'Chicago plans to pay parents $25 to pick up their children's report cards and go to parent-teacher conferences'

Chicago plans to pay parents $25 to pick up their children's report cards and go to parent-teacher conferences

By David Mccormack
PUBLISHED: 04:38 EST, 31 October 2012 | UPDATED: 04:57 EST, 31 October 2012





Parents are being persuaded to get more involved in their children's education with $25 gift cards.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the scheme that will see vouchers for Walgreen being handed out.

Parents will receive the vouchers provided they pick up their students’ report cards and participate in parent-teacher conferences.

The scheme will be trialed at 70 public schools in Chicago Public Schools that have a problem engaging parents.

‘This is a way, in my view, of incentivizing responsible parenting,’ Emanuel told a news conference at Field Elementary School, Ashland.

He said that the scheme could help to ‘close the gap between parents, teachers and principals to have a united front investing in our kids’ education.’

Emanuel said he got the gift card idea during one of his morning workouts: 'That’s what happens when I start swimming. I start coming up with ideas.'

Walgreen has operated in Chicago for 112 years and now has 150 stores.

Emanuel, President Obama's former White House chief of staff,came under fire yesterday after he joked that a silver lining to Hurricane Sandy was that Chicago's journalists are focusing on news outside the Windy City.

'We are sending them some of the best reporters we have', Emanuel said on local radio when asked what Chicago was doing to help those in the states affected by the freak weather.

As his audience laughed, Emanuel continued: 'I thought that would be the best help to the city of Chicago!'

That’s what happens when I start swimming. I start coming up with ideas.'

Cheaps wrote:

He probably inhaled/swallowed too much chlorine, he needs to stop swimming.

TheEnglishButterfly wrote:Parents should want to be involved because they are invested in education... not invested in money.

Supernova wrote:

Awww, you changed your avatar, too bad, I was enjoying having a twin on here. But I like this one too, my mom would especially love it, she loves butterflies.

TheEnglishButterfly wrote: I do love butterflies (hence the screen name) and have 2 butterfly tattoos. ...I have like 20 damn tattoos planned though, who knows which ones Ill actually get!!!

Another girl with tats on this board.

And they seem to be addictive.

I have a butterfly tat:


My wife was into them and this one I designed for our wedding.

Shale wrote:

Another girl with tats on this board.

And they seem to be addictive.

I have a butterfly tat:


My wife was into them and this one I designed for our wedding.