Today I received this from a CPS teacher:
“With everything going on in CPS, THIS is the first interoffice memo I’ve been forwarded directly from the CEO in all my years teaching. There are so many reasons why teachers might not dress in her definition of “professional attire,” from crawling on the floor with pre-schoolers to trying to be more approachable and less intimidating during parent conferences. It’s just another example of top-down, corporate style management which is inappropriate for running schools. She does not mandate a dress code, and she does say she understands there may be exceptions, but this is still an absurd waste of energy and yet another demonstration of cluelessness from the tippy-top of CPS. “
Fred Klonsky 
I’ve got to hope that this is really for the management teams. Dress code is a mandatory subject of bargaining.
Let’s talk about my class-size rather than my attire!
Whew–I’m sure glad I can still wear pink sponge rollers in my hair! On the one hand, who wouldn’t think of dressing for the profession? On the other hand, when we used to interview prospective high school teachers for a job, you’d be surprised how many would come in wearing flip-flops, short shorts, etc. We even had someone come in a transparent blouse with no undergarment. It was sad but it made the interviewing process quicker because our policy was no matter how competent their résumé made them appear, they were automatically eliminated because if they didn’t know how to dress for the interview, we couldn’t predict how they’d dress for the classroom. I can understand that those who know how to dress might be offended by the memo but on the other hand, my experience is that those who don’t have a clue wonder who the memo is directed to.
Elma,
Context is everything. This is the ONLY memo teachers have received from the CEO.
RULES FOR TEACHERS – 1872
1. Teachers each day will fill lamps, clean chimneys.
2. Each teacher will bring a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal for the daily’ session.
3. Make your pens carefully. You whittle nibs to the individual taste of the pupils.
4. Men teachers may take one evening each week for courting purposes, or two evenings a week if they go to church regularly.
5. After ten hours in school, the teachers may spend the remaining time reading the Bible or other good books.
6. Women teachers who marry or engage in unseemly conduct will be dismissed.
7. Every teacher should lay aside from each pay a goodly sum of this earnings for his benefit during his declining years so that he will not become a burden on society.
8. Any teacher who smokes, uses liquor in any form, frequents pool or public halls, or gets shaved in a barber shop will give good reason to suspect his worth, intention, integrity and honest.
9. The teacher who performs his labor faithfully and without fault for five years will be given an increase of twenty cents per week in his pay, providing the Board of Education approves.
Jerry, I copied this & put this on everyone’s table at our retirement dinner, specifically for the actives (especially the newbies) to see. I read them aloud, telling attendees never to forget what it was like (& also in the twentieth century–oughts, twenties & thirties! Yes, one could marry, but could not teach if pregnant! Anyway, after reading, a gave a little speech on the importance of the union–to always support and maintain the local. Then, I gave a gift of thanks to each of the three union presidents (2 past) & the one veep who attended.
That having been said, we’re getting back there, Jerry…to 1872.
Nice headline!
Phillip Cantor M.Ed Science Dept. Chairperson North-Grand High School 4338 W. Wabansia Chicago, IL 60639 773 534-8520 Sent from my iPhone
>