New Gulen Charter School in Chicago Horizon Science Academy building on a Toxic Waste Dump

Concept Schools NFP", is a charter school operator that is trying to have zoning at 2245 W. Pershing changed so a former industrial building, now a a abandoned vacant warehouse, can become the "Horizon Science Charter School Academy" for the start of the new 2013 -2014 school year. The zoning change will allow a charter school with an enrollment of 750 children: 18 classrooms, 4 science/computer laboratory rooms, a library, a cafeteria (with kitchen).

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/05/05/1206999/-Chicago-Charter-School-EPA-Toxic-Site#comments

 

Concept Schools Gulen Management loses Minnesota School of Science BY ORDER OF JUDGE

We previously wrote about this new Gulen Operated School in Minnesota when it was announced they would open in 2010.  With barely 2 school years under the belt, the Gulenists in their usual scandalous habits asked the parents of 42 Special Needs students to take their children elsewhere.  Read the announcement and articles here: http://gulencharterschoolsusa.blogspot.com/2011/01/minnesota-school-of-science-gulen.html

 
CHARTER SCHOOL WATCHDOG GIVES A HUMOROUS TAKE ON THE CLOSING OF THIS GULEN OPERATED SCHOOL HERE AT: http://www.charterschoolwatchdog.com/eviction-101.html

  

Judge Rules to Close Mpls. Charter School

 

After months of debate a judge ruled a Minneapolis charter school will not stay open.

The Minneapolis school district evicted the Minnesota School of Science in June because it was behind in rent.

Parents have been rallying for months to keep the school open.

The Minnesota School of Science released a statement Wednesday afternoon saying, "Like the families and students we serve, we are absolutely devastated."

News here at: Channel 5 Eyewitness News in Minnesota

http://kstp.com/article/stories/S3114516.shtml?cat=1

7 days before verdict, futile attempt by principal of Minnesota School of Science to give parents false hope

July 24, 2013

Dear Parents,

With school scheduled to resume in only a month, we continue to prepare for what we believe will be another outstanding school year. We recognize that this summer has been a challenging one in light of the current legal dispute that you may have read about regarding our school building. We have every intention of welcoming your students back to Cityview on August 22, and we thank you for your continued support.

In an effort to keep you informed, we wanted to take the opportunity to share with you the latest developments. On Tuesday July 30, our case will go before the Hennepin County District Court. The court is hearing our request that it stop Minneapolis Public Schools from interfering with our ability to open our doors to your children on August 26. It is impossible to know the outcome of the hearing, but with more than 300 Minneapolis students’ future at risk, we are hopeful that the court will grant our request.

As you know, we have worked hard to create a community through our school, and our commitment to you will not change. We stand with you, and we invite you to join us at 6 p.m. Monday July 29 at the school to rally for what we know to be an excellent school in a remarkable community. The event will be brief, but we believe it is important to come together as a community to support our students’ right to excellent education they deserve.

As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns. You can reach me at icel@mssonline.org or 612-8863225. We will continue to keep you informed as this issue progresses, and rest assured we are doing everything we can to fight together for our school and the North Minneapolis community. You can expect additional communication from us following the July 30 hearing, and we will also be posting information on our website www.mssonline.org. Our school’s strength and success come from the commitment and support of our parents, and our community. Thank you for everything you do for us and your student.

Sincerely,

Mr. Icel

3350 North 4^th Street Minneapolis, MN 55412

Letter to parents from Minnesota School of Science before VERDICT handed down by judge to CLOSE SCHOOL.   http://www.mssonline.org/press-conference/

NOT EVEN A LAWSUIT FILED BY THE SCHOOL WOULD SAVE THEM

MINNEAPOLIS - Backers of the soon-to-be closed Minnesota School of Science (MSS) are not ready to give up their fight to save the program yet.

A lawsuit was filed by the school this week to stop the Minneapolis Public Schools efforts to effectively close what administrators call "a cornerstone that provides high-quality education to one of the city's most underserved communities."

The school is requesting that a state court issue a temporary restraining order against MPS and its ongoing efforts to discredit the school, remove MSS property, illegally recruit students, interfere with MSS teacher contracts and put an end to the school's tremendous success.

"We will not be moved," said Dr. Rosilyn Carroll, a founding member of the MSS board. "Our students and our teachers have a legal right to be here, and we refuse to let anyone interfere with the tremendous achievement that has been taking place in our classrooms."

Since the district made the decision to phase out the school, angry parents and staff members have demonstrated and voiced their support for MSS.

Officials at MSS say in just two years the school has seen remarkable academic and personal growth among its students, who now consistently outperform the district average.

"In only two years, the Minnesota School of Science has made tremendous progress, giving north Minneapolis families access to the quality education they deserve," Carroll said. "We intend to open our doors for the first day of school August 26, and we look forward to seeing our students and teachers back here."

