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10 Years Of The Journey - Dr. Femi Skanes

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Encouragement for the School Leader's Soul

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Encouragement for the School Leader's Soul

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Encouragement for the School Leader’s Soul: A devotional for school leaders

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Encouragement for the School Leader’s Soul: A devotional for school leaders [Skanes, Dr. Femi] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Encouragement for the School Leader’s Soul: A devotional for school leaders

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CHICAGO, Aug. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL), a leader in building healthy communities across the state, today announces a new student development program with Morgan Park High School in collaboration with Polished Pebbles mentorship program and the Rho Gamma Gamma Chicago Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.

As part of the partnership, 30 students who are selected by the high school will participate in a 15-week mentorship and job shadowing program designed to address social determinants of health - including education access and equity, economic stability, and social and emotional support.

"We're committed to addressing the conditions, environments and systems that shape health - and we believe that investing early in local students' health and well-being can help set them up for lifelong success," said Harmony Harrington, vice president, government, communications and community for BCBSIL. "We're pleased to partner with Morgan Park High School, Polished Pebbles and Omega Psi Phi to help these young leaders take charge of their futures - building off the relationships we've fostered through our investments in Morgan Park, including our solution center and Blue Door Neighborhood Center."

Launching in October 2021, the program will serve Morgan Park High School students through March 2022. Throughout the 2021/2022 school year, participants will benefit from the following:

Educational workshops and events at BCBSIL's Blue Door Neighborhood Center TM and Morgan Park High School

Physical and mental health programming for students and high school staff

Job shadowing with employees of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

Access to BCBSIL job postings

Skill-building in the areas of job readiness, resume writing, interviewing and more

"This school year is like no other that we've experienced before. We are dedicated to re-engaging students quickly upon their return to build relationships and provide them with unique opportunities," said Dr. Femi Skanes, Principal, Morgan Park High School. "In advance of the October launch of the program, BCBSIL is participating in Morgan Park High School's Back to School Festival taking place Thursday, August 26 from noon until 5pm at 1744 W. Pryor Ave. As part of the event's job fair, we will be recruiting for 30 open positions. The event will also feature COVID-19 vaccinations, fitness classes and opportunities for students to meet their teachers."

Omega Psi Phi and Polished Pebbles are long-time champions for youth outreach and empowerment. Both organizations will offer ongoing opportunities during the 15-week program - including mentorship and educational programming on critical thinking, entrepreneurship and more. Students will also participate in skills-based volunteerism and develop career readiness by shadowing BCBSIL staff.

Participants will come away with experiences and connections that will help them pursue personal and professional success.

"We are excited to launch this program with like-minded organizations," said Heather Lindsay, assistant vice president, Medicaid Operations at BCBSIL. "Together, we look forward to helping more young adults understand the role they play in building healthier communities - and it all starts with committing to a healthier you." Lindsay and her team support job shadowing activities at the Morgan Park solution center.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is committed to expanding access to quality, cost-effective health care to as many people as possible in Illinois. BCBSIL is dedicated to innovation and exploring, nurturing and activating future possibilities to make the health care system work better for our members and our communities. BCBSIL is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Learn more at and follow us on and .

About Morgan Park High School
Morgan Park High School is a public middle and high school that serves over 1,200 students on Chicago's South Side. The school strives to challenge each student academically and socially through opportunities such as its International Baccalaureate program and various Advanced Placement courses. It also ranks among the most successful public high schools in Chicago athletically, excelling in sports including baseball, football, and basketball.

About the Omega Y.E.S. Program
Omega Y.E.S. is a mentorship program for young men grades 7 to 12 created by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Life Member, Micheal Parham Sr., and has been adopted by the Rho Gamma Gamma Chapter of Chicago. The program offers a comprehensive, values-based rites of passage program that includes instruction and guidance in conflict resolution, life skills and goal setting. They encourage the development of strong study habits and critical thinking skills. There is strong focus on decision making and problem-solving skills, while emphasizing the importance of time management and task prioritization.

About Polished Pebbles
Polished Pebbles, an Illinois Gold Star rated mentoring program, is a Chicago-based mentoring initiative that increases the communication skills and employ-ability of young women for the future workplace. Polished Pebbles helps girls ages 7-17 become effective communicators at home, school, and their future careers. The organization currently serves 500+ girls and young women per school year in Chicagoland, Indiana, Texas, and North Carolina.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Teams Up to Empower Morgan Park High School Students

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CHICAGO, Aug. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL), a leader in building healthy communities across the state, today announces a new student development program with Morgan Park High School in collaboration with Polished Pebbles mentorship program and the Rho Gamma Gamma Chicago Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.

