The Politics of Altgeld
After Daley equated a new school for Altgeld Gardens to a gang victory, funding a new charter school in the area may be the best way out of a sticky political situation; big emphasis on "political."
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Schools/Education
Kids n' Compost
Elementary school students in Oak Park, Naperville and Villa Park are learning early about making "zero impact" on their environment. They're recycling, composting food scraps after lunch and sending far less trash to area landfills.
On the Spot College Admissions & Scholarship Cash
Thanks to the Chicago Scholars program, over 250 Chicago high school students will meet with reps from over 50 colleges and universities at UIC today. Admissions decisions and a million dollars in scholarships will be handed out on the spot! Check the eligibility guidelines to get some high-schoolers involved in time for next year.
Innocence Project Under Scrutiny
Research from student reporters in Northwestern's Medill Innocence Project has overturned convictions and reopened cases. Now they're being challenged by the Cook County State's Attorney with a subpoena. The Daily Northwestern has more information.
Altgeld Parents Organize to Boycott Fenger
The Committee for Safe Passage to Schools is trying to organize a boycott of Fenger High School for students from Altgeld Gardens next week, after yet more fighting at the school yesterday.
Is CeaseFire Working?
CeaseFire is getting renewed attention in light of the violence at Fenger High School, but Beachwood Reporter's Steve Rhodes thinks it's a load of hooey, likening it to the failed DARE anti-drug program in the '80s and '90s. Related: a profile of CeaseFire gang mediator Tio Hardaway we ran last summer.
Sports Reporting by Robots
Stats Monkey is a project at Northwestern's Intelligent Information Laboratory that might one day make sports reporting obsolete. Of course, that'd just mean more time for sportwriters to be columnists. [via]
How it is at Fenger High School
Salon has an essay from an anonymous 17-year-old at Fenger High School about what life is like for students from Altgeld Gardens before and after Derrion Albert's beating death earlier this month.
Olmert Unsurprisingly Causing Quite a Stir
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is currently speaking at the University of Chicago. His invitation has been controversial on campus, and a variety of groups have assembled to protest the event. Two counter-protesters are also present.
A Boy Genius Grows Up
An update on a story we covered in the very early days of GB: Sho Yano became the youngest-ever person to earn a doctorate from the University of Chicago when he received his PhD in molecular biology last month -- at age 18.
Getting Schooled on Bad Credit
Chicago Treasurer Stephanie D. Neely and a panel of experts are targeting the Chicago college community tonight at the University Center in the South Loop [PDF] to advise students on overwhelming credit card debts and a lack of budgeting skills. Register here. Oh, and bring credit card offers to shred to win a shredder, because what college student doesn't need one of those?
Gangs Are Terrorists
Michael Salmonowitz makes a case for why Chicago's gangs are like Al-Qaeda. Meanwhile, another fight broke out at Fenger High School while Arne Duncan and Eric Holder were in town to discuss youth violence.
If Chicago's Youth Violence Were Elsewhere
Bernadine Dohrn, writing on the Huffington Post, reminds us that "Were this in Colombia, the Congo or Myanmar, we would recognize that children who are recruited into warring groups by much older adults to fight as child soldiers must be disarmed, demobilized, rehabilitated and reintegrated into the community."
We're Number...What?!
In The Daily Beast's first ever attempt to rank the "civic IQ" of the 55 largest cities in America, Chicago comes in tied with St. Louis at a dismal #24.
Fighting Crime with Statistics
Here's a little background about the $30 million CPS plan to combat student violence.
Another Feather in the U of C's Cap
George E. Smith, one of the three winners of the Nobel Prize in physics received his PhD from the U of C in 1959. He is the 29th Nobel Laureate in physics to be affiliated with the university.
Paid to Teach?
Substance News alleges that at least 540 people on the Chicago Public Schools payroll make more than CPS chief Ron Huberman -- to the tune of nearly $1 billion.
Splash!
Splash!, a free enrichment program for Chicago area high school students, is happening tomorrow. The classes look really cool, so if you know any high school students looking for something different to do, they can register now.
Supporting School Sustainability
Joey Feinstein, founder of Climate Cycle, is a finalist in Nau's $10,000 Grant for Change. The program seeks to support those who "those who instigate lasting, positive change in their communities." Climate Cycle definitely does that.
Campus of the Future
Chicago Journal focuses on academic architecture as UIC contemplates its future development and new student housing is proposed in the South Loop.
Mapping Mentors
Harnessing the freaky cool power of Google Maps, the Tutor/Mentor Connection shows Chicagoans where to find tutor and mentor programs. But it also goes way further, showing maps of poorly performing schools, crime in the news, and even support groups like churches and universities, all to pinpoint areas in which organizations should create and nurture tutor and mentor programs.
And a Good Morning to You, Langston Hughes!
Today is the first day for five newly built CPS schools. The total cost? $277.8 million.
In-Depth Rereporting
The "Tribune Watchdog" story yesterday about a $40 million given to Chicago State that the university didn't ask for was good -- and awfully familiar to readers of the Chi-Town Daily News, where it's been written about twice already. [via] UPDATE: Ironically, the Reader's Michael Miner reported today on the Tribune as a victim of the same copycat game.
Chicago Road Trip!
US News spent some time in Chicago and profiled DePaul, IIT, Northwestern and UIC. Apparently, that constitutes a "Road Trip" these days.
Dissecting the U of C's Endowment
The Wall Street Journal's recent look at college endowments features changes at the U of C, which has the 10th largest endowment in the country.
Insert Horrible Pun About LEEDing the Way
Bill Clinton told a group of college administrators at the Palmer House that they need to go green faster, giving Columbia College and UIC the chance to discuss their newest efforts.
Daley's Got His Back
About that Chicago alderman who admits he used his clout to get his daughter into Whitney Young High School? Yeah, Mayor Daley's cool with that.
City Colleges Producing More than Students
The Chi-Town Daily News reports that the City Colleges' television station, WYCC, produced "free videos of powerful politicians and friends of the chancellor" and allegedly fired the station manager when she complained.
Take an Intern, Leave an Intern
InternChicago launches later this year as a place for students to find internships, and businesses to find interns.
Curious if Your School has Clout at U of I?
The Trib lets you search a database to see if students from your high school have the political backing to get into the U of I. If that doesn't excite you, you can also look by legislator.
School Reform?
Historically, the South was the area with the highest test score differential between white and black students. Guess who is on the list now.
Hyde Park Hogwarts
The folks over at ApplyWise think the University of Chicago's Hyde Park campus, with its gargoyles, Gothic facades, and house system, provides the best Harry Potter experience. [via]
Mixed Opinions on Mixed-Sex Dorms
As coed dorms--or gender neutral housing--become a reality at U of C next semester, some wonder if it's such a great idea.
The Writing on the Stall
A staffer at the University of Chicago recently decided to document a different sort of creative writing going on at Regenstein Library, with highly entertaining and, at times, insightful results. [via]
Every Student's Nightmare
The thought of year-round school is enough to make any elementary school student pound his or her head on their locker in anguish. So if you hear repeated banging coming from the vicinity of Herzl Elementary School in North Lawndale, you'll know why.
A More Walkable Campus
The U of C's Main Quad will be undergoing a dramatic transformation this summer, including converting its streets into pedestrian thoroughfares. A map is also available through the Facilities Services site.
Kids Have Pride
Students from Nettlehorst Elementary will be marching in this weekend's Pride Parade, which goes right past the East Lakeview school. Some bloggers and commenters on the Tribune's story aren't so happy about it.
Requiem for Spike
Did you know... Laurens Corning "Spike" Shull, a U of C alumnus and WWI war hero whose "doughboy" image graces Rockefeller Chapel, is featured in Wikipedia's "Did You Know..." section today?
The Challenges Facing Today's Doctors
Last week, New Yorker writer Atul Gowande delivered the commencement speech at the University of Chicago Medical School.
School's Out Forever...For Some
Chicago Public Schools intends to cut up to 1,000 non-classroom jobs in an attempt to close a $475 million budget shortfall. Everyone from janitors to management could lose their jobs. CPS CEO Ron Huberman's new executive team will eliminate half the positions within the next two weeks and the other half over the next year.
OTS Mini Classes Starting Soon
The Old Town School of Folk Music is kicking off the summer season with a series of short class sessions. Instead of the usual eight-week session you can sign up for a quick four weeks of music or dance. And the schedule of classes looks amazing; everything from the music of the Muppets to cardio samba. There's probably something in the list that'll appeal to your inner rock star, so check it out and sign up for the next session before classes start (by Monday, June 8) to get a discount price.
Play This on Your Policy Wonkman
The Chicago Area Participatory Economics Society at the University of Chicago recently held a talk on participatory economics and finance, and it's available for download on the Internet Archive. Learn something on your commute for once.
Big Men On Campus?
U of C student Steve Saltarelli has founded Men in Power, the U of C's first and only men's advocacy student group. He first proposed the group in a piece for the Chicago Maroon back in March. The Trib has more.
Fashion Campus Police
Was this U of C student's column about the springtime sartorial choices of his fellow Maroons sexist and misogynistic? That may depend on which version you've read.
Olympic Support, The Chicago Way?
A report in several media outlets (including USA Today) says that the head of the CPS is pressuring principals to support the city's 2016 Olympic bid. The CPS chief, of course, denies it.
Centerfold Research
While researching a post about Playboy's possible de-listing from the NYSE, the Reader's Whet Moser unearthed a database of Playboy centerfolds (NSFW, obviously) maintained by a University of Chicago library employee.
Get Smart at DePaul's Chronic Illness Symposium
"After Graduation: Creating Opportunities for Employment, Education, and Community & Family Involvement" is the focus of this year's Chronic Illness and Post-secondary Education Symposium at DePaul University on April 28. It's designed for those with chronic illness and disability, as well as those who work with them - and this year's keynote speaker is Karen McCulloh, executive director of disabilityworks at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. Get more info on registration and speakers in Slowdown.
CSU Student Paper is Publishing While Fighting
The Chicago State University student newspaper, Tempo, is publishing again, despite an ongoing lawsuit in which it is alleged that the newspaper's advisor was fired and the newspaper has been threatened with censorship and budget cuts following articles critical of the administration.
Will This Be On The iTest?
Loyola University here in Chicago is using something called iclickers to track and increase students' involvement in class.
Moving for Milton
The Invisible Institute takes a look at the 61st Street Community Garden and its troubles, now that the University of Chicago and Chicago Theological Seminary are planning on using it as a staging area [PDF] for the construction of CTS's new building. CTS is moving to make room for the Milton Friedman Institute.
All About Ron
In case you missed it, CPS CEO Ron Huberman was the Friday night guest on "Chicago Tonight". Video of his appearance is available on-line here.
View the Alien Up Close
Speaking of the U of C, the oval outline of its new Helmut Jahn designed Mansueto Library is finally recognizable, as you can see for yourself on its webcam.
Say "Goodbye" to Basketball
Yesterday IIT announced it is canceling its men's and women's basketball teams to free up resources for other activities.
Cheese Pizza, Jello & Chocolate Milk
What was your school lunch like? The Healthy Schools Campaign wants your "most vivid memory of school food" -- and you could win a panini maker for it.
Introducing the Illinois Holocaust Museum
The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center will be opening in Skokie on April 19. You may request tickets to the public grand opening ceremony or get a sneak peek by purchasing tickets for the Inaugural Gala on April 2.
A Life in Layers
Can't make it down to the Oriental Institute but want to learn more about mummies? The University of Chicago Magazine created an interactive mummy dissection that combines photographs, CT scans and interviews with researchers to examine the Institute's 2,800-year-old dummy -- without cracking the seal.
50 Years of Fruit Flies
Speaking of the Drosophila Research Conference, the Tribune has a fun look at some of the odd names mutant fruit flies are given.
The Dean Departs
Theodore "Ted" O'Neill, director of College admissions at the University of Chicago, will be retiring from the job in June. He will remain at the U of C as a full-time teacher, writer, and researcher.
$2.5 Billion
That's how much the U of C's Crime Lab estimates gun violence costs Chicago every year.
