Fulfilled Chicago Schools in Dire Need of Funds
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Page 3 Page 16 Prom in Women’s June 2005 Paradaise Soccer eat Chicago Schools in Dire Need of Funds CPS Budget Crisis: Can Quality Education Survive in the Face of Massive Cuts? B by Aliy Markowski Lack of state education funding “Everyone will be really disap- in Illinois for the upcoming 2005- pointed if they take away the classes 2006 Fiscal Year threatens Chicago we’re signed up for or dramatically Public Schools (CPS) with a huge increase the number of students in budget deficit. CPS has already every class.” eliminated $49 million in its Central Northside may also suffer from Office non-classroom positions. losses in the College Counseling Without further state funds, schools Department. Guidance counsel- Northside College Preparatory High School across the city will be forced to ors will be among the first to go cut over 800 teachers, increasing at many CPS high schools, which The class sizes and drastically reducing will be a damaging loss for college- oof programs, both of which have been bound students throughout the city. proven to lower test scores. Follow- The loss will hit selective enroll- ing Principal Dr. James Lalley’s ment high schools especially hard as efforts to fit school expenses into an schools like Northside, where nearly already tight budget, Northside may 100 percent of graduating seniors still face cutbacks in colloquium attend a four-year college, will be funding, increased class size mini- forced to reduce the counseling de- mums, potential course elimina- partment through the same formula Vol. 6 No. 10 Vol. tions, and faculty reductions. cuts as high schools where only 50 H “My parents and students want percent of graduates go on to col- a premier educational experience,” lege. With four full-time counselors, said Principal Dr. James Lalley. “If Northside’s Counseling Department they are unsure that it will continue, is already very busy. The reduc- they will once again opt for private tion of one counselor will cause and suburban schools. Instability the remaining counselors’ loads to will cause teachers to begin to ex- increase by 25 percent each. plore other teaching opportunities.” “Getting into a good college is “We are outraged that the Board really important to most students at would take such a callous approach Northside,” said Maggie O’Connell, to cutting positions at a school that Adv. 804. “And without funds for ranks number one in the state,” said the counseling department, it’ll Charles Killman, member of North- be harder for the counselors and side College Prep’s Local School students, too.” Council (LSC) and President of the Journalism was one of the Northside classes that was threatened “Our students need and expect Friends of Northside. “The way by the budget cuts. a high level of service,” said Mr. Photo by Aliy Markowski that they arbitrarily cut positions Lakada. “And we should certainly based on a city-wide formula that are enforced. CPS has raised the result in the elimination of previ- meet those expectations.” only looks at teacher to student student enrollment from an average ously offered courses if the strict Northside’s LSC is one of the ratios completely ignores the special of 18 students to a minimum of 28 class minimums are not met. At several Local School Councils circumstances at Northside.” students per AP class. Northside, where some students across the city that has taken action One factor at Northside is the “With a significant proportion take as many as five AP courses per to protest the education budget special education program, which of our students taking these courses, year, AP course reductions would cuts. Members started letter writing requires a very low teacher to it will be a challenge to maintain the be a significant loss for students. campaigns to Springfield commit- student ratio. In addition, Advanced rigor but also the ability to prepare “I came to Northside because tees on education finance and have Placement (AP) classes require for the exam,” said Ilyas Lakada, of the wide range of AP classes sent a comprehensive letter, signed a lower student to teacher ratio. Community Representative on the offered,” said Camila Youniss, Adv. by other CPS high schools, to news- LSC and Northside alum of the 700, a sophomore at Northside Col- News pages 1-5 Students enrolled in AP courses Continued as “Budget Cuts” will suffer through increased class class of 2002. lege Prep who is currently registered Pg. 5 • Juniors Jam physics The enrollment regulations may to take four AP courses next year. • Gross! What’s in your sizes if strict enrollment regulations school lunch? • Pope’s death affects whole world Features pages 6-7, 10 Loss- Fulfilled • The Online Photo Gallery • Student Profile: Lina Northside Welcomes New Assistant Principal Bellstaedt by Geethi