As the night went on, students performed musical pieces and a dance medley, while student artwork hung in a gallery nearby. During the concert portion, Ma was inspired to perform the Prelude from the Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major by Johann Sebastian Bach by his work with UCW, and the students performed a song that they had composed in response to a challenge Ma posed the last time he was there: Take the school creed (which is recited every morning), and set it to music.
For the past seven years, Ma has worked closely through the Urban Education Institute (UEI) to promote arts education at UCW, which enrolls students in grades six through twelve.
His involvement with the school began at a lunch with UEI director Timothy Knowles and Chuck Lewis, a governing board member for the U of C Charter Schools.
“They showed me the statistics,” Ma said. “Out of 100 boys in CPS [Chicago Public Schools], by the time they’re 25, six will have graduated from college. I saw that and said, ‘I can’t live in a parallel world where this happens.’”
Since then, Ma has played an integral role in forging a partnership between the UEI and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, where he has been a creative consultant since December 2009.
“We’re trying to see whether arts integration works as a core subject. We’ve been talking to principals and teachers because we think this kind of stuff—disciplined imagination—works. This is what gets people excited,” Ma said.
And arts education, Ma believes, is integral to UCW’s ability to keep its students engaged and in school.
“What’s exciting about Woodlawn is that it has a 97 percent graduation rate,” he said. “One thing that it’s doing right is expression. Once you have individual expression, that’s when the collective will and the intersection happens. The secret is collective will and an absolute respect for individual expression. That’s how you get to the next level.”
Ma has been instrumental to that success, according to Knowles.
“Yo-Yo has been a conspirator in our endeavors. He has been a very big part of our work,” Knowles said.
Partly due to Ma’s influence, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra has been supporting the fine arts department at UCW, bringing in musicians and teaching artists, according to UEI spokesperson Katelyn Silva.
“The CSO has partnered with our school for a class. This is one piece of an academic puzzle that we’re really excited about,” she said.
One of the teaching artists is Philip Boulanger, a cellist who performed with UCW students during the concert. He explained that his involvement “stemmed out of the UEI and CSO partnership.”
“We’ve been here since December and January working with them every week,” he said.
The effect of Ma’s support hasn’t been limited to the music curriculum, according to UCW’s fine arts director, Ahava Silkey. The dance program has flourished as well, expanding from a nine-student affair two years ago to a full dance company with three classes and a dance studio.
“We’ve come a long way in a short time,” said Lewis.
Brooke Williams, an art instructor who organized the exhibit that accompanied Friday’s concert, said that the classes at UCW are likely the first time these students have been able to study art.
“A lot of these kids don’t get to have art until high school,” she said.
Devon Goodloe, a high schooler at UCW whose work was featured in the art show, is one example.
“I used to do it just as a hobby,” he said, “but now I’m taking a class.”
Friday was Ma’s fourth time visiting UCW.
“I love this place because of the energy. The intersection of caring and commitment and disciplined imagination—I’m moved by it,” he told the audience in his closing remarks. “When we talk about excellence, it’s not an abstract thing. We saw it. We heard it.”
It has become clear,why people have a disdain for charter schools (UCW-Woodlawn). Often, members of the mid-level administration lack the proper skill set to effectively communicate and lead. No wonder many of the qualified faculty and staff resigned. Think it’s time for a change. The following is a prime example:
Evans, Shayne Oct 10 (6 days ago)
to mwolfe, Assata, Shavonne
Good morning all,
Just received a call from Mr. Wolfe, parent of Lydia Wolfe, UCCS 9th grader and MS alumni. He’d like to set up a time to meet with Ms. Moore at some point. I hope the three of you can connect soon.
Take care,
Shayne
mrmbwolfe@gmail.com Oct 10 (6 days ago)
to Shayne, Shavonne, mwolfe, Assata
Thank you. I’m available anytime and as as soon a possible.
On Wed, Oct 10, 2012 at 9:12 AM, wrote:
Hello,
I dropped my daughter off this morning, at bit before 7:55 AM. She was not allowed to go to her class room. There were several other students standing there also, that were told to report to the deans office.
Lydia is never absent or late, nor has she ever had any disciplinary problems. The subsequent treatment of her and fellow UCW students, did not exemplify the “UCW CREED”.
How are students expected to uphold the values of the creed, when the staff/faculty don’t?
I understand there may be a group of student that are habitually tardy or absent, and there is an effort to reduce the occurrences. However, my years of experiences have revealed that every interaction with young people should be a teachable moment.
In my opinion, they were treated similarly like persons being documented into the criminal justice system. Quite frankly, it reminded me of the Cook County jail.
As a bit of background – I am a former law enforcement official, educator and dean emeritus of criminal justice, at a local college. What I observed today through the lenses of social work, academia and law enforcement – was and remains very unsettling.
I would like to meet and discuss this matter.
Best,
Marcus B. Wolfe Sr.
Catharine Brooks Strow Scholar
The University of Chicago
School of Social Service Administration
Moore, Assata assatamoore@uei-schools.org
Oct 10 (6 days ago)
to mwolfe, shayneevans, shavonneramsey, Arcelia, Desiree, Michael
Greetings,
If Lydia was here at 7:55 she would have been permitted to enter the building. We do not and did not close the main entrance until 7:58. I know this to be the case because all this week I have been outside at 7:50 a.m. along with my assistant director Mr. Lackenbach, three of our PEW teachers and our freshman counselor. I personally instructed them to close the door at 7:58. Students are to be in there seat at 8:00 a.m. If they enter after 7:58, they will not make it. Punctuality and enforcement of rules are strongly aligned with our Creed. In our creed it states, “I will operate within the accepted academic and social norms of UCW.” and “I will be persistent in completing any task that comes before me.” With that, punctuality is an expected norm and we expect our students to meet this task. In the event they do not, they will have to face consequences, just as adults do.
Standing in line is a part of our society, I’m sure I will face a long line when I go to cast my vote. I will not feel like a criminal given the freedom casting a vote makes me feel. Cook county jail has yet to get 100% of its “students” into college, UCW has done it and will continue to do so.
Good day,
mrmbwolfe@gmail.com
Oct 10 (6 days ago)
to Assata, shayneevans, Desiree, Arcelia, mwolfe, Michael, shavonneramsey
Excuse me?
Voting, standing in line?
It is clear this must be addressed in another manner.
You were instructed by Mr. Evans to connect and meet with me.
We’ll be in touch.
Incidentally,
I was outside also, they are not adults, and I’m aware of the placement (recent 100%) placement rate of UCW, Urban Prep and other CPS schools.
This has nothing to do with the way they were spoken or herded into a dean’s office.
As a parent and longstanding/ influential community member, I have every right to express my opinions and request a meeting.
Again you are also giving communications my Dr. Evans to meet with me.
It would be in the best interest of all parties for you to comply.
I look forward to our meeting.
Mr. Wolfe