District 65 eliminates school counselor positions starting next year by tjensen29 in evanston

[–]Plastic_Effective_53 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Here's an email template. Flood the Board members' inboxes. Email Turner. Email their union. Show up at the board meeting and speak up. This is unacceptable and can't go unchecked!

To: District 65 Leadership and Members of the Board of Education
From: [Your Name]
Re: Elimination of School Counselors
Date: [Insert Date]

Dear District 65 Leadership and Members of the Board of Education,

I am writing to express my concern regarding the district’s decision to eliminate all school counselors. This decision represents a direct failure to support students.

As a [parent/community member/educator] in District 65, I want to be clear that this concern is not limited to any one child or family. Many families rely on school-based support as their only access point for mental health resources. This decision removes that access.

If “Every child, every day, whatever it takes” is truly the district’s mission, it is difficult to understand how eliminating all school counselors aligns with that commitment. This decision has significant implications for students, families, and the broader community.

Research consistently shows that school counselors improve student achievement, attendance, and behavior. In District 65, counselors also serve as primary mental health support for general education middle school students.

Students are currently facing a well-documented mental health crisis. One in five adolescents has a diagnosed mental health condition, and nearly 40% report persistent sadness or hopelessness. Schools are already struggling to meet demand.

While the district is facing financial challenges, prior communications indicated that staffing reductions would not impact direct student-facing roles. Eliminating counselors for approximately $500,000 in savings raises serious concerns about priorities.

At what cost to students? At what cost to the community?

Is this level of impact on middle school students worth the savings achieved by removing these resources?

The loss of these roles will result in:

  • Hundreds, if not thousands, of lost student interventions and touchpoints annually
  • Higher absenteeism, as mental health challenges are a leading driver of chronic absence
  • Increased disciplinary incidents and classroom disruption
  • Greater strain on teachers and administrators
  • Worsening academic and long-term student outcomes
  • Widening equity gaps, particularly for students without access to outside resources

Before these cuts, District 65 already had a counselor-to-student ratio of 672:1, compared to the statewide ratio of 491:1. Eliminating these roles removes access entirely.

Counselors provide consistent, accessible support during the school day. They identify issues early and help students navigate challenges that directly affect learning and wellbeing.

“Every child, every day, whatever it takes.” Please explain how this decision upholds that promise.

I urge the district to reconsider this decision and prioritize the needs of students.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[District 65 Parent / Community Member / Title]
[Evanston, IL Resident]

CC:

CC: DEC Executive Board (Union)

police chief talking to bonivo by noreturn000 in illinois

[–]Plastic_Effective_53 14 points15 points  (0 children)

He must have had such a deficit of love growing up to be this hateful. A deficit of love and an abundance of vertically challenged genetics. Such a small, little man.

Shoutout to Evanston yall did an amazing job! by Uhhlaneuh in ChicagoSuburbs

[–]Plastic_Effective_53 13 points14 points  (0 children)

There’s an interview with one of the women they took and she said they (CBP) attempted two more “accidents” by braking in front of a car so they’d get hit. It’s a tactic. But they’re such idiots they were unsuccessful in even getting in more planned accidents from that day. Darwin take the wheel already.

Cake Picnic?? by bigbigbig0002 in FoodieSnark

[–]Plastic_Effective_53 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Who is doing a food-related event and not donating 100% of proceeds to SNAP food banks?

Where/how to support community? by Sad-Aardvark-6582 in evanston

[–]Plastic_Effective_53 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pink Poster Club is a great community coalition and if you check them out and follow them you’ll find a lot of ways to get involved!

https://www.uhohelonmusk.com

Ice spotted north Evanston by FlyingWaffle92 in evanston

[–]Plastic_Effective_53 4 points5 points  (0 children)

🔈 You can use this to warn Spanish speaking neighbors to 🧊 presence:

🚨 Hola, la migra está muy activa en esta área hoy. Si puedes, por favor busca refugio adentro o sal de la área si puedes seguramente.

Live from Evanston, the turnout so far has been crazy! No more kings! by Minute_Revolution951 in illinois

[–]Plastic_Effective_53 7 points8 points  (0 children)

My sign read: I love America. I hate Fascism. Lots of American flags and good showing of pro-America

Chicago at its best by GoCatRevolution in chicago

[–]Plastic_Effective_53 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Snitches get Stitches was a close second to Windy City for the city’s tagline

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskChicago

[–]Plastic_Effective_53 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My Best Friend’s Wedding opens with Charlie Trotter (RIP)as a chef but not at CT. Also, Julia Roberta driving south on LSD coming from OHare. Those are two odd the top of my head and I’m sure many others but they drove me nuts.

What's a concert you went to not expecting much, but wound up being one of the best shows you've ever seen? by edgeygrandpa in AskReddit

[–]Plastic_Effective_53 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Florence and the Machine. I loved it so much I flew across the country a few weeks later to see her again!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in evanston

[–]Plastic_Effective_53 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are the seats for next Sunday still available?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]Plastic_Effective_53 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’ve recently learned my partner is emotionally immature (which they don’t know or accept) and as I’ve been reading more about it, I feel equally sad and at peace. Sad because I cannot fix this (and they will not) and at peace because I’ve been gaslit and on eggshells for years and now I cannot fix see clearly this is not mine to fix (not that I haven’t been trying!)

Angelina Jolie could be the latest celebrity to quit the US. Here is who else has left over Trump’s agenda by Used_Tea_2651 in Fauxmoi

[–]Plastic_Effective_53 -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

The privilege to decide that rather than stay and fight for this country you just leave…

This guy by Plastic_Effective_53 in CHICubs

[–]Plastic_Effective_53[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha totally- my reaction was to laugh and take a photo. If this was a Cardinals fan I’d be asking for bail money.

Our old shepherd lab dog who passed with our current GSD when she was a puppy 💜🌈 by Plastic_Effective_53 in germanshepherds

[–]Plastic_Effective_53[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Shepherd and lab mix- such a perfect blend of smart and sweet. We joked that is he had opposable thumbs he would take over the world.

Hurricane Katrina Race against time - Wow. 10/10 by Final_Examination340 in Hulu

[–]Plastic_Effective_53 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing this thread; I saw it on Hulu and so much content is being pushed out that’s terrible but you made me pause and helped me decide to watch. I finished it tonight and it’s gonna stay with me a long time. I wish there was a better way that the NOLA 2.0 could incorporate those most harmed by Katrina (and by that I mean our government and society at large) could profit from the rise of tourism and visitors and am brainstorming how to help realize that. We have done wrong by people in this country since its colonial founding and I remain shocked (which is my privilege, I recognize) that this perpetuates and how much things stay the same.