Mr. Duncan,

I am writing to express my deep appreciation and
respect regarding your comments about integration that
aired on CBS 2 news last night (Monday, May 17th) at
5:00.  I was especially moved by your comment that "in
my mind, the only way you achieve integration in our
schools is by making every school a school of quality,
a school children want to go to."

I am interested to learn how the views you discussed
on the news last night will affect the students at the
Richard E. Byrd Community Academy in Cabrini Green.  I
have been closely following the efforts of the fifth
grade class at Byrd and their Project Citizen
endeavors to get a new school built.  I am
particularly impressed with the efforts of these
students because they are taking ownership of their
surroundings and attempting to make a difference that
would directly impact not only their own lives, but
also the lives of others in the community in which
they live.

However, I have not yet heard of your involvement in
their cause.  In fact, the students' website claims
that "unfortunately, nobody from the Chicago Board of
Education has responded to our letters and emails so
we have not been able to share all of our other ideas"
(http://www.projectcitizen405.com/AlternativeSolutions.htm).
 If this is true, I am deeply troubled that neither
the Board of Education, you, nor anyone else from your
office has yet to take the time to let these children
know that you support them in making their school 'a
school of quality, a school children want to go to.'
I am very interested to learn what your office, as
well as you personally, plan to do to achieve your
idea of integration at Byrd Academy, a school where
the children are actively asking and desperately
seeking help in their noble cause.

I have researched the Ariel Education Initiative which
you previously directed and currently serve on the
board.  According to the Initiative's website
(http://www.arielmutualfunds.com/about_us/education_initiative/about_education.htm),
"the Initiative's resources are used to develop and
implement programs to improve the life chances of
low-income, inner-city youth. Its goals are to
encourage academic excellence, to instill a strong set
of values and a strong work ethic, to teach positive
decision-making skills and to support youth."

I believe it is fair to say that the students of Byrd
Academy have taken an active role in gathering the
necessary resources 'to develop and implement programs
to improve the life chances of low-income, inner-city
youth' without significant funding from outside
sources.  Furthermore, similar to your positions with
the Ariel Education Initiative, you personally have
the unique opportunity as CEO of CPS 'to encourage
academic excellence, to instill a strong set of values
and a strong work ethic, to teach positive
decision-making skills and to support youth' by
supporting Project Citizen and the children at Byrd
Academy.

I anticipate and look forward to hearing about how you
and the Chicago Board of Education plan to become
actively involved in Project Citizen at Byrd Academy.

Cordially,
Christopher Soranno