This school year could possibly be titled the year of “hurry-up-and-wait.” We finally got our regular monthly CPS meetings scheduled and so far J. C. Brizard has missed only one. Each meeting we bring an agenda with questions and suggestions that we feel are important if not urgent for our members to improve the services they deliver to students. So far, almost nothing we were told would happen, at a particular point in the school year, has actually taken place on time. By now, principals have all been informed the FSD Plan must be redone; even though the budget that was expected a month ago has yet to be released. At our meeting this month everything we were told about the FSD and the Hyperion budget has flipped. Naturally, we assume negotiation with the CTU is at least partially to blame for the delays. However, the clock is still ticking and the end of the year is closing in. For many of you this will be your final year of full-time employment with the Chicago Public Schools. Whether you dread retirement, or are anxiously waiting for that last day, we want to wish each and everyone the best going forward. Officially we have been told 142 principals and assistant principals signed by March 31, to retire this year.

For those who are remaining in service, next year certainly seems cloudy at this point. Everyone will be working a required longer daily and yearly schedule. This is a significant change, however,

those “pioneers” who have gone ahead say it is manageable. The financial forecast, if you believe the media reports, is troubling. CPAA has requested a formal meeting with CEO Brizard and other senior staff to discuss our compensation for the coming year. With all the expectations and additional work being requested of us, we should be compensated as fairly as other employees in CPS.

The other area of concern for our members this year has to be what’s happening in Springfield. Front and center will be statewide pension reform. More detail on our pension issues is included in another article in this month’s newsletter. Our current Springfield legislation asking for a moratorium on school closings seems to be stalled in committee right now, but support is continuing to grow for our position. One final item I want to bring to your attention is the fact that 2012 is a recertification year for Illinois School Administrators. Make sure your IAA Classes and PD hours are completed and posted. CPS has taken a keen interest in assuring that every principal and assistant principal is fully certified as required by the Illinois State Board of Education. June 30th will be here before you realize and then it will be too late to take required classes to maintain your ability to supervise and/or evaluate teachers. “A word to the wise….”

Chicago Principals & Administrators Association, AFSA Local 2, AFL-CIO

Meeting with the CeO

2

the tOrCh is Burning

3

retirees’ COrner

4

20 N. Wacker Dr.,Suite 622

Chicago, Il 60606312-263-7767

Fax 312-263-2012www.mycpaa.org

APRIL 2012MYCPAA.ORG

A Message From The PresidentClarice Berry

VOL. XVII I , NO. 11

The Lamp

Chicago Principals & Administrators AssociationLocal 2, American Federation of School Administrators, AFL-CIOCPS Executive Officer and CPAA Executive Board Meeting Agenda

Present at meeting: Clarice Berry, Jean-Claude Brizard, Jennifer Cheatam, Gloria Espinosa, Don Mendro, Rachel Resnick, & Alicia Winckler

Previous Agenda Items:Full School Day ResourcesFurther delay of budget information for the Full School Day is a major concern for principals. How will the announced new changes to FSD affect the budget release? What impact will the new schedule have on the FSD plans principals have already submitted?

• May 19, 2012 the new FSD Plan is due. Also, plans to have budget online soon.• New guidelines will be announced on April 12, 2012, that clarify information for high

schools with budget flexibility. • Elementary schools will have one day a week with 15 minutes a day or 75 minutes:

even Saturdays may be an option.• Principals can be creative with pooling the time. All principals have been trained

on CIWP.• FSD and Hyperion budget will be released in one or two weeks together. There will

be time to review budgets submitted and to keep school as harmless as possible.

Organizational ChartThe refreshed CPS website looks great; however, a CPS Organizational Chart is still wanted and needed.

• CPS Organizational Chart will be available in two weeks.

Current Agenda Items:Webinar IssueWe recognize and appreciate that CPS departments wish to provide information and guidance to schools as quickly as possible. Lately, webinars are being scheduled with little notice or consideration for school imperatives such as ISAT testing. Also, Track E schools report that many webinars do take their schedules into account. We are asking that 48 hours notice be given to principals prior to each webinar. We are also anxious to find an accommodation that works for the Track E schools on intersession.

• CPS uses webinars to inform principals first before the news goes out to the public.• A webinar was sent out during spring break that should have not been presented,

but it was urgent to get the information out to principals.• CPS will be more cognizant of webinar scheduling times.

