Blackhawks’ drought of no power-play goals by defensemen lives into 2023

Neither Seth Jones nor any other Blackhawks defenseman has scored a power-play goal since May 2021.

AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker

The streak has lasted so long that it almost has been forgotten. But it still exists.

Indeed, the Blackhawks have gone 122 consecutive games without a defenseman scoring a power-play goal.

Connor Murphy was the last to score one, doing it May 1, 2021, against the Panthers. Last season, the Hawks became the first team since the 1970-71 Sabres to go an entire season without a defenseman scoring on the power play. And 35 games into this season, the Hawks are on pace to be blanked again.

Seth Jones has produced some decent chances to snap the drought this season. He has 33 shots and eight scoring chances on power plays. Other Hawks defensemen, primarily Caleb Jones, have added 24 shots and another eight scoring chances.

But with no luck Saturday against the Blue Jackets, the streak now has stretched into 2023, its third calendar year.

Saturday was a rough afternoon all around for the Hawks’ power play, which went 0-for-5 and allowed two short-handed goals (although one was an empty-netter). The power play enjoyed plenty of zone time and ripped off 15 shots and five scoring chances, but to no avail.

That was disappointing, given the progress the unit demonstrated Thursday against the Blues, a night highlighted by Patrick Kane scoring at the end of one of the Hawks’ best power plays in recent memory.

The key was the movement of the players, as well as the puck. Kane, Seth Jones and Max Domi rotated around and spent different times as the quarterback at the top of the zone, preventing the Blues’ penalty kill from settling into a structure.

‘‘We were moving it quick,’’ Seth Jones said. ‘‘It hasn’t been that way this year for some of the time. But we were all in different positions, moving around, reading off each other and moving the puck.’’

The Hawks’ power play has fallen to 24th in the NHL with a 16.2% net conversion rate this season.

Stalock pulling away

In October, it looked as though Alex Stalock was pulling away with the job as the Hawks’ starting goalie before his much-discussed concussion knocked him out of the rotation entirely.

Now Stalock might be pulling away with the starting job again. Coach Luke Richardson awarded him a second consecutive start Saturday, and he again played well in tough circumstances, making 34 saves on 37 shots.

‘‘[Given] the shot attempts and the workload he had [today], he gave us a chance to win when we weren’t very good as a team,’’ Richardson said. ‘‘He’s a big part of our team right now.’’

Added forward Andreas Athanasiou: ‘‘He made some really unbelievable saves to keep us in that game. It would’ve been nice to help him out a little more, but he was huge back there.’’

Petr Mrazek likely will start Sunday against the Sharks because of the back-to-back, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Stalock handle the majority of games moving forward. Sunday marks the start of a seasonlong seven-game homestand.

Jones cheered, Domi booed

Former Jackets-turned-Hawks Seth Jones and Domi received drastically different reactions during their returns Saturday to Columbus.

Jones, whose planned first game back in January 2022 was thwarted by a positive COVID-19 test, heard hearty applause.

But Domi, whose pre-Christmas joke about his family never visiting him for the holidays in Columbus ruffled many feathers, heard an even heartier round of boos.

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Rookie defenseman Isaak Phillips looks like gem in Blackhawks’ mud

Rookie defenseman Isaak Phillips was one of few Blackhawks to play well Saturday against the Blue Jackets.

AP Photo/Jay LaPrete

Isaak Phillips already looks like a fully capable NHL defenseman.

It wasn’t easy for a player to stand out on this woeful Blackhawks trip — a 4-1 loss Saturday to the lowly Blue Jackets sent the Hawks home with no victories and only two goals in the three games combined — but Phillips managed to do so.

And considering the irrelevance of the wins-and-losses aspect of this Hawks season, his strong December showing is a positive worth appreciating.

Phillips, 21, earned his first NHL point Saturday — in his ninth career game — with an assist on a first-period goal by Andreas Athanasiou that gave the Hawks a rare 1-0 lead.