Something Sensible from CPS
Following the murders of three South Side students in one day, CPS may soon be paying attention to gang boundaries in its attendance areas and transportation routes. Perhaps Huberman's experience with the CTA will pay off after all...
Out With the Old, In With the Older
There are changes afoot on Mayor Daley's Chicago Board of Education, with current board president Rufus Williams about to tender his resignation and former board president Michael Scott set to return.
Like the CTA Needs More Problems...
Yesterday, 5,000 DePaul students' U-Passes were deactivated by mistake, leaving more than a few students a little less confident about the CTA.
"Writing Their Way Home"
In A/C, Lora Gordon profiles the Arab American Action Network's after-school creative writing program.
What Would You Like to See at the MFI?
The U of C chapter of SDS has issued a request for alternative proposals for the university's Milton Friedman Institute for Research in Economics. The group got the idea from an earlier Chicago project, 3 Acres on the Lake.
Boos For Huberman
Newly-installed Chicago Public Schools chief (and former CTA chief) Ron Huberman was booed today by a crowd of parents, teachers and community officials upset about plans to close and reorganize 22 schools.
Fission & Economics
The Straight Dope examines the details of U of C's nuclear claim to the first nuclear fission, and uncovers some faulty math instead.
CTA to CPS
The rumors have been confirmed. Ron Huberman will head the Chicago Public Schools. Reaction runs from congratulatory to pragmatic to critical.
Because the CTA is Doing So Well
The Mayor is reportedly considering CTA President Ron Huberman for Arne Duncan's old job at CPS.
Mr. Duncan Officially Goes to Washington
The US Senate has just confirmed CPS CEO Arne Duncan as the next Secretary of Education by unanimous consent.
School Daze
Chicago Public Schools has announced the list of 16 schools that will be closed, relocated or consolidated at the end of this year.
Maroon Volunteers
The University of Chicago is the top volunteer producer for 2009 in the small school category for the Peace Corps. The University of Washington and George Washington University are at the top of the large and medium school lists respectively.
Grande Half-Caf CPS Latte, Extra Foam
Chicago Public Schools spent nearly $70k on 30 cappuccino/espresso machines, 22 of which remained unopened five months after the purchase. This purchase and other actions are covered in a report issued by the CPS Office of the Inspector General. [via]
In Your Face! (Theoretically Speaking)
Ah, there's nothing more exciting than an academic smackdown, like the one between U of C economist and Freakonomics author Steven Levitt and Northwestern Northeastern criminologist James Alan Fox on the subject of black teen murder rates. Levitt criticized Fox for "ominous reports he produced about juvenile homicide...in the 1990s." Oh, snap!
Chicago Public School's Greatest Hits
CPSAlumni.org has put together an iTunes playlist of songs by artists who attended Chicago Public Schools, from Benny Goodman and Nat "King" Cole to Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco.
Is the "Chicago School" Dead?
Has the "Chicago school" of economics, as championed by Milton Friedman, been killed by the current economy and political climate? Some are saying so.
School's Out Forever
As many as 20 CPS schools could be consolidated or closed by the next school year. The list of affected schools will be released in mid-January.
CoEd Cohabitation
Starting next month, male and female students at the University of Chicago will be permitted to live together in university dorm rooms.
Management Problems at Kellogg School
Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management didn't do itself any favors by accidentlally sending out acceptance emails to 50 applicants it rejected.
Northwestern Gets a New Prez
Morton O. Schapiro has been named as Northwestern's new president, effective September 2009. Schapiro is currently the president of Williams College and an expert on "the economics of higher education," which is fitting, as he was the ninth highest-paid college president in the US last year, raking in a $515,000 paycheck.
Showcasing CPS' Musical Progeny
CPS alum Brad Harbaugh has assembled a list of 52 songs performed by the district's former students.
Teaching Jocks at U of I
The U of I is generating controversy with the Irwin Center, a $6 million athletes-only tutoring center.
Good Dogs Get to Ride in the Car
Vote now for your favorite design for next year's Chicago vehicle sticker. It's theme is "Dog Friendly Chicago" and all the stickers were created by Chicago Public School students.
Obama Elementary
The former Ludlum School in Long Island is now the Barack Obama Elementary School.
...And Cingo Was His Name-o.."
Know a University of Chicago student or alumnus? Know two or more? Print out these U of C-centric Bingo cards for them to enjoy during the holidays. Then stand back and watch the geek-tacular fun ensue.
Perfect Power at IIT
Yesterday, IIT announced it will build the first smart microgrid electricity system in the United States. The system promises to "virtually eliminate" power outages and allow the university to sell excess electricity, all the while saving at least $2 million a year.
More Good News for the U of C's Booth GSB
It may not be worth $300 million, but I'm sure the U of C is happy to hold onto its number 1 ranking.
Will We See More of Chief Illiniwek?
In an unusual turn of events, a student group is sponsoring an updated Chief Illiniwek dance at the U of I. One of the reasons, apparently, is that it inspired at least one student "to be a complete man."
Training Elementary Students for Medieval Battle
That's right, Pershing West Magnet School offers elementary school students archery classes [right side of page].
"Barack" to School
I bet you're wondering what happens to all the furniture, supplies, and appliances used by Obama campaign offices now that the election is over. Wonder no more: they're being donated. Two-hundred offices across the country have already donated or have pledged to to schools in their communities via iLoveSchools.com.
Meet the Booth School of Business
The University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business just announced a $300 million gift, along with a new name. If you want the information straight from the source, here's the press release.
Affordable Undersea Adventures
If you love pregnant seahorses, endearingly floppy manatees and cephalopods like I do, you'll be excited to learn that every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during the month of November (except Wednesday, 11/26), the Shedd Aquarium will offer free general admission and discounts on inclusive packages.
Northside Prep At Head of The Class
The city's Northside College Prep high school once again nabbed the top spot in a survey of area schools. But the news wasn't all good: Chicago schools also claimed 42 of the 50 lowest scoring spots on the list as well.
That's a Lot of Ramen
CampusGrotto.com has released their list of the 25 most expensive colleges for the 2008-2009 school year, and Hyde Park's own University of Chicago comes in at no. 18 with $48,588 (tuition plus room and board). [via]
Gay High School Plans Dropped
Mayor Daley has apparently pulled the plug on plans for a high school serving gay and lesbian students.
Blinding Them With Science (Funding)
The CPS has received a major donation to create a biotech education program for junior high/high schools to the tune of $5 million over five years. The program, sponsored by Baxter International, includes the creation of a Biotechnology Center of Excellence and two new Ren2010 schools. And not a moment too soon as local math scores reach Third World-levels.
Learn How to Blog
If you're not blogging yet and still want to try, there's a class this weekend that's right up your alley.
Oh THAT Sixties Radical Agitator...
Bowing to pressure from politicians and donors while citing "safety reasons," the University of Nebraska rescinds a months-old speaking invitation for Bill Ayers.
$161.20 is Average Green (for Grades)
The controversial "Green for Grades" program's first payouts totaled $265,986 in cash rewards to 1,650 students at 20 participating CPS high schools for good grades in five subjects. While it sounds like quite a bit, none other than Mayor Daley offered some perspective: "Wealthy parents in the suburban areas give their kids a car."
Friedman Institute Draws More Fire
The controversy over the U of C's proposed Milton Friedman Institute is in the news again following faculty and student denunciation of the Institute at a faculty senate meeting alongside a member of the Institute's faculty committee declaring he is open to changing its name.
School Pride
One of 20 new school proposals unveiled Wednesday, the Pride Campus of Social Justice High School might just be the most interesting, with its promise to provide a safe, "gay-friendly'' atmosphere to students. [via]
Mr. Duncan Goes To Washington?
Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan as Secretary of Education? That's the buzz according to local education publication Catalyst, which cites Duncan's role as an education advisor and close friend to a certain Barack Obama.
That's Some "Overhead Projector"
Staff at the Adler Planetarium were surprised to make the presidential debates, particularly when their sought-after projection system was ridiculed by McCain.
In a Crunch, Chicago Schools Need You!
We're all feeling the economic pinch, but Chicago schools are really feeling it. You can help fund educational projects through Donors Choose, where you can search by neighborhood, topic and grade level...and help buy kids a new microscope, workbooks or even an area rug to spruce up a dull reading corner.
Science Chicago Launches Today
Science Chicago, "the world's largest science celebration," kicks off today and runs for the next year. Check out the website for events happening around the city.
CPS Testing Crime Fighting with Text Messages
The new CPS/CPD project will let students send anonymous text messages to provide crime tips, but the real story is the ridiculous "CRIME" graffiti photo used in the article.
This School Will Be Queer
High schoolers who are homosexual, bi-sexual, or questioning their sexuality may soon have a school of their own. The Greater Lawndale Little Village School for Social Justice has submitted a proposal to the Chicago Public Schools for a Social Justice High School-Pride Campus to open in 2010. A community hearing will be held at the Center on Halsted on September 18, and CPS will make their decision by the end of October.
The Mash Debuts
The Tribune's school newspaper experiment, The Mash, debuts today in Chicago Public Schools. Read it online. (Previously.)
Busing to New Trier
So, Reverend Senator Meeks' boycott of Chicago Public Schools is pretty much on, and he'll be leading supposedly 125 buses up to New Trier High School in the northern suburbs -- which is playing along by allowing them to come to the Northfield campus, rather than the main one (good thing; there's nowhere to park up there.)
Viewing the Stars from the U of C
NASA named another telescope after a U of C researcher, and this time it's Enrico Fermi. The article also provides a list of other U of C affiliates similarly immortalized, from Chandrasekhar to Hubble.
Meeks Wants To Find The Time
State Sen. Rev. James Meeks says the boycott scheduled for the first day of school in Chicago is still possible. According to NBC5, Meeks was told a meeting time would be planned this morning (Wednesday) to discuss matters, but the meeting has yet to be scheduled.
The Case of the Desert Graveyard
A U of C researcher discovered a 9,500-year-old, 200-body graveyard in the Sahara. Other than being the biggest find from that era, it also shines significant light on the life of humans when the desert wasn't actually a desert.
Schooled.
You know it's not a good day for the Gov when he gets taken to task by a high schooler.
$2,380,373,507
The University of Chicago's Chicago Initiative is complete.
Droppin' the Mad Science
Science Chicago aims to be the longest science fair in the world, running from September through the end of next August.
Welcome to the 21st century, CPS!
Chicago Public Schools finally has a new website. If you want to let 'em know what you think, they're listening.
Professor Obama
The New Republic on what U of C's right-leaning law faculty think of their former colleague.
Animal Welfare Act Violations at Loyola
U.S. Department of Agriculture documented 22 violations for inhumane treatment of animal subjects at Loyola's med school, some of which led to the deaths of rabbits and dogs.
U of C Receives $20 Million for Physical Sciences Division
I guess coming up with a "valid new theory of trading" means one has a lot of money to throw around.
"I've Always Wanted to Write a Book..."
Here's a good place to start. The Beginning Fiction class begins Sept. 9.
A Fishy Discovery
U of C graduate student Matt Friedman discovered evidence that helps fill in the mystery of how flatfish like flounders and halibut evolved to have eyes on one side of their head.
Union VP to Be Tried
An update on this Revenge of the Second City column: the Chicago Teachers Union is going ahead with plans to remove its vice president, Ted Dallas, on allegations of misspending.
A Little Something Extra for Attending School
Ashley Martinez, a 12-year-old CPS student won a new car for having perfect attendance. Well, at least her family will enjoy it...
Another Green Schools Initiative
Well, for Chicago it's a green school initiative, but some media companies are teaming up to fund some green modifications for schools in Chicago, Miami and San Francisco.
Friedman Institute Under Fire
The U of C's plans to create the Milton Friedman Institute are meeting significant resistance from the school's faculty.
Tribune's New Mash-up
The Tribune is launching a new newspaper and website, inexplicably named The Mash, just for Chicago Public School students.
Changing Face of Suburban Schools
Catalyst Chicago, the independent school publication, reports on the recent influx of minority students into suburban school districts and the challenges both groups face.
Really? Never Used a Computer?