The Lamp is published monthly by the Chicago Principals & Administrators Association and distributed to the entire membership. Recent editions are available online at

http://www.mycpaa.org. Comments and suggestions are welcome; please e-mail Associate Editor Kent Lau at klau@cps.k12.il.us. The Chicago Principals & Administrators

Association AFSA Local 2, AFL-CIO, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Suite 622, Chicago, IL 60606, Phone: 312-263-7767, Fax: 312-263-2012, www.mycpaa.org

Clarice Berry

Editor

cjackson-berry@cps.k12.il.us

Kent Lau

Associate Editor

klau@cps.k12.il.us

Kimberly Tsui

Design/Production

AFFILIATIONS:

American Federation of

School Administrators

(AFSA)

American Federation of Labor-

Congress of Industrial Organizations

(AFL-CIO)

Illinois American Federation of Labor-

Congress of Industrial Organizations

(IL AFL-CIO)

Chicago Federation of Labor-

Industrial Union Council

(CFL-IUC)

cpaa/cps MeetingApril 11, 2012

The Lamp —April 2012 3

The Torch Is BurningJohn Butterfield

The recent ethics scandal in the Chicago Public School’s Food Services Department and the “rent a protester” debacle in the Community Outreach Department reminds all of us once again how important it is to have people employed downtown who have had experience working in our system. I don’t mean to imply that we shouldn’t seek talent from outside, but I firmly believe that the preponderance of those working in the Central Office and other leadership areas should be individuals who have had years of experience in this vast system. We should value institutional history. Every CPS Department should have someone – hopefully a bunch of someones – who would let their voice of experience keep us from blunders such as these. I’ll bet one of them could have even gotten us a better price for milk than what we presently have!

Chief Executive Officer Jean-Claude Brizard has stated that the best way to see what children need is to be out in the schools. Our leadership team should be reaching into the body of our organization for the majority of the needed central office workers as well as principals, assistant principals and other administrators. There is a wealth of talent out in our schools waiting to be tapped.

I have been involved over these last months with the committee working to review and perhaps amend our Student Code of Conduct for the coming school year. Clearer language throughout the code

that is easily understood by all is something which all parties seem to agree should be done. Another important area of concern centers around limiting out-of-school suspensions. A big push is also on from a variety of groups for Restorative Justice.

While I’m not against Restorative Justice ideas, I oppose making them mandatory unless sufficient staff and funding is given so that such practices can be implemented. This cannot be a mandate without money. If you have any additional thoughts or ideas on this issue, please email them to me (jabutterfield1@cps.k12.il.us).

Pension funding is front and center as an issue for all of us. I heard on the news recently that the suburban and downstate Teachers Retirement System (TRS) is seriously considering lowering the Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) retirees presently receive from 3% to something lower. If it's done there, it will quickly spread to our system.

Get in touch with your state legislators (senator and representative) and let them know you are vehemently opposed to any legislation that will reduce what we presently have. Encourage every educator you know to do likewise. This issue affects both active and retired educators and it is vital that we respond with a loud NO to any action that diminishes our pensions. Get involved!

Your association was asked a week ago to assemble a focus group of principals to discuss The Principalship—how you get there, how you stay there and principal evaluation. This request came

Compensation CPAA is requesting an opportunity to sit with the Chief Executive Officer and other senior staff to discuss Principal and Assistant Principal Compensation issues. While we appreciate the fact that CPS and CTU are in such talks now, our compensation issues require equal attention and discussion.

• Request to meet and discuss compensation will be scheduled.

Principal Signing BonusThe announcement of signing bonus for selected principals from outside of CPS came as a total shock to our current hard working principals. Never mind that this has been tried before and failed. The disrespect to those from our own ranks is stunning. Please explain how this “signing bonus” will work and how CPS plans to pay for this initiative.

• Will CPS aspiring principals seated as new principals also receive a bonus?

• We will consult with Steve Gehring on this topic upon his return from a family emergency.

Addendum• Ms. Winckler requested CPAA to announce to principals to

update their certificates.• There are 4,000 CPS personnel who have not updated their

certificates. They will be unemployed if they do not meet the deadline.

• City of Chicago debt notices are copied to principals. Principals do not have to enforce payment of school personnel. HR will handle procedures. Some debts are two years old. Employees have not been disciplined or terminated yet. A few thousand employees owe bills, they are violating the CPS policy.