After Sam Lafferty put pressure on the Jackets as they were trying to exit their defensive zone, Phillips made what coach Luke Richardson called a ‘‘nice little play’’ to intercept an attempted breakout pass, hold the puck in at the blue line and set up Athanasiou.

That provided a nice statistical reward for Phillips’ consistently strong play since his call-up Dec. 19, which has built on his incredible start to the season in Rockford of the AHL. He has been one of the Hawks’ better defensemen in the five games since and seems to be getting better as he settles in.

His pairing with Connor Murphy boasts a 53.5% scoring-chance ratio at five-on-five in those five games. The two regularly have been killing plays in the defensive zone, helping the Hawks transition the puck in the other direction and even jumping in offensively at the right times.

Richardson recently praised Phillips for being particularly effective and aggressive in the corners of the defensive zone, an area in which the rest of the Hawks have encountered problems.

Take out a poor showing Tuesday against the Hurricanes, and Phillips’ play looks even better — to the tune of a 57.9% scoring-chance ratio.

On Thursday against the Blues, the Hawks had a 10-7 advantage in scoring chances during Phillips’ five-on-five ice time and a 13-6 disadvantage when he wasn’t on the ice. On Saturday, the Hawks had a 4-3 advantage with him and a jaw-dropping 22-5 disadvantage without him.

Those differences are enormous. And while the numbers for Phillips are impressive, they’re rather embarrassing for the rest of the team.

Richardson was uncharacteristically critical of the Hawks’ performance after the game. Against a Jackets team that had lost seven consecutive games coming in, the Hawks were terrible in the second period — going from tied 1-1 to down 3-1 without generating a single five-on-five scoring chance — and never recovered.

‘‘[That was] one of our worst performances of the year,’’ Richardson said. ‘‘[We were] just disconnected. We’ve had a couple of those this year, not very many. Our guys, I’ve got to give them credit, they’ve pushed to the end most nights. [Today], we were just frustrated and disconnected and couldn’t get it back. We had a pretty good start, the first half of the first period, then we stopped moving our feet.

‘‘We need to settle down, get our minds straight, stop yelling at the referees or at each other, come together as a team and play like that.’’

Fellow prospect defenseman Ian Mitchell, who inexplicably was a healthy scratch for all three games on the trip, might be reinserted into the lineup at home Sunday against the Sharks as Richardson seeks a shakeup.

But Phillips clearly has jumped past Mitchell on the organizational depth chart. His future looks bright.

What the Hawks do with Phillips when veteran Jarred Tinordi returns from jaw surgery will be interesting. He clearly has proved his NHL ability, but he might be better served continuing to develop in Rockford rather than being part of this Hawks dumpster fire.

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Suspect in Idaho Killings Plans to Waive Extradition Hearing

A suspect arrested in connection with the slayings of four University of Idaho students plans to waive an extradition hearing so he can be quickly brought to Idaho to face murder charges, his defense attorney said Saturday.

Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old Ph.D. student and teaching assistant in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Washington State University, was taken into custody early Friday morning by the Pennsylvania State Police at his parents’ home in Chestnuthill Township, authorities said.

Bill Thompson, a prosecutor in Latah County, Idaho, said during a press conference Friday that investigators believe Kohberger broke into the University of Idaho students’ home near campus “with the intent to commit murder.” The bodies of the students — Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin — were found on Nov. 13, several hours after investigators believe they died.

The arrest in the disturbing case brought a sense of relief to the small northern Idaho college town after weeks passed with little information released by police. But it has also raised questions about whether the suspect knew the victims, what he has been doing in the weeks since the killings and how authorities tracked him down in Pennsylvania.

Kohberger’s attorney, chief public defender Jason LaBar, said Kohberger plans to tell a judge in Monroe County, Pennsylvania on Tuesday that he will waive his extradition hearing so he can be quickly brought to Idaho to face the charges and is eager to be exonerated.

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LaBar also cautioned people against passing judgment on the case until a fair trial is held. The case has generated massive amounts of speculation on social media, with would-be sleuths frequently trying to pin the blame for the deaths on various friends and acquaintances of the victims.

