"Respect for All" Initiative discussions begin amidst Arts Center concerns
The Arrowhead Center for the Arts at School District 166 - Photo courtesy of the school
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On Friday, June 19, an announcement came from the Grand Marais Playhouse that the organization was being "evicted"from the Arrowhead Center for the Arts on the grounds of School District 166.
According to School District 166, that is not the case. However, the Playhouse may be asked to move into another area of the arts center. To learn more about the apparent Grand Marais Playhouse and School District 166 concerns, click here.
WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with School District 166 Superintendent Dr. Bill Crandall on June 22 about the possible changes ahead for the Grand Marais Playhouse and the arts center.
Click below to hear their conversation.
At the School District 166 school board meeting on Thursday, June 18, just a day before the Grand Marais Playhouse concerns were made public, a "Respect for All" initiative was brought forward.
In another news release from the school the plan is described as a "tranformative and actionable plan to begin the process of dismantling and reckoning with the systemic issues that have plagued all public institutions in this country." Read the letter from School Board Chair Dan Shirley here.
Put together by School Board Chair Dan Shirley, the news release on the "Respect for All" Initiative includes a concise list of possible action items. The first of five items suggests an audit of discipline records for the past five years, considering severity of transgressions and punishment and demographic of students involved. The list also includes an extensive policy review, looking at food service, restorative discipline, staff development, student development and curriculum, and community development.
WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with School Board Chair Dan Shirley about the purpose and intent of the plan. Here's their conversation, which also includes some thoughts on the current negotiations about the Grand Marais Playhouse's place at the school's Arrowhead Center for the Arts.
You can find more information on the "Respect for All" Initiative here.
Chair Shirley also encourages community members to visit the Cook County Schools website to take a survey on school communications. You can find that survey here.
Click below to hear the conversation on the "Respect for All" Initiative, as well as for some thoughts on the future of the Grand Marais Playhouse at the arts center.
WTIP also reached out to Grand Marais Playhouse Director Sue Hennessy for an interview. Hennessy declined an interview at this time as she waits for advice from Grand Marais Playhouse legal counsel.
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