Submitted by Gloria Espinosa

Retirees' CornerArt FumaroloSTAYING CONNECTED AND ADDRESS ING THE CONCERNS SHAPING YOUR FUTURE

The most recent meeting of Auxiliary XVI was held on March 13, 2012, in the Retired Teachers Association of Chicago (RTAC) offices. Twenty retired members were present. The next regularly scheduled meetings will be in the RTAC conference room, 20 East Jackson Blvd., 15th floor, at 9:30 AM on May 15, and June 12.

The guest speaker, Bill Quinlan, counsel for the CPAA, commented on and discussed a variety of issues, many of which punctuated the fact that the principalship has changed greatly from what most of us had known it to be. The job is a lot tougher and it doesn’t look like it’ll get better.

The past policy of allowing the accumulation of sick days was to promote the educational program of the school by keeping staff absenteeism down and encouraging a continuum of instruction. The newly CBOE approved policy seems to disregard those goals and looks only at the money line.

There is more pressure on principals and teachers (fight back via the union, LSCs, etc.) and so the principal is on the defensive. Everyone is looking over their shoulder; they’re afraid.

There are many more disciplinary actions being taken. Principals are removed from their positions with pay; when found innocent and returned, they are demoralized and their leadership suffers.

Mr. Quinlan continues to encourage all members to consult him before incidents and warnings take place. It seems that administrators are now so busy that they don’t have time to see the approaching problems and/or consult with him. In fact, they’re so busy that they’re afraid to leave their buildings and, in some

districts/areas, they can’t even go out to get a sandwich without first reporting their building absence to the area/network office.

Changes in the system are occurring at an accelerated pace.

There will be many retirements this year—over 100. No longer is the goal to serve the required number of years, now 34, to achieve

“full” pension benefits. People are leaving with a lot less. Current conditions seem to be creating more health and loss of social life issues.

The area/network chiefs are, more and more so, not from within the system; few are home-grown. There is much more move-in and move-out of supervisory personnel. In addition, the areas operate such that there are few networking opportunities.

There is a shortage of principal candidates. The out-of-towners lack experience in Chicago-style schools with LSCs that hire and networks/area chiefs that supervise.

All in attendance were encouraged to regularly review the RTAC website for legislative updates.

The person at the Board who sends payroll and retirement information and work records to the Pension has left the post. This will have an impact upon those awaiting finalization of their approved pension benefits/payments as well as the same for those who will be retiring in 2012.

The Ella Flagg Young Association will hold its Spring Benefit Fashion Show and Luncheon on April 28 at the Marriott Chicago

from Nell McKitrick, the director of the new Office of Principal Talent Acquisition (PTA). There no longer is an Office of Principal Preparation and Development (OPPD).

Although we had short notice that Friday was a staff development day in the schools, we managed to cajole six principals to come downtown that morning to discuss and give vital feedback on this important issue. Our thanks to the following principals: July Cyrwus of Lorca Elementary, Ana Espinoza of Sandoval Elementary, Senalda Grady of Pirie Fine Arts and Academic Center, Cynthia Miller of Fiske Elementary, Barry Rodgers of Northside College Prep High and Ricardo Trujillo of Roosevelt High. Your frank input was much appreciated.

It’s my understanding that similar focus groups have occurred at network meetings across the city. I am also told that there will be more

to come. Please participate if invited; it’s crucial that your administrative voices be heard.

The weather for the week of spring break was ideal and has carried on that way for the most part right up to the present. I hope the time off refreshed all of you and renewed your energy for a successful run to the end of the school year. I know the end of our school year is near because I saw the Summer School Application Form come out just the other day.

Use these final weeks as the time to encourage your teachers to put forward that lesson they so much wanted to teach this year. Inspire your staff with your enthusiasm for using every day to its fullest. This is important work, but it can also be so fulfilling. Share your joy of lifelong learning while we all anticipate the warm sun of summer. Finish strong.

The Lamp —April 2012 5

Midway. For more details, contact Dr. Hilda Brake at 630-595-5122.

Because of expected events in the Loop during the NATO summit, the May dates of other retirement groups’ events have been changed from May to June. The RTAC luncheon-meeting will be on June 5 at the Hilton Towers. On June 7, the Society of Retired Principals and Superintendents will hold its spring luncheon-meeting at a new location—The Union League Club.

We’ve been fortunate and have enjoyed this mild winter. Wasn’t it great to look outside in March and see the greening trees and grass and the beautiful spring flowers and blossoming trees? It’s so good to be able to be out and about again.

