CULTURE OF CALM

Chicago Public Schools conducted a comprehensive assessment of the violence-related risk posed to CPS high school students both inside and outside of school.  In response to extensive data-based research and community discussions, the Board has created a strategy to advance the protection, safety, and security of high school students.  This strategy focuses toward the achievement of two fundamental goals:

• Reducing the likelihood that high-risk CPS students will become victims of violence; and
• Creating a safe, secure and supportive school environment to increase students' attendance and improve academic performance

Club Tech teaches and enhances students' computer skills.  It prepares students to utilize and become familiarized with modern computer terminology and programs.  Students learn to operate computer systems, defragment, navigate various software, and also learn to break down and reassemble hardware.  Students will have regular access to systems to continue to develop their existing skills while learning new ones.  This program could potentially lead students into a career in computers.  However, it will also provide students with a way to earn an immediate income as they work on computers for friends, neighbors, and family members.

College Bound engages students in the fun, as well as the advantages of a post secondary education and prepare them for the college entrance process.  This program allows us to prepare high school students to confidently pursue aspiration of college with a solid foundation under them.  It expose students to the college entrance process through field trips to local colleges, familiarity with college and financial aid applications, and an annual college tour.  Not only does this program include assistance in test preparation, the financial aid application and it process, but also assistance in locating scholarship opportunities.
 

The foundation of our youth programs is to provide positive support and opportunities that make a difference in the lives of  at-risk youth.  Our Mentoring  program provides advocacy as a well as professional guidance, support and access to resources.  Students participate in a gender-based mentoring program designed to address issues specific to each group.  Both groups individually discuss such topics as anger management, conflict resolution, learning to work through stressful situations, decision making, and developing a healthy value system.

The young men will learn to:  accept personal responsibility for their own lives; develop healthy attitudes towards the opposite sex; gain an appreciation for their own individuality; and respect eh value of life for themselves and others.  While the young ladies will learn:  proper hygiene, grooming, develop healthy attitudes and lifestyles, respect their own bodies, while demanding respect of others.

This will be accomplished through a series of workshops that examine the glamorization of sex, drugs, and violence; observe the portrayal of African Americans fostered in the media, develop a historical understanding of the problems that exist among African Americas today; and build self-respect by empowering young people to take control of their lives.

Studies show that creative writing not only help young minds develop critical thinking skills, but also express themselves and connect with the wider community.  Our Creative Writing program help students develop the ability to communicate effectively.  It teaches students to explore the world through reading, (viewing reading as fun and informative) and tap into their own creative thoughts.  Students will study a variety of different authors, various forms of poetic expression, and different writing styles.  Students will have the opportunity to write their own lyrical prose or poetry, short stories, essays, and songs.  This program will use discussion, role-playing, writing, group projects, and other performance based activities.

Phalanx's Creative Arts program use the performing arts as a vehicle to help build skills and foster positive attitudes and behaviors in at-risk youth through leadership and self-esteem building programming.   Our program is designed to enhance the student's appreciation for artistic expression, teach them to use art as a form of positive outlet, present possible career opportunities in art, provide students with valuable production experience, and develop team attitudes.  This will be accomplished by:

• Analyzing a play and theatrical production (including theme, costume, setting, etc).
• Studying characterizations and character types.
• Understanding conflicts (central, internal, external)
• Detecting the rise and fall of plays
•  Studying various production types (descriptive, expository, formal, humorous, informal, narrative)