June 13, 2009
“Planting Seeds of Success in our Communities” was the theme of a series of symposia and activities that together comprised a day-long rally on truancy prevention sponsored by Chicago Public Schools in the Grand Boulevard, North Kenwood-Oakland, Kenwood, Hyde Park and Woodlawn communities.
The activities took place in schools, in parks and at various agencies and institutions around those South Side neighborhoods.
Among the highlights:
- A symposium focusing on understanding the effect of mental illness on the educational process, students, family and community.
- Substance and abuse counseling referrals.
- Jazz, “ole school” music and a community drumming session.
- A series of multi-generational basketball games between grown and young men.
- Various health screenings with partner agencies.
- Discussions with members of the Chicago Public Schools attendance improvement team.
“Even though our regular school year just ended, our message of going to school first-day, every-day is just getting started for the 2009-10 school year,” said James Deanes, director of the CPS attendance/truancy initiative.
“By rallying the community behind this positive message and providing this day of activities and events, we want to continue to provide visibility to the importance of school attendance.”
About CPS
Chicago Public Schools serves approximately 407,000 students in 666 schools. It is the nation’s third-largest school district.