"No, I take Marx very seriously; I think [the computer] alienates the worker from his production—I do not understand. With a typewriter, I hit a key, and it goes bam." The Maroon interviews luddite religious studies professor J. Z. Smith. (Full transcript here.)
CME MMC 2008
The Community Media Workshop's Making Media Connections Conference takes place next week, so don't forget to register if you're planning on going. For an outside perspective on the conference, check out Nonprofiteer's assessment.
Northwestern President Leaps into the Fray
The Daley commencement brouhaha is really picking up, with Northwestern President Henry Bienen telling a student, among other things, "By the way you think a commencement speaker has any thing to do with the national stature of Northwestern tells me we failed here in educating you."
And Northwestern's Commencement Speaker is ...
Mayor Daley. At present, 193 comments on The Daily Northwestern suggest students aren't impressed.
Find Any Crystal Skulls Yet?
Undergrads from the University of Chicago have launched the first archeological dig of the site of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, aka the "White City." The students are following in the footsteps of another famous U of C archeologist who's been in the news a lot lately.
A Different Kind of Kids Show
The Center on Halsted will host a screening for "Dottie's Magic Pockets," billed as the first children's program for kids in gay and lesbian families. The show features puppets as well as real-life families. Bert and Ernie approve.
Post-Columbian Artifacts
U of C archeology students are conducting a dig in Jackson Park, looking for artifacts from the 1893 World's Columbian Exhibition.
My School Ruled
Did your high school get closed or torn down? Its memory lives on. [via]
Brutalism, Meet the Dome
Helmut Jahn's proposal for the addition to the U of C's Joseph Regenstein Library would definitely be the most radical building on campus. More details are available in a Trib article, along with these thoughts about the design: "The hesitation is: 'Where is my large, drab rectangular box to have books stored in?' This is very different, but it will still do what that box was going to do."
Another School Arrest
In Waukegan, the staff aren't catching students hacking on school computers, they're catching teachers smoking pot in the teachers' lounge.
Not David Lightman
A New Trier Township High School senior got caught hacking into the school's computer system. How did he get caught? Staff walked around the school and looked at students' screens.
Local Congressman Wants No Second Life
Illinois Congressman Mark Kirk is sponsoring a bill to ban access of Second Life in schools and libraries, citing its lack of robust age verification and the abundance of "wholly inappropriate activities" that may take place there. The American Libraries Association (ALA) is among those who are opposed to this legislation.
Blowing Up Stars
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have created some very cool simulations of how a star goes supernova.
Two DePaul Loop Campus Buildings Evacuated
According to an email sent out to those affiliated with DePaul University, two buildings, Lewis Center and O'Malley Place, were evacuated due to bomb threats. Update: Information is also available on the DePaul website.
A Wireless(on) at U of C Law School
The buzz is growing over The University of Chicago Law School's recent decision to cut off wireless Internet access in classrooms. Something about students chatting, checking email or playing solitare during class...
U of C Tackles the Zombie Issue
Some of the greatest minds of our future have been given funds to tackle the pressing problem of zombie attacks, thanks to the University of Chicago's UnCommon Fund, a program designed to provided funding for, um, unique student projects. Other proposals that received modest grants include a clothing-optional Halloween Party. OK, to be fair, other approved projects are a bit more serious.
Reseeded
The SEED Conference is back. Get tickets now.
Serious Cash for Elementary Schoolers
Thanks to Ariel Capital, students at Ariel Community Academy get to practice investing with $20,000 that's given to each first grade class. Don't worry, they don't get to touch it until sixth grade.
A Lesson in Numbers for CPS
A report by Catalyst Chicago finds that the Chicago Public School's faulty enrollment projections are leaving principals with a cash crunch/teacher shortage.
Once Upon a School
Famed author Dave Eggers, the inspiration behind 826CHI, was one of the recipients of a 2008 TED Prize. His wish was for more people to become engaged with their local public schools, and they've launched Once Upon a School to help make this happen.
A Boarding School Without a Madeline in Sight
CPS is now considering public boarding schools for disadvantaged students.
One Blue "PC" Per Child
Engadget points us to the fact that Chicago-based nonprofit Innovations for Learning is supplying 500 Chicago elementary schools with their $50 Teachermate PC over the next two years. Go ahead, get one.
Rooftop Sprouting
The Gary Comer Youth Center's 8,600-square-foot rooftop garden is coming into its own.
School Cameras to be Linked to 911 Center, Everyone to be Watched
Mayor Daley just announced that the 4,500 cameras in 200 (out of over 650) Chicago Public School buildings will be connected to the city's 911 Emergency Center to give the city a "comprehensive school security plan." The Department of Homeland security is reportedly picking up the $418,000 bill.
Bienen retiring as President of NU
Henry S. Bienen, president of Northwestern University since 1995, is stepping down. NU has set up a special site dedicated to his announcement and legacy.
There's Still Time to Go Back to School
While some Newberry Library seminars started earlier this month, plenty of Winter/Spring term courses (in subjects ranging from genealogy to mystery-novel writing) don't start till some time in March, or even April. Click here for details about classes and schedules.
NIU's Cole Hall to be Demolished
Like so many other sites of terrible events, NIU will raze the building where the recent tragedy occurred.
Give a Little Bit
DonorsChoose is a non-profit that allows you to select which educational project you would like to donate money to. There are plenty of worthy projects in the Chicago area; as you do your taxes, consider putting a little of that refund toward furthering a kid's education.
The New uchicago.edu
The University of Chicago launched their new homepage today. The result of a massive research, redesign and restructuring effort, the new site focuses on U of C-related stories and news, instead of simply lists of links. This is the university's first major online facelift since 1999. (See for yourself via the Wayback Machine.) Give 'em your feedback here.
Catalyzing District 299
District299, Alexander Russo's excellent blog on Chicago Public Schools, recently made the move to Catalyst Chicago's website.
Chicago's Newest Green Home
Starting May 8, you'll be able to swing by the Museum of Science and Industry and visit Smart Home: Green + Wired, a new exhibit featuring a 2,500 square-foot house.
Another Chapter in Our Postmodern Lives
Five West Chicago eighth graders were suspended for staging and filming a fake fight in the school bathroom. Because, you know, a "student who sneaks into a bathroom for a YouTube shoot could slip and hit his or her head on a sink and be seriously hurt."
Free Month at the Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry is closed today, but it will reopen Saturday and introduce free general admission for the remainder of the month. Happy 75th!
U + Chicago = Awesome
Congrats to Carlos Kenig of UChicago, recipient of the 2008 Bôcher Prize in mathematics for "important contributions to...nonlinear dispersive partial differential equations." Where's my prize for typing that correctly?
Modular Housing of the Future
If you haven't checked it out already, you may want to swing by the Chicago Center for Green Technology and check out elementhouse, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign entry in the 2007 Solar Decathlon.
"Ren" is Skimpy
While the Chicago Public Schools' "Renaissance 2010" program (or "Ren10") is nearing its goal of opening 100 new schools by 2010, almost half of the communities identified as the most in need of high-performing schools have yet to get them, according to the Chicago Catalyst.
Must Be An Exam Day
Class are cancelled in Barrington today due to "severe bus vandalism."
The First (Slide) Rule of Fight Club...
Wanna see "nerds" beating the hell out of each other? Head over to the University of Chicago where their Fight Club-esque "Thunderdome" combat society is hoping to body slam the image of 90-pound, slide rule-wielding weaklings. Not everyone is in awe of the physical spectacle. "We come almost every week, mostly to laugh," said one second-year student.
As If Middle School Isn't Hard Enough
Hundreds of eighth graders in Chicago are dropping more than $100 an hour this year to get into the city's most selective high schools. Up next: Grade school prep courses for kindergarteners.
The Glory Days of High School Football
The Tribune has compiled an extensive report of the 2007 season for the Mooseheart Red Ramblers. Complete in three parts, with supplemental video and photos. Suburban high school football at its most enthralling.
Spertus Almost Ready
The Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies' new building will be open to the public starting on November 30 with a series of events and a new range of amenities.
Gronnnnnk!
U of C palentologist, and beautiful People person (1997 edition), Paul Sereno recently unveiled the remains of a heretofore unknown dinosaur. Called Nigersaurus taqueti, and described as a "cow of the Mesozoic" and "fern mower," due to its herbivorous nature, Sereno and his team discovered the fossils in the Sahara desert in Niger.
Interested in American Culture?
The University of Chicago just opened a center that will study everything from "painting of the 18th Century ... to the history of hip hop music." It promises to have a public presence, so hopefully we'll all have some more interesting events to attend soon.
Does A Teacher's Race Matter?
CPS teacher Will Okun has become something of a celebrity education blogger at the NYTimes "On the Ground" blog sharing the real world challenges of urban educators. His most recent entry details how his students feel about the race of their teachers.
CPS Launches New Email, Flirts with Social Networking
Considering the periodic uproar to "save the children from the evils of social networking," it's more than a little amusing to see the new CPS email/collaboration system so labeled. Teachers began using their shiny new @cps.edu addresses on Nov. 1st, and 5th - 12th graders will be getting accounts throughout the school-year. CPS is using FirstClass from OpenText.
Hup Two Three Four, I Love the CPS Corps
Chicago is number one in public military schools (we'll have six by 2009). Advocates say the schools build better students through military history classes, regular uniform inspections, and marching drills. Critics, however, think the military is taking advantage of a school system composed largely of nonwhite kids from low-income families.
Discovery Center Fall Classes Now Available
Learning opportunities both offbeat and conventional fill the Fall/Winter calendar at The Discovery Center, Chicago's self-proclaimed "Lifelong Learning Center". Can't afford to escape the cold and vacation in a warmer climate this year? Sign up for the "Out of Body Adventuring" seminar and astral-project yourself to Cabo San Lucas for the weekend. Or just learn how to paint, write a screenplay or become a private investigator. Classes start now and run through March 2008.
District 299 on the Move
The "Highly Unofficial Scoop on Chicago Schools" AKA the District299 Blog -- is moving to Catalyst Chicago to create one consolidated powerhouse of a Chicago education-news resource.
Getting Schooled
The Trib made a gadget that lets you measure your high school's performance against schools statewide. It's nice to see the tippy top of the list loaded with Chicago institutions.
College Newspapers Clean Up
Three Chicago-area college newspapers won the 2007 Associated Collegiate Press Newspaper Pacemaker Award: Columbia College's The Columbia Chronicle, the Courier from the College of DuPage, and the University of Chicago's Chicago Maroon.
IIT = Exciting?
Someday this equation will make sense, if soon to be inaugurated IIT President John Anderson gets his way. Anderson would "love to see a little college town develop" around IIT's Bronzeville Campus, and in the meanwhile is charging ahead with efforts to improve student life and the school's national profile.
Back to (Film) School
Facets Film School's first fall term has already started, but the second fall term begins the first week of November and ends right before Christmas. Classes are weekly (with Thanksgiving week off), 7 to 10 PM, and cost under $100 for the term. If you like Woody Allen dramas, outlaw couples, movies out of Hong Kong, or Howard Hawks movies (and who doesn't?), you still have time to enroll. You can find more details here.
Get Growing at Seed Conference
Hobnob and hear the stories and tips from Chicago design heavy hitters at the SEED Conference this October. This one-day event, featuring 37Signals, Coudal Partners and Segura, will be composed of discussions on design, entrepreneurship and inspiration. it's $399, so see if your office will pick up the cost.
18K for Preschool
Chicago City Day School and The Latin School of Chicago grace the Forbes list of most expensive preschools with tuitions of $17,750 and $17,425, respectively. Note that a good portion of the Forbes information about Latin is incorrect. [via]
Day in the Life of a CPS Principal
One in four of Chicago Public School principals are new this year. Chicago Public Radio's David Schaper followed an elementary school principal around for a day to see what challenges she's facing.
Back to School! CPS Stats of the Week
CPS students reported to school this week in record numbers with 93% of the district's 409,000 students attending class on Day 1. CPS managed to record this eventhough their much ballyhooed new attendance system (IMPACT) was down for much of the week. The most eye-catching CPS stat of the week comes from the CCSR: CPS Freshman on average miss/cut 19.6 days of class.
