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        

Update on Weaver Story June 22, 2011

Chicago, Illinois
The Chicago News Uncensored

It would seem that the information that was posted on the LinkedIn site has been corrected or removed.  Paul Weaver the son of Mary T. Weaver (principal Scammon School) has removed his profile from the site.  Alexandra has removed the information that was on the site to remove that she was a tutor at Scammon School from 2005 till Present.  So here is an attachment that shows the information which can also be found on www.UTube.com.

 

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

 

Scammon School Parent / Teacher News Letter

Dear Scammon Teachers and Staff:


It has come to my attention that there are some things being said about me (Glen Presnell) and misleading statements that are being spread around the school. I think it is sad that this is being done without providing me the opportunity to set the record straight, or comment to you all. So I am choosing this medium to set the record straight and I have two ways that you can either communicate your thoughts back to me or an outlet to speak your mind. One is http://tcnu.blogspot.com this is a free forum for everyone’s questions, comments, and concerns. The other is “Facebook Scammon parents against being scammed", again a free forum for people to voice concerns.

Now it has come to my attention that some teachers and staff are under the impression that I want to get them fired. One this could not be further from the truth, I think for the most part you teachers and staff is doing a wonderful job. I have the utmost respect for teachers and have been in contact with your union to insure that you are in fact protected and no more of you good Scammon teachers lose your job. I am fighting for the children at Scammon and the parents, but I am also fighting for you the teachers. I remember a day when the PTA was a wonderful collaboration of us parents and you teachers and that when you were picketing some of us parents were beside you. I will not insult you by saying that I understand what you are going through, or that I understand how you feel. I will say that I AM HERE FOR YOU as well, and that despite what some have said I am your friend in this. I want to work with and help you if I can or leave you alone to do your job if that is what you wish. My issue and my only issue right now are with the Administration and the abuse, lies, intimidations, and so forth. Some of you may not know this but I am a Priest and an Advocate, I am always here for you to talk to and if you wish to make that conversation private I will protect your identity no matter the cost to me.

I want key administrators and some others not even employed by Scammon to be replaced and\or removed from the education of our children. I am sorry if you have been brought into this or misled once again, to try and scare you. I am always available to talk, and am and will always be here for all you teachers. Please feel free to speak to me anytime you wish by e-mailing me at Glenp6911@gmail.com or call me at 773-851-4603 and say you wish to talk about.

My job is to protect our children and the best way I can do that is to communicate with you and to help you if needed to insure that you can help them. I will be at every LSC meeting and Board meeting in the future, so if you wish to talk please feel free to come speak to me then. I will give you my card and contact information so if you are uncomfortable you can contact me later. I will also stay after to speak to anyone who wishes for as long as it takes. I hope we are in this together and that no matter what, you know that I and my family love you teachers and want to help you as well and that is our only goal. My services as an Advocate for parents and children is provided free, strange for someone who is out for the money?

Talk to me and make up your own mind.

I will be trying to get a PTA like organization started so that we can all communicate.

I will protect and fight for you like I would any Child or Parent that needs my help.

I would never betray your trust, if you doubt this then wait till I post the last meeting on the http://tcnu.blogspot.com and facebook, hear the truth for yourself.

Use your hearts and minds and you will know the truth.

And for the last time I do not want any of you teachers fired. You have my word!

At the CPS Board meeting today I met many press and people who want to help us at Scammon so let’s help them back by getting the truth out there. I will make sure you are not retaliated against for telling the truth.

Also when the investigators come around to speak to you this is your one chance to help yourselves and the kids in your care.

God Bless you all and keep you safe.

Your friend and Sincerely,

Glen Presnell
P.S. Please make sure every teacher gets one of these as I do not yet have everyone’s emails.

Taxpayers Send Teachers To Vegas Resort « CBS Chicago#comments#comments#comments#comments#comments#comments

Taxpayers Send Teachers To Vegas Resort « CBS Chicago#comments#comments#comments#comments#comments#comments

Response to the "Statement on Scammon School Alledgations"

For CPS Planning Purposes:


February 9, 2011



I agree we must rely on our parents, teachers and staff to ensure that the educational outcomes of our children are being met. It has been my experience thus far that the School administration and office of specialized services seems to have the opposite goal in mind. The administration does not support the staff and in fact hinder them from doing their jobs and the right thing. Especially Mary T. Weaver who has lied, mislead, and misrepresented facts to me on many occasions.



