Many parents rely on schools as somewhere for children to go during the day and act as a sort of "day-care" for children of all ages. These working parents were conflicted with what to do with their children this week while the teachers were out on strike. The article reveals a stunning fact that 87% of Chicago public school students come from low income families. These parents could not afford to stay home with their children while the children were not able to go to school. In the article, a single mother of three children explains that because of this week her bills have gone over the edge since she could not continue her week at her job of cleaning people's apartments. Another, more serious issue, is the fact that while keeping these children home their safety is at risk. Homicides are up 30% over last year and also a 10% increase in shootings since last year. These mind blowing numbers are said to be attributed to young gangs in Chicago. We must take a sociological perspective in examining the factors that have created such issues in the Chicago society. This education strike has "snowballed" into larger issues of the low class not being able to attend work, and the safety of the children to be possibly harmed. I really wish that the strike would end because the issue is far beyond education reforms right now. These parents and children have suffered one week too long. Don't you think so? How would you handle the situation if you were a low class parent living in Chicago right now?
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Chicago Teacher Strike
Girls, could imagine if all of the IHA teachers went out on strike? Think of all the possible consequences of a strike in our school. No IHA girl could ever miss a whole week of school! During the past week on the news a major headline has been the Chicago teacher strike. On Sunday night, September 9th 2012, public school teachers called a strike because of the lack of negotiation over public school education reforms. My eyes automatically lite up today while browsing on the New York Times website when I read the title of an article saying "Fresh Hopes for End to Chicago Teacher Strike by Weekend." The article expresses hope that the strike will be over by this Monday, and the students will be able to return to classes. This hopeful article continues on into an upsetting mood. It discusses the extreme effects the strike has had on all people, not just the kids, that lives have been chaotic this past week.
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I could never imagine all the IHA teachers going on strike. It would not only be stressful for administrators to try and get the teachers back to work but would also be stressful for students and parents as well. Work would start to pile up in classes, and by the time we would get back to school we would have to rush and catch up so we would not fall to far behind. If I was a parent in this situation I would have no idea what to do, money is needed for food, clothes and to pay bills. But if I had to be out of work to take care of my children, how would I be able to do all of this. I hope the Chicago teachers settle an agreement soon so students can go back to school and parents can go back to work.
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