Back to School at the Newberry
Feeling jealous of all the kids going back to school this week? You can join them (sort of) by signing up for a seminar at the Newberry Library. Courses range from genealogy (of your family or your Chicago house), to literature (Dickens, Joyce, Shakespeare, Garcia Marquez, and others are featured), and also include history, art, music, philosophy, and creative writing. Courses start mid-month or later. For more information, click here.
Classes at the Threadless Store
Oh, indie t-shirt buyers! You can do more than support the economy when the new Threadless store opens on September 14. You'll also be able to take basic design classes and advanced design workshops conducted by Digital Bootcamp.
Fab Labbers Confer in Chi-Town
Neil Gershenfeld's Fab Lab (check out his concept video from TED, and more background on "Personal Fabrication") will be in Chicago next week for a conference at UCHICAGO and the MSI. Rumor has it that a Fab Lab installation will be setup at MSI for public consumption, but nothing has been officially announced yet.
We're Tied for 9! We're Tied for 9!
The University of Chicago tied for ninth place with Columbia University on US News & World Report's annual list of America's best colleges.
Class Action Bathroom Suit
Two cousins at Paul Cuffe Math Science Technology Academy are filing a lawsuit because they were denied bathroom breaks.
At School on Day One = Free Day at MSI
CPS students who make it to the first day of school (Sept. 4) will receive a family pass for a free day at the Museum of Science & Industry.
Shooting Racism
A University of Chicago assistant professor in psychology has devised a videogame which tests racial bias based on whether you shoot black or white men holding cellphones, wallets or guns.
It's (Apparently) Not the Teachers...
In 69 of the 87 Chicago Public Schools that were deemed to be failing for two consecutive years, not one teacher's performance was rated "unsatisfactory".
Columbia Goes Green
Sustainablog offers an interesting take on Columbia College's decision to revamp graduate programs in Architectural Studies and Interior Architecture that focus on sustainability. "Green is the mainstream," says Sustainablog's author.
"Loop U." expansion plans afoot
Crain's details some of the expansion (and construction) plans of the DePaul, Roosevelt, Columbia, and John Marshall campuses in the South loop.
The Brush Project
DvA Gallery is auctioning off original artists' brushes to help raise money for Americans for the Arts, a nonprofit working to increase the visibility and stability of arts education across the country. Each brush is signed by the artist and framed in shadow boxes (a few even come with drawings or books). Check out The Brush Project for photos of the brushes and the artists' works. The auction is on ebay, and ends this Friday.
License to Drive
In an interesting move the state legislature passed a law stating kids will need to attend school if they want to be able to drive.
A Pedagogical Factory
Starting on Sunday, the Stockyard Institute, AREA Chicago and other organizations will initiate "Pedagogical Factory: Exploring Strategies for an Educated City" at the Hyde Park Art Center. Throughout its run, topics will include "How We Peoples Make a People's Atlas of Chicago," "How We Grow: Self-Education and Urban Farming Gathering" and "How We Brew/Bake/Mead Etc Cottage Expo."
Cost of Teacher Turnover?!
SIU's study on New Teacher Attrition in Illinois (PDF) reports that "each time a teacher leaves Chicago Public Schools, it costs $17,000 to $22,000 to recruit, hire, process and train a replacement."
Time to Head Elsewhere
Norman Finkelstein, controversial professor of political science at DePaul, has been denied tenure. Read his collection of articles about the situation. UPDATE: He spoke on 848 this morning.
Not Egregious
Chicago State University's President Elnora Daniel finally talked about their recent audit controversy (high travel expenses aboard cruise ships and heavy bar tabs on the state's dime), and generally dismissed the problems as not being egregious. Apparently, we can rest assured that sloppy record-keeping with state funds will not continue. She didn't say that we should go back to not paying them any attention, but might as well have.
Big Money
The University of Chicago was just given $100 million -- anonymously. The gift will launch the new Odyssey Scholarships program, which will serve students from low- to middle-income families. Due to the size of the gift, almost a quarter of enrolled students will benefit from it at any given time.
A Locally Grown Hybrid
Car, that is. A couple of weeks ago, IIT's Armour College of Engineering entered a car in the student 2007 Formula Hybrid competition. They finished in 5th out of 6th in overall points, but more than doubled their previous speed record. They have their eyes on first place next year.
One Heck of a Headline
Bloomberg's recent review of Johan Van Overtveldt's book about the University of Chicago Department of Economics has one heck of a headline, alongside some interesting information about the department. If you like what you see, you may want to catch his upcoming speech.
School Lunch Program
The Reader takes a look at Chicago Public School's lunch program and efforts to improve it. You might also be interested in Lori Barrett's in-person take on the same, awhile back in Drive-Thru.
Let's Hear it for the Scholars
Here's a list of the Chicago-area winners of National Merit college-sponsored scholarships, otherwise known as "the kids everyone wants to sit next to in Science Lab".
The Journalistic Code
The Knight News Challenge has been kind to Chicago. Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism received a grant to create scholarships for programmer-journalists -- such as Adrian Holovaty, creator of ChicagoCrime.org, who also received a grant and has left the Washington Post to start EveryBlock. Geoff Dougherty of (recently redesigned) ChiTown Daily News also received a grant to continue his citizen journalism project. UPDATE: Also, Daniel Sinker, co-editor and publisher of Punk Planet, received a Knight Fellowship at Stanford (thanks, Mark).
Radical Educators Gathering
There is a good chance that some of you readers are educators or know an educator and that you've got some ideas about how your politics and your teaching could be better aligned. An impressive collection of leftist education organizations have banned together to produce this summer's Free Minds Free People: Education for Liberation and the deadline for cheap admission is coming up on the 21st. Be sure to check out the national conference June 21-24 here at the Little Village Lawndale High School.
Education Laughs, Onion Style
Today the District 299 Chicago Public Schools Blog collects some education-themed (including some Chicago specific) funnies from the Onion.
Boiling the Frog
The Virgina Tech shootings, in which 32 students were shot in one morning, caused immeasurable grief and a justifiable uproar. Curiously, less notice is given to the fact that 27 Chicago school students have been beaten, stabbed, shot, or suffocated this year alone.
Take a Class
Looking for something to do this summer? How 'bout a project? Classes start soon for furniture making, book and paper making, figure drawing and other arts.
Mature Audiences Only
A substitute teacher at a Chicago elementary school thought it would be a good idea to show the R-rated film Brokeback Mountain to an eighth grade class. Not surprisingly, the family of one of the students is now suing.
You Are Here
South Shore High School students were given stacks of paper and drawing utensils and the single question, "Which Chicago do you live in?" The maps they drew were reviewed to assess the kids' consciousness of their relation to space, perception of where they live beside where power resides (i.e., downtown), and more. The results were quite interesting.
Third Grade Architectural Modeling
Elementary students at the Lab School have been building their favorite pieces of the Chicago skyline in Joyce Carrasco's class for more than a decade. Check out examples from the class of 2004-2005. Dibs on the Morton Salt building! [via]
Major Teacher Purge
Following last year's teacher firing, Chicago Public Schools gave notice to more than 775 probationary teachers on Friday.
Vallas On the Move...
Paul Vallas, former CEO of the Chicago Public Schools and candidate for the governorship of Illinois, is leaving his post as the CEO of the Philadelphia school system this year. Vallas plans to return to Chicago, but the rumor mill is suggesting that his stay at home will be temporary and that the New Orleans Public Schools will make a play to lure him to Cajun Country.
Get Schooled
If you are interested in education research, you may want to check out the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, which is in town this week. Events are open to the public, but you'll need to pay the hefty registration fee.
Northwestern University, Qatar Campus
Northwestern is in negotiations to open a campus in Qatar, where coursework would focus on Journalism and Communications and students would have to meet Northwestern's general admission (and tuition) requirements. The programs may negotiate internship opportunities with Al-Jazeera, which is headquartered in Qatar.
Time Out for Teacher
Bruce Lupori, a teacher at an Evergreen Park elementary school, put a bag over a kid's head in some wacked-out attempt at humor. The student wasn't hurt and no charges will be filed, but Lupori is on paid administration leave.
Don't Forget Yer Milk
Ever get the jones for school lunch? If you're hankering for childhood delicacies such as mini corn dogs, crappy pizza and ham and cheese pinwheels, compare and contrast these school lunch menus from the Francis Parker School, Arlington Heights school district, Morgan Park Academy, and Saukview Elementary.
Jackass of the Week
College newspapers may not be known as paragons of journalism, but some local schools have some trailblazing pieces online, such as Columbia Chronicle's Jackass of the Week column. Other recent college paper wackiness comes from an article about Microsoft vernacular, an apology from a paper that got it all wrong and a pseudo op-ed arguing for a "Star Trek Defense" system against illegal aliens.
Testing, Testing, One, Two...Four?
Have you ever walked out of a test sure to your core that it was rigged? Illinois elementary school kids had good reason this year.
Plug It In, Plug It In!
IIT is about to boost the Chicago Department of Fleet Management's Green Fleets Action Agenda [pdf] with a prototype plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The city will decide whether it wants more of the cars after a four to six month trial.
I'd Like to Thank the Academy...
They are the Oscar's (not Golden Globes) of education. Today six of the area's finest teachers were presented with Golden Apple Awards for excellence in teaching. Way to go! Pssst...post-awards party in the teacher's lounge.
State Education Report
After being delayed by wack technical problems for months, results of the Prairie State Achievement Tests finally reached Chicago schools. Parents, students and educators are furious at these delays, which prevented them from doing informed prep for next month's test.
The Language of Carnivale
Ever wanted to learn Portuguese? Casa de Cultura Brasileira has you covered. Opened in January, the school and Brazilian cultural center offers classes from beginners up to advanced levels, and the next round starts in March.
Three Decades of Opinions
Now that the locally produced General Social Survey completed its 26th run, the New York Times published a sneak peek of the 2006 results. Some interesting findings include a precipitous drop in the percentage of those who have a "great deal of confidence" in the military since 2004, as well as a 50% decline in daily newspaper readership since 1972.
DEA Targets Chicago (in a museum-y sort of way)
Navy Pier is the home of "Target Chicago," a display of "Chicago-specific content from the DEA Museum's 'Target America' national touring exhibit." A quick search of the museum website yields no exhibits about crack in Los Angeles. Go figure.
No Divestment for U of C
Citing the 1967 Kalven Report [pdf], the University of Chicago will not divest from companies involved with Sudanese business. It is the first top-tier university to make such a statement.
UCHICAGO Understands Black Youth
Or, at least has an intellectual understanding of their attitudes, thanks to the recently completed Black Youth Project. The findings claim to reveal "an unexpected duality in the attitudes of black youth in America," and indicate (among other things) that the majority of black youth would prefer it "if mainstream rappers cleaned up their acts."
The Good News in Education!
Making no mention of what the bad news might be, South Side Congressman Daniel Lipinski's resolution praising "Catholic Schools for their ongoing contributions to education" passed unanimously. The resolution was planned to coincide with Catholic Schools Week (Jan 28-Feb 3). There are over 250 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
IIT's TechNews Back Online
Fortunately, the irony that the Illinois Institute of Technology's student newspaper hadn't been updated since January 31, 2006 wasn't lost on its editors. Oh, irony, thou must find elsewhere to roost.
Daley Granted Another Wish
Starting in the 2008-2009 school year, Lindblom Math & Science Academy will be the first CPS high school to shift to a year-round schedule. Bonus nonsensical Daley quote: "If we can spend billions of dollars to put a person on the moon, how, in this day and age, can we give kids two months off?"
South Africa Comes to CPS
Eat your heart out, Oprah. While the daytime talk show queen attends to affairs at The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, a musical group made up of ex-political prisoners from that country will tour the Chicago Public Schools. Yes, the kind of schools where students only care about sneakers and iPods. "The Robben Island Singers" were imprisoned with Nelson Mandela during Apartheid. They travel the world riffing on social justice and human rights. The singers will perform at Kenwood, Whitney Young and Roosevelt, among other CPS schools, throughout the first half of February. And a film crew will accompany them for a DVD.
