Record #: R2016-189   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 3/16/2016 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 3/16/2016
Title: Congratulations extended to Earle STEM Elementary School Chess Team and Network 11 on exceptional performance
Sponsors: Foulkes, Toni
Attachments: 1. R2016-189.pdf

RESOLUTION

 

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS, The Earle STEM Elementary School, located in the 16thm Ward on Chicago's great South Side, is among the top elementary school chess teams in Chicago; and

 

 

WHEREAS, In barely four months of School Year 2015-2016, and during its maiden year as a chess team, the Earle STEM Elementary School Chess Team has already garnered four Tl Place team trophies, three individual trophies, and three individual medals. Four of its team members have already been officially accepted as rated members by the United States Chess Federation, the nation's highest chess authority, thereby enabling these elementary students to already qualify for college scholarships as well as college grants for chess-related activities from then on; and

 

 

WHEREAS, The Earle STEM Elementary School Chess Team was organized only in September 2015 when Coach Joseph M. Ocol joined the Earle STEM faculty; that the chess team has had the all-out support and inspiration given by Network 11 Chief Megan Hougard, the Earle STEM school administration led by Principal Cederall Petties and Assistant Principal Elwanda Butler, and the lamily of parents in the Local School Council Community; and

 

 

WHEREAS, At its inception, the Earle STEM Elementary School Chess Team members started mentoring one another the rudiments of chess and then spread the mentoring program from Grade 8 to the kindergarten program, with 40 of the students coming to the chess and math club after school and during Saturdays; that the Earle STEM mentoring program has been effective in getting kids to mentor one another and competing against each other, thus providing the least expensive way of mastering skills and yet giving opportunities to kids in being productive after school instead of being in the streets; and

 

 

 

 

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WHEREAS, On November 7, 2015, for the first time in its history, the Earle STEM Elementary School Chess Team participated in Chess Wizards Scholastic Tournament held at Niles West High School, with about 200 student-participants, the team won its first 1st Place chess team trophy in its history; and

 

 

WHEREAS, On November 14, 2015, also for the first time in its history, the Earle STEM Elementary School was honored by the Youth Chess Foundation of Chicago (YCFC) to host the first YCFC Chess Tournament for School Year 2015-2016; that in this tournament- participated in by more than 400 students, coaches, parents and staff from all over Chicagoland-- the Earle STEM Elementary School Chess Team won its first ever 1st Place Team Trophy; and

 

 

WHEREAS, On November 28, 2015, also for the first time in its history, the Earle STEM Elementary School Chess Team participated in the 2015 Chicago Latino Chess Tournament at the Chicago Public Library (Loomis Branch) where one of its Players, Joshua Johnson, won 2nd Place individual trophy; and

 

 

WHEREAS, On December 19, 2015, the Earle STEM Elementary School Chess Team competed in the 2nd YCFC Chess Tournament held at De La Salle Institute where the team won another 1st Place Chess Team trophy and an individual trophy for its player (Tyrone Dellar); and

 

 

WHEREAS, On January 16, 2016, the Earle STEM Elementary School Chess Team competed in the 3rd YCFC Chess Tournament held at Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep High School where the team won another 1st Place Chess Team trophy and an individual trophy for its player (Erik Tolbert);

 

 

WHEREAS, On February 20, 2016, the Earle STEM Elementary School Chess Team competed in the 4th YCFC Chess Tournament held at the Rickover Naval Academy High School where the team won another 1st Place Chess Team trophy, a lsl Place individual trophy for its player (Joshua Johnson) who achieved a perfect score (all wins, no loss) to emerge as the top player in

 

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that tournament, and another individual trophy and medal to Tyrone Dellar and Semaj Lowe for being in the top players in that tournament.

 

 

WHEREAS, With its impressive performance in its maiden year as a chess team, the Earle STEM Elementary School Chess Team- with five unprecedented 1st Place trophies and five individual trophies—has emerged as the top African-American school chess team in the city and probably in the State of Illinois; and

 

 

WHEREAS, Located in the 16th Ward, Earle STEM Elementary School has more than 90% of its population coming from below-poverty level households - and yet proving that poverty is no barrier to success in intellectual pursuits such as the game of chess; that most of the members of the Earle Chess Team have excellent grades in math, thus also proving that the impact of chess on the academic performance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects are too significant to be ignored; that chess players develop greater skills in math, reading, in problem-solving, pattern recognition, critical thinking, spatial reasoning, and visual memory, that they become better decision makers, a skill that will benefit them in steering their career and future; and

 

 

WHEREAS, In the middle ofthe year NWEA Test that was conducted in January 2016. about 83% (or 29 out ofthe 35) members of the Earle Chess Club topped the NWEA math and reading test to achieve the national norm - thus proving the correlation of math, chess and reading. The following members of the Earle chess club have made it to the NWEA national norm with their soaring NWEA test scores in math and reading: Gelita Woodlow, Joshua, Johnson, Erik Tolbert, Monique Williams, Angelique Wilson, Devion Dukes, Nauytica Johnson, Mykala Randolph, Daejanay Mattison, Kayron Owens, Laron Owens, Xavier Rosado, Tamya Fultz, Breanna Shaw, Ulyssa Ramos, Brandon Burgess, Taahir Levi, Zaire Williams, Arieana Glover, Gavin Harry, Dominique Mapp, Stephon Edwards, Dajon Neely, Angel Lopez, Camaria Williams, Jailyn Perry, DeAndre Perry, Jeremiah Elrod, and Keith Allen.

 

 

 

 

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WHEREAS, The Honorable Toni L. Foulkes, Alderman of the 16 1 Ward, has informed this august body of the remarkable achievements of the members of the Earle STEM Elementary School Chess Team and its Network 11 Family of students, educators, parents and staff, to wit: Student Joshua Johnson, Student Erik Tolbert, Student Tyrone Dellar, Student Gelita Woodlow, Student Xavier Rosado, Student Monique Williams, Student Angelique Wilson, Student Semaj - Lowe, Student Brandon Burgess, Student Tajir Levy, Student Stephon Edwards, Student Tamya Fultz, Student Breanna Shaw, Assistant Coach Jereisha Mahone, Coach Joseph Ocol, Principal Cederall Petties, Assistant Principal Elwanda Butler, LSC Community, and Network 11 Chief Megan Hougard; now therefore,

 

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the Members ofthe City of Chicago City Council, assembled here this 16th day of March 2016, relay our warmest congratulations, commendation and appreciation to the Earle STEM Elementary School, the Chicago Public Schools Network 11, and all the members of the chess team and its local school council of parents, teachers and staff, and

 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copies of this Resolution shall be prepared and presented, before this august body, to everyone mentioned in this Resolution.

Alderman Toni L. Foulkes 16th Ward

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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