“Mr. Kohberger has been accused of very serious crimes, but the American justice system cloaks him in a veil of innocence,” LaBar wrote in a prepared statement. “He should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise — not tried in the court of public opinion.”

Neighbors of the Kohberger family in Chestnuthill Township, Pennsylvania told The (Scranton) Times-Tribune on Friday they were shocked to see law enforcement vehicles outside the home.

Eileen Cesaretti, who lives across the street, said she loves Kohberger’s parents and is fond of their son, who she said helped her and her husband around their house when he was home from school.

“I don’t think he’s capable of doing something like this. I pray to God he’s innocent,” Cesaretti said.

Nephi Duff lives next door to Bryan Kohberger at a Washington State University apartment complex for graduate students and families. He told Spokane, Washington-based television station KREM2 that recent crimes like the slayings in Moscow have left him feeling unsafe.

“I don’t recall ever seeing him around,” Duff said of Kohberger. “I thought I was moving to a safe, small community, but that hasn’t been the case recently. I just think if these things are happening right under my nose, how do I protect (my family)?”

BK Norton, a student in the WSU Criminal Justice and Criminology Department, said Friday that they didn’t know Kohberger well, but didn’t like him.

“We interacted in class, but personally I was not a fan of Bryan because of comments he had made about LGBTQ+ individuals,” they said in an email to The Associated Press. “He was a little off, but I always thought it was because he was awkward and wanted to fit in. I don’t know anything about Bryan personally expect he was from PA and was interested in forensic psychology.”

Thompson, the Idaho prosecutor, has asked anyone who knows Kohberger to call the police tip line to share the information.

“Call the tip line, report anything you know about him to help the investigators and eventually our office and the court system understand fully everything there is to know about not only the individual, but what happened and why,” Thompson said.

Federal and state investigators are now combing through Kohberger’s background, financial records and electronic communications as they work to identify a motive and build the case, a law enforcement official who could not publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The investigators are also interviewing people who knew Kohberger, including those at WSU, the official said.

Kohberger is being held without bond in Pennsylvania and will be held without bond in Idaho once he is returned, Thompson said. The affidavit for four charges of first-degree murder in Idaho will remain sealed until he is returned, the prosecutor said. He is also charged with felony burglary in Idaho. An extradition hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.

The students — Kaylee Goncalves, 21, of Rathdrum, Idaho; Madison Mogen, 21, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Xana Kernodle, 20, of Post Falls, Idaho; and Ethan Chapin, 20, of Conway, Washington — were members of the university’s Greek system and close friends. Mogen, Goncalves and Kernodle lived in the three-story rental home with two other roommates. Kernodle and Chapin were dating and he was visiting the house that night.

Autopsies showed all four were likely asleep when they were attacked. Some had defensive wounds and each was stabbed multiple times. There was no sign of sexual assault, police said.

Ben Roberts, a graduate student in the criminology and criminal justice department at WSU, described Kohberger as confident and outgoing, but said it seemed like “he was always looking for a way to fit in.”

“I had honestly just pegged him as being super awkward.” Roberts said.

Roberts started the program in August — along with Kohberger, he said — and had several courses with him. He described Kohberger as wanting to appear academic.

“One thing he would always do, almost without fail, was find the most complicated way to explain something,” he said.

---

Levy reported from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Balsamo reported from Washington. News Researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York; reporters Mark Scolforo and Brooke Schultz in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Michael Kunzelman in Silver Spring, Maryland; and Martha Bellisle in Seattle also contributed.

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Tradition of Hiking in the New Year Reaches All 50 US States

A simple plan to get more people enjoying the outdoors on New Year’s Day has become a nationwide movement after a hike at a Massachusetts park more than three decades ago.

Just 380 people participated in the initial First Day Hike in 1992 at the nearly 7,000-acre (2,830-hectare) Blue Hills Reservation just south of Boston. On Sunday, tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in First Day Hikes at hundreds of parks in all 50 states.

