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News Release: Chicago First Lady Maggie Daley Helps Dedicate New School

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 24, 2009

CHICAGO – Chicago First Lady Maggie Daley and a host of community leaders today helped to dedicate one of Chicago’s newest elementary school, The Hope Institute Learning Academy (HILA). The ceremony was held in the auditorium of the school, which is located at 1628 W. Washington Boulevard on Chicago’s near west side.

HILA is a Chicago Public Schools (CPS) contract school, operated by The Hope Institute for Children and Families, a Springfield-based nonprofit organization. The school opened on September 8, 2009 with grades K-3, and will expand to grades K-12 over the next several years. The school is bringing forward a new model in education, according to Hope President and CEO, Dr. Joseph E. Nyre. “This new model, called the Maximum Benefit^© model will provide a personalized learning environment to assure that each student is successful and achieves to his or her full potential,” Dr. Nyre said. HILA is a general education school, which supports learners of all styles and abilities, including those with special needs.

In a unique partnership with Pearson, the world’s leading educational publisher, HILA has been designated a Pearson Innovation School. The school is utilizing Pearson’s latest education and technology solutions, including full digital pathways for all learners.

The school will feature The Hope Institute Shared Educational Accountability Program, which will track on-task behavior in each classroom and the quality of staff-student interactions. The system, pioneered by Hope at the Springfield-based Hope School Learning Center, has been documented to improve classroom performance.

“We are particularly pleased to welcome Mrs. Daley for our dedication,” Dr. Nyre said. “We have received tremendous support from both the Mayor’s office and CPS officials during the planning for and development of this new school. Throughout this process, we have learned that it takes a community of supporters to support a community. We have been privileged to have such a community of supporters.”

Other officials attending the event were Commissioners Mary Ellen Caron of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, Richard Rodriguez of the CTA and Mary Dempsey of the Chicago Public Library, Jack Lavin, Chief Operating Officer for the Office of the Governor, and Aldermen Burke, Burnett and Fioretti. Pearson will be represented by Pat McHugh, Vice President and Sales Manager, Midwest.

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