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School principals Femi Skanes and Heather Yutzy will be presenting at the ASCD Leadership Summit on Tuesday, Jan 18, 2022, from 2:10-2:50 PM EDT. Their session—“But Who Cares for the Leader?”—will provide attendees with a self-care assessment tool, an action plan to mitigate stress, and strategies f

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March 2020 abruptly changed the landscape of education in ways that no one could have imagined. Almost instantly, schools were forced to include various forms of e-learning into educational programs while also making sure students had access to Wi-Fi, laptops and other equipment. Most schools were able to create models that were sustainable until the end of the school year with hopes that the new school year would return to a traditional school model. Unfortunately, the science did not agree, and for many students, e-learning was the reality for the entire 2020-21 school year, too.

Although many educators, students and parents voiced frustration with the e-learning model, others found virtual learning an appealing model. The effectiveness of e-learning continues to be widely debated, but there is one fact that cannot be argued: The necessity of e-learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to rapidly re-evaluate their instructional practices, student learning goals and schoolwide priorities.

As I enter my 10th year as a high school principal, I have never been more excited to welcome students back into school. To describe the previous school year as difficult just doesn't adequately reflect the inordinate amount of stress that I faced. The ever-shifting national COVID guidance continued to alter state and district guidance for schools, which ultimately made it difficult to create stable plans. Teachers and staff needed clear instruction so they could effectively create lessons. Parents needed answers so they could make the best decisions for their families. Students also needed answers about how COVID would impact their overall school experience. Attending to the needs of all stakeholders was exhausting.

There were days when the weight of leadership seemed almost too much to bear. Nonetheless, I stayed focused on working with our school community to ensure that we met the needs of our students, even in a virtual environment. In fact, the urgency around building a new instructional model in a short period of time sparked a new level of leadership innovation. We learned to utilize virtual tutoring options, launched shared college-level courses across multiple high schools and created flexible asynchronous professional development opportunities for teachers. These are just a few practices that were born out of the COVID experience that should continue to live in our school communities.

In hindsight, I do see one glaring flaw in our pandemic thinking: To equate students' lack of traditional school experience with learning loss was-and is-a mistake. It is true that some standards may not have been taught as thoroughly as they may have been covered during in-person instruction. However, many other opportunities for learning were manifested. For example, one of our student-led teams turned their passion for videography and photography into an opportunity to livestream all the sporting events and other school events that we were unable to attend in person. Other students learned new skills, such as cooking, baking and crafting, during quarantine. And all students learned a new level of empathy and patience for each other because of the pandemic.

It will be important for schools to focus on closing any academic gaps that may be related to a variety of COVID-related circumstances. Nonetheless, I believe students will benefit the most when schools use asset-based thinking paradigms to leverage students' newly acquired skills to propel student success.

Our students will not be returning to us as broken vessels this fall. They will be returning to us with new perspectives on life. My charge as a principal is to work with teachers and staff to create a post-COVID learning environment that capitalizes on the innovations of e-learning while attending to potential academic gaps in a way that honors students' new ways of seeing the world. I am optimistic and excited about what the new school year will offer.
Femi Skanes is the principal of Morgan Park High School.

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What students learned: New perspectives on life

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March 2020 abruptly changed the landscape of education in ways that no one could have imagined. Almost instantly, schools were forced to include various forms of e-learning into educational programs while also making sure students had access to Wi-Fi, laptops and other equipment.

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Students jumped out of their seats and cheered. Parents hugged and shed tears of joy, and confetti filled the air.

Such was the scene at Morgan Park High School (MPHS) on Feb. 23 when Hope Chicago officials made an amazing surprise announcement: every student at the school will have the opportunity to attend college for free.

A non-profit organization, Hope Chicago is focused on raising $1 billion to support Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students and families.

At a joyous school assembly at MPHS, Hope Chicago officials said students can choose from 20 colleges in the state and receive free tuition, room and board as well as a stipend for other expenses.