(Copyright 2013 by KARE. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. )

http://www.kare11.com/news/article/1030641/396/Lawsuit-filed-to-save-Minnesota-School-of-Science

Not even protests to the school board made a difference

 

 

 

 

 

Parents Protest Closure of N. Mpls Charter School

Parents, students and community members are pleading with the Minneapolis Public School Board to keep a North Minneapolis charter school open.

Parents will begin protesting at 11 a.m. Monday at the school, and an open house will be held at Cityview Community School at 9 a.m. for a new program to replace it.

About 100 people showed up at the school board meeting last Tuesday asking the board to let the Minnesota School of Science stay in its current home in the Cityview Community School building on 4th St. N. The charter school has been operating for two years, but school officials say students have already made great strides in raising test scores and achieving academic success. Parents say their kids are excited to go to school, eager to do their homework and participate in extra curricular activities ranging from math team to robotics competitions.

Late last month, the school board revoked the lease for MSS, meaning the school would have to move out of its current home by the end of July. The school maintains it has had some financial issues during its first few months but has worked to correct them. School officials say all they want is a fair shot to stay in the current building, serve the needs of the North Minneapolis community and give students a chance at achieving success in school and in life.

The district says it is working with students, parents and teachers to provide the best educational opportunities possible for the MSS community.

Full statement from the Minneapolis Public School District:

Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) appreciates that parents from the Minnesota School of Science (MSS) took the time [Tuesday] to speak to Dr. Bernadeia Johnson, superintendent of schools, and the Board of Education. We understand that school changes are very challenging for students, parents and staff members, which is why we are doing all that we can to have a high quality educational program in place for MSS students.

Our job tonight was to listen to parents and staff members. Our job as a school system is to ensure that students have the best opportunity possible for the coming school year. We are working to accomplish both.

We understand that many parents are likely receiving conflicting information about the lease and program at MSS. The decision not to move forward with a change of authorizer for MSS is due to the school being in Intervention. It simply would not be responsible for the MPS central office to support a change of authorizer at this time when there are unresolved issues in financial mismanagement, testing irregularities for the past two years and practices of counseling students with high behavioral needs out of the school. This in combination of MSS being unable to make lease payments to MPS last school year resulted in MSS no longer being able to operate in the Cityview building or any other MPS facility.

Parents work hard to find the right school for their children’s educational needs. That is why so many kinds of schools exist: public district, charter, neighborhood, magnet, private, home school.

We are confident that MPS staff will have a quality program in place at Cityview in the fall of 2013. An open house is scheduled for Monday, June 17th, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. If families have questions, Tyler Salkey, the family liaison for the new Cityview program, is available to assist them. Those who desire to have their student continue attending the MSS program, will also be assisted in the transition to the school’s new site, which is yet to be determined.

Here is what we promise: we will work with parents, teachers and staff at MSS to provide the best possible option for the students in the Cityview building. Again, we thank you those who came to the meeting tonight for sharing their perspectives—there is no greater stakeholder in your student’s education than you and them.

http://kstp.com/article/stories/s3069521.shtml

 

Protest against Gulen at his home

Success!!!!

Horizon Science Academy expansion into Chicago? Not without a fight from Americans meeting 7/13

This School was denied and then in the true Gulen predictable fashion, they bought some favors, honors, campaign contributions and free trips to Turkey for some state and local officals and PRESTO----They (the Gulenists) get approval for a school overturning the earlier denial.
check out Gulen Politicians on Alderman Cardenas http://www.gulenpoliticians.blogspot.com

Gulenist then locate a school site where a former factory was, that is riddled with toxic waste and hazardous to children.  But then education isn't their focus nor is the safety of American children.....

The schools, children and outer appearances are for one thing----to increase share of power for the Gulen Movement.  The Gulenists are hardly scholars or come from a good education system, they have no business teaching American Children.

July 13th Meeting.  THEY MUST BE STOPPED.

Horizon Science Academy dba Concept Schools Racism letter of apology to black students not enough

http://blackyouthproject.com/ohio-school-apologizes-lifts-ban-on-afro-puffs-and-braids/

What is wrong with this hairstyle?  She is too adorable
Apparently the racist Turks that operate Concept Schools dba Horizon Science Academy thought it was inappropriate



Last week, we told you about Horizon Science Academy, a school in Ohio that – as part of its dress code - banned afro puffs and braids.
After widespread outrage, Horizon has lifted the ban and released an apology.
Along with lifting the ban, the school vows to take necessary steps to “prevent this from ever happening again.”
Check out the letter below:

This same shameful article about Horizon Science Academy's racial biased dress code also appeared in the Huffington Education Blog.  This same network of Gulen charter schools wants to open in Chicago where a large part of the population are African Americans, do the Gulenists (who are not American) understand African culture and sensitivity enough to be teaching in American Classrooms?

YET THIS SAME GROUP THE GULEN MOVEMENT HAS SCHOOLS ALL OVER AFRICA. 