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A vigorous walk is a great way to start the new year on the right foot — literally — and get outdoors, enjoy nature, spend time with family and friends and maybe start working on that New Year’s resolution to get in shape, park officials and participants said.

“It’s all about mind, body and soul,” said Rodney Franklin, director of parks for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The late Patrick Flynn, the former supervisor at Blue Hills, came up with the original plan.

“He wanted a way to bring people into the parks in the winter time because so many people think of parks as just a summertime place,” said Priscilla Geigis, deputy commissioner for conservation and resource stewardship at the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Steve Olanoff, 77, took part in that inaugural event at Blue Hills back in 1992 and is now a volunteer who helps shepherd hikers along the park’s trails each year.

“Back then, there was nothing to do on New Year’s Day,” he said. “Everyone just sat home and watched television. When I heard there was an opportunity to go for a hike I said, ‘Well, I’ll try that.’ It’s really amazing that so many people are doing this now.”

Over the years, more Massachusetts state parks joined in. Then, parks in other states came on board. In 2012, First Day Hikes went nationwide when the National Association of State Park Directors endorsed the idea.

“It just goes to show that one person can have an idea that can spread like that,” Geigis said.

Some states have added their own twists. At Ink Lake State Park in Burnet County, Texas, northwest of Austin, participants can go for a first day run, bike ride, or paddle in a canoe or kayak.

Snowshoes or cross country skis may be required at some Oregon locations, said Jason Resch, marketing manager for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Elijah Bristow State Park near Eugene is even offering a first day horseback ride.

“Just bring your own horse,” Resch said.

Some hikes are guided by park rangers or volunteers who teach about the history, geography, flora and fauna of a particular park. That in turn promotes stewardship, and a commitment to protect parks and open spaces, Geigis said. Refreshments are offered at many sites.

And people of all ability levels are welcome.

“We want to appeal to as many people as possible,” Franklin said. “So you’ll have some of our hikes that take place on paved, flat surfaces that are not very long, but if you want a brisk, longer hike, you can do that.”

Families with babies, seniors, and people with their dogs have participated in the First Day Hike at the Chester Blandford State Forest in Massachusetts, said Elizabeth Massa, president of the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, who guides the 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) jaunt.

“If your New Year’s resolution is the get more exercise, lose weight, get healthier, then this is your opportunity,” she said.

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Wisconsin Judge: People Can Sell Candy, Cakes, Cookies Without License

A Dane County judge has ruled that people can sell a wide range of homemade food without a commercial license or kitchen.

Judge Rhonda Lanford issued the decision earlier this week, the Wisconsin State Journal reported Saturday. The ruling expands the types of food that can be made and sold from home to items like candy, cocoa bombs, fried doughnuts and roasted coffee beans.

The ruling marks the second court victory in five years for three women who have been fighting to sell food from home.

Bed-and-breakfast owner Lisa Kivirist and farmers Dela Ends and Kriss Marion won a ruling in 2017 that a state ban on selling home-baked goods was unconstitutional. They filed a follow-up lawsuit in 2021 arguing that people should be able to sell other shelf-stable goods out of their homes as well.

The Wisconsin Cottage Food Association, which represents people who make homemade foods for sale in the state, joined the lawsuit as a plaintiff.

State law has for years drawn a line between which types of shelf-stable food items are exempted from license and commercial kitchen requirements. Statutes allow people to sell items like cider, maple syrup and pickles and allows nonprofit organizations and churches to sell all foods and meals.

State attorneys argued that food safety is the issue. But Lanford agreed with the plaintiffs’ arguments that homemade food is just as safe as other food.

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Application Deadline Saturday for Chicago's One-Time $500 Cash Assistance Program

Chicago residents still have some time to apply for a cash assistance program benefiting those who may have been left out of COVID-19 stimulus payments. Applications won’t be open much longer as Saturday marks the last day for submissions.

Eligible residents will receive payments of $500 through the Chicago Resiliency Fund 2.0, which is intended to support residents who had difficult accessing and qualifying for federal relief payments in 2020, including COVID-19 Relief Funds.

