TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2017
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Request for Authorization to Continue District Employee Participation for the Working in the Schools (WITS) Program
Body
Dear Sir:
District employees completed the 14th academic year of participation in the Chicago Public School’s Working in the Schools (WITS) program. WITS promotes literacy and a love of learning to Chicago Public School elementary students through a volunteer, outcomes-based portfolio of programs. WITS endeavors to bridge the achievement and opportunity gap for underserved students through building connections with positive adult role models.
The staff is asking for authorization to continue participation in the program for the 2017-2018 school year. Most staff participants have indicated that they are willing to continue in the program, and new volunteers can be brought into the program. The schedule should remain the same. A bus, which is paid by the WITS organization, departs from the Main Office Building at 11:45 a.m. and returns at 1:00 p.m. This year’s program will be held at Manierre School, 1420 N. Hudson Ave, Chicago, IL 60610.
If the Board of Commissioner approves, the Public Affairs Section will coordinate the program with staff from WITS. District volunteers would request approval of their respective department heads, and they would agree to forgo their lunch breaks on tutoring days.
Requested, Allison Fore, Public and Intergovernmental Affairs Officer, ke
Respectfully Submitted, Josina Morita, Chairman Committee on Public Information and Education
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for September 14, 2017