School Funding with Rep. Elaine Nekritz

Dr. Taines listens to Amber from KPHS

Today, we met with State Representative Elaine Nekritz (D) of the 57th District in her office in Glenview. Rep. Nekritz was kind enough to give us over an hour of her time, and she was impressed by the level of commitment our students exhibited in a Q & A session. Both Kelvyn Park and New Trier students attended. Some of what we discussed included:

1. Education inequities 
2. Illinois state budget problems
3. Income tax reform
4. Property tax reform
5. An education task force (forming in the General Assembly)

We appreciate the advice that was offered by Rep. Nekritz, and also how the students emphasized the American promise of democracy in all spheres of life.

Misba (NTHS) asks some tough questions while Hannah, Hannah, and Rep. Nekritz listen

Mr. Kucharski asks his own questions

Metro Celebration Agenda

From Dr. Taines:

Hi everybody, below is the agenda for this Saturday that Juliet and I worked on. Let us know if you have any revisions. Please spread the word to the students!

Thanks, Cynthia

Metro Community Preliminary Agenda
Saturday, June 15, 2013
10:30am-1:30pm

El Nañdú Restaurant
2731 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago, IL 60647

• 10:30 am: Students meet at the vans at New Trier

• 11:30 am: Welcome and teachers’ reflection (Tom & Sean)

• 11:45 am: Empanadas! Salads! (everyone) 

• 12:30 pm: Web of connections activity with reflection question: How has it impacted you to work with students from another community? (Juliet) 

• 12:45 pm: Update on legislative visits (KP/NT students & Tom)

• 1:00 pm: Talking, dessert (everyone)

• 1:30 pm: Departure

Just for a frame of reference:


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Parent-Board Dessert

SAVE THE DATE:

On Wednesday, May 29th, from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm, please plan on attending the Parent-Board Dessert! We will be gathering at the Altman house. Directions are here!

Please bring both (at least) 1 parent and 1 dessert! Ask Hannah if you can bring liquid refreshments.

What $300 Buys

Actually, here's (see photo) what $180 can do to make a difference for an organization's livelihood. Each co-head from Social Service Board can request up to $300 for any organization they sponsor. The money can be in the form of a check or supplies. For example, Amy and Sabrina spent less than two hundred dollars on a bounty of toys, games and other fun stuff for Rowe Elementary School.

If YOU want to make a request for YOUR specific organization, please consider the following:

1. Certain organizations are not in need of additional funds. For example, ICRE receives money from the State of Illinois.
2. Other organizations need funds for daily operational costs (like rent).
3. Please make your request IN WRITING to Mr. Kucharski or Mr. Bolos. Consult with your sponsors regarding how to deliver the funds or the supplies.

THANKS!

Letter to a Legislator

On Saturday, May 11th, our Kelvyn Park Exchange group traveled again to the city to work with students and adults from the Logan Square neighborhood in order to learn how to craft letters to state legislators regarding inequities in Illinois school funding. Thank you to Rep. Daniel Biss (D) for inspiring this effort! Here is just one example of a letter written by a New Trier Student (click on the image to enlarge).