The current round of payments are geared toward residents with adult dependents or those who are caregivers for adults.

Two organizations have been charged with taking applications: The Association House Chicago and the Chinese Mutual Aid Foundation.

Eligible residents will need to submit an online application and recipients will be selected via a lottery. The winners will need to show proof of eligibility. Only one application per household is allowed.

Over 4,000 winners are expected to be selected, according to the city.

So, are you eligible for the current round of assistance? Here are the requirements:

• You reside in the City of Chicago AND
• You are 18 years of age or older AND
• Your household income level falls at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
• You filed taxes in 2019 AND claimed a dependent 17 years or older

To determine whether your income meets the threshold for the program, here’s a look at how much you can make based on the number of people in your household:

1. $40,770
2. $54,930
3. $69,090
4. $83,250
5. $97,410
6. $111,570
7. $125,730
8. $139,890

For those with more than eight people in their home, add $4,720 for each person in the household, the city says.

Earlier this year, Chicago launched a monthly assistance program for low-income families, but that program is different from the current one-time payment option.

The series of anti-poverty initiatives were announced by Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office in February. The mayor is seeking re-election next year.

More information and details on how to submit an application online can be found here.

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Chicago photos of the week: Sun-Times photographers picks

A Traveler searches through mountains of luggage at the baggage claim at Midway Airport, Monday, Dec. 26.

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Dan O’Conor, known as the “Great Lake Jumper,” jumps into Lake Michigan near Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, Saturday, Dec. 24. Temperatures climbed up to 14 degrees Saturday afternoon, after Chicago was below zero for 29 hours, according to the National Weather Service.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Whitney Young’s Dalen Davis (3) holds the first place trophy for the Proviso West Holiday Tournament as he stands with teammates after winning the game against Kenwood.

Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

A southbound view of South LaSalle Street near 135 South LaSalle Street in The Loop, Wednesday, Dec. 28. Developers proposed more than $1 billion in renovations to classic downtown buildings along and near La Salle Street in response to an offer of public subsidies, city officials disclosed.

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Ma’layah Williams, 3, smiles as she meets Brett Jackson, 55, who is dressed as Santa Claus during a Christmas giveaway organized by the The Apostolic Faith Church in their church in the Bronzeville neighborhood, Friday, Dec. 23.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Airport staff and a person looking for lost luggage walks around a pile of lost suitcases near the baggage carousel at Midway Airport, Tuesday, Dec. 27, after Southwest Airlines flights were cancelled and delayed during winter storm Elliott. Passengers from flights across the U.S. looked for and waited for their lost luggage Tuesday morning.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Southwest Airlines staff assist passengers looking for their luggage as an inflatable Grinch is displayed on the desk at Midway Airport, Tuesday, Dec. 27, after Southwest Airlines flights were cancelled and delayed during winter storm Elliott.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Snow and ice covers the rocks and boulders that line the Lakefront near East 50th Street in the Hyde Park neighborhood, Tuesday, Dec. 27.

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Young children decorate Kwanzaa masks that represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa during a Kwanzaa learning event at the Bronzeville Children’s Museum on 93rd and Stoney Island, Monday, Dec. 26.

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Seagulls fly over the Chicago Harbor Lock near Navy Pier as sea fog hangs above Lake Michigan, Friday, Dec. 23. The Arctic blast brought wind chills down to as low as 40 degrees Friday.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Steam rises from Lake Michigan obscuring the view of the Chicago skyline, as brutal cold temperatures are recored in Chicago, Friday, Dec. 23.

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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What Will Be Open, Closed on New Year's Day in the Chicago Area?

Are you looking to stop by a grocery store on the first day of 2023? Perhaps grab a coffee? Or maybe drop something off at the post office?

Well, with Jan. 1 being a federal holiday, you may want to check business hours before you hit the road. While places like Target and Walmart will welcome shoppers in, several others in the Chicago area will keep their doors closed.