Newberry Winter Registration Open
It's that time again: the Newberry Library is offering seminars on everything from Irish writers to genealogy to the history of the sleeping car. Click here to see if there's a course for you. Seminars begin next month.
Gray Matter
Hanna Holborn Gray was U of C's president from 1978 to 1993, serving as the first female president of a major university. As admirable as the professor's life has been, Gray's official presidential portrait has a more colorful history, having been repeatedly critiqued, stolen, and, in one case, inscribed with Apocalyptic verse.
Northside Prep Selects New Principal
Northside Preparatory High School, one of the Chicago Public School's eight selective enrollment high schools, has selected Barry Rodgers to be its second principal, succeeding Dr. James Lalley. Rodgers was chosen over 38 candidates from around the city and the nation. Northside was recently named one of the top 25 high schools in the nation by Newsweek. Rodgers is a local product-- a graduate of Queen of Angels and Gordon Tech. Northside's student newspaper, the Hoofbeat, gets extra credit for breaking the story on their website and for using Joomla to power it.
Public Art on the Expressway
A number of children working with the Little Black Pearl Art & Design Center have submitted public art concepts for the new Dan Ryan retaining walls. Vote for your favorite today.
Chicago Supernova
The University of Chicago's Center for Astrophysical Thermonuclear Flashes was awarded a couple million hours of time on a government supercomputer to run supernova simulations. The simulations could shed light (heh) on "dark energy" and other little-understood phenomena.
How Do You Feel About Wednesday?
NPR documents the debate over the University of Chicago's future acceptance of the Common Application. The university will continue to use parts of its Uncommon Application, but that doesn't mean everyone's happy. If you're curious about all the fuss, read some previous Uncommon questions.
Fallen Rider Memorial Ride
A group of Chicago cyclists (myself being one of them) have organized a ride to raise awareness of the growing number of cyclist fatalities in the Chicagoland area. Named the "Fallen Rider Memorial Ride", the ride will start at the Thompson Center at 6pm tomorrow, January the 3rd and will ride to Diversey and Pulaski at an easygoing and respectful pace. The goal? To highlight how important driving and cycling are to Chicago and how the two require attention and respect. A PDF flyer can be viewed, downloaded, printed and passed along from here.
Purdue-Calumet Gets an 'F'
Purdue University Calumet, a Division I NAIA school and a member of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, has cancelled the remainder of its mens' basketball season after more than half of the team's members were declared academically ineligible after the fall semester. The Peregrines' entire coaching staff resigned.
Robots in the Library
Wired has a brief story about the robots being used at Chicago State University to retrieve and shelve materials at the library's storage facility.
The Life of a City Squirrel
UIC biologist Joel Brown wants to know how squirrels survive the dangers of city life in Chicago.
The Laboratory Influence
Crain's provides an interesting profile of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and their business and political influence. Bonus: Parker and Latin alumni get a little catty.
Beyond Education Sound Bites
If you'd like to know more about the Chicago Public Schools than what you can discern from short, mass media pieces, check out Catalyst Chicago, the local outpost of the urban education magazine. Be certain to visit the guide to CPS and research sections, which provide original content and links to research institutions.
Matt's Law Coalition
Following the recent sentencing of an Urbana woman who killed a cyclist while driving and downloading a ringtone to her cellphone, the parents of Matt Wilhelm the deceased, have started a coalition to lobby for a law and education to reduce distracted driving. Looks like that cellphone ban hasn't been working out too well.
More Help for CPS Students
Following last month's announcement from Roosevelt University, IIT is offering Chicago Public Schools students a full ride, provided they meet admissions and financial criteria.
The Virtual Quad
Since college kids don't have enough online personae to manage, what with MySpace pages, Facebook profiles and Xanga blogs, UIC is exploring the possibility of a school-wide implementation of LiveJournal. The goal? Building community via an informal mode of student, faculty and staff interaction.
Milton Friedman Dead at 94
Milton Friedman, University of Chicago Nobel laureate in economics, passed away today.
The Underground Economy ... In Person!
If you enjoyed Sudhir Venkatesh's article in the Boston Globe, you may want to check out his talk on Thursday. Details in Slowdown.
Eaaaaarrrrllllyyy Admission
Today Roosevelt University offered all first and second year students at Social Justice High School a full ride, provided they graduate with at least a 3.0 GPA, earn a 20 or higher on the ACTs, and fulfill a handful of other obligations. Good luck, high schoolers!
DIY Holiday Cards
Hoping to stand out from the glut of generic "season's greetings" cards this holiday season? Try this: Sign up for the Chicago Center for Books & Paper's cheap papermaking class (Nov. 4 -- only $25!) and make your cards yourself!
Cafeteria Critiques Not Cutting It
At least five suburban student newspapers are in trouble, and as Northwestern School of Journalism Dean Richard Roth puts it, "I hope they're not going out of business. We have enough problems with newspapers without losing them in high school."
Diversifying the U of C
Inside Higher Education notes that, thanks in part to the Collegiate Scholars Program, which identifies promising Chicago Public Schools students and assists them in applying to top-tier universities, the number of African-American students enrolling at the University of Chicago is at an all-time high.
"For the Not-So-Safe Driver"
Looks like the Chicago Bike Federation has a new website for their Drive With Care campaign. At first, I thought it was real, but then I knew that any memorial like "The Brittany" had to be too good to be true. Well done, chaps.
Business School Dropout
In BusinessWeek's 2006 rankings of graduate business schools, Northwestern's Kellogg slipped from no. 1 to no. 3. The best would-be MBAs won't have to look far for the new top dog, though: University of Chicago's GSB now leads the pack.
How Do You Picket a Virtual School?
Chicago's first virtual charter school, creatively named the Chicago Virtual Charter School, is a month into its first school year -- and just got served its first lawsuit. The Chicago Teacher's Union claim it's more like homeschooling than a true school, and therefore shouldn't get public funding.
Where Fun Comes to...Have Fun?
Check out this quicktime movie of Good Morning America wherein the author of the Princeton Review's The Best 361 Colleges announces that the students themselves picked the University of Chicago as the best undergraduate experience. Who are these students? And how much were they paid? As a former occupant of "The Level of Hell that Dante Forgot," I find this shocking, indeed.
Internships at 826CHI
Are you a college students or a recent grad? 826CHI needs you to assist with day-to-day operations of the writing center. If you've got 10-15 hours per week, then send your resume and a cover letter to Leah Guenther at leah [at] 826chi [dot] org.
About, With and For Design
IIT's Institute of Design hosts its annual About, With & For conference October 6-7, and it's shaping up to be a good one. A few seats are left; bug your boss to get you in.
Shimer College, Welcome to Chicago!
On October 8, the Shimer College Convocation and Reception will take place somewhere new: IIT's main campus. The Great Books college will still have some operations in Waukegan, but most activity will be in Chicago.
Bungalow Resources
If you're the proud owner of one of these traditional Chicago homes (like I am!) then you've got to check out the Historical Chicago Bungalow Association. The HCBA connects homeowners with funds, ideas and vendors to help you make your home even more awesome. Check out October's free seminar on practical interior design solultions at the Woodson or Sulzer libraries. Register now.
On the Ten-Year Plan
What to make of schools like Northeastern Illinois and Chicago State, where graduation rates are among the country's lowest? That question's raised in today's Times, following on a report issued last spring. Since then, debate has swirled, but no one, it seems, can agree on an answer.
Newberry Fall Registration Open
If one of your new year's resolutions was to read Ulysses or Gravity's Rainbow, you're in luck: the Newberry Library is offering courses in each of these notoriously difficult masterpieces. Also offered are courses in Louis Sullivan, Friedrich Nietzsche, history, genealogy, and writing (including a one-day novel workshop). Click here to see if there's a course for you. Seminars begin next month.
Chicago: Gay Student Central
Five Chicago-area colleges and universities were recognized this month as being among the 100 best in the nation for GLBT students. Columbia College, DePaul, Northwestern, UIC, and Northern Illinois are all profiled in The Advocate College Guide For LGBT Students, which scores the 100 gay-friendliest campuses based on school policies and student surveys. U of I Urbana-Champaign campus and western Illinois's Knox College also make the cut.
See Red on the Red? Say So
Sandra Gray is a master's student in urban planning and public administration at UIC. Her thesis project discusses CTA customer service, particularly on the Red Line. If you're a regular rider and have something to say (who doesn't?), she sure could use your help. Take her survey here.
Get In Real Fast
Hey, 37signals is holding a workshop on Getting Real October 9; it's about half-way sold out, so get your boss to approve it quick!
Expertocity
You've been writing that article about wine and trust and deception for a few weeks now, but it's missing that certain something. Could it be a quote from a local expert?
No, Jane, Denver is the Capital of the United States
Becoming a social studies or history teacher just got considerably easier in Illinois. The Illinois State Board of Education lowered the passing grade on their test to 57%. That's right: you can fail and still pass.
Study Architecture at IIT for $5
The Mies van der Rohe Society is offering inexpensive architecture tours at IIT, highlighting not only Mies' work (e.g., Crown Hall and the Carr Memorial Chapel), but also the grounds (designed by Alfred Caldwell), the campus center (designed by Rem Koolhaas), and the new student residence (designed by Helmut Jahn). Click here for details about self-guided and docent-led tours.
Top TEN for Education
The Teaching Excellence Network is "an online professional community for teachers across subject areas, grade levels and school type, from urban, suburban and rural areas all over the state and country." If you or someone you know is a teacher, this is the place for you.
Scholars Wanted
Know any academics? The Illinois Humanities Council is seeking candidates for its Road Scholars speakers bureau, which presents experts in fields ranging from ancient literature to wildlife biology to audiences of ordinary folks throughout the state. While scholars in all fields are welcome, themes emphasized this year include genetic engineering, U.S. roots music, and Abraham Lincoln. Click here for details and an application. The deadline is September 15.
Why I Go to School: Free Tickets!
In a move to boost Chicago Public Schools' attendance rates, the district has partnered with sports teams, radio stations, and even Southwest Airlines for the Back to School Sports Challenge. While some prizes will be handed out just for attendance, essayists can win a trip to Disney World or a chance to be a DJ on Power 92. So, kids, see how rewarding staying in school can be?
Cinema/Chicago Offers Teachers Some Pointers
Do you teach? Curious about how to incorporate documentaries into your classroom activities? Need more ideas for improving your students' media literacy? How about applying hip-hop in the K-12 setting? Cinema/Chicago is presenting a three-day Teacher's Institute from 15 through 17 August, to be held down at Columbia College. It's cheap ($25 a session; $150 for the whole shebang--cheaper if you're a Cinema/Chicago member), promises to be enlightening, and the registration deadline has been extended till this Friday. Click here for details.
Not Your Father's Stockyard
Inside Higher Education profiles DePaul's Jim Duignan in his quest to bring art to kids in Chicago's urban neighborhoods. In addition to making his own work, Duignan's Stockyard Project has been contributing to the development of young artists for the past 10 years.
Looking Over Your Xanga
In more School Boards vs. Blogs news, a 17-year-old student in Plainfield School District 202 has been suspended and threatened with expulsion because of his criticism on his blog of the school's disciplining of another student. His Xanga.com site isn't accessible from the school's computers, but administrators are saying that his comments caused "a disturbance at school".
Big Brother in MySpace
I doubt any of our readers are currently enrolled in Libertyville/Vernon Hills public schools, but you'll still be slightly alarmed to hear that School District 128 is now holding its students responsible for anything posted on MySpace or elsewhere on the Internet. Expect a lot of teenagers suddenly going anonymous in response.
Mapping the Controversy
Who would have thought a map of Chicago's neighborhoods would be so controversial? Not only has the Chicago Neighborhood Map designed by Christopher Devane upset realtors and developers because of a new motto, "Home is Where the Hood Is," printed across the top, but Chicago Public Schools has slapped the mapmaker with a cease-and-desist order to keep him from offering the map to schools.
Beautiful Game Turns Ugly
The Associated Press reports that Northwestern has suspended its women's soccer team in light of hazing allegations. Website BadJocks.com posted a number of photographs it attributes to "a public picture sharing site," and the story develops.
