Beyond A-Team

Saturday, March 10th

10:00am - 2:00pm

James R. Jordan Boys & Girls Club

2102 W Monroe St, Chicago 60612

Your financial gift this holiday season will bring our A-Team Scholars one step closer to making higher education a reality and more importantly, one step closer to helping them do more than dream. Please consider making your tax deductible contribution today here.

High School students and their families were introduced to the college bound culture of the High School A-Team Scholars Program. A-Team kick-off events were held at William Brown, Victor Herbert and Sherman School of Excellence Elementary Schools. All of our A-Team Scholars are excited to get back to school and succeed. We look forward to updating you on their accomplishments throughout the year!

2011 Student Explorers Space Camp: Mission Accomplished

Eleven of our A-Team Scholars embarked on a five day mission to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. For many of our students, this trip was their first time away from home, spending time with an international group of peers.

Students from our partner schools in Chicago and Aurora came together as a team. They spent those five days working together, having fun, and seeing the many possibilities of their futures.

For a complete summary and photos of the Space Explorers' experience, click here.

Read with Me! will be at Touhy-Herbert Park, 2106 W. Adams, noon-4pm. 

Radio Disney kicked off the celebration. Students enjoyed a dance party, received prizes, and participated in a hula hoop contest with the Radio Disney Road Crew. After the Disney excitement, students were recognized in front of their peers and awarded an A-Team certificate and medal for their hard work throughout the school year. This year, 175 CPS students received awards totaling over $40,000! As each name was called, students cheered on their fellow A-Team members, creating a true team atmosphere.

After receiving their awards, students heard words of encouragement from Mrs. Jordan and a few of our partners, Jodie Benjamin from PNC and Lisa Cooper from State Farm. Each principal had the opportunity to speak to the group as well, offering words of encouragement and advice for the young A-Team students. After the ceremony, students enjoyed a buffet lunch and dessert before boarding the buses back to school.

I must say that I am thoroughly impressed with all of our A-Team students, not only for their excellent behavior and the camaraderie they showed on June 1, but also for the excellent work they have done all year long. We have challenged our students every quarter to stay focused and achieve their fullest potential, and they have answered the call each time. I have enjoyed every moment of working with the students and administrators at all of our schools. Great work, A-Team, have a wonderful summer!

As I read aloud, I watched each student intently following along in their own book. There were a few minor confusing moments for some, like which way to turn the page and how to hold the book with such small hands, all easy obstacles to overcome! Students were thrilled to identify vocabulary words, what they saw on each page of the story, and how they have experienced love in their own lives.

Further drawing on the theme of the book, each student drew a picture of what love means to him or her on a heart-shaped cut-out, which we will string together and turn into a book that will be donated to the school's library.

Sarah Pelsoh is the James R. Jordan Foundation's Read with Me! coordinator.

JohnNysha's mom, Arlena, took a moment before departure to share her feelings about the trip:

"I have so many emotions bottled up inside right now; I don’t know how to explain them all. I am very excited to be able to go to Disney World and spend some quality time with my family. I am much honored to have my daughter and family chosen for this trip. I am very proud of both John Nysha and myself knowing that hard work really does pay off; it gives me reassurance that I am doing a great job as a parent."

Pictured below are the two families, ready for take-off, with Mrs. Deloris Jordan.

All the essays are in, and we are in the process of scoring and ranking each submission. Student essays are scored by the JRJF Board and Staff, and the top 24 essays will earn their authors a trip to Space Camp. At Space Camp, students get to live and train like astronauts, and even work as a team to complete a shuttle mission. They build teamwork skills, learn about the universe around them, and meet other students from all over the world. It's an eye-opening experience for many of our students, who haven't had an opportunity to ride an airplane, much less blast off on a space shuttle simulator!

Students responded to questions about various topics including challenges their schools are facing and how they see their lives 10 years from now. So far, many of the answers have been thoughtful and touching. One student, when asked to describe the accomplishment she was most proud of, wrote, “One accomplishment I have made is to be more responsible of my actions…Something I hope to accomplish is to give my family a better life.” She went on to say, “I want to make people believe there is still hope. I am going to do that by going to school every day.” Many students wrote about their futures, and let me just say, they have big dreams! One student plans to attend college at Alabama A&M, another student wants to be a famous singer, and yet another plans to be a lawyer and fight the violence in her neighborhood.

The essays have provided an intimate glimpse into the everyday lives of our students, and serve as a meaningful reminder of why the James R. Jordan Foundation's programs are so important to their families, their schools and the greater community.