Here’s a list of retailers and businesses that will be open and closed on New Year’s Day:

Open

• CVS
• Dunkin’
• Jewel-Osco
• Target
• Whole Foods
• Mariano’s
• Meijer
• Walgreens
• Walmart
• Starbucks (Varies by location)

Closed

• Aldi
• Costco
• Sam’s Club
• Trader Joe’s
• U.S. Post Offices

Most banks and credit unions are typically closed on New Year’s Day. Be sure to use an ATM or a banking app on your mobile instead. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago will be closed.

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54 Illinois Counties at an Elevated COVID-19 Community Level as Cases Drop

As holiday celebrations wrap up across the state and country, cases of COVID-19 in Illinois have substantially dropped since last week’s reporting according to the CDC, although a drop in testing over the holidays may have played a factor.

All counties in the Chicago area are at a “medium” COVID-19 community level, with DuPage, Kendall and DeKalb counties dropping from “high” to “medium” over the past seven days.

CDC data shows that 54 of Illinois’ 102 counties are currently at a “high” or “medium” community level, down from 88 counties at an elevated level last week.

Of the 54 counties at an elevated level, just five are now at a “high” community level, a significant drop from the 33 counties at a “high” community level last week. There are 49 Illinois counties now at a “medium” level, dropping from 55 counties last week.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, 15,904 new probable and confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported in the past seven days, with 47 additional deaths.

“I applaud Illinois citizens for practicing important preventative measures to reduce the spread of infection and protect our hospital capacity. It is encouraging to see fewer Illinois counties at an elevated risk for COVID-19, with only five counties currently at high risk. However, as we continue to experience significant levels of flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory infections, it is important to continue protecting those most vulnerable to severe outcomes, especially individuals over 65, those immunocompromised, and those with chronic medical conditions,” IDPH director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a statement.

Vohra added that it is recommended for Illinois residents to get a flu shot and stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, while also testing for COVID-19 when feeling ill.

Currently, Illinois health officials are reporting a total of 3,969,832 cases and 35,761 deaths since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of Thursday night, 1,767 people in Illinois were reported to be hospitalized with COVID-19. Of those, 225 patients were in the ICU and 80 patients were on ventilators. The preliminary seven-day statewide case rate is 125 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 Illinoisans.

Map showing COVID-19 community levels across Illinois as of 12/30/2022. Green denotes a “low” level, yellow denotes a *medium* level and orange denotes a “high” level

The following counties are at a “high” COVID-19 community level, where CDC guidelines recommend masks be worn indoors:

• Adams County
• Johnson County
• Lee County
• Massac County
• Pike County

The following counties are at a “medium” COVID-19 community level, where masks are recommended for the elderly and those who are immunocompromised:

• Bond County
• Boone County
• Calhoun County
• Carroll County
• Champaign County
• Clark County
• Clay County
• Coles County
• Cook County
• Cumberland County
• DeKalb County
• Douglas County
• DuPage County
• Edwards County
• Ford County
• Franklin County
• Fulton County
• Greene County
• Grundy County
• Jackson County
• Jasper County
• Jefferson County
• Jersey County
• Jo Daviess County
• Kane County
• Kendall County
• Knox County
• Lake County
• Logan County
• Madison County
• Marshall County
• Mason County
• McHenry County
• Morgan County
• Ogle County
• Peoria County
• Perry County
• Richland County
• Scott County
• Stephenson County
• Tazewell County
• Wabash County
• Warren County
• Wayne County
• White County
• Whiteside County
• Will County
• Williamson County
• Winnebago County

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It takes a village to run a school

Students from LEARN Charter School.

Sun-Times file photo

I don’t seek the spotlight. I think many school leaders can relate to that sentiment. We don’t go into education for the fame and glory; we choose this path for the kids. Plain and simple. And we all go into this career with the knowledge that it takes a village to raise one child, let alone a whole school of students.  

Despite my discomfort with the spotlight, I received a recent honor: I am the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) Principal of the Year.

