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August 2009
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Gov. Quinn Signs Charter School Legislation at Alain Locke
Posted: 8/18/2009
On July 30th, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, selected the Inner-City Teaching Corps' Alain Locke Charter Academy as the location for the signing of a monumental piece of Charter School Legislation. Senate Bill 612, more commonly referred to as the Charter School Reform Act of 2009, doubles the state's charter cap, from 60 to 120, allowing 45 new charter schools in Chicago, five of which will be reserved for schools enrolling high school dropouts. Fifteen additional charters have been allotted for the rest of the state.
ICTC and Alain Locke founder Pat Ryan Jr. introduced Governor Quinn to a packed gymnasium, which included school officials, representatives from the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS), and local political figures including State Senator Kimberly Lightford, the bill's main sponsor, State Senator Heather Steans and Representative Jerry Mitchell.
This event highlighted the significance of Charter School success in Illinois and positioned Illinois as the first state to answer President Obama's charge to expand charter school opportunities as a means for driving innovation and accelerating student achievement. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as one of seven schools nationwide best closing the achievement gap and posting the largest growth in test scores in Chicago in the history of the ISAT exam, Alain Locke is an exemplary model for Charter School achievement and served as an ideal location for this event.
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Largest Alain Locke Graduating Class
Posted: 8/17/2009
Graduation at DuSable Museum was filled with energy as exuberant parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and grandparents cheered as their "babies" now mature teenagers made their transition from elementary to high school. They were inspired by guest speaker Steven Rogers, the Gordon and Llura Gund Family Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship and Director of the Larry and Carol Levy Institute for Entrepreneurial Practice at Northwestern University, a man whose success and long list of accomplishments belie his humble beginnings including a single parent home and "much less" than promising ACT scores. Now an accomplished educator, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Mr. Rogers told them they can accomplish their dreams with hard work and perseverance.
As the third and largest graduating class to date of Alain Locke Charter Academy our students are eager and excited to embark on the challenges ahead. For the first time since beginning their studies at Alain Locke they will have the summer "off" - although many will be taking classes to increase their preparedness for their Fall adventures.
With the help of Mia Stokes, High School Transition Facilitator, they have been accepted at schools which will best meet their needs and help them reach their future educational goals. The Class of 2009 will be attending:
Providence St. Mel High School - Private School - (5 students)
Westinghouse High School - CPS Selective Enrollment School - (4 students)
King College Prep High School - CPS Selective Enrollment School - (2 students)
Whitney Young High School - CPS Selective Enrollment School - (1 student)
Lane Tech High School - CPS Selective Enrollment School - (1 student)
Rowe Clark Math & Science Academy - Charter School - (4 students)
Urban Prep - Charter School - (4 students)
Henry Ford Powerhouse Academy - Charter School - (3 students)
Muchin College Prep - Charter School - (3 students)
North Lawndale College Prep - Charter School - (2 student )
Noble Street High School School - Charter School - (1 student)
Stevenson High School - Boarding School, CA - (1 student)
Morton West High School - Suburban High School - (1 student)
Oak Park River Forest High School - Suburban High School - (1 student)
Loyola Academy - Jesuit School - (1 student)
Christ the King High School - Catholic School - (5 students
Hales Franciscan High School - Catholic School - (1 student)
Chicago Military Academy - CPS Military School - (1 student)
Kelvyn Park High School - CPS High School - (1 student)
We wish them success in the coming years and know that they will continue to be part of the fabric of Alain Locke.
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All Corps Day of Reflection
Posted: 8/15/2009
On Saturday, August 15, 2009, almost 70 first- and second-year teachers gathered at Northwestern University. These teachers came from our Volunteer Teaching Corps (VTC) and UNITE programs, joining all together for the first time this year. This day was the kick-off to the 2009-2010 school year and provided our teachers with a chance to step back and reflect on what was before them. First-year teachers with the VTC took time in community to reflect on what they had shared this summer and how they would continue to grow in their houses during the coming year. Our second-year VTC members gathered as a large group, reconnecting after a summer of exploring the city, country, and world. UNITE gathered to share hopes and fears for the coming school year, as well as to share in some fun team-building activities.
All of our teachers gathered at the beginning and end of the day, with break-out sessions in the middle. To open the day, our teachers sat down with Dan Dowling from De La Salle Institute to investigate the ?12 Virtues of a Good Teacher? as developed by Brother Agathon. Teachers were given the chance to reflect, discuss, and investigate the virtues of Gravity, Silence, Humility, Prudence, Wisdom, Patience, Reserve, Gentleness, Zeal, Vigilance, Piety, and Generosity. At the end of the day, everyone re-gathered to share in a cookout and social time by Lake Michigan.
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