MOVING IN/ON John Ostenburg has been named editor of the Chicago Union Teacher, replacing Ellen Brown, who is relocating to Boulder, Colo. He has worked as a teacher and as a newspaper reporter and editor. Ostenburg has also served as a state representative from the south suburban 80th District. … Father John Pollard has been named director of the newly formed Department of Education of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Previously, Pollard was director of the Office for the Catechism of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.
PRINCIPALS The following have been named interim principals: Frank Lacey, assistant principal at Gage Park High, Gage Park; Alan Molesky, assistant principal at Kellogg, Barnard Computer Math and Science. … The following principals have retired: Phyliss Charles, Hitch; Rita Mitchell, Carter; Julius Gore, Kershaw; Maurice Haynes, Copernicus; James Sanders, Webster; and Philip Yaccino, Mozart. … Ginger Bryant, the interim principal at Sexton Elementary, has received a four-year contract.
AWARDS AND HONORS Reform Board President Gery Chico is one of six recipients of DePaul University’s newly established Tree of Wisdom Award, sponsored by the School of Education. … Joanne Alter, founder of Working In The Schools (WITS), received a local Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Service. Alter was one of seven who was recognized by NBC 5 Chicago and AMERICAID Community Care for achievements in volunteerism and public service. … The Chicago Public Schools Summer Bridge Program is one of 97 semifinalists in the 1998 Innovations in American Government awards program sponsored by the Ford Foundation. There were 1,400 applicants.
MORE NEW CHARTERS The Reform Board has approved two more charter schools: The Betty Shabazz International Charter in Grand Crossing, featuring a K-8 Afrocentric curriculum; and the Noble Street Charter High School, a college-prep school in the Northwestern University Settlement in West Town.
PUBLICATIONS The 1998 Illinois School Code is now available from the Illinois Association of School Boards for $20 ($15 for IASB member school districts) plus $4 shipping. For more information, call or write IASB Publications, 430 East Vine St., Springfield, IL 62703; (217) 528-9688. Or fax orders to (217) 528-2831. … An updated version of the book “Celebrating Chicago Public Schools,” which contains descriptions of more than 100 exemplary programs in the Chicago public schools, is available from the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association. Contact Sylvia Alvino at (312) 263-7767, ext. 15.
TEACHER WORKSHOP The Teachers’ Task Force is sponsoring a three-day conference on curriculum development and alignment for elementary school teachers. The conference will be held twice: June 29, 30 and July l; and Aug. 10, 11 and 12. For more information, call Melissa McGowan at (312) 986-9238.
SCHOOL CHANGES Hearst Elementary has gone to a year-round schedule. … De La Cruz Math and Science Specialty School is now De La Cruz Math, Science and Technology Academy. …The Annie Keller Gifted Magnet School is now the Annie Keller Regional Gifted Center and will be open to students citywide.
READING PROGRAM The Chicago Public Schools has been selected as Illinois’ pilot site for President Clinton’s “America Reads Challenge: Read*Write*Now!,” a summer reading program designed to encourage a strong literacy base in students by 3rd grade. Forty-two schools will participate; each week students will spend one hour with tutors and learning partners on reading, learning new vocabulary words and visiting a library. Community residents and college students will be trained as volunteer tutors; more than 20,000 early childhood and primary school-aged children are expected to participate.
LSC ELECTIONS REPORT Following a decline in candidates for the last local school council election, Leadership for Quality Education has issued a report recommending election changes. Call Dany Fleming at (312) 853-1216 for a free copy.