What do I plan to do with this recognition? I plan to share the rules I have followed to navigate this role. Spoiler alert: The rules are for a team sport. A principal’s job is not a solo one. Together, our vision is to ensure students thrive academically while also providing memorable experiences beyond the classroom. As the school leader, I simply stand at the helm, and work with an exceptional staff to see students live up to our name and excel.

Here’s how we do it. 

Follow the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated. The campus culture needs to, first and foremost, be respectful. With respect comes communication, productivity, and organization. Expectations are known, and resources are allotted to meet goals. We tell each other what we need, and this is why my staff stays: Our teacher retention rate is above 89%. It’s why our campus was ranked the #3 charter elementary school in Illinois in the 2021-22 rankings by U.S. News & World Report. I respect my staff’s needs, and they do the same for me. This culture of mutual respect extends to our families, and makes our campus feel like a community where voices are heard and action is taken. 

Listen to the moral of “The Tortoise and The Hare.” I believe that a slow and steady approach does win the race. I’ve been a principal for 13 years, a unique accomplishment. It shouldn’t be. This tenure should be the norm, but this role is often a revolving door. Leadership is about providing structure and consistency, while ensuring expectations are high and the environment is nurturing. Leadership isn’t about me. Leadership is about building trust and understanding we are in this together. It’s about setting up others for success, whether that’s the first-year teacher, the veteran receptionist, or the eighth-grader who herself dreams of being a school principal one day. It’s not an overnight job. It takes time and patience. It takes virtues of the tortoise.  

Remind yourself that the future of kids should not be dictated by their ZIP code. All kids deserve the chance to have an excellent education. Period. I choose to be at LEARN because we invest in areas others have given up on. Our network educates over 4,000 students, 89% of whom are African American or Hispanic and 76% of whom are low-income. Our kids — all kids — deserve high-quality and supportive educational experiences. Growing up, I saw the inequities in education and society, and I wanted to make things better. Education was a good starting point. I had adults around me who made sure I succeeded, did not fall prey to the pitfalls kids have to navigate in today’s society, and allowed me to pursue this career of public service. I was fortunate. If I can be that person for our students — the person who helps students achieve their dreams and contribute to the betterment of society — then this job is what I was put on this earth to do. 

Being a principal is a team sport. Maybe I’ve technically scored the goals, but I wouldn’t have been able to without the assists from the all-stars.

Our network has given me guidance and growth opportunities. Our board has given my school the financial means for student success. Our talent team ensures I have dedicated and driven teachers. Our student recruitment team grows our community of kids and families. My assistant principals and leadership team provide wraparound support to our students and staff.

Without these essential workers (literally), I would not be in the shape I am to be in this role to make sure all kids, regardless of circumstances, are given the best chance at an excellent education. Together, we give students from communities that have been marginalized for over 400 years the foundation and ambition to earn a college degree.

Sekou Robertson is the principal of LEARN Excel. He is the INCS 2022 Principal of the Year. 

The Sun-Times welcomes letters to the editor and op-eds. See our guidelines.

The views and opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Chicago Sun-Times or any of its affiliates.

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Mega Millions Jackpot Reaches $685 Million Ahead of Friday Night Drawing

The Mega Millions jackpot increased to $685 million ahead of Friday night’s drawing, giving lottery players a chance to ring in the New Year with an even larger bonus in their bank account.

There have been 21 straight drawings without a jackpot winner thanks to stiff odds of one in 302.6 million. That has allowed the top prize to grow steadily larger, week after week.

The estimated $685 million prize is for a winner who chooses to be paid through an annuity, with annual checks over 29 years. Nearly all winners opt for cash, which for Friday night’s drawing would be an estimated $347.8 million.

The huge jackpot comes less than two months after the largest lottery prize ever, a $2.04 billion Powerball prize that was won Nov. 8 in California. So far, that big winner hasn’t stepped forward to claim the prize.

The reason for all the big prizes is simple — long odds ensure there are few winners and the long streaks of lottery futility allow jackpots to grow ever larger week after week.

The odds of winning a Mega Millions jackpot is one in 302.6 million.

Mega Millions is played in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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from NBC Chicago https://ift.tt/Ln8aOhg