"If we do our jobs, and you do your jobs, this is going to be the greatest day ever," said Hope Chicago Co-founder and Co-chairman Theodore Koenig. "You need to do it for the city; you need to do it for your family; and, more importantly, you need to do it for yourselves."

Koenig, the chairman and CEO of Monroe Capital, LLC, joined Hope Chicago Co-chair Pete Kadens and Hope Chicago CEO Janice Jackson-the former superintendent of CPS-at the rambunctious assembly.

MPHS was among multiple Hope Chicago partner schools who were similarly surprised during the week of Feb. 21.

According to Hope Chicago, current MPHS freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors can benefit from the scholarship program, which includes a laptop computer and a stipend for other necessities.

One parent or guardian of a graduating senior can also enroll in a college and be a scholarship recipient.

The program includes four-year public colleges in Illinois, two-year City Colleges of Chicago, select private colleges, and trade schools.

According to its website, Hope Chicago was modeled after a similar two-generation scholarship program that Kadens led in Toledo, Ohio, where he was born.

Koenig said BMO Harris Bank, Wintrust Bank and Walgreens are supporting the endeavor-and he plans to find more major businesses in Illinois that will help.

"We're going to make this a national program so that everybody sees what you can do when you empower people to do well," Koenig said. "We're excited about it."

Students cheered and jumped up and down with each exciting detail.

Nafisat Habib, a senior who wants to study sociology, said she is grateful for such a major investment in her and MPHS classmates.

"Just a few days ago, I was literally applying for so many scholarships. I'm just trying to wrap up money wherever I can get it, just to go to college," Habib said. "Then this opportunity comes out of nowhere-so surprising. It was just crazy because now it's a burden lifted off my parents. I called my mom, and she's like, 'Are you serious? This is crazy.' I'm like, 'I know; I can't believe it!' It's just crazy that all the hard work that you've been putting in is finally paying off."

Caval Spearman, an MPHS senior who plans to study communications and emerging media, was amazed by the generosity of Hope Chicago.

"I've been trying to figure out how I was going to pay for college for the past two years-for every college trip, every college tour, every college application," Spearman said. "It's all so meaningful and impactful because so many people have been trying to do this for years in this community."

Current MPHS seniors have experienced a challenging high school career dealing with COVID-19 during the last three school years. Habib said they are ready to take advantage of the opportunity presented by Hope Chicago.

"I know my Class of 2022, we really care about our people-we really care, and we want to serve a purpose in this world," Habib said. "That's one thing I can always say about my classmates-they care very much about their education."

Spearman's mother, Femi Skanes, is the MPHS principal. She noted that her grandmother helped her receive a high-quality education on her way to a successful career.

She praised the Class of 2022 for persevering through the pandemic-and reminded seniors that when they are enjoying successful lives because of the Hope Chicago scholarship, they should invest in others.

"If you make it," Skanes said, "and you don't do anything for anybody else, you haven't made it."

For information, visit the website at hopechicago.org.

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Students jumped out of their seats and cheered. Parents hugged and shed tears of joy, and confetti filled the air. Such was the scene at Morgan Park High School (MPHS) on Feb. 23 when Hope Chicago officials made an amazing surprise announcement: every student at the school will have the opportunity to attend college for free.

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🔊 Listen Now: Inside a high school music therapy class on Chicago's Far South Side

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All across Chicago, teachers are trying to help students recover from the impacts of the pandemic. A recent class was brought to Morgan Park High School by t...

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Al Raby School for Community & Environment by Atlantic Research Partners on Exposure

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"Our mission and vision are the anchor and pillar of the work that we do. Our mission and vision have a focus on environmental activism, social justice, and community activism." -Dr. Femi Skanes. Walking into Al Raby, it's clear why students and teachers are happy here.

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Al Raby students and staff celebrate the awesome leadership of principal Dr. Femi Skanes.

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Highlighting Dr. Skanes

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Invest in Chicago's Principals Double your impact! All new or increasing donations up to $25,000 will be matched by a generous anonymous investor. Support our Next Phase We aim to serve more than 600 principals and 380,000 students by 2023, with an emphasis on our most vulnerable schools.

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The importance of education cannot be overstated. A proper education can be the difference between having a fruitful life and living on the fringes of society. For this reason, the individuals who are responsible for the education of our children should be passionate and see a future where our children are adding value to society. Black students and educators are fighting an uphill battle with the lack of funding and disparity that exists in the system. Rolling out understands the challenges that exist when it comes to the education of Black children. We know the children are our future and it is for this reason that we honor those who are passionate about teaching our children and are passionate about education.

