I am the STEM teacher at Acero Charter Schools-Rufino Tamayo and I am so tired. I am tired because it is February in Chicago. I am tired because I took an energetic group of fourth-graders on a field trip. But mostly, I’m tired of the uncertainty of not knowing what is happening with my school community.
It has been 126 days since I received a text message that my school was closing. 126 days of uncertainty and not knowing, of not being able to answer my students’ questions.
I am tired of saying good-bye to amazing members of our Tamayo school community. It is emotionally exhausting to see my students crying as they say good-bye to the classmates they have been in the same class with for five, six, seven years. We keep telling families and each other that you have to do what is best for yourself and your family, but it is difficult. For many students, Tamayo is the best place for them to be, but the uncertainty is taking a toll. It is difficult to see a thriving school community, “the dream team,” being torn apart piece by piece.
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Our Latino students and families are living in the uncertainty of increased racism and fear of being targeted when they walk down the street. For years, Tamayo has been a safe, consistent place for students and families. They need that feeling of safety and consistency now more than ever.
The resolution that the Chicago School Board made before winter break gave us hope. The board did something historic by stepping in to save our schools. But that hope is fading because we still do not have answers and concrete details. We need Acero Charter Schools and Chicago Public Schools to step up and figure out a solution. Our school community deserves better.
Shannon Phillips, STEM Lead teacher at Acero Charter Schools- Rufino Tamayo
Broadway upzoning won’t work without EVs
I am asking again about the status of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Uptown and Edgewater. I greatly fear that the City of Chicago and State of Illinois have hugely blown it because President Donald Trump and his lackeys are very likely to freeze the Inflation Reduction Act funding for EV charging infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the city, the alders, and the city Department of Planning and Development are ramming through a radical Broadway upzoning plan that is supposed to be green. But without incorporating a strong push for EVs and char ging, you are leaving out a big piece, because many, many people are not going to give up personal vehicles no matter how much you wish it.
Where does this stand?
Harris Meyer, Uptown
A thank you from veterans
As a veteran of the Vietnam era, past commander of the American Legion Portage Park Post 183 on the Northwest Side, and a retired veterans service officer (34 years with the VA), I wish to personally thank City Clerk Anna Valencia for continuing to give to our Chicago resident veterans free city stickers. This program was started in 2018 and I didn’t hear about it until a few years later. So for all vets not aware of this program, here is what to do:
First, go to the nearest secretary of state office with a copy of your DD214 (military discharge). If you have misplaced it, simply download the government form SF180 and send it to the St. Louis records center.
Once you have you new driver’s license with “veteran” on it, go to any city clerk office and you will get the sticker free. As an added benefit, if you should get stopped by the police for a minor infraction, when they see the veteran designation on your license. they will often give you a warning instead of a ticket.
On behalf of the veterans of my post, and all those veterans living in Chicago, thanks for recognizing our service to our country.
Raymond P. Toczek, Portage Park
Why can’t Trump work with democracy?
One of the respondents to your question “How did the first week of Trump’s presidency affect you?” said that “We have a president who works for the American people.” But, if he’s working for the American people, why can’t he do it within the context of a democracy, as that is what America is? Some 200 executive orders on his first day is a blatant abuse of power.
In a democratic republic like the United States, new policies and changes should go through Congress, with debate, discussion, consensus and voting. Executive orders should be used for critical emergencies, not for trying to overturn parts of the Constitution. They are not for whatever the president wants and is afraid he will not be able to get passed in Congress.
A democracy works best when laws are the result of compromise. The bi-partisan immigrant legislation from 2024 is an example. The next step would be for those who crafted that bill to drum up support among their constituents. Unfortunately for that piece of legislation, one man, Donald Trump, was able to prevent that process by telling Republicans to not vote for it. That is not democracy; that is dictatorship.
Trump has been dictator of the Republican Party since his first term. Now he is trying to become dictator of our country. It is time for our legislators to stand up for what is right and take their oath of office seriously. A democratic government is not about one man.
Chris Aument, Itasca
Tone it down, governor
Gov. JB Pritzker might want to tone down his hyperbolic disdain for Trump, who now controls the federal purse strings. In fact, perhaps the governor should adopt his own version of DOGE. Not that there’s any fraud, waste, or abuse to uncover.
Kenneth Marier, Lake View