Regnef Blogger Speaks
So you know that teacher we told you about who wrote scathing commentary about Fenger High School on his blog, then leaked it on purpose? He wrote an email to Dawn Turner Trice, who'd written a column about him last week. The upshot: the blog was a misunderstood cry for help.
Stallman Speaks at UIC
Richard Stallman, who is the Moses of the Free Software movement, is coming to speak at UIC on Friday morning. Known genius and controversial figure, he's an engaging speaker who doesn't blunt words. Get there early--it is expected that the hall will fill up.
Beer and Geeks
Like beer? Like science? Head to Map Room at 6:30pm on Wednesday for the inaugural session of Cafe Scientific, where UofC's Sean Carroll will present the topic and subsequent discussion, "Why is the past different from the future? -- Cosmological perspectives on the nature of time." Discuss over beers. (Thanks, Ian!)
Geeks Gone Wild
The Times on Vita Excolatur: "Since its inaugural issue in October 2004, Vita has been a constant challenge for a university trying to balance ideals of academic freedom and its role in loco parentis." Which, ya know, is one way of putting it...
Newberry Summer Registration Open
Whether reading Devil in the White City excited your interest in Chicago history, or you've resolved to go back and study some of the classics you avoided in high school, or you're wondering if your life story might make a good novel (or at least a short story), the Newberry Library probably has a course for you. Classes start in June.
Gates-way to Education
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation continues to take an interest in Chicago's schools. The foundation just gave Chicago Public Schools a $21 million grant, the largest it's ever given to a local school district, to fund a more challenging curriculum in English, math and science at 14 local high schools. This just a week after announcing plans to open four Outward Bound schools in the city.
Man, Inventor, Genius
The Museum of Science & Industry unveils a big new exhibit of the works of Leonardo da Vinci tomorrow. The 20,000-square-foot show will feature models of the 15th Century master's inventions, a digital copy of one of his sketchbooks and a lot more. The exhibit runs through Sept. 4 and costs $21 for adults, $15 for kids, which includes admission to the rest of the museum.
Remembering Maggie Dixon
West Point womens' basketball coach Maggie Dixon was remembered at a memorial service yesterday in North Hollywood, California after dying last week of a sudden arrythmic episode. The ceremony was attended by 1200 mourners, including the basketball teams of both West Point and DePaul, where Dixon was an assistant coach for five years before being named head coach for Army just before the start of the last season. After a 5-7 start, Dixon took the Army team to a 20-11 record and the Patriot League championship, earning West Point its first-ever appearance in the womens' NCAA tournament last month. She and her brother Jamie, the mens' coach at Pitt, became the first brother and sister to coach in the NCAA tournament in the same year. Jamie, 11 years her elder, said Tuesday, "I've said this before—when I grow up I want to be just like her." Maggie Dixon will be buried Friday at West Point; she was 28.
A B.A. in Bouffant
DePaul University recently announced the creation of Wigs and Hair Chicago, a certificate program for those who'd like to learn how to make moustaches, side burns, and fancy hairdos for the stage.
Lectures To Go
Lectures and speeches at The University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business are no longer constrained to the classroom. Thanks to VideoBank GSB students can now log-on to a "straightforward Web interface" to view MPEG formatted recordings from twelve classrooms hooked up with cameras.
Not the Most Flattering Picture
Today's Los Angeles Times runs a lengthy story on how Chicago Schools Offer L.A. a Cautionary Tale as its mayor contemplates taking charge of the public education system. Summed up, "Daley's early victories in Chicago gave way to a much murkier, and less clearly successful, effort to make widespread improvements in teaching and student performance."
For the Artist in You
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago has announced its May workshops and summer session courses for adults. Learn to paint, bind books, or make collages. Haven’t you been meaning to do something like this long enough?
Cow Parading Elsewhere
On Valentines Day, thieves made off with Ogden Elementary's cow statue. The Gold Coast school's prized piece of the city's famous "Cows on Parade" was painted by its students.
School Renamed for Till
On February 24, James McCosh Elementary in Woodlawn will be renamed Emmett Louis Till Math & Science Academy. Till was killed prior to starting 8th grade at McCosh. Since announcement of the name change, ten eighth graders have formed an Emmett Till Club.
Golden Apples
30 Chicago-area teachers are finalists for the 2006 Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching. Of the finalists, 9 are Chicago public-school teachers from Burley, Chicago Academy, Jahn, Marquette, Murphy, Nicholson, Otis, Piccolo, and Pierce schools. Help Golden Apple to support local education: purchase an education license plate designed by a 5th grader from Grace McWayne School.
Save Collins High School
We've posted that CPS will be closing four schools with Collins being the only high school (the others are grammar schools). The leadership committee has started a blog to spread information about their campaign to save Collins High School. [Thanks Brian!]
CPS to Close Four Schools
The Sun-Times is reporting that the Chicago Public School system plans to close four schools -- one high school and three grammar schools -- due to low performance. The grammar schools would close at the end of the year, while the high school, Collins, at 1313 S. Sacramento, would close when the current freshman graduate.
Virtual Insanity
Yesterday, The Chicago Board of Education approved creation of The Chicago Virtual Charter School. The school would serve 600 students from grades K-8 via computer. Illinois would join 12 states, including California, Kansas and Alaska, if the Illinois State Board of Education also approves the virtual school's proposal.
Wacky, Yes. But is He Art?
Columbia College is facing something of a free speech controversy as it grapples with the aftermath of an employee's sacking for his work on the satirical Wacky Warrick website. The previously anonymous site mocks the college's president, and while Mark Phillips contends he did none of its development on the job, he was terminated after investigators documented his involvement by a midnight raid of his office. The Columbia Chronicle has the story.
“In True U of C Fashion, Get Statistics”
The Chicago Maroon reports on CollegeCuteness, a site started by two male undergrads at the U of C. To evaluate the attractiveness of last year's incoming women, the pair posted a sample of their photos on Hot Or Not and did the same for nine other colleges with the intent of comparing the scores. Chicago may not rank last in many polls, but, alas, this one proved the exception to that rule. [via]
Developing the Future Literary Gangs of Chicago
Poet Cassie Sparkman hosts the reading series, Literary Gangs of Chicago, every third Tuesday. During the daytime, Sparkman teaches weekly poetry classes through The Poetry Center of Chicago's Hands on Stanzas program to over 170 students at Christian Ebinger School in Edison Park. Last week, Sparkman installed her students' "Poetry + Photos Project" featuring student poems in response to images by photographers Krista Peel and Johnny Knight.
Art Works
A study published today in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management by researchers at Northwestern Memorial Hospital showed that art therapy can reduce cancer patients' pain and anxiety. Applications for the MA in Art Therapy at the School of the Art Institute are due February 15th.
CPS Disciplines Bullying Bloggers
Three 7th and 8th grade students in the International Baccalaureate program at Taft High School in Edison Park were suspended this week because of threatening and sexually explicit remarks about their teacher posted on a Xanga blog. Next week, Taft's principal will meet with parents and students to discuss the "legal and moral issues involved with blogging." An article in today's Tribune talks about the Taft blog incident in context with others where the blogger was not disciplined.
Shimer on the Move?
Tiny Shimer College is contemplating a move to the big city from its campus in Waukegan. Apparently the liberal arts school, which has just 110 full-time students (many more go part-time), has been invited to move to IIT's campus on the near South Side. A decision is expected in the coming months.
Poetry Out Loud
The Poetry Foundation and the NEA announced that last year's pilot recitation contest for High Schoolers, the National Recitation Contest, (held only in Chicago and Washington D.C.), will hit all 50 state capitals in Spring 2006. Play AP English and visit Poetry Out Loud's website to to browse poems enriched with audio links.
Chinese in Chicago Public Schools
Today's Monitor runs a story that puts Chicago in the vanguard of US language education trends: teaching Chinese. 3000 students in twenty local schools are learning to speak Mandarin, helped in part by watching Jackie Chan.
Kozol Redux
If you missed Jonathan Kozol's Humanities Festival talk at the Chicago Temple on Sunday afternoon, you still have a chance to hear the author of Death at an Early Age, Savage Inequalities, and—most recently—Shame of the Nation, when he speaks at the University of Chicago's Rockefeller Memorial Chapel on Tuesday evening. Kozol's talk, which is sure to be impassioned and inspiring, will focus on the de facto segregation of America's public schools. Details in Slowdown.
First Day of School
After a little first day nerves, 826CHI opened on Monday to drop-in tutoring. They helped with math, wrote some stories and played a little chess. In all, it sounds pretty successful and the 826 volunteers are excited to see where the next few days take them. They're still accepting volunteer applications, so if you like kids and love teaching and learning, go here to learn how you can spend some of your extra time.
Reading and Writing for Pirates and Spies
As it plans to kick off tutoring operations later this month, 826CHI will host an open house on Thursday night. If you're wondering what to expect from this Eggers&co.-backed venture, this article offers insight into the project's larger goals and motivating philosophy. In part, at least, it aims to support teachers' in-class efforts; after all, they don't have it easy.
No Tenure For You
Just a few months ago, the Chronicle of Higher Education published an article that, in the case of U of C professor Daniel Drezner, at least, may have been prescient. The Chronicle piece argued that if blogging had any impact on an academic's career, it was apt to be a negative one. Drezner expressed that sort of concern at the outset of his own weblog, and he revisited it on Saturday when he posted about having been denied tenure. Inside Higher Ed points out this is the second time in a year that's happened to a blogging junior faculty member at Chicago.
A Class on CSS
If you're not a web designer, go ahead and skip this post. Eric Meyer is going to be in town Nov. 3 for a CSS-XHTML workshop. From the schedule, it looks pretty intensive. Get your boss to send you.
Learn something new every week
Many of the classes began this week, but it's not too late to register for some of the Newberry Library's fall seminars. Topics include Black Letter Calligraphy, Small Theatres in Chicago, multiple literature and genealogy classes, and writing workshops. The evening and weekend classes average about $150 for eight weeks.
Eight Twenty-Six Chicago Needs You
Big doin's over at 826CHI, the children's writing center with folks like Ira Glass and Dave Eggers behind it... For one, the organization announces today that it has found a home in Wicker Park at 1331 N. Milwaukee and plans to open for drop-in tutoring by the end of next month. To get things kick-started and pay its security deposit, 826 is holding a benefit concert at the Metro in late September that will feature the likes of Archer Prewitt and Baby Teeth. Details on that and other events are on their calendar (and, should you forget, Slowdown will remind you). Furthermore, now that there's a space, there's a time-line. That means volunteers are needed. Do it for the kids, man!
The Changing Face of Cicero
As demographics continue to change in Illinois, Inside Higher Ed gives us the story of a suburban community college that's changing with them. Under the leadership of president Brent Knight, Morton College in Cicero has taken huge strides in the past two years to meet the needs of its Hispanic population, this year a striking 74 percent of the total student body -- up from 6.6 percent 25 years ago.
Attention Students: the Food Fight Will Be Held Next Door
According to a new study, more than 80 percent of Chicago public schools have at least one fast food restaurant within half a mile of campus. So while Chicago may be making the food available inside its schools healthier, kids who don't want granola don't have far to walk.
Old Town School classes: From hula to harmonica
The Old Town School of Folk Music starts up another session of classes next week, and if you were thinking about taking a music, dance or voice class there soon, you can sign up today and save $15 on the cost of your class. Browse the list of classes that covers a wide range of musical and dance styles, sign up for your class online, and start making beautiful music.
Preschooling at its best
As part of a special section dedicated to education this weekend, the Times looked at the U of C's Lab School, describing it as "as good as prekindergarten gets." Accordingly, UCLS is serving as a benchmark for early childhood education proponents around the country as they push for broader public funding of pre-elementary schooling. Here in Chicago, the Child-Parent Center program has been offering such services to lower income families for nearly 40 years, and a long-term study by University of Wisconsin researchers has shown just how effective this preparation for later learning can be.
