Are you passionate about education?

Big Picture High School in Back of the Yards needs your support to make a difference. Remember that it took complete community involvement to get the Little Village High School built. This time we need to come together to keep the Big Picture High School in the Back of the Yards open.

Tianguis has hosted internships for Big Picture High School students and we strongly support its mission and model. At Tianguis we value the work that Big Picture is doing with the young adults from Back of the Yards. The students are encouraged to think BIG, pursue higher education and learn through real life experiences.The loss of this school would be devastating to the Back of the Yards community and an injustice to the young people who reside in it.

To support Big Picture consider doing the following:

*This Wednesday, Feb. 28th, 2007. 10:30 a.m.:

A group of students, mentors and parents will be going in front of the Chicago Board of Education meeting. If you can join us at CPS Central Administration Building, 125 S. Clark Street, 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60603 .

*Call the Board or Education. Its pretty easy, just dial, 773-553-1600, and ask to be transferred to the office of one of the board members, then leave a message with the assistant.

Sample message:
This message is for ____________________ I am a _____________________and I am calling to ask you to please support Big Picture High School in Back of the Yards. At Big Picture we have seen the:
*Personal and academic growth of each student.
*The teachers’ drive to develop strong relationships with their students
*Students’ readiness to pursue higher education.
*Consider adding any personal messages on why you feel it is important to keep Big Picture open in Back of the Yards.
*Finally, ask to please let Big Picture High School enroll freshman next year.

*Write a letter.

Take a moment to write of a letter support for the Big Picture High School in the Back of the Yards and mail it to:

Arne Duncan
Chief Executive Officer
CPS, Chicago Board of Education
125 S. Clark Street, 6th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603

Rufus Williams
Board President
Chicago Board of Education
125 S. Clark Street, 6th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603

Cynthia Barron
Area Instructional Officer
Area 25 Office
4655 S Dearborn Ave.
Chicago, IL 60609

or any of the other CPS board members.

Finally, do not hesitate to send messages of encouragement and support to the educators, parents, mentors and students at Big Picture High School. Their commitment and hard work is inspiring but the support of its community is crucial at this time.

info@bigpicturechicago.org

Big Picture High School
4946 S. Paulina
Chicago, IL 60609

Please repost, foward, and distribute to your contacts. We need all the support we can get.