Grant was approved.  However the Federal Grant had already been approved at the time of the purchases and the Grant did not include cases and upgrades.  These items were purchased from Micro Center with the Schools tax exempt ID, even though it is now Mary Weavers contention that she had always intended to pay the money back.  However, the money being paid back would be tax free also three 2hr. Ultra HD Camcorders that were purchased supposedly for the Christmas party.  If true this had nothing to do with School supplies or operations and gifts are not suppose to be tax exempt.  This was just in the course of one year I cannot even begin to imagine how often this has happened since 2006.

Angela Burgos, Manda Lukic, and Mary Weaver have all gone shopping during school hours on many, many occasions even purchasing laptop computers for some of the staff, as one inside source at the school has told me.  The source has told me that she requested his computer back recently asked for them back due to the pending audit.  This is tax fraud both Federal by not declaring gifts over $500.00, State, and City Taxes as well.  This goes beyond the scope of simple CPS Policy Ethics Violations and others, this is just outright criminal. 

Misuse of public funds, theft, tax evasion, perjury, and the list goes on yet some people to be named in a later article (General Counsel’s office of the CPS Board Law Department) and others from the Board Alicia Winckler, and the accounting department allowing this to continue.  As I have seen no evidence of any actions by anyone from CPS or the Board in any way.  At one point after I made formal allegations, an investigator Raymond Poloko conducted a nonsense, incompetent investigation that found nothing.  After I received the letter that the investigation was concluded and unfounded or sent to another department(s) for investigation I sent them evidence I had found.  After receiving this evidence that proved wrong doing I received an e-mail that the investigation would be reopened.  I guess a mad parent with a computer could find more from his home with no internal help or access then Mr. Poloko.  

To me this was just another way to shut me up to keep the investigation stalled and/or stopped until the next administration or some other reason I don’t really know.  Of course this is only my opinion based on the fact that Mary T. weaver is still allowed to be Principal, maybe they are taking steps I am unaware of?  Proof of some of this misconduct and misuse is at the following link in the accounts records http://scammonschoolchicago.blogspot.com. 

I feel that Ms. Dawson whom lied under oath during a Due Process hearing needs to come forward about the issues she is aware of with the Special Education denials and directives by Mary T. Weaver.  If she does not then she is as guilty as the rest for it is her job, as Case Manager is insure the laws are being followed.  I know it is hard to admit the truth when you would be considered a co-conspirator but that is what the Whistle Blowers Act is good for as many teachers have come forward and done.  If she was threatened with her job and was in fear then she would have some excuse, if not then I can only think she was and is complacent with what was and is being done.  I have had several teachers tell me that they have asked her to have a student evaluated for Special Education but were denied and the Children were never evaluated.  This would be a violation of Child Find if it was true and as the Case Manager she should or would know this.   

I would like to see a real investigator (not Raymond Poloko) go to the school with the evidence thus far and questions the teachers with their Union Representative present so they feel safe to speak without further retaliation as in the past.  It is still happening in the present and future by Mary T. Weaver and those that are allowing her to do this.  Make no mistake I have nothing personal against these people other than I dislike liars, and people who hurt and steal from Children.  Further, I will never stop until these people are brought to justice voluntarily or because the News Media’s stories give them little to no choice. 

I wonder how the over 900 parents are going to feel and think when they learn that their children’s private information was given away and allowed to be released by others?  I was told by a source at Scammon that Allison Dawson had e-mailed teachers with the Principals log in information and password.  The teachers say they can provide the e-mail proof if they are protected from retaliation by CPS so we may never know how many disks or records are still out there.  This only came to my attention after I had found that Mary T. Weaver while being investigated gave me a disk I assume accidentally with every student’s information.  When I went to the office to get my sons test scores as there were many inconsistencies I asked Mary Weaver for the information about his testing scores.  She seemed obviously upset in general and with me, she then went in her office came out with the disk and said here. 

I placed the disk in my briefcase with the other disks of evidence, and recordings of meetings to which I have accumulated many over the years.  I had requested my son’s files earlier and the next day was given the files so I had forgotten about the disk.  Recently when going through my evidence including FOIA requests on disks and the recordings I put that disk in and was shocked.  It had contained confidential information about every student at Scammon School including, address, phone numbers, student ID numbers, grades, test scores, Scantron scores, who tested them, race, economic status of the family, special education information, etc.  This is a Violation of FERPA for each Student and ISSRA which the latter I was made aware of in an e-mail by Patrick Rocks General Counsel for the Board of Education Chicago. 

I wonder if the parents have been informed as is required by law, or if Mary T. Weaver and/or Allison Dawson have been held accountable for these violations.  Lately I wonder why the laws and policies are even in place as no one seems to be punished by them.  No consequences, actions, arrests, firing, suspensions or even a stern talking to that I am aware of to date.  Maybe if you work for CPS or the City of Chicago you are exempt for the rules, policies and laws and just us citizens are the ones that get punished?  Well if CPS does not inform these parents I will inform the parents if they don’t find out from this document or the many News Blogs it is on.

How do you feel knowing of the extravagant purchases CPS employees are making during work hours, now you get an idea why CPS is broke?  How do you think the Mayor is going to react when this hits the media and he was the one who gave principals more powers, and “reformed the Schools”?  I see no reform and no accountability I have been fighting this fight for far too long and though I am tired I am more determined every day.  I will never stop even if I have to go to Springfield or White House to make sure our Children are protected and learn without the Administrations fighting to do the opposite.  I will keep speaking and getting the truth out until the bubble will have to burst from the mountain of evidence.  I will Cc, the website and information to every teacher and pass out flyers at the school every day if that’s what it takes who knows I may get more evidence in the process.

Finally I would like to talk to the Public, Teachers, Administrators, Staff, Board members, Parents, and anyone else.  If you have evidence of any kind including memo’s, documents, Audio, Video, or anything else I implore you to please send them to me.  You can e-mail them in PDF to tcnuJasonGlenn@hotmail.com or Mail them me directly just contact me via e-mail and I will either come get them or give you an address to mail them to.  It’s time to make a stand against corruption and politics, your identity will be kept secret and I will protect your identity no matter what.  I have audio recordings that I took both legally and secretly that I will be uploading to this site.  I know I may get prosecuted for it but if that what it takes to get the truth out then so be it.  Laws are meant to protect the public and to insure justice is served.  The politicians and government employees use that to say and do whatever they want this is not Justice and this certainly does not serve the public good.  I will fight this fact all the way to the Supreme Court if I have to, or spend time in jail before reveling a source if that what it takes for the truth to be served and our Children to be protected.

By: Jason 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