With the current state of the supposed lack of funding of CPS and the City of Chicago as well as the State of Illinois, that is talking about cutting our education money even more. It was claimed in a letter sent home from Scammon School that “…these out of state conference expenses were required and reasonable for the special education and bilingual teachers who attended…” In the time of internet conferences and information downloads, they claim it was necessary to go to Vegas. If you can tell me with a straight face that it was cheaper and that these “…conference expenses were required and reasonable” then your education was wasted. If CPS is going to put out a statement about following travel expense policy procedures, then why not show us the expense reports which are public record and let us decide.



Who decided what teachers went and why? Who decided that the expense was reasonable and what definition were they using? Why could they not have the materials for the conference send and have a local professor or attorney give the conference here in Chicago? That way more schools and teachers could have benefited citywide! Why did they have to go during report card pick up when parents have the one time to talk to their teachers and make sure their children are on track? Why is the school refusing to give parents copies of the expense reports and making them go through the FOIA request? If you have nothing to hide then stop hiding!



The Office of Specialized Services is only diligent in my experience with trying to cover themselves and try and deny as much as they can, forcing parents to either fight or surrender under the pressure. I have many documents and proof that everything they said in their letter sent home about IEP’s and 504’s is an outright LIE. So call a meeting and let’s put our papers on the table, play the audio from the meetings, I dare and challenge CPS and Scammon School to do just that. Stop trying to make us believe something we know is not true and let’s bring the truth out in the light of day. Prove me wrong; show that I am not being honest, because I can prove my case against all of you. Dr. Richard Smith let’s get together publically, come to the school at a time when parents can be there and let the media in, or are you scared the real truth will come out. You have my information I await your call, I never graduated High School I have a GED you have a doctorate so don’t be afraid of me.



And please tell the teachers at Scammon to stop telling our children lies and making excuses about their trips when they are there to learn. If you want to explain yourselves then do so to us parents in person with all your documentation. What are you thinking wasting class time explaining how you didn’t gamble in Vegas when you should be teaching what you learned Ms. Wissert. Ms. Kessinger your job is to teach our kids if you want to explain something explain to us parents.



Let me end with Pick on someone your own size, ME!

School Sends Teachers To Vegas Resort On Taxpayers’ Dime « CBS Chicago

School Sends Teachers To Vegas Resort On Taxpayers’ Dime « CBS Chicago

When CPS has no Regulation or Accountability

Message from the Editor:


I understand the editing on Channel 2’s interview man am I getting fat but let me say some things that were edited out. First let me say that I think that channel 2 and Dave Savini did a great job and a thank you to all the staff at channel 2.



First CPS spent two years, I can’t even imagine how much money and resources to try and deny my son Michael his Civil Rights and his Rights to a free Appropriate Public Education. They perjured themselves, out right lied, the Principal did everything including intimidating staff and doctoring evidence. They forced me to take them to Due Process, which I won on every point. The attorney’s for CPS were in my opinion lying incompetent idiots.



All of this to deny a child an education for no other reason than to make themselves what I can only conceive as more important than they are. It’s like the administration won’t dare let an uneducated parent tell them the law or what they have to do. Well if you fight and won’t stop you can do just that. However, there are more victims out there and more children and parents trying to fight the system for no reason other than administration egos. Our children need help and if we won’t do something then we are the only ones to blame.



Let me tell you about a teacher, Georgia Mantis that was in the Sever Profound Special education class at Lane Tech. When she stood up for the children in her class including some issues that were life threatening she was rewarded by being fired. The Principal Antoinette LaBosco didn’t want a teacher that would protect and teach children just keep the funds coming. She still has her job this is Chicago CPS and this is what the board feels is in the best interest of the children. She is fighting CPS with almost no help from anyone that is in place to help her. Every agency has just ignored her or can’t be bothered. This sickens me as a parent, human being, and a tax payer.



What are we going to do? How are we going to protect these good teachers and get rid of the bad administrators? When are we going to stand up and protect the people teaching and helping our children and get rid of those who are only out for the money and will step on your child to get it? I feel the PTA (Parent teacher Association) needs to come back and take the power back from the politicians and bureaucrats that could care less about what they are there for and just what’s in it for them.



Please help me respond to this Blog and get involved or e-mail me at Glenp6911@gmail.com

Scammon School

The Main enterance here the saying a picture says a 1000 words is true. Plus maybe its just me but isn't that garbage can supposed to be chain locked and not just open with the chain dangling. I guess this is the one place the rats don't go for food, and I hope no kids throw a match or cigarette, well at least it would kill the rats!

Scammon School

Here is the main enterance and main office windows, how in the hell is the wheelchair suppose to get into the door, ring the bell, hold the door open while trying to do a wheelie to get to over the marble step.







Look how far the doorbell is what are they trying to tease the wheelchaired individuals with yet another challenge to overcome?

Well good thing they can afford air conditioning for the office workers and great signs, I guess thats all that matters?