Kits for Kidz
I saw Arnie Duncan, the CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, on the news the other day talking about Kitz for Kids, a program that provides school supplies to disadvantaged students. I thought, "Sign me up." But, of course, the local news didn't provide any actual helpful information, like, say, how to get involved in the program. Well, Eric Zorn to the rescue, posting the link to the Kitz for Kids CPS School Supplies Drive on his blog. More than 9,000 homeless students in Chicago need help purchasing basic school supplies, and the kits (there are three different grade level types) each cost less than $15. All kits will be sent directly to those who need them, so consider helping out.
Fixie (and me) on the radio
A while ago, I was interviewed for a radio piece about fixed gear bikes for Studio 360, a WNYC/Public Radio show that gets aired everywhere across the nation in cities except Chicago. Funny since it was produced here. Fortunately, there's online radio and while thousands across the nation will hear me wax poetic about bikes, we in Chicago can listen online (lower right, Design for the Real World).
Scent of a citrus
A recent study at the University of Chicago has determined that the smell of grapefruit on a woman makes her appear considerably younger to men. However, the scent of grapefruit on men does not affect women's perceptions of a man's age.
The Reg goes massive
The University of Chicago will spend $42m over the next four years to consolidate eight million volumes under the single roof of the Joseph Regenstein Library. That will make the Reg the largest single research library in the country, a title currently held downstate by the main facility of the U. of I. at Urbana-Champaign. Inside Higher Ed runs a story today, as did the Trib earlier this week.
Fish on Form
When Stanley Fish, professor of English and former dean of Arts & Sciences at UIC, talks, people in higher ed tend to listen — if only to argue about what he's just said. I figure folks around here may read his op-ed in today's Times from one of two perspectives: either as academics who want to get in on the fight or as former students who recall Fish announcing just exactly how he intends to teach them composition. Either way, let the "content" begin.
Circus Team
CircEsteem is a non-profit aimed at "building self-esteem through circus arts" in kids from diverse ethnic and social backgrounds. The group's annual Spring Circus is this Sunday at Alternatives Inc., 4730 N. Sheridan, at 11am and 3pm. Call 312/593-4242 for more info. (Thanks, Christopher)
Advanced Placement
Newsweek has just published the latest edition of one of those educational ranking surveys that people seem to either love or hate: its list of "America's Best High Schools" for 2005. Out of 27,468 public high schools in the US, Chicago's Lincoln Park appears at no. 31; Stevenson High in Lincolnshire, the only other Illinois school in the top 100, shows up at 86.
We're Better than Harvard, Nyah Nyah
I was one of the few University of Chicago students who didn't go there because she got rejected from Harvard. As a student, however, it's pretty easy to tell that the U of C is just as difficult as Harvard, maybe more so because we also have to prove our worth. Finally, Michael Steinberger at the Wall Street Journal gives us some props, writing that we've "wielded much more influence in recent decades." So there. Now quit punishing yourselves and go have some fun.
Chicago Learning Guide
Want to take a class in drawing, writing, photography, acting or even sports? Then you want to bookmark this site. The Chicago Learning Guide is a directory of "professional, personal and recreational classes" available all over the Chicago area. Just click on a subject area to get a list of links to organizations offering classes in everything from architecture to yoga.
Insert bee pun here
Congratulations to 8th grader Phillip Acevedo, who won this year's Chicagoland spelling bee city championship today. His winning words: "cedilla" and "supernumerary". Acevedo and a winner from tonight's suburban Chicago spelling bee advance to the bee finals, which are held June 1-3 in Washington, DC. (For a description of the grueling spelling bee process, see Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg's great book Complete and Utter Failure.)
826 Chicago
Super-hip writer, and Chicagoland native Dave Eggers began a tutoring project in San Francisco called 826 Valencia, that has bloomed into a nation-wide phenomeonon. Recently 826 Chicago has grown some internet legs and gained some local help as well. Now a part of the official 826 network (joining recently-opened chapters in New York and Los Angeles), Ira Glass has joined the Board of Directors and Chris Ware and Roger Ebert are new members of the Board of Advisors. Look for an article on the project in this week's TimeOut Chicago as well.
Pay It Forward
If putting aside more of your money toward good causes is one of your resolutions, but you're unsure of where it should go, check out DonorsChoose Chicago, an organization dedicated to helping out the city's public schools. Teachers write proposals for activities or supplies not funded by the school system and, once they're approved and published by the site, people like us can start making our contributions. It's an easy and interesting way to keep the karma flowing in the right direction. (Thanks to reader Fil for the tip!)
Dry Frat Flap
Northwestern is abuzz about the New York Times Magazine article (reg. req'd.) on the culture of alcohol consumption in the school's fraternities. "'He made it seem like most NU frats were like Animal House and portrayed us as Revenge of the Nerds,' [Sigma Chi president Diego] Berdakin said."
Career and Planning (Dis)Services
The first thing my Career Advising and Planning Services (CAPS) advisor asked me was where I was from. I answered, "New Mexico." She then proceeded to search for jobs in NM. Was I planning to return to NM upon graduation? No. So you can imagine that the rest of my CAPS experience was a rapid downward spiral from there. The University of Chicago Maroon investigated what I learned the hard way: CAPS just plain SUCKS.
Objectivism for You
Speaking of clubs at local universities, you might be interested in the U. of Chicago Objectivist Club, which meets every Monday night and is open to non-students. (The group probably wouldn't be happy to know that I found their site by googling "Chicago silliness.")
Dame Couture
I've got a huge problem fitting into off-the-rack clothes. I've got some pretty good sewing skills, but every time I've tried sewing my own clothes I've wished there was a cool place where I could learn some tips and tricks to make it go easier. Thankfully the proprietresses of Dame Couture are willing to rescue me from having to take a quilted vest or an applique sweatshirt sewing class. These stylish mavens are offering classes that range from how basic sewing, to pillow-making, to make pajama pants.
After school creativity
Tech37 is a blog showcasing the work of students at Collins High School (at Sacramento and Roosevelt) as part of the After School Matters program, backed by Gallery 37. The theme of the class is "Promoting social change through arts and technology," with curriculum by Lacey Graves and Misha Maynerick. Students are blogging about what they discuss and create in class; it's pretty neat to watch creativity being encouraged.
Redmoon Theater Classes
Redmoon Theater, known for their ethereal location-centric productions, is offering classes to "create objects in the style of Redmoon Theater." The two classes currently offered are Lantern making and miniature mechanical Pop-up cards. Both classes are $60. For more information, call 312.850.8440, ext. 110, or email information@redmoon.org.
Do the Math
Could you pass today's 8th Grade math, or would you be a child left behind? Take the actual test on MSN Encarta and find out. [via Coudal]
Be Big in Japan
If you have the ability (and flexibility) to live abroad for a year, consider this: The JET Programme of the Japanese government pays you ¥3,600,000/year (about $33,000) tax free, and they fly you over and give you health insurance and vacation time. In exchange, you teach English as a Second Language classes. The only pre-requisite is a bachelors degree -- in any major! More info here, or at an informational session November 6 at the Japan Information Center, 737 N. Michigan Ave.
Public Versus Private
Here's a shocking statistic: nearly 40 percent of Chicago Public School teachers send their own children to private schools, nearly double the national average. Talk about an indictment of CPS.
No RNLU.edu
After months working on a merger of the two schools, Roosevelt University and National-Louis University have scrapped the plan, citing irreconcilable differences. Crain's has more, or you could read the official press release.
Music Classes on the Cheap
The Graham School at the University of Chicago and the DuSable Museum of African-American History have teamed up to sponsor a couple of great classes at bargain prices open to the general public. The first is on Black Protest Music since 1965 and the second is on South Side Blues and Jazz. Registration closes for the classes in September and October, respectively, so act soon.
North Park Drops Price
North Park University is doing the unheard-of: it's cutting tuition by more than 30 percent. The hope is that the lower price will attract more applicants to the small Evangelical Christian college, which ranks among the best in the Midwest according to U.S. News & World Report's annual college survey.
Kids Love School
The campaign to increase attendence at Chicago's public schools apparently paid off. According to officials, 91 percent of students attended the first day of school on Tuesday. Excellent! Everyone gets a gold star.
Newberry Seminars
If you're itching to buy a new binder and some #2 pencils, you can get back into the swing of learning new things by signing up for one of the Newberry Library's more than 60 fall seminars. Classes range from "Newberry a la Cart" to classes on literature, genealogy, religion and even writing workshops. Spaces do tend to go quickly, and the first classes begin on September 21, so sign up soon.
Summer days, drifting away...
As the screaming children outside my window can attest, today's the first day of classes for Chicago Public Schools. This year the school district set up a Back to School website, with information on enrollment options, lists of school supplies, and other crucial stuff for kids and parents, as part of the ongoing campaign to increase first-day attendance, which hit an all-time high of 89 percent last year.
Book and Paper Arts
The fall class schedule for Chicago Center for Book and Paper Arts has been posted online. The Center offers excellent classes in papermaking, bookbinding, letterpress and photography. Most classes are starting up in early october with limited space so sign up now!
Goose Island is Cooked
Kendall College, a four-year culinary school, is moving to Goose Island from its current home in Evanston. The college has a preview of its new "Riverworks Campus" online; the old Evanston campus has been sold to a developer.
UIC is full!
When UIC sent out acceptance letters for this fall's freshman class, they were expecting some of the notified students to be going elsewhere. It didn't quite work out that way, and now there are 335 UIC students waiting to get in. About half of the "accepted, but wait-listed" students have been placed, but they still have some left to go. UIC is advising the remaining students to look at other schools, including U of I-Springfield and the ever-popular community colleges.
Make No Little s
A new, experimental class at Northwestern called "Using Technology, Making History," is planning on taking the 95-year-old Plan of Chicago, Daniel Burnham's groundbreaking treatise of urban planning, and re-publishing it using technologies available on the Web. Co-taught by an urban historian and a professor of computer science, the class will have students not only digitizing the contents of the original document, but also creating dynamic versions of the maps, including comparisons of the Plan to the realities of urban development over the last century.
Bring me your broken, your old, your G3 laptops
If you've got some tired and dusty CPUs taking up space in your living room, or if you've upgraded to a new computer and don't feel right just tossing the old one, you can recycle them and help out Chicago's schools, all in one trip. The City of Chicago, Computers for Schools, GM, the UAW, and Electromotive are co-sponsoring Chicago's first annual Recycle Day at the United Center on Saturday. You can even drop off those old cell phones that are bigger than a small child. The groups will clean up and fix donations, and use them where they can in schools in the Chicago area.
8th Graders Test Well
Finally, some good news for Chicago Public Schools: Iowa test reading and math scores for eighth graders were at the national average. The Tribune offers this convenient PDF of test scores by school.
Harper's Oldest Rumor Renewed
As long as I can remember, I've heard rumors that William Rainey Harper (Community) College was going to go four-year. "They just have to build dorms and they can do it." Yeah, right. Well, it turns out the rumors aren't so far off: Harper's board of trustees will be debating adding bachelor degrees in some fields at a meeting tonight.
Sing the Body Electric
Body Electric is a student-edited literary journal presenting work by the students, faculty and staff of UIC's College of Medicine, "based on the experiences of medical education and practice." Although the College of Medicine's website says the journal is still published annually, the online version hasn't been updated in five years, so while you're perusing the fifteen years' worth of material that's there you can experience the height of web design like it's 1999.
Project Citizen: Room 405
Those ambitious Fifth Graders we told you about last month, the ones who were pushing to get their school repaired? They're getting noticed: the class took the information packet they've developed to a Chicago Public School's Capital Improvement Program Open Hearing this week, and they've received word that Ralph Nader will visit the school sometime soon to congratulate them on their work (he already wrote about the program at Common Dreams). Congrats, Room 405!
Book and paper arts summer classes
Columbia's Center for Book and Paper Arts has released their summer schedule. Learn new papermaking, bookbinding, and letterpress techniques at night or on the weekends in their well-equipped facilities.