Send your news about retired members or the activities of retired members’ groups to Art Fumarolo. aafumarolo@class.cps.k12.il.us or 847-289-7847.

The winners for Chicago Public Schools Student Science Fair were announced on March 25, 2012 and held at the Museum of Science and Industry as listed below.

Five one hundred dollar ($100) gift cards donated by CPAA were awarded for the winning elementary and high school students as follows:

BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE Hannah Ciesel, Edgebrook Elementary Felix Castillo, Juarez High School "The Towel of Babel" "Music versus Memory"

BIOCHEMISTRY Keith Jones, Carver Elementary Raul Terrones, Lake View High School "Extracting DNA" "Cheese Production"

CHEMISTRY Almighty Bornfreedom, Morgan Park Elementary Reyna Tavera, Hubbar High School "Effect of NaCl Solution on Voltage Output" "Which Fruit Contains the Most Vitamin C?"

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Jocelyn Brave, Burroughs Elementary Andriy Suden, Steinmetz High School "Are Green Detergents More Toxic?" "Moisture on the Temperature of Compost"

MICROBIOLOGY Nicholas Timmes, J. Colemon Elementary Diamond Dickerson, Julian High School "I'm Still Sick... Ugh" "Color Me Wonderful"

These science exhibits are of very high quality and they represent effective motivation of principals and teachers in schools for students to achieve their best. We also thank the parents for their important role in motivating our students. Thanks to Walter Pilditch, volunteer judge. Congratulations from the Chicago Principals & Administrators Association to all the winners. We all wish each of you the best of success in your future education pursuits.

Chicago Teachers Pension Fund (CTPF) Teacher Trustee Raymond Wohl is the chairperson of the fund’s legislative committee. A few months ago, he asked all of the major groups involved with our pensions to meet with CTPF for the purpose of seeking common ground on pension issues. The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), the Retired Teachers Association of Chicago (RTAC) and our group (CPAA) have been meeting regularly at CTPF headquarters. President Berry, Assistant to the President John Butterfield and retiree auxiliary President Dave Peterson have been in attendance. Gabe Lopez, our lobbyist in Springfield, has also been present. The other groups have similar representation.

Our combined groups have hammered out five funding proposals which we have all agreed to support. These five funding proposals

may all be found with detailed explanations on the CTPF website. Please download the pertinent information and give the appropriate section to your legislator. You are all encouraged to contact your legislators on a regular basis and ask them to support our pension funding bills. CTPF Executive Director Kevin Huber recently made an excellent presentation to legislators in Springfield at which he succinctly outlined the history and present status of our pension fund. You can read it for yourself on the CTPF website. Don’t leave this hard work up to just a few individuals. There is great power in a call or a note or (especially) a visit to a legislator from every member of our organizations. Do it now; do it regularly. Let your legislators know who you are and what you want. Don’t leave it for someone else to do.

Lobby days in Springfield—Tuesday, May 8, Wednesday, May 16, and Thursday, May 24. Please contact me (312-263-7767 ext. 117) if you can ride the bus one day or all three. Additional details will be forthcoming.

The Pension CombineJohn Butterfield

Auxiliary IContact Jerry Travlos773-534-3711Smyser Elementary

Auxiliary IIContact Efren Toledo773-534-2312La Villa

Auxiliary IIIContact Herman Escobar773-534-4375La Villa

Auxiliary IVContact Jacqueline Robinson773-534-6050

Auxiliary VContact Guadalupe Gonzalez773-534-1600Mi Tierra

Auxiliary VIContact CPAA Office312-263-7767

Auxiliary VIIContact Ana Espinoza773-535-0457Sandoval School

Auxiliary VIIIContact CPAA Office312-263-7767

Auxiliary IXContact Senalda Grady773-535-3435Pirie School

Auxiliary XContact CPAA Office312-263-7767

Auxiliary XIContact Chris Jones773-534-2477Mather HS

Auxiliary XIIContact CPAA Office312-263-7767

Auxiliary XIIIContact CPAA Office312-263-7767

Auxiliary XIVContact CPAA Office312-263-7767

Auxiliary XVContact CPAA Office312-263-7767

Auxiliary XVIMay 15, 20129:30 AM20 E. Jackson Blvd., Fl. 15

Upcoming Auxiliary Meetings

Member NewsCondolences — Theodis Leonard, former Principal of Paderewski Elementary School, passed away on April 8, 2012.

