INSTIGATORS

My mother used to refer to me as an "instigator," not always in a kind way. This week a new acquaintance referred to me as such because with a few phone calls a new organization was spawned on Chicago's North Shore.

IL State Senator Rev. James Meeks, pastor at Salem Baptist Church, is encouraging Chicago Public School students to boycott their first day of school on Tuesday, Sept. 2nd in an effort to highlight inequities in public school funding. He is bringing busloads of children to register for school at either New Trier High School or Sunset Ridge Elementary in the leafy suburb of Northfield.

Illinois school funding is largely based on local property taxes. Consequently, since property values differ throughout the state, school quality and amenities vary dramatically based on where one lives.

Residents of New Trier school district communities have always valued good education and children. CPS students are coming to New Trier to demonstrate their interest in a good education that will give them the best shot at a bright future -- we want to respect that and welcome them.

A week ago press coverage portrayed New Trier’s response as solely a police presence to provide order and minimize disruption at school. So, last Monday morning I made some phone calls to find out who was working on the welcoming committee.

The Asst. Police Chief of Winnetka was the designated government point person. Not a good sign. The New Trier High School Superintendent wasn’t returning phone calls. Not good. The New Trier Parent Association co-chairs didn’t respond. Hhmmm.

So I called Gail Schechter, Executive Director of the Interfaith Housing Center. Interfaith is a civil rights organization with a focus on diversity, equal housing, and integration. It was formed by folks who organized the Summer Project that brought Martin Luther King to speak to 10,000 people on Winnetka’s Village Green in July of 1965. According to her, welcoming was not on the Interfaith agenda. My next call was to Katie Seigenthaler, my former neighbor and a mom of New Trier students who is the Chair of Interfaith’s Communications Committee. All three of us decided to be sure the Chicago students received a warm welcome.

What followed was massive outreach. Within three days we organized a "core group" of concerned parents, teachers and religious and community leaders who formed a new organization: United We Learn! Not only will we provide a warm welcome, we’re going to use Rev. Week’s visit as an opportunity for a “teachable moment,” to set an example for our kids and engage them and the broader community in a constructive dialogue on educational equity. We presented to the New Trier School Board. We met with school administrators. We’ve talked with the police and the press. We have an e-mail/phone tree for volunteers. We have a site: United-We-Learn@googlegroups.com. We’re ready for the children and we’re ready for the future.

Instigators know who to call!