Scammons answer to the Disabled.

Here is the main entrance handicap ramp where to begin, the handle is nice would be better if you could reach it from the start to pull yourself up the ramp. I have seen skateboard ramps with less of an incline then this. It is not wide enough, no protection other then a small little lip to prevent the wheelchair from falling off the ramp. And I know the school was built in the 1920's but you could update the ramp once a century!

Scammon School

At first you assume the only issue is the leak, chipping paint, and crack. But notice there is no cover on the light bars so if one falls out or breaks I guess the kids are just screwed. Again thank you Principal Weaver and the maintenance man GREAT JOB!

Here are the tops of the stalls can someone please explain what the heck this could possibly be there for, those are solid steel bars?

This is the Exit sign in that same bathroom great job to the engineer if his goal is getting a child killed!

Here is the Scammon School Boys Bathroon 2nd Floor 204, and the Handicaped ramp. Oh in case your wondering what those boxes are they are the Main electrical junction cutoffs which you will notice are unlocked.

Has the First Shot in the Revolution been Fired?

OCR (Office of Civil Rights) U.S. Department of Justice

I am confused as to what this organization thinks it is suppose to do and what their mandate is suppose to be. I have filed multiple complaints with this organization and to date they have done nothing in any way that I can see to help protect the Civil Rights of children being violated by CPS. They have been investigating my multiple complaints for more then a year, to which I have provided them with all the evidence. Yet they seem to drag their feet and that is being nice. The investigators are incompetent and from what I can tell seem to take the word of any representative from CPS without question. However, the parents are forced to jump through hoops and prove every little minute detail and provide proof to back up the claim. If Mr. Obama is in the mood to clean up federal agencies then I would suggest that this is one that needs some major cleaning up. (The FDA is another)

I guess my confusion is that when I go to work in the private sector my boss demands that I actually do something for my paycheck. It would seem at most government agencies OCR included simply showing up and sleeping on the job, weather figuratively or literally I have not decided is not only ok but the norm. I would think that something as important as an Americans Civil Rights and a Childs to boot would warrant some action. I think when people elected Mr. Obama they thought like JFK he would shake up the Government and make them be accountable to the people once more. Yet he too has seemed to fall into the do nothing and sleep policy. Though he may be an elegant speaker that is where his talent ends, he has done nothing worth while in office except a lot of talk and promises that have amounted to nothing.

I will be writing a full expose on OCR and the actions they have or have not done with regards to several investigations mine is one but I have been interviewing others who have had the same lack of action. I contacted Dave Savini with this story and the violations that CPS has committed but he has seems to be uninterested as he has stopped responding to me and now deletes my e-mails without even giving me the courtesy of reading them. It is Media apathy like this that is why nothing gets done the media would rather do a story on Britney Spears shaving her head then tackling real issues people need to know about. The days of Woodward and Bernstein are dead. We need people like that back, and we need to drop the politically correct rope tote and get down to some real issues.

Clear Internet is not being CLEAR

Clear is at best cloudy so far, they promise the world and then mislead and misrepresent their services and the quality of those services. I actually had a technician tell me when I said my USB Clear Modem was not working that I should walk around my house until I get a good signal. I asked if I should lift one leg up for better service too? The service staff is some of the stupidest I have come across yet I never thought I would say this but I would rather talk to someone from India. The only customer service that I have had the displeasure of dealing with is Sprint.

The quality of the service is sketchy at best, and not working at all at worst. The Clear representative at my local (blank Buy) told me one story and then when nothing they said was accurate I went back and the answer I got was well since you have only had the service for one week I should be able to return it for a refund. I said darn right I will get my money back, but that's not the point I told Comcast to go fornicate with themselves and now I have to go crawling back.

I will be contacting the BBB and the attorney general for false advertisement and misleading business practices I suggest you do the same if you had the same experience as me. Their suggestonto my getting better service was to upgrade to 3G for $15.00 a month extra. When I asked why I should be forced to pay that bill just to get the service I was promised the answer was well its nationwide. I said look a#$wh%#* I am not looking for nationwide just my house for starters, I am dreading the day I try to go 15 feet from my house if I can't even get a good signal in my house.

I will be calling the tech support today as only chat is available after 10:00 PM which is useless when your issue is no service to the Internet how the hell are you suppose to chat? Please let me know of your experiences and what has been your experience with CLEAR or should I say Cloudy?

Illinois Polititains

When are we going to say enough is enough and take our city back from these politicians and hold these criminals responsible for thier actions? I also think the Media should be ashamed of itself for its appathy and agendas that makes them no better then puppets on a string to Illinois a US Political machine.

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.