There are lots of ways to get involved with Student Explorers! Please contact Alyssa at 312.751.9696 or alatala@jamesjordanfoundation.com to learn more. You also can make a donation online at www.jamesjordanfoundation.com/donate.

Garrard McClendon of WYCC's Off 63rd with Garrard McClendon, was at Sherman for the announcement, and interviewed many of the families and staff. Catch the show on Channel 20 on Thursday, April 7, at 6:30pm. 

Sarah Pelsoh, Read with Me! Coordinator, brought a sneak peek of Read with Me! to Sherman, leading the kids in an art project based on Mrs. Deloris Jordan's book, Did I Tell You I Love You Today? Each family received a copy of the book, and a copy of Suit Shoes, donated and written by Quanica McClendon.

Read with Me! begins in May, and will bring together parents and children each week through the end of the school year.

Sherman School of Excellence, the city's first turnaround school, is one of the Jordan Foundation's four partner schools. It's been five years since the school's transformation began, and with a new principal in place this year, the school has seen marked improvement. Sherman was one of three Chicago Public Schools recognized recently by the Illinois State Board of Education as the recipient of its Academic Improvement Award, honoring Sherman's fourth consecutive year of exemplary ISAT growth. Principal Joel Pollack is now in his second semester at Sherman, and took the time to answer a few questions for the Jordan Foundation.

JRJF: What are your goals for this school year?
JP: My primary goal is to build on the strength that Sherman has established since its turnaround in 2006, and to serve in a capacity that helps Sherman continue to move toward achieving its full potential as a school of Excellence. Key metrics for this year include raising the attendance rate for students to 96%, up from 93% in 2009-2010, raising the numberof students meeting and exceeding academic standards to at least 65%, up from 56% last year, and ensuring that at least 90% of our students are reading on grade level by the end of 2nd grade.

JRJF:What are some of the challenges you face as the new principal at Sherman?
JP: One of the biggest challenges has been to step into the role of principal behind such a dynamic and engaging predecessor as Mr. Lionel Allen. The school and the community it serves are indebted to him for his dedication to transforming Sherman and bringing its students great educational opportunities. My task is now to ensure that we have the right systems and structures in place to successfully move beyond the first phase of the turnaround, continuing to raise the level of teaching and learning at Sherman to ensure a lasting legacy of educational excellence at the highest level.

JRJF: How have you confronted those challenges, and have you noted any positive changes?
JP: Learning, listening, and working to build relationships with students and adults has been the most important work for me this year, and I've loved getting to know the members of the Sherman School of Excellence Community. We're on track to meet our goals for the year, and informal feedback has been positive, indicating that we're moving in the right direction. I am very optimistic that our learning climate will continue to be strong and student achievement will continue to rise.

JRJF: How does Sherman’s partnership with the Jordan Foundation help you to reach your goals for the school?
JP: The Jordan Foundation is instrumental in continuing to build a strong and positive school culture, celebrating the learning and achievement of our students, and partnering effectively with our families. Mrs. Jordan has been outstanding in motivating our students and families to be excellent through her involvement, both inside and outside of the school. Her staff, and the opportunities they provide, from rewarding our students for their academic achievements to providing holiday gifts for our students, are invaluable in helping Sherman reach its full potential.

Read more about Sherman's turnaround success here.

More than 100 guests joined the Jordan Foundation on Thursday, February 10, to celebrate an early Valentine's Day and raise money for the children and families served by JRJF. Check out the photos here!

Emcee and Fox Chicago reporter Joanie Lum welcomed guests and shared her own experience with the Jordan Foundation while traveling with our Student Explorers to Discovery Camp. Mrs. Deloris Jordan recalled how she came to begin the Foundation in 2000, and thanked the Board, hosts and guests for their continued support.

The 26 silent auction packages, including a signed copy of Driven from Within by Michael Jordan and a signed copy of Did I Tell You I Love You Today by Deloris Jordan, plus nine raffle prizes helped raise more than $5,700 for the Jordan Foundation's Vision for Families programs!