Today, we feature Dr. Femi Skanes, the principal of Al Raby School for Community & Environment in Chicago. We discuss why she became a principal and touch on the disparity that exists in education.

Favorite quote from African American:
"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free." -Frederick Douglass

Why did you become a principal?
Interestingly enough, I never set a goal to become a principal. I was a passionate teacher who demonstrated strong leadership skills. My very first principal told me that I would be a principal someday but I told him that I wasn't interested. Nonetheless, several of my supervising principals helped me to further develop leadership skills and I continued to expand my pedagogical knowledge, which eventually led to a principalship.

Why is it important to see more Black faces in leadership positions in our schools?
It is important for Black students to see courageous Black leaders who have high expectations for academic success. I often have conversations with students and I remind them that my success is not happenstance and that they can achieve the same and higher levels of success. I frequently have conversations with students about academic perseverance and discipline.

The approach to learning and teaching has changed over the years. What would you say have been the biggest changes and how have you adjusted?
Educators have seen many changes over the years. One change that is most concerning to me is that many students struggle to focus for long periods of time. As a result, it is important for teachers to plan the lesson with varied modalities to engage all learners including those who struggle to focus.

Why would you say there is such a disparity when it comes to affluent suburban schools versus schools located in impoverished urban areas?
In general, families in affluent suburban districts have financial resources. These resources provide expanded learning opportunities for students before they enter the doors of the school. As a result, many students in affluent suburban schools arrive at school with a strong level of school readiness. In contrast, many students in impoverished neighborhoods lack the basic resources necessary to be ready to excel in school. Imagine that you have two students who are running a race. Students in impoverished neighborhoods are often starting the race 50 feet behind and are running with weight around their ankle, yet they are expected to run as if the race is equal. We have to stop blaming students for factors beyond their control.

Talk about your leadership style. What do you look to accomplish?
Every morning, I ask God to provide me with the strength and leadership skills that can make a positive impact on the life of children. I strive to help students believe in themselves and to reach heights far beyond their own imagination.

My leadership style is interesting. I am firm but fair. I have high expectations with reasonable strategies for implementation. I love to laugh at work and can often be described as silly. Most people would describe me as someone who truly loves children and I will go out of my way to support them. I believe in teacher leadership and I work to create a school culture where teachers are encouraged to lead.

When I spend time mentoring new teachers, I remind them that to be a truly effective principal, this role has to be a lifestyle and not a job. A principal is on call around the clock.

What historic African American figure has inspired you the most and why?
I stand on the shoulders of many ancestors who paved the way.

Name three books you have read that have helped you with your profession.
The Sea is so Wide but my Boat is so Small - Marian Wright Edelman
Leading Adult Learning - Eleanor Drago-Severson
The Bible

If you were the Secretary of Education, what would you do to enhance the opportunity afforded to students across the country?
I would work with universities to improve teacher education programs so that more people are adequately prepared to teach students in a way that prepares them to be 21st-century leaders. I would also work to ensure that there is a funding formula that provides equitable funding solutions for schools.

What can parents do to assist in the development and success of their children?
One of the most important things that a parent can do to foster success is to be present. This is especially true in high school. Sometimes parents think that once their children get to high school that they do not have to visit the school as much. This is not true. Children need their parents to come to open houses, sporting events, and academic celebrations. Children need to feel like they are a priority for their parents. Being present goes a long way with children. I also encourage parents to embody the old tradition of eating dinner together as a family several times a week. Put down the phones, eat, and converse with one another. This helps children build communication skills and critical thinking skills. Finally, parents should require their children to tell them something that they learned at school several times a week. Do not allow students to say what they did - require them to communicate what they learned.

What can a student do to become successful?
One of the most important things that students can do to be successful is to utilize a growth mindset when engaging in new learning experiences.

What words of encouragement do you have for those who have chosen your profession?
I have three simple pieces of advice:
1.) Always maintain high ethical standards.
2.) Always do what is best for students.
3.) Listen, learn, and then lead.

