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Gale School to Receive Extra Help From CPS, Alderman Says

By Benjamin Woodard | October 30, 2014 5:12am
 The school has struggled academically and has been plagued with facility problems, such as lead paint.
The school has struggled academically and has been plagued with facility problems, such as lead paint.
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DNAinfo/Benjamin Woodard

ROGERS PARK — Gale Math and Science Academy, a school that has struggled academically, was accepted into a Chicago Public Schools program that will provide additional resources and teacher training, Ald. Joe Moore (49th) said.

Moore said in a statement that the district admitted Gale, at 1631 W. Jonquil Ave., into the program after a formal request from him and Principal Cassandra Washington.

Gale will now receive direct support from CPS's Office of Strategic Support Services, also known as OS4. That includes teacher and administrator training and support, as well as professional development. Gale will also received leadership and instructional coaches, Moore said.

Local School Council member Kyle Hillman applauded the designation.

Residents, parents and activists have been fighting for years for more resources for the school. The school has lost more than $700,000 in funding over the past two years, according to numbers released at LSC meetings.

Gale, which has been on probation with CPS for years for low test scores, just last year was saved from permanent closure.

Of 440 students at Gale, 64.3 percent are black and 23 percent are Hispanic, while 96.8 percent come from low-income families, according to district data.

The school's buildings have also been plagued with problems, including chipping lead paint that CPS knew about for years before addressing, according to documents.

Moore said Gale could, like other OS4 schools, receive capital improvements to its buildings.

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