FAQs
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Starting Thursday, October 17, CPS classes and extracurricular activities will be canceled until a contract agreement is reached with the CTU and SEIU. School buildings will remain open to students and continue to operate on their normal bell schedule. Principals and non-unionized support staff will be there to greet students; engage them in activities; serve breakfast and lunch; and provide supper to take home.
Chicago Public Libraries and Chicago Parks will be open, along with Safe Haven sites and other community partner sites. You can find a list of non-CPS sites, their hours, and whether food is available in the site locator.
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No. While all school buildings will remain open, classes will not be in session. Your child will not be marked absent, nor will they risk attendance issues once the strike is over.
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If your child needs a safe place to stay during the day, we encourage them to attend their regular school, but we will welcome students at any school that serves their grade level. Chicago Public Libraries, Chicago Parks, Safe Haven sites, and other community partner sites will be open. A list of alternative sites is available in the site locator.
To search for the closest options available for your child, enter your address into the site locator and choose the school that serves your child’s grade level. For assistance finding an alternative site for your child, email contingencyplan@cps.edu and provide your home address.
If you choose a CPS school, please complete the student registration form to register your child. Although registration is not mandatory, it helps ensure we have adequate staffing and meals to serve children. You will need to know your child’s student ID number to register them. If you do not know your child's student ID number, please call your child's school. For security purposes, school staff will request your child’s name, birthdate, and primary point of contact before they share your child’s student ID number.
If you choose a non-CPS location, please note any requirements they may have (i.e., age restrictions or supervision requirements).
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CPS schools will operate on their normal bell schedule. However, before-school or after-school programs, including extended day, will not be available. Find more information about alternative site hours, use the site locator.
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CPS schools will be led by the principal and supported by trained CPS staff, including contracted nurses and custodial services. Supporting staff will work together with the CPS Office of Safety and Security and the Chicago Police Department to ensure students are safe during a strike. Libraries and parks will be staffed by regular Chicago Public Library and Park District employees.
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Students will not receive regular classroom instruction during a strike. However, students will be able to participate in activities led by CPS staff under the direction of the principal, including online learning, arts and crafts, independent reading and writing, and other activities.
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The district will allow school-based partners and service providers to provide services at schools at the principal's discretion. Please reach out to your principal for more information. Partners can also provide services at their own locations at their discretion. These opportunities will be available on the site locator.
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Charter and contract schools will continue to operate on their normal schedules, and families should look for any updates or changes from their principal or school operator.
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No. CPS will not provide bus service to district-run schools during a strike. Charter and contract school buses will continue to operate on a normal schedule. Free CTA transportation will be available to students.
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CPS schools will serve breakfast and lunch and provide supper to take home, and the site locator details which alternative sites will have food available for students.
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If your child has medical needs, please be aware that the staff who regularly provide those services to your child will not be available during a strike. As strike days are not regular school days, IEPs and 504 Plans will not be implemented. We will, however, ensure contract nurses are available to support students as needed, and schools will continue to follow CPS health policies (food allergy, medication administration, asthma, diabetes management, etc.). If your child attends a different school or an alternative site during the strike, please notify the staff of your child’s medical conditions and provide the appropriate medication.
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If your child needs special education support, please be aware that the staff who regularly provide those services to your child will not be available during a strike. As strike days are not regular school days, IEPs will not be implemented. We will, however, ensure contract nurses are available to support students as needed.
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All after-school activities will be canceled. This includes—but is not limited to—team practices and competitions, tutoring, field trips, Parent University activities, and other community activities. For specific questions regarding make-up games or