Many thanks to our Host Committee:
Jodie Benjamin
Nicholas Esposito
Lauren Kaeseberg
Bart Moy
Kitty Murphy
Hon. Leonard Murray
Julia Potter
David Reynolds
Monica Salamon
Cynthia Simpson
Lori Ward
Debra Wesley

Thank you to our event sponsors:

Thank you to our silent auction and raffle donors:
About Face Theatre
Adler Planetarium
Paul Ashack
Avanti Skin Center
Benefit
Bespoke Cuisine
Black Ensemble Theater
Botanic Garden
Brunswick Zone
Chicago Arthur Murray Dance Studio
Chicago Children's Museum
Chicago Cubs
Chicago Dance
Chicago White Sox
Cosi
Cuneo Museum and Gardens
East Bank Club
Emerald City Theatre
Fireside Restaurant
Fox Valley Repertory
G Boutique
ING DIRECT
Jumbalia Jewelry
Latin Rhythms Academy of Dance  
Lettuce Entertain You
Marriott Theatre
Moto
Bart Moy
Museum of Science and Industry
Namaskar Yoga
Neiman Marcus
Nuns4Fun Entertainment Inc.
Oceanique
one sixtyblue
Pickwick Theatre
Rosebud Restaurants
SpaceTime Tanks
Spare Time
The Few Institute
The Peace School
The Peninsula Chicago
The Victoria Resort Bed & Breakfast
The Waverton Hotel
Thodos Dance Chicago
Truefitt & Hill
Vera Bradley
WDRV-FM The Drive
Windy City Fieldhouse
Yoga Now
Zanies

Tickets to the Jordan Foundation's pre-Valentine's Day cocktail reception, Wine.Dine.Be Mine, are selling fast! Join us on Thursday, February 10, for hors d'oeuvres, desserts, a special Valentine's Day cocktail, magnificent Signature Room views and a fabulous silent auction. Featured items include the opportunity to be "Chef for a Day" at moto, an overnight stay at a South Haven B&B, a cooking class for two and a girls night out shopping party at Benefit boutique! Register online or call us at 312.751.9696.

Join the James R. Jordan Foundation for a pre-Valentine's Day celebration at the Signature Room on Thursday, February 10, 2011!  Bring your Valentine - or perhaps find one at the party - and enjoy Valentine's Day-inspired hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and desserts, plus a fantastic silent auction.  Funds raised at the event will support the Jordan Foundation's Vision for Families programs at schools in the Englewood and West Haven communities in Chicago, and in Aurora, Illinois.  Click here for more details, and click here to register! 

Join us this Thursday, December 16, for a special storytime at Barnes & Noble, 1130 North State Street, Chicago.  Mrs. Jordan will read from her children's books at 11:00am - please come out, and bring your whole family!

The Jordan Foundation is the 2010 holiday book drive recipient of Barnes & Noble at State and Elm.  Shoppers have the opportunity to select books for the children and families we serve each time they shop.  Thanks to these generous bookworms, JRJF already has collected nearly 1,000 books!

For the past four years, the Sherman School of Excellence has been in a state of transformation. On the verge of closing in 2006, the school decided to change the course it was on and get back to basics. They began hiring new staff and putting new academic standards in place. With the help of programs like A-Team Scholars, the school really has turned things around. It is now the highest performing school in the area, and it continues to improve.

The event was an excellent way to highlight Sherman School’s success. Mr. Pollack, the Principal, along with Mrs. Meyers, the Assistant Principal, are passionate about providing the highest quality education possible and creating a new future for their students. This passion was clear throughout the evening. The success of the work they are doing is evident in their students. A-Team Scholars Devonte Cadle (8th grade), Nicole Perry (6th grade), and JohnNysha Shannon (6th grade) all spoke about the improvements they’ve seen in their school and themselves as a result of the programs implemented at Sherman. Each of the students gave a unique perspective on how the A-Team has helped to transform their school, but the common theme in each presentation was opportunity. Devonte, Nicole, and JohnNysha all expressed the new opportunity they see for their future through the access to higher education they have received through the A-Team.

Students, parents, teachers, and administrators alike are all committed to creating a brighter future for Sherman, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store.

This year we have tried new ideas to contact and keep in touch with our students. We’ve used social networking tools like Facebook and good old fashioned face-to-face networking to contact A-Team Scholars young and old. It seems like our hard work has paid off! Overall, registration increased 10% from last year.

The best part of all these success stories is the excitement our students have for the program. They are talking to one another, to their teachers, to their parents, and to us about how important this program is in their lives. Students in all of our schools have really taken ownership of their education and their lives in a big way through the A-Team Scholars program. I am really excited to work with all of our A-Team Scholars, new and veteran this year, and I look forward to witnessing their success in the 2010-2011 school year.

Teenagers willingly getting out of bed at 7am?  To volunteer?  This is unheard of for most teens, but not the A-Team.   

Our A-Team Scholars Alumni remind me that there is a reason to be positive and hopeful for the future, despite the challenges we face now. These students are an inspiration to me and everyone at JRJF.  We're proud to have them on our team!