Like so many others in the Niles community, my heart was stirred at the news that Eastside, our historic and much beloved school, was reopening.
I was involved with so many conversations over the past years which led up to the school’s closure. I heard reports of asbestos problems, boiler obsolescence, wooden floors that were a fire hazard and crumbling foundations. I accepted it all in stride as part of the inevitable assault of time and tide.
I was amazed though, along with so many others in Niles, to hear that just one year later instead of the school being dilapidated, outdated and depreciated, it is actually a historical treasure, a major real estate asset and the “sleeping giant” of the school district. At an informational meeting held back on Tuesday, March 29 it was unsettling to hear that the reason for the dramatic turnaround was that we had all been “lied to” — an assertion that was neither contested nor corrected by school administrators presiding over the meeting who remorsefully nodded in agreement, and then assured the audience of the arrival of a new day.
Now everyone can move on to brighter times and “carpe diem” through the rebirth of the old neighborhood school! Stories in area newspapers have recorded the collective aspirations of many as they prognosticate over the direction of the new/old school. One such visioncast declared that “The kids (at Eastside) will be wearing uniforms, taught manners and how to be productive citizens,” followed by another statement that “This is the closest you can get to a private school in a public setting.”
Truly, if one was to examine the second page of the student application form for the new Eastside, one would see that “Disruptive students may be transferred to another Niles elementary school.” So, potential disciplinary options at the new school include being demoted to one of the old or regular community schools? Interesting.
I completely support (and always have) the passionate pursuit of personal ethics, openness and academic excellence throughout the Niles school community. Why must good manners, productive citizenship and community service be qualities held up as things that set this new educational laboratory apart from the rest of the district? If there is indeed a “next level” mindset at Eastside that comes complete with uniforms, then why not adopt and enforce a “uniform” code of dress and conduct for all schools in the city, thereby raising the bar for all?
I am convinced that if these virtues and aspirations were refined and fused into the “mettle” of our school system’s collective soul, the resultant alloy of excellence could prove sufficiently “magnetic” so as to reduce or eliminate altogether the need for schools of choice or private institutions!
May God bless Niles with wisdom, courage and truth to face these great and demanding days.

Pastor Jeff Whittaker
Niles