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Dr. Femi Skanes discusses leadership and the disparity in education

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The importance of education cannot be overstated. A proper education can be the difference between having a fruitful life and living on the fringes of society. For this reason, the individuals who are responsible for the education of our children should be passionate and see a future where our children are adding value to society.

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CHICAGO (CBS) - A group of West Side teens are beating the odds, all thanks to the stock market. CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker introduces the budding Wall Street whizzes in the Original Report.

They are typical black boys: Hakeem Sheppard and Anthony Knight, Keshawn Johnson and Kenneth Dean.

They attend Al Raby High School, a predominantly black school in economically disadvantaged East Garfield, but these young men are overcoming the obstacles by mastering the stock market.

They started studying stocks last month in preparation for the Stock Trading Challenge, sponsored by financial firm Magnetar Capital.

They had some tough competition from 250 students, representing more than 20 schools across the metro area.

"I was nervous. I never saw so many people in one room," said Keshawn Johnson.

The mission was to choose the best group of stocks that would earn the most money. They combined research, economic trends and personal preference.

These West side boys managed to take $100,000 and turn it into $117,000, winning first place.

"It gives them an opportunity. It gives them a better sense there's more out there for them," said John Johnson, their coach.

This was the first time the boys had entered a stock challenge competition. They won $5,000 for their school. The principal says she'll let them decide what to do with it

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West Side High School Students Win Stock Market Challenge

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CHICAGO (CBS) - A group of West Side teens are beating the odds, all thanks to the stock market. CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker introduces the budding Wall Street whizzes in the Original Report. They are typical black boys: Hakeem Sheppard and Anthony Knight, Keshawn Johnson and Kenneth Dean.

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Al Raby 2017 Aspen Team won 2nd place in the Aspen Competition with the organization of "My Awe-Tis-Some Buddies", a program created to support students with Autism in the Al Raby school community.

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Low Incidence Program Collaboration Project

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Low Incidence Program Collaboration Project

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Nestled on the city's west side, in the middle of the Illinois Medical District, an unexpected garden cultivating futures as well as flora.

"We're growing everything from tomatoes, pumpkins, summer squash, onions, kale, collards beans and watermelons."
Gwenne Godwin is head grower and farm manager of the Growing Solutions Farm, an acre and a half of fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs all planted, maintained and harvested by young adults on the autism spectrum.

Twenty paid farm interns spend several hours a day, five days a week tending to the 13-thousand square foot garden. The fruits of their labors sold at farmers markets and donated to local food pantries. The lessons they learn here, pivotal to a successful future.

"We're teaching them how to work with other people, when to show up on time and what to wear and we just happen to be using agriculture as that medium for them to learn so they can also get jobs in the agricultural horticultural field as well."

"Young adults with autism right now have an unemployment rate that hovers around 90% it's really a crisis."
Julie Tracy is the founder of this project. And the mother to an adult son with autism.

"In the next 5 years 500,000 young adults with autism will turn 22 years old and age out of supports that are available in the public school system. Our society is ill prepared to deal with this tsunami is what we call it of young adults coming down the pike."

Creating a path to a successful future. The goal of the growing solutions farm. Which started as a simple pop up garden in 2013. It hopes to become a year round, self-sustaining business in the next year with the help of the National Garden Bureau. Which just launched its first ever, 'Growing For Futures' campaign to build therapeutic gardens across the country.

"We all know that gardening is good for the soul, good for the body, good for the mind this particular one is a vocational therapy garden and so your day to day skills of pulling weeds, checking in for work, staking tomatoes. It's all good skill learning for other careers these kids might be able to get.

"Put the clip on this side first."

With the help of the N-G-B., a greenhouse will be built, 30 more beds will be added as well as fruit trees and a berry patch. And more importantly a larger staff of young adults with a chance at a much more ripe future.

"Paid employment on an individual's resume with a disability is probably the single most significant indicator of success post high school years."

For more information you can go to:

National Garden Bureau - http://ngb.org/

Julie + Michael Tracy Family Foundation - http://jmtf.org/

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City gardening helps autistic youths and young adults

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Nestled on the city's west side, in the middle of the Illinois Medical District, an unexpected garden cultivating futures as well as flora. "We're growing everything from tomatoes, pumpkins, summer squash, onions, kale, collards beans and watermelons."

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Life-on-Life Through GRIP The School 2016

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Uploaded by GRIP Outreach For Youth on 2016-05-03.