2/ Driving up to the school I saw bleachers, a football field, a track, & then the modern structure that houses 400+ freshman students. Nice.
3/ Tho, I couldn’t help but wonder where all of the sophomores/juniors/seniors who live in Englewood attend school especially bc #CPS is proposing to close Hope & the ongoing battle to resource & support Harper properly.
4/ It’s a nice structure. The floors are nice. It’s bright. It seems clean (and that’s good considering the number of schools that aren’t—just ask my son). The staff that greeted me at the door were nice & attentive. Yay.
5/ My first experiences were all nice & it’s precisely why I’m wondering why there were so few students in the building after dismissal?
6/ Recently, I visited Back of the Yards HS & I was literally stepping over students. They were everywhere & it was after-school.
7/ I’ve visited Jones HS in the AM BEFORE school & students were EVERYWHERE—on computers, lounging in chairs in the hallway, listening to music...basically owning their space.
9/ Anyway, I met w/ a vibrant (cohesive) group of educators who’ve opened a new school community & walked a picket line all in one semester. Their commitment to our collective struggle for equity & justice is unmatched (clearly).
10/ And, yet, they’re experiencing a ton of growing pains w/an admin team who seem ambivalent, combative, in over their heads, or all of the above.
11/ It may explain why a school in its beginning stages already has 2 grievances & an arbitration. Yes, an arbitration.
12/ Why? BC the admin team requires educators 2 wrk extra hours WITHOUT pay. Meaning, educators R required to stay late—forgo lunch & give up prep periods (yep, that again) & it’s clearly a violation of the #CBA.
13/ I spoke w/a history teacher whose students don’t hv books or tech assisted curriculum. As a result, the history dept is literally making curriculum DURING the school year. Even tho creating curriculum is a before-the-school-year-begins type of activity. 
14/ The teacher has obviously engaged admin abt this challenge. During the teacher’s pre-eval observation, the admin basically said: “Chin-up! You can do it! I did it before. Doing more w/ less is the job & make sure those domains are well covered.” 😬🙄
15/ Hold on, what happened to all that #1619 curriculum that was free but #CPS paid for? Seems like this could be easily transported to #EnglewoodStem? Didn’t #CPS just make an investment in curriculum for millions? 🤦🏾♀️
16/ As we continued to talk, I found out that they hv “Community” Assemblies where students are expected to stand for 60-90 mins. I think it’s called: “Strong-Straight and Silent.”
17/ And, it’s supposed to show disciple and respect? 🤨🤔🤦🏾♀️Not sure, but they’re all supposed to stand for an hour or more in a gym with ample bleacher seating space...
18/ I think one of the more bothersome moments (for me) was the 1st yr teacher who held back tears recounting the bullying they’re experiencing. The story abt being negatively approached by admin for using bereavement time (bc someone close died) sent me( literally).😡
19/ This individual has started a new career in a brand new school, went on strike, lost a loved one, and is being bullied by a school leader all in the 1st semester? If this ain’t a “Whew Chile,” I don’t know what is! #JesusTakeTheWheel 😥😢 #TeacherRetention
20/ Others talked abt the uneven HVAC issues. Some rooms are 🥵 (like the one I was in) while others are 🥶 . And, instead of the issue being abt uneven HVAC issues, it’s devolved into pwr trips over students (& staff) wearing coats/hoodies in the classrms.
21/ Like, teachers are literally being tracked for students keeping warm. Wat does that look like? Admin coming into your classroom & counting the number of students in hoodies/coats. But, that history curriculum, tho.
22/ Also, when did hoodies become the most hated article of clothing?
23/ On a brighter note, the school hired a SW yesterday. However, they’re not sure if the SW is 5 days there or a co-share with other schools. That matters.
24/ The staff are desperate 2 hv RJ (restorative justice) work well BUT like many spaces it’s not fully operational & they’re seeking some consistency w/ how discipline is applied throughout the school community. They also hv students who want to access counseling & SW services.
25/ This is a group of tremendously dedicated educators who want 2B partners. Instead, they’re being bullied & taken advantage of. I’m encouraged, tho, bc they’re NOT giving up. They’re organizing for the school community they want. And, @CTULocal1 has their back! #StayTuned
