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The Renaissance Schools Fund Announces Opening of Twelve New Schools for the 2006/2007 School Year

Posted on: Tuesday, 5 September 2006, 15:00 CDT

The Renaissance Schools Fund donors go beyond financial support to create innovative and mutually beneficial partnerships with Renaissance 2010 Schools

The Renaissance Schools Fund (RSF), announces the opening of twelve Renaissance 2010 Schools for the 2006/2007 school year in addition to the eleven that were opened in 2005. These schools receive support from local communities and corporations that goes beyond monetary donations. Individual and corporate donors of RSF are establishing partnerships with schools through curriculum development, donation of supplies, volunteer hours, mentoring programs, internships and more in an effort to offer students access to resources they may never have had before.

"By investing in RSF, Chicago's civic and business communities are leading the way in developing innovative programs to support the students of Chicago's public education system," said Phyllis Lockett, President and CEO of RSF. "They are not only providing financial support to ensure educational excellence, they are also putting their personal resources to work for our children."

RSF was established by the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago to serve as the partner in fundraising, strategy and accountability to Renaissance 2010 ("Ren10"). Ren10 is Chicago's bold plan to turn around Chicago's under-performing schools through the creation of at least 100 new schools that offer high quality options to previously underserved communities. More than $43 million in funding has been pledged from private sources, including more than $33 million from RSF.

"Our supporters have recognized that different children learn in different ways," said Lockett. "Through creative means, the city's businesses, foundations and citizens are making a personal commitment to offer our kids a well-rounded educational experience. Their vision and partnership are making this initiative a huge success."

Following are examples of how communities of individuals and businesses are supporting Renaissance 2010 schools:

Kenilworth Families Renaissance Schools Partnership

Last year, more than 20 families came together to make personal financial commitments to support Renaissance 2010. This group, the Kenilworth Families Renaissance Schools Partnership, directed their investment to support this month's opening of Providence Englewood at Bunche Campus. In preparation of the school's opening, the Kenilworth Families held a book drive for the library, approached businesses to sell office furniture at cost (saving almost $50,000) and recruited a family foundation to procure music instruments for students. As the school gets ready to open its doors, the Kenilworth Families have worked alongside school staff setting up classrooms, creating bulletin boards and organizing the library. During the school year, partnership members will serve on the school's board and volunteer as after school tutors and mentors.

Denise Nash, a member of the Kenilworth Families Renaissance Schools Partnership said: "We are a community that is fortunate to have a very strong local school and feel that others should be just as fortunate as we are. Our ability to come together and provide support and dedication to the opening of Providence Englewood has been an incredible experience. We hope we can be a positive example for other communities looking to help improve the quality of public education in Chicago and across the nation."

Ernst & Young LLP and Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw

In August 2005 two Chicago business leaders, Ernst & Young and law firm Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw, combined forces to open a new Ren10 school. Perspectives Charter Schools-Calumet Campus will open in Auburn-Gresham September 5.

In preparation for the opening of Perspectives-Calumet Campus, numerous employee volunteer programs were piloted at Perspectives Charter Schools-South Loop Campus over the past year. Employees tutored and mentored students, secured in-kind donations of school supplies, participated in career days, provided tax assistance to parents, arranged for diversity awareness training for faculty and administration, and helped plan the annual fundraising gala. In addition, an Ernst & Young principal, Tony Robinson, has joined the Perspectives Charter Schools' board to demonstrate the firm's ongoing commitment to the school's success.

Tony Anderson, vice chair and managing partner of Ernst & Young's Midwest region said: "Ernst & Young's commitment to Perspectives-Calumet is unique in that it focuses our charitable contributions and volunteerism on something we have helped develop from the ground up. We look forward to building upon the achievements of our numerous volunteer pilot programs to benefit Perspectives-Calumet, and will continue to provide Ernst & Young people with the flexibility to participate in these programs so they can positively impact urban education."

Ty Fahner, Chairman of Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw, said: "Our involvement with the Perspectives Charter School is about much more than our financial contribution. It will be an inspiring community project for some of our staff who are looking forward to volunteering at the school. Our firm does a great deal of sophisticated pro bono legal work, but this will provide our people with truly on-the-ground community experience working with students and faculty. And in the process, the volunteers will pass on their excitement about their careers to the students, which can only benefit them in the long run."

Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal LLP

To celebrate its 100th Anniversary, the law firm of Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal LLP decided to not only support a school, but to open their own school, Legacy Charter School. Legacy, an elementary school in the North Lawndale community, opened in 2005. Beyond significant financial support for start-up costs, the firm's attorneys and staff provide extensive operational and management support, and volunteer in numerous ways to assist the school. Sonnenschein employees cleaned, painted and assembled classroom furniture, led fund-raising projects and collected books, clothing and holiday gifts for students. Additionally, Sonnenschein staff served as tutors and mentors and provided professional assistance to Legacy in numerous areas, including budgeting and accounting, benefits, facilities enhancement, equipment replacement and maintenance, technology, marketing, and human resource issues as well as legal advice on a variety of issues.

Errol Stone, the Sonnenschein partner who serves as Chairman of the Legacy Board and devotes most of his time to Legacy, states: "All of us at Sonnenschein are extremely proud of Legacy. We feel that there is nothing more important for us to do than improve the quality of public education. It is a joy to behold the children's enthusiasm for learning and to know that we are helping them set a course for a better future. Legacy has been great for our students. It also has been great for Sonnenschein, by building morale and giving our lawyers and staff the opportunity to make a meaningful difference."

Source: Business Wire

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