Abraham Centerfold pages 8-9 The fond memory of Assistant Principal as individuals,” said • Class of ‘05 prepares to Alan Mather hung strong at Northside after he Ms. Moreno. “It is hard depart left to become the Principal of the Lindbloom to compare my high Academy. But Northside is once again complete Editorial page 12 school experience at now that Ms. Lisa Moreno has graced the school Whitney with Northside • Senior journalists bid with her presence as the new Assistant Principal. since that was back in adieu “Northside will never find a replacement for • Goodbye vs. Farewell the eighties, but I know Mr. Mather,” said Carlos Sanchez, Adv. 804. “He that the idea of coop- Arts & Entertainment page 13 was a great assistant principal, but Ms. Moreno is erative learning did not • Goodbye burgers, hello doing an excellent job. I believe Ms. Moreno is a exist while I was in high sheesh kabobs very efficient person who is very organized under school. I really like that • Releasing this summer, times of pressure and can take charge quickly.” cooperation is the main April Sixth’s newest album Ms. Moreno previously taught at Richard focus here at Northside Sports pages 14-16 Career Academy where she was primarily a Lit- … because it provides • Men’s and Women’s Track erature teacher. This is her first assistant principal for a more effective and Field experience. Before becoming the Assistant Prin- teaching environment.” • Men’s Volleyball Finale cipal, Ms. Moreno had already been at Northside Other unique aspects • What the Bilfaqi? A football as a LAUNCH (Leadership Academy and Urban of Northside appealed team Network for Chicago) Principal designed to train to Ms. Moreno, particu- aspiring leaders in Chicago Public Schools. larly the block-schedul- “Since I had [previously] been at Northside, ing set-up. I had time to observe the school,” said Ms. “As a teacher, I Moreno. “I absolutely loved everything about it, know that 45-minute especially the environment. When the Assistant class periods are not Ms. Lisa Moreno is already busy at work as the new vice-principle. Principal position became available, I did not enough to cover a lesson Photo by Shoaib Khan hesitate to apply.” completely,” said Ms. Ms. Moreno went to Whitney Young High Moreno. “With 100 minutes, you can complete a She does not hope to establish extreme dress School and received her bachelor’s degree at variety of different learning activities.” codes or take any disciplinary action but rather UIC in Liberal Arts and Sciences. She then went Although Northside has captured Ms. just to reiterate that everyone should be dressed on to pursue a master’s degree in linguistics at Moreno’s heart, there are still some changes she in a manner that is conducive to and appropriate Northeastern. Before beginning teaching, Ms. plans on making. for a scholastic environment. Moreno spent two summers volunteering with “I want to remind the girls about the dress Freedom-grasping Mustangs, however, did the Venceremos Brigade where she accompanied code,” said Ms. Moreno. “Sometimes girls wear not take news of any kind of restriction lightly. a group of teens to a peace camp in Cuba. things that I think would be very distracting. It “It’s not cool that the new vice principal is “While in Cuba, I noticed that they [the stu- would also be hazardous to them if they were to Continued as “Ms. Moreno” dents] focused on learning as a group rather than take public transportation.” Pg. 2 Page 2 News The Hoof Beat Ni Hao! Wo De Mingzi Shi – Northside College Northside Welcomes Chinese Exchange Students Prep High School by My-Phuong Ly 5501 N. Kedzie Most recently, three hoping to open their eyes to tem of seven recommended the students at Northside. foreign exchange students the Chinese language and classes. Beijing School #57 “I like all kinds of sports, Chicago, IL 60625 and two administrators culture. During the spring schedule for a regular year [in particular] swimming, from Beijing School #57 term, three students arrived for one student (a sophomore jogging, skating and playing were welcomed with open at Northside in exchange in America) is mathematics, karaoke,” said Wang Di. Tel: (773) 534-3954 arms into their host families. for the three students from chemistry, physics, history “I like [to play] piano, These students arrived on Northside that stayed at Bei- and geography, English, Chi- shopping, study English, Fax: (773) 534-3964 April 22, 2005 and stayed in jing School #57, also hoping nese, politics, and physical swimming, dance, karaoke, Chicago until May 19. This to have their curiosity satis- education. photography and archery,” was just enough time for the fied. The three students that “A teacher chooses said Pei Lei. Principal: Dr. James Lalley students to get a feel of the went during the winter break us because we have good “I like swimming, [play- Assistant Principal: Mr.