How to Walk to School: Blueprint for a Neighborhood School Renaissance Author Jacqueline Edelberg to Speak at Heritage Middle School

On May 19, 2011, Berwyn C.A.R.E.S. and the Heritage PTSA will host Jacqueline Edelberg, coauthor of How to Walk to School: Blueprint for a Neighborhood School Renaissance, who will share her experiences as a successful organizer of grassroots, community-led school reform.

When Edelberg and a friend ventured inside Nettelhorst, their Chicago neighborhood’s underutilized and struggling public elementary school, the new principal asked what it would take for them to enroll their children. Stunned by her candor, they returned the next day armed with an extensive wish list. The principal read their list and said, “Well, let’s get started, girls! It’s going to be a busy year...”

How to Walk to School is the story of eight park moms who galvanized neighborhood parents and then organized an entire community to take a leap of faith, transforming a challenged urban school into one of the city’s best, virtually overnight. It provides an honest and accessible blueprint for parents and administrators who are ready to step forward and take back their schools.

Please join us for this vital discussion of how to reclaim the public schools our children deserve.

Heritage Middle School
6850 31st Street
Thursday, May 19
7:00 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. Onsite child supervision will be provided.

Copies of How to Walk to School will be offered for sale, courtesy of Magic Tree Bookstore.

The Nettelhorst story has been featured on Oprah & Friends, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Redbook, NPR, CNN, 60 Minutes, Education Weekly, and in the Chicago media. See below for highlights from the media coverage of How to Walk to School.

Video produced by Pearson Education:

NPR's Chicago Matters:

Chicago magazine:

The Chicago Reader:

Morton West Teacher Thanks CARES; Students Head to State Science Fair

Mrs. Stokes, a science teacher at Morton West was able to guide 5 students to the state level science competition thanks in part to CARES members generous donations at The Morton West Mini Challenge at Donors Choose. Here is a note of thanks from Mrs. Stokes to CARES members:

Dear Berwyn CARES:

Thank you all for giving to this project and for supporting the scientific process.
My students gain so many benefits from participation in the science fair that I can't image not providing them this opportunity. Your donations have made this a little easier.

We have 5 students that moved on to the state level of competition this year and we hope to increase that for next year. I can't wait to share my students' thank you notes with you next fall so you can hear about their ideas for their projects.
Science education isn't just about learning facts but about using information to solve problems and make our world a better place. It's also about using data to make well informed decisions. These are skills that everyone needs not just scientists. The science fair project helps my students hone these skills.

Thank you again, I'm so glad I found donorschoose.org. It's a heartwarming experience to find a community of wonderful, giving people like yourselves.
With gratitude,
Ms. S.

Berwyn CARES also helped fund a classroom set of high interest books for students to use during Silent Sustained Reading. Teachers give students time to read in class for pleasure, but many did not have a good book in which to get lost! Now they do, thanks to you.

There are still 3 unfunded project in the Morton West Mini-Challenge. Please consider making a small donation today!

There are classrooms in need of digital cameras, printers, calculators and other supplies that will make the learning environment rich and the lessons much more engaging for these deserving students! Together, we can make a difference!

Berwyn CARES Asks School Board to Demand Resignation of President

BERWYN CARES CALLS ON DISTRICT 201 TO DEMAND RESIGNATION OF JEFF PESEK FOR TIES TO ORGANIZED CRIME, ASKS BERWYN POLITICIANS TO EXPLAIN RECENT ENDORSEMENT

April 11, 2011 (Berwyn, IL) The education advocacy organization Berwyn CARES today urged the J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 Board to demand the immediate resignation of President Jeffry Pesek for ties to drug dealers, organized crime figures and other illegal business practices exposed in published testimony from the federal criminal trial of his childhood friend and employee.

According to an article published in the Chicago Sun Times, among other dubious business relationships, Mr. Pesek partnered with a convicted cocaine, marijuana and heroin dealer in opening businesses that include a nightclub and liquor store and was recorded by the FBI discussing the 2007 mob-ordered bombing of a Berwyn business.

“The overall quality of our schools, both now and in the future, rests with decisions made by the board of education. Due to his involvement with convicted drug dealers and organized crime, and the fact that his businesses have failed to report wages, violated liquor laws and failed to disclose investors in his nightclub business, we find him unfit to lead. We call on the District 201 board to join us in demanding that Mr. Pesek resign immediately," said Robert Pauly, President of Berwyn CARES.

Cited by the Chicago Sun Times as a ‘key player in Cicero politics’, Mr. Pesek through his family and companies has contributed or loaned about $100,000 to elect Cicero Town President Larry Dominick. With Mr. Pesek’s re-election to a new term last week, CARES is also joining residents in questioning the rationale used by elected officials in Berwyn, including Mayor Robert Lovero to send out mailings endorsing Mr. Pesek, referring to him among ‘candidates which share the same interest in moving Berwyn forward.’

“With graduation rates and test scores that significantly lag the state average and a potential state takeover looming, the District 201 Board already faces a strained relationship with this community. We want the best and brightest in charge. Mr. Pesek’s federal testimony demonstrates he lacks the qualities and qualifications that students need. Now is the time for a jury of Mr. Pesek’s peers on the District 201 Board to take immediate action to remove him and for Berwyn’s elected officials to explain their endorsements,” said Mr. Pauly.

Berwyn C.A.R.E.S. (Citizens Aligned to Renew Education for Students) is a community-based organization created to improve the local education system by encouraging more family and community involvement. Since 2006, C.A.R.E.S. has established itself as the leading resource for up-to-date, reputable information on Berwyn's District 98, 100, & 201 schools. More information is available online at www.berwyncares.org.