The African children attending their Turkish Schools in Africa are learning Turkish and can be heard walking down the streets of Nigeria conversing in Turkish rather than in Nigerian.

http://www.gulenschoolsworldwide.blogspot.com

HERE IS THE ARTICLE IN THE HUFFINGTON

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/25/ohio-school-afro-puff-horizon-science-academy_n_3498954.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003&ir=Educatio 

Gulen Charter schools compared-The AFT, Education, Common Core, Privatization and GreenDot/Concept Gule...

Gulen section starts at 17:00

During the June 2013 conference of Netroots in San Jose, the AFT set up a booth on privatization, high stakes testing and reform in the schools. The AFT is supporting the Common Core but says that it is not being rolled out properly. The issue of re-segregationa of the schools is also discussed along with the the privatization of education through testing by Pearson Inc., K-12 corporation and other companies. The union is seeking to make a "cleavage" of the school reform movement. The issue of organizing in the charter schools is also discussed and what challenges the union faces including union busting by
the largest national charter chain run by Concept Schools which is connected with the Fethullah Gulen movement in Turkey. Gulen is connected to the police including repression of journalists and runs some of the largest newspaper in Turkey along with supporting privatization and theocratic policies in Turkey's schools.
The AFT also differentiated the for profit GreenDot chain of schools with the Gulen schools arguing that they were very different particularly because they allowed unionization of the schools and allowed the teachers to have discussion with the management about curriculum. An AFT representative agreed to provide an audio interview on issues in education.
For more video go to:
http://blip.tv/file/3519531
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-18RVb...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoO_Ym...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAeRbh...
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162...
For more information
Http://chartershcoolscandals.blogspot.co­m
Production of Labor Video Project www.laborvideo.org

Gulen Concept school in Milwaulke Turk Teacher caught napping- America wins school now CLOSED!!!!

Turk teacher was caught on camera/phone napping during class.  This Concept school operated by Gulenists in Milwaulke is now CLOSED.  America is winning, the Gulenists are getting denied and it is average Americans that are fighting them and winning in: Loudoun County (VA) Lancaster County (PA)  Knoxville (TN)  Mokapu (HI) and many more that are denied.
There is only one way to go from here for the Gulenists and that is downward.

A south-side Milwaukee voucher high school that was on the rocks this year has now shuttered its doors, and a student cellphone photo paints an uninspiring view of what appears to have transpired in at least one class this year:

That's Nehnet Camalan, the former business manager for the now defunct voucher school Wisconsin College Prep Academy. Camalan was substitute teaching a math class; the photo was passed along to the Journal Sentinel by a former staff member.
Wisconsin College Prep announced in a letter on June 11 that it was closing its doors due to low enrollment and ongoing budgetary concerns.
Ali Yilmaz, the former executive director for the school, said in an interview Thursday that Camalan was terminated on May 30, but not because he was sleeping instead of teaching. He was let go because the school couldn't afford to pay his salary and benefits.
"According to him, he put his head down for one second and the student took a picture," Yilmaz explained.
It's been a tough road for the charter-turned-voucher school, which was located at 4801 S. 2nd St. near Mitchell International Airport.
Wisconsin College Prep was formerly known as the Wisconsin Career Academy. It was a sixth- through 12th-grade charter school under Milwaukee Public Schools, before the Milwaukee School Board terminated that contract.
The school then decided to apply to become a private high school and accept public funding through the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program. That was a financially questionable move considering that high school students are more expensive to educate than younger pupils, and that voucher payments amount to fewer public dollars per-pupil than charter school funding.
The school had about 165 students enrolled this year, Yilmaz said. He said about 32 seniors graduated and have been accepted to four-year colleges. He said there were "probably one or two" who did not have sufficient credits to graduate.
Yilmaz said enrollment has been difficult because of the school's far south-side location.
Former teachers say it was because of academic and other internal concerns, such as the fact that the school dropped Spanish this year and offered only Turkish as a foreign language. Yilmaz explained that the Spanish teacher quit and that the school couldn't find another teacher. He said Spanish was offered online instead.
The school had launched an aggressive marketing campaign last summer to try to attract students, and even offered to pay for transportation for pupils to get to the school.
But the numbers did not materialize.
In a confidential internal letter forwarded to the Journal Sentinel by a former staff member, Yilmaz told employees in May that the school could not sign contracts for the next year until enrollment numbers reached a certain number.
The letter advised that the matter was confidential, and that sharing information or "your assumptions about the school's future" with students, parents or other interested parties could result in immediate dismissal from work.
Yilmaz said Thursday that although the school was now closed, teachers would continue to be paid through the end of their contracts, which end in August.
Last year, the Journal Sentinel had questioned whether the school was linked to a reclusive Islamic cleric or otherwise had ties to Turkish schools nationwide that were highlighted in a 60 Minutes investigation.
Yilmaz denied the school was linked to that cleric, but he said Thursday that some of the school's materials were headed to Concept Schools, which are also headed by Turkish Americans and have faced similar scrutiny.
Concept Schools also rebuffs claims that they are "Turkish schools" or "Gulen Charter Schools."

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