Board Action — The following principal contracts were approved at the March 2012 meeting of the Chicago Board of Education: Heather Connolly, Ravenswood Elementary School; Shirley Dillard, McNair Elementary School; Barbara Kargas, Goethe Elementary School; Edwin Loch, Reinberg Elementary School; Brian Metcalf, Field Elementary School; Martha Monrroy, Cooper Elementary School; Ana Obre-Lugo, Hammond Elementary School.

New Members — Peggie Burnett, A.P., Hay Community Academy; Erika Foreman, A.P., Eberhart Elementary School; Alexandra Guilamo, Principal, Von Humboldt Elementary School; Jonathan Keith, A.P., Kinzie Elementary School; Gail King, A.P., Von Humboldt Elementary School; Joseph LaVizzo, III, A.P., L. Ward Elementary School; Mark Neidlinger, Principal, Drummond Elementary School; Adrienne Porter, A.P., Beidler Elementary School; Rosalyn Williams, A.P., Tilden Career Academy

Chicago Board of Education Monthly Meeting

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Board Chambers125 S. Clark Street

Registration 8:00–9:00 AMPublic Participation 10:30 AM–12:30 PM

Upcoming Meetings

Upcoming Auxiliary Meetings

TO: Innovative Leaders FROM: Curtis Smith, Ed.D., Field Associate Sallie D. Penman, Ed.D., Director, Administrators’ Academy DATE: April 2012 SUBJECT: Doctor of Education Informational Meetings Cause an Effect! Leaders like you understand that in today’s rapidly changing world, education is your best investment. At Nova Southeastern University (NSU), we have more than 30 years of experience in both traditional and distance education, which allows us to offer real education for the real world. To that end, we have designed a doctor of education degree that will allow practical application of your knowledge and experience to your current profession. Fischler School of Education (FSE) degree programs focus on:

• growth in professional practice • application of current research and theory to the students’ professional work • acquisition and enhancement of leadership capacities • achievement of the individuals’ career objectives

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree offers you choices—the choice to build a degree program based on your career goals; the choice to take courses in the manner that best suits your learning preference and personal lifestyle; and the choice to use the expertise and skills acquired through this doctoral degree to lead your organization to excellence. Concentrations in the Doctor of Education degree include:

Educational Leadership Higher Education The Fischler School of Education (FSE) will be holding four informational meeting dates to provide you with important information about the Doctor of Education degree, including admission requirements, accreditation, financial aid, and other related issues. The meetings are scheduled for:

Saturday, April 28, 2012

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

The Network Room (in the College Park complex)

16145 LaSalle Street South Holland, Illinois 60473

To help us plan these meetings effectively, please RSVP to Curtis Smith, Ed.D.,Field Associate, at (708) 474-3025 or smithc@nova.edu. For additional information about the program you may also call the Fischler School of Education at 800-986-3223 or visit our Web site at: http://www.fischlerschool.nova.edu.

Abraham S. Fischler School of Education

1750 NE 167th Street • North Miami Beach, Florida 33162-3017 (954) 262-8500 • 800-986-3223, ext. 8500

The School Administrator as Technology Leader

April 26, 2012 // 8:00 AM — 4:00 PMMay 16, 2012June 19, 2012

Interpersonal & TeamCommunication Skills for School Administrators

April 25, 2012 // 8:00 AM — 4:00 PMJune 26, 2012

Building Capacity to Effectively Integrate Drug and Violence Preventioninto the K-12 Curriculum

May 30, 2012 // 8:00 AM — 4:00 PM

Proactively Dealing withDifficult Conversations:Bringing Out the Best in People at Their Worst

May 31, 2012 // 8:00 AM — 4:00 PM

Calm Classroom:An Introductionto a Social Emotional Learning Experience that Develops Self Awareness

June 27, 2012 // 8:00 AM — 4:00 PM

For more information and to register for IAA sessions, please visitwww.iaachicago.com

n e t w o r k o f h i s p a n i c a d m i n i s t r a t o r s i n e d u c a t i o n

Retiree & Scholarship BanquetFriday, May 18, 20126:15 PM

Marriott Chicago Midway Airport6520 S. Cicero Ave., Chicago, IL

Tickets are $75.00 each

For more information contact any member of the Scholarship CommitteeJudy Sauri, Maria Fresse-Giffels, Caridad Garcia, Mary Cavey, Fausto Lopez, Dolores Cupp, Hilda Calderon-Pena, Aurelio Acevedo, Aida Montijo and Maribel Rivera312-360-1100 Ext. 34