Elect

Valerie F. Leonard
Alderman, 24th Ward
“A leader for such a time as this”

Valerie’s Agenda for Education

1. Develop 24th Ward Master Educational Facilities Planning Task Force
• Comprised of stakeholders from CPS, CTU, business community, nonprofits
• Provide input into facilities and curriculum planning for 24th Ward Schools
• Encourage alignment of curriculum of feeder schools with high schools, and alignment of high school
curriculum with employers and colleges
• Evaluate impact of school openings, closings, turnarounds and attendance boundaries

2. Encourage Stronger Collaboration & Partnerships Between Chicago Public Schools and
Community
• Advocate for CPS Board meetings to be on different dates from City Council meetings
• Broker relationships between Schools, community based organizations and churches
• Replace negative competition with spirit of partnership
• Put community in a better position to seek federal funds for education and after school programming
• Provide more cohesive delivery of services

3. Make Schools the Center of Community

• Encourage CPS to expand Community Schools programming in the 24 th Ward
• Schools open for extended hours to be used by the entire community
• Supportive Services
• Adult Learning
• Job Training
• After School Programs
• Recreational Activities

4. Reduce Criminalization of Our Children

• Advocate for funding for proven crime prevention programs and strategies
▫ Restorative Justice Programming
▫ Afterschool programs with mentoring and job training components
▫ Summer employment
▫ Service Learning and Unpaid Internships
▫ Greater access to and coordination of supportive services and benefits

5. Increase Parental Involvement

• Work with LSC’s and parent advocacy groups to reach out to foster greater involvement of parents
in their children’s education
▫ Advocate for more funding to support programs that promote parental involvement through
education and training
▫ Broker partnerships between CPS, parent groups, churches and other community based
organizations
4111 West 21st Place Chicago, IL 60623 Phone 773-521-3137 Fax: 773-521-3137
Website: http://Vote4Valerie.voterspace.com Blog: http://Vote4Valerie.blogspot.com
Paid for by Citizens to Elect Valerie F. Leonard Contributions are not tax deductible