The Playground For People Who Think
I bet you never suspected that there is a college at the corner of Irving, Lincoln, and Damen? The College Of Complexes has a weekly meeting with some zany topics at the Lincoln Restaurant. This week's topic is "Autoholics Anonymous", quite timely with gas prices what they are. (Also, site has incredibly large number of bizarre gifs, like this fortune-teller or this alien.) 8pm at the Lincoln Restaurant, 4008 N. Lincoln. $3 plus food purchase.
That's a lotta B.S.
Feeling smart today? U.S. Census results show that 27 percent of Chicago residents 25 and older have at least a bachelor's degree. The national average is just under 26 percent. The state average is even better: 28 percent, which ranks Illinois 14th in a list of states by education. (Not surprisingly, Massachusetts is #1, with 35 1/2 percent of its population with college degrees.)
Fifth Graders Take on Ambitious Project
Recently, Ralph Nader visited a crumbling Chicago elementary school and found something strange: all 19 students in Brian Schultz' classroom have taken on a new curriculum. What's this all about? To document the terrible disrepair and lack of facilities in the school; and, to build community, state and national support for a new school. These are fifth graders; they all live in and around the Cabrini-Green housing project and their school, Byrd Community Academy, is literally falling to pieces around them. Read more about this situation, and tell friends - get others involved, they need more media attention! Also, check out the tutoring program and see how you can lend a hand...
Blogging a protest
U of I students are staging a sit-in at one of the administration buildings on campus, protesting the controversial Chief Illiniwek mascot. And, since this is the 21st century, they're blogging the protest.
Walter Payton MVP
Walter Payton Prep's Brian Desmond is among the youngest to attend the exclusive and secretive Microsoft MVP Global Summit in Redmond, Wash. The youngest is a 14-year-old from Australia. (Being a Mac guy, I must take it for granted that this is a big whoop.)
It's Alive! In the Southwest Suburbs!
"Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature" is a traveling exhibition, currently at the Moraine Valley Library in Palos Hills, that encourages audiences to examine the intent of Mary Shelley's novel discuss her and their own views about personal and societal responsibility as it relates to science and other areas of life.
Zzz
There's a new fraternity at Northwestern: Zeta Zeta Zeta, or ZZZ. The Tri Zetas are a pseudo-fraternity that encourages "excellence through superior sleep," and was created as an alternative to the usual fraternities and sororities for NU students who are more interested in getting some more shut-eye. Great idea!
NYC Looks To Us
In a curious package of articles in today's on-line New York Post, it is revealed that NYC's Mayor Bloomberg looked at CPS Elementary school promotion policies to try to improve achievement before kids move on to higher levels. They refer to the stricter standards, and elimination of "social promotion" as a South Side Success Story. The New York Times confirms this success. All this flattering attention coincides with another New York periodical reporting that perhaps the strict policy isn't what its cracked up to be.
Funny money
Police say two students tried to pass $120 in conterfeit money at Von Steuben High School. The school cafeteria is not where I'd go to spend $120 -- that's a lot of sloppy joe -- but long ago I gave up trying to understand today's youth.
Golden Apples handed out
The Golden Apple Foundation has announced its winners of the 2004 Golden Apple Awards. The Sun-Times reports that the 10 winners were selected from a field of 681 nominees, and each winner will receive a fall-term sabbatical at Northwestern, an Apple computer and $2,500.
4 - 1 walls
"ThreeWalls is a nonprofit organization dedicated to contemporary art and art education. Our mission is to provide workspace for emerging artists who are at pivotal points in their careers, and to offer the public new approaches to contemporary art-practices through unconventional exhibitions and educational programming." They've been busy.
But Those Skirts Are Adorable
The Associated Press is reporting that the Chicago Public Schools misspent $1.5m in federal funds earmarked for improving schools for impoverished children. Apparently, the money was spent on, among other things, cheerleading uniforms and floor waxers. Between the underfunding and misspending, it's a wonder our schools are in such poor shape.
Rat Patrol
The ongoing cafeteria closings at Chicago Public Schools has prompted a top-to-bottom cleaning of all 600 Chicago public schools, CNN.com reports. The cleaning will start on Monday at a reported cost of $2 to $4 million. Students will receive cold breakfasts and lunches from outside vendors instead of hot meals during the cleaning.
Book and paper arts classes
The spring class schedule for the Center for Book and Paper Arts has been published. Evening and weekend classes are available on such subjects as Paper marbling, Asian bookbindings, Letterpress, and Silkscreening.
Sex and the Windy City
A new study from the University of Chicago suggests city residents aren't getting enough play, to the detriment of their communities and cultural institutions. Between later marriage, the prevalence of divorce, and domestic violence, Chicagoans spend about half their lives single and half of their single lives alone. Researchers also found neighborhood, ethnicity, sexual preference and friends could significantly limit people's sexual behavior. Research leader Edward O. Laumann -- hailed as "the new Kinsey" for his studies of modern sexual health -- will release a book on his findings in the spring. [Trib login: gapers/gapers]
Top Schools Ranking
The Sun-Times' annual rankings of schools were released today, with two public, non-selective elementary schools making the top 50. No non-selective high schools made the list. Of the selective high schools that made the top 50 only one, Whitney Young, is not located in the Loop or North Side.
Scuba Santa!
At Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park this weekend, about a dozen kids helped Santa decorate a Christmas tree ... underwater. The 10th annual decorating event is sponsored by a local scuba club, and is meant to encourage interest in scuba-diving (although the tree was eventually lifted out of the pool, so that non-swimmers could help decorate it).
Beer Academy
The Goose Island brewery on Clybourn turns into Beer Academy this Wednesday at 6:30 pm. Learn from the Brewmaster, brush up on the ins and outs of brewing, and taste a dozen different beers while you're at it. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. To RSVP or for more information, call 312-915-0071.
Business--of Education?
The Society of Jesus--known to lay people as Jesuits and to Southern Baptists as Them Thar Agents of the Papacy--is trying to level the playing field for their students in poorer neighborhoods. By getting them jobs at downtown Chicago firms, they hope to give kids valuable work experience, help them make connections, and also procure funding for the schools themselves. Is this an altruistic concern for these kids futures, or evil exploitation of cheap labor? The students seem to think the former, so I'll go with them. Please ignore the eminently ironic picture of the hopeful kid in front of the Arthur Andersen sign.
Everybody cut Footloose!
Wheaton College is preparing for its very first on-campus dance, ever. The Tribune has the story. [Trib. login: gapers/gapers]
Room 209
Chicago blogger and l33t M3nn0n1t3 Trevor Bechtel's wife teaches second grade at a Chicago public school. The class has just started a blog. I don't know what's more fascinating -- the über-cuteness of kids blogging questions like "Second graders are studing animals. We want to know if you need to eat meat to stay healthy?" or the way A-list bloggers like David Weinberger and Joi Ito put on their "talking to kids" voice when they respond in the comments.
Stanley Fish on Tuition Increases
We all know that college tuitions continue to grow every year. But why, and what should we do about it? The House of Representatives has just written a report on the matter, but academic celebrity and UIC prof Stanley Fish has his doubts.
Free Yoga
Hyde Park's newish Three Pillars Wellness Center offers a free community yoga class on Sundays from 1:30 - 2:30 PM. Who knew?
WiFi Evil
The Oak Park Elementary School District is being sued by a group of parents who claim the wireless computer network in the schools could harm their children. (Wonder how many of those parents gave up their cancer-causing cell phones.)
Fish on College
UIC Prof and intellectual gadfly Stanley Fish has an op-ed piece on education in the New York Times (login: gapers/gapers). I'm not a big Fish fan, but the guy who coined the term 'boutique multiculturalism' can't be that bad.
Kid-run School
The Daily Herald has an interesting article about the Heartlight School in Palatine, an unusual education environment where "troubled kids" basically run the school, deciding what to learn about each day and dealing with discipline themselves. The school is in desparate need of donations, so if you feel generous, contribute.
5-second rule
It seems appropriate that it would take a high school senior to study the validity of the 5-second rule. Jillian Clarke, a senior at the Chicago High School for the Agricultural Sciences, spent her summer in a program at the University of Illinois: Urbana studying how quickly e.coli would tranfer to cookies and candy, who would be more likely to eat food that fell on the floor, and just how clean the university's floors were.
Kids tour prisons
"Bad" kids in public schools will soon be targeted for prison tours as a way to discourage them from future criminal lifestyles. The CPS was not consulted before the specified bill was signed by Blagojevich yesterday. [Trib. login gapers/gapers]
Happy little demons
DePaul University has the happiest students in America, according to the Princeton Review. (Trib login: gapers/gapers)
Stir. Pour. Chop.
Ever thought about cooking school? The Tribune has put together a fine rundown of Chicagoland culinary instruction. Schools, stores, and shops are currently offering classes perfect for any palate. [Trib login/password: gapers/gapers]
Book and Paper Arts classes
Columbia's Center for Book and Paper Arts has published their fall schedule for community classes. Make use of the great facilities and reasonable tuition to learn various forms of papermaking, bookbinding, letterpress and pinhole photography at night.
UIC Campus Goes Wireless
UIC students will soon be on the cutting edge of technology: a plan is in the works to provide campus-wide wireless Internet access. Sections of campus are already active hotspots.
Arne Duncan Profile
Catalyst, a monthly magazine chronicling school reform efforts, has an in-depth profile of new CPS Chief Arne Duncan and what he's done so far.
Chicago Indymedia
Didn't realize this till today but Indymedia has a Chicago sister site. Some interesting activist reporting, especially with Chicago's universities and colleges it seems.
PS2 Supercomputer
The NCSA department at U of I (the people who brought us a little thing called Mosaic) have built a supercomputer out of PlayStation 2s. First application: the most badass game of Quake II EVAR!!!
Art is Everywhere, even Starbucks
Want some drama with your Frappucino this Friday? "On May 23, 2003, at exactly 5:15 p.m., in ten Chicago Starbucks, professional actors will simultaneously perform original monologues written by Chicago Public High School students in Chicago Dramatists' Outreach Program." The press release story in Backstage says to go to chicagodramatists.org for more info, but they don't have any.
Mess with the Bull...
Mess With the Bull, You'll Get the Horns. (A bit late in posting this, but oh well.) Glenbrook North HS graduate and TMN contributor John Warner discusses the hazing debacle at his alma mater.
Public School Closings
This Thursday, May 15 and Friday, May 16 are "Call the Mayor" days. If you care about the Chicago Public Schools, and the children being dispossessed by a rash of school closings without parental input or adequate planning, please let Daley know your opinion by calling (312.744.3300), faxing (312.744.2324), or emailing (mayordaley@cityofchicago.org) your concern.
Student Bikes
I just finished up a site for the Chicago Bike Federation, called Student Bikes. It promotes, educates and informs university and college students on how they too can bike to school. Also, this Monday, May 12th, DePaul University, the DePaul Bicycle Club and Mayor Daley's Bicycle Ambassador's will be hosting a presentation called Commuting to Class. Details: DePaul's Lincoln Park Campus, Levan Center, Rm 502, 2pm-3pm.
H.S. Hazing
Hazing has gone on in high schools across the country for years, but it usually isn't an organized event, and it usually doesn't get caught on tape. Glenbrook North High School students are eating up their 15 minutes of fame on national television thanks to a video of Powder Puff junior-senior rivalry gone awry. Charges are expected to be filed soon.
Anarchist and Human Rights Film Festival
More Columbia (my, my aren't they busy), as part of their conference taking place at the moment, "Dignity Without Borders: Arts, Media and Human Rights", the Chicago Anarchist Film Festival took place this past May 2-4. Revolutionists should not have missed it. However, the Human Rights Film Festival is balancing that all out starting today, May 5-7.
Irvine Welsh @ Columbia
Speaking of Columbia, but Bloody 'ell! Irvine Welsh, author of Trainspotting, The Acid House, Filth and Porno, is now teaching at Columbia. Apparently two courses this semester and word on the street is that he is living in Lincoln Park...my eyes are peeled.
Gravity
Congrats to Gravity, Columbia College's three-issue-old general interest magazine, on winning a Gold Medal for excellence in college publications from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. Gravity may be new, but it has plenty of experience behind it -- much of the staff is employees of New City. Catch a great interview with rapper Common in this month's issue.
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