Evanston/Skokie CC School District 65 New School Referendum ...

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every child in our care. How we treat our children exposes who we are as human beings, our vision of the world, as well as who we are not. This is about what we stand for. What is the best possible outcome we can strive to do for ALL of the children in our district right now and into the future Mr. J.R. Summers April 1, 2011 RE: New School Committee Friday, April 1, 2011 12:37 PM "Stover, Andrew" "'Jerome R. Summers'" "Hardy Murphy" , "Paul Brinson" , "'baileyk@district65.net'" , "'weaverk@district65.net'" Thank you Mr. Summers. I appreciate your thoughts and perspectives and look forward to continuing our dialogue. I have never questioned the right of anyone to express their views about the many complicated issues facing this committee, or suggested that other people's issue are less important than my own concerns. I certainly hope that no one feels that way. At the same time, I believe that is important for us to have as much information as possible when making our decisions. I think one thing I've struggled with is the concept of the 5th Ward as a neighborhood. I didn't even know what my Ward boundaries were until I started this process. I don't think of my Ward as being my neighborhood, or everyone in my Ward as being my neighbors. Rather, that is limited to a much smaller area surrounding my home. Thus, for example, would families living in the 5th Ward near ETHS consider themselves neighbors, or in the same neighborhood, as families living in the 5th Ward east of GreenBay/Ridge Conversely, it seems like the families in the 5th Ward close to Kingsley, and within that school boundary, are in the same neighborhood. I think it will be helpful to me to get a better understanding of what neighborhood is being the most adversely affected. Will our analysis change if the Wards are redistricted after the 2010 census While I agree, as noted by my vote the other night, that it is valuable to have the choice to go to school with one's neighbors, there is always some constraints on that principle, with boundaries necessarily being drawn. Indeed, I know that in my own area, there are families sending their kids to different schools since they live on opposite sides of an arbitrary boundary. At the same time, I think it is absolutely necessary to take out of the equation the kids that choose to go to a magnet school, TWI program or otherwise seek a permissive transfer. I know several families (neighbors) from my neighborhood that choose to bus their children to other schools. As such, those students are bused out of the neighborhood, but by choice. My interest in obtaining data about busing (and the census) is to get a better understanding of how kids in the entire district are currently affected by the boundaries currently in place, and what trends are developing for the future. For example, it seems to me that Walker's boundaries are fairly far reaching. I'd just like to understand the data from a more global perspective of the entire community, not just the 5th Ward. While I understand that others may have other watershed issues, I believe it is important to have and consider all of the relevant data and information. Indeed, on the issue of finances you mentioned, it seems to me that a new school will invariably increase the operating costs of D65, as opposed, for example, to adding space at existing schools, whether by requiring additional administrators, maintenance heating/cooling, etc., or further funding a lease, etc. With the district facing shortfalls next year and beyond, it is important to consider how this increase will affect the overall educational oportunities for all students in the district, including the 5th Ward. Will class sizes have to be increased, programs cut, etc. to make up for the increase As Dr. Murphy mentioned, many of these options are not "tolerated" by our community. As such, I think is imperative that we develop an understanding of the costs associated with the various options, and not just push aside all of the data and build a school when that may have a detrimental affect on all students of the Evanston community, including the 5th Ward. Thanks for listening, Drew Stover RE: New School Committee To Drew Stover From: Jerome R. Summers 8
4/3/11 Response Perspective Cont. Please allow me to give you some historical background. I also encourage you to look at the documentary film provided to us by Susan Hope Engel (Unforgettable), and to visit Shorefront at the Family Focus Building for an even more extensive look. Do you remember in the second meeting we talked about filters We are literally hitting a cultural, historical, geographic, and perhaps racial filter right now. For example, the sanitary channel, and Green Bay Rd. are not only physical barriers. They are also cultural barriers. Ebenezer, Second Baptist, and Mount Zion churches (each over 100 years old) have the oldest Black (and still thriving) congregations in the city. Please note that all of themare east of Green Bay Rd. and very close to or in downtown Evanston. That’s because Black people lived over there. The part of the 5th ward east of Green Bay has always been in the ‘mainstream.’ But at the turn of the 20th century, Black people were ‘banished’ to that smelly-swampy land along the channel bank and away from the lake. Houses of Black people were physically moved to the 5th Ward west of Green Bay. To a smaller degree the same happened north or east of the channel. This area extended from McDaniel Ave. and Church St. in the 5th Ward (and extended south into the 2nd Ward along the channel) all the way to the Walgreens on Simpson and Green Bay Rd. This area IS ONE neighborhood. It was in essence its’ own little town inside of Evanston like China Town or Greek Town in Chicago. Every family in that whole area knew each other because all the children went to the same school in the 5th Ward, Foster School. Even now Black people in Evanston still ask other Black people, “Who is your family What church do you go to” This whole area is most certainly a neighborhood. {There were covenants that Jewish people could not buy a home in Evanston at all. That did not change until the 1950’s or possibly 1960’s. But that’s another story.} Until this very day, people think of the 5th ward (west of Green Bay) as the Black community. A whole vibrant and thriving culture emerged. It included institutions: a Black hospital (Community Hospital), The Emerson Street YMCA, a school (Foster Elementary), and a recreation center (Foster Center – now Fleetwood Jordaine). This neighborhood also had a large array of Black owned businesses: restaurants, stores, cleaners, a pharmacy, gas stations, night clubs, and grocers, etc. It was the predominant home of all kinds of professionals, intellectuals, doctors, lawyers, teachers, craftsman, and trades people of every variety. Imagine Central St., Dempster St., or Main St. in a Black community. Strong communities across America have home owners, places where people worship, businesses, and a school. Neighborhood children are now removed from their natural supportive environment where they are expected to do well. Bonds are broken. There is no commonality of experiences with each other. Neighbors become strangers. This is probably a better face to face conversation. I hope this provides a little insight. Mr. J.R. Summers 9
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