Warming Hearts

Thanks to Operation Warm, Rotary of Winnetka and The Chicago Community Trust, we distributed over 600 coats to children this past week. Also we distributed gifts from Rabine Group, Toys R Us and Toys for Tots. And thanks to all the staff who helped with all the logistics.

The families who come to Chicago Commons come here for education -- to build a brighter future. The outpouring of support over the holiday season spurs all of us to keep pressing forward.

Humboldt Park Portal

Check out the Humboldt Park Portal! It is the neighborhood home page. Great calendar of local events and happenings. Chicago Commons has always been about being an active resource for neighborhoods, so we are proud to be part of the group building this new online presence for the neighborhood. As you will see, there is much more to Humboldt Park than violence and poverty, there are amazing things happening all over.

For compelling facts and figures about Illinois fiscal crisis, visit Illinois is Broke website.

Chicago Commons has made tremendous strides the past five years. We are growing. We are making a tremendous impact in our neighborhoods.

But all of this hard work is at risk due to the failure of leadership at the state level.

The only way the crisis will be addressed is if voters become informed and demand tough action from public officials -- including more pension reforms, budget cuts and tax increase.

Windsurfing!

Thank you to Jackie Butzen of Windward Sports for the sailing experience in Pilsen! Sailing in Pilsen? Yes, that is right, sailing in Pilsen. Jackie brought a training board that could be set up on a special rotating stand in Harrison Park near our Guadalupano Center. A school age classroom that had been making boats with paper got to see how a windsurfer is set-up and then experienced hoisting the sail and feeling the pull of the wind. Now the group wants to head to the beach to see the real deal, stay tuned...

Importance of Good Teachers

An important new study is out about the importance of quality teachers in pre-school and kindergarten.

Teaching quality is a key focus for us at Commons. For several years we have been raising the standards when hiring new teachers -- requiring more credentials (i.e. Type 04 certification). Also, we have encouraged existing teachers to return to school, connecting teachers with financial assistance to do so.

Of course, this all requires more resources, as teacher salaries must increase in order to retain teachers with more advanced credentials and skill. Over the past year, average teacher salary has increased at Chicago Commons by 14% as a result of requiring (and compensating) teachers with higher level credentials.

Unleashing creativity

A recent article in Newsweek decried the decline of creativity in America and discussed ideas of how to reverse course.

In general, early education and primary education in the United States has neglected to nurture creativity in children – this is way beyond a lack of art classes. True creativity is developed through experiential learning, a type of learning that not typically offered.

Chicago Commons and other early education pioneers in Chicago are working to reverse this trend by using the Reggio Emilia Approach to early learning. In the 1990s, Commons’ began working with the Reggio Emilia approach. The approach began in Italy in the 1950s in the town of Reggio Emilia while it was rebuilding after World War II. The approach is all about unleashing the natural creativity and knowledge possessed by children.

We are excited that this approach is growing right here in Chicago, there are several community organizations and schools now exploring this approach. And Chicago Commons is co-hosting a major public exhibit on the Reggio Approach in conjunction with Columbia College and City of Chicago. The exhibit runs through November 2010. More information on the exhibit can be found here and here.

Wonder of Learning!

In 1991 Newsweek listed the best schools in the world and among their selections were the pre-schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Over the past several years, a growing number of innovative pre-schools in the United States are adopting this inspiring approach to early education. However, the Reggio Emilia approach remains a “best kept secret” here in the U.S.

Even more of a secret is that Chicago is now one of the few American cities where the Reggio approach is being adapted in high poverty areas. During the 1990s, Chicago Commons, a neighborhood service organization, began using the approach in its pre-schools in high poverty neighborhoods. It was one of the earlier organizations in the United State to do so. Since then others in Chicago have done the same including Christopher House and several public schools.

This year, Chicago Commons, Columbia College and the City of Chicago are proud to co-host a special exhibit presented by the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA) called The Wonder of Learning – The Hundred Languages of Children. The exhibit is a window onto the activities and creativity of children in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

It is a powerful approach to education, one that fosters research and innovation among teachers, administrators, parents and, most important, the children themselves. As we work to re-invent and improve educational systems in the U.S., we would be wise to look for innovative models like the Reggio approach.

The Wonder of Learning Exhibit runs from June 15^th through November 30^th at the Columbia College Congress Gallery, 33 East Congress. Hours of the exhibit:

Tues, Wed, Fri: 12 noon - 5:00 p.m.
Thurs: 12 noon - 7:00 p.m.
Sat: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Major New Study Released

A new study is out about the positive long-term effects of high quality early childhood care.

Of course, we have long held this to be true.

Some critics of the study say it does not fully show whether there is an "independent" effect on children separate from the positive effects of their parents. But it is hard to compartmentalize life so neatly.

High quality early learning programs know that the true goal is to partner closely with parents... we help parents, parents help us. It is a mutual endeavor. I wish researchers luck in trying "isolate" the effects of early learning programs from that of parents.

This new study is rigorous and shows that early learning resources are a smart investment for both children and their parents.

Powerful Art #2

There is a new movie called Exit Through the Gift Shop that shows how art sometimes becomes just another commodity, its value based more on the fame of the artist that the work itself.

Well, here is a piece of street art of high value in its own right. Our students have struck again -- placing a positive message in the middle of neighborhood where such messages are scarce!

Happy Birthday

It's Chicago Commons birthday! Founded 116 years ago today, Chicago Commons was one of the original settlement houses serving primarily immigrants on the city’s northwest side.

Although things have changed and neighborhoods are unrecognizable, our approach is the same.

We listen to resident concerns and challenges and connect people to education, information and resources that will enrich their lives. We strengthen our communities by building trusting relationships with our neighbors and other organizations in the area.

State of Illinois Trendline

Here is a graph showing the amount of money owed to Chicago Commons by the State of Illinois for Senior Care services. Graph shows April 2008 to the present. It is a brutal picture, and is pushing us toward a breaking point.

Proven Ways to Overcome Poverty

Thank you Nicholas Kristof! Check out his concise summary in the New York Times of the proven ways to overcome poverty. Chicago Commons is focusing its work in several of the directions mentioned... including high quality early childhoood education, ongoing educational support and jobs programs.

Sudden Movement on State Budget

Today, some sudden movement on the state budge crisis ... a bill passed both the Senate and House in one day to increase the retirement age on state pensions. It is a sign that responsible fiscal actions are starting to get some traction. However, this one action hardly solve the state budget crisis. In fact, while it reduces pension spending over many years, it does little to address the immediate payment back-log that is hurting Chicago Commons. More responsible fiscal actions will also be needed, a combination of spending cuts, new revenue and short-term borrowing.

Measuring Success

There is an interesting article in Catalyst on after school programs. The article quotes Chicago Commons’ Youth Director, Eddie Anguiano. We have long held that strong, positive relationships between youth and youth and adults is a key element to a young person becoming a responsible adult.

We are working in collaboration with four peer organizations to implement a performance tracking system called Efforts to Outcomes. This new tool includes surveys that are completed by young people to measure changes in their attitudes over the course of their time with us. Through this ongoing evaluation, we plan to show that there are practical ways to measure the impact of after school programs.

First Volley

Governor Quinn’s budget proposes significant pension reforms and $2 Billion worth of spending cuts. It proposes a tax increase that would be used to “undo” about $1 Billion worth of his proposed cuts to education.

Last year, the Governor’s budget threatened deep cuts in human services unless there was a tax increase. In the end, there was no tax increase, more limited cuts to human services and a stack of unpaid bills.

This year, it appears public education is being held up as the sacrificial lamb if there is no tax increase. The budget includes an 18% cut in state funding for all schools. This cut would affect Chicago Commons’ pre-schools since we do receive some public school funding. But will Governor Quinn actually follow through on this threat?

If Governor Quinn does not find a way to craft a budget solution with the legislature, then Chicago Commons’ unpaid state bills will rise and threaten our solvency along with many other organizations.

Powerful Art

Young people are so much more productive and successful when they feel a sense of pride and ownership over their community. It really is that simple.

Community art projects are powerful way to generate a sense of pride and ownership. Recently, one group of ten students met at Chicago Commons over 8 weeks and came up with creative ways to spread positive feelings in their neighborhood, Back of the Yards.

They agreed upon a simple message: "Chase your dreams."

Then they installed the message in a large fence using paper cups. Such a simple idea -- one that the students created and implemented themselves. We need to keep these ideas coming. Next up: students are creating portraits to be installed around the neighborhood. Keep your eyes peeled.

First Reactions to Gov. Quinn's budget

Governor Quinn’s new budget website does not yet show his full proposal. So far, it is not a very user-friendly website, unless you are a budget expert. But at least it has a simple way to post your opinion on the budget.

It appears Gov. Quinn is going to propose cuts across all areas of state spending including education, human services, economic development and public safety. It is not yet clear what he is going to propose about state employee pensions, retiree benefits or state income taxes.

The Civic Federation released a very informative state budget proposal this week. The Federation is a non-partisan and fiscally cautious group that analyzes the Illinois budget.

The Federation recommends expense reductions, including a reform of state employee pensions. They also support an income tax increase from 3% to 5%, but only if its expense reduction initiatives are enacted first.

Click here to see a summary of the Civic Federation’s recommendations. It is very informative and shows there are constructive solutions to our problems, but they will be painful.

State Budget - a critical year ahead

Governor Quinn launched a new website today on the State Budget.

The site includes a lot of detail about the State’s expenses and revenues. It is a lot of data to sort through. Over the coming weeks, Chicago Commons will post information here, at our Blog, about what the numbers mean to our neighborhoods and the families that we serve.

Most important: The Governor’s website has a COMMENTS section where the public can register their ideas on the budget. The Governor is going to analyze the comments to help inform his official budget to be released and debated in March.

It is the first time any Governor of Illinois has solicited public comments on the budget in this way.

Please log your comments with the Governor over the coming weeks.

We will post our commentary here, so please come read it and use it to inform your comments. And remember, you could submit more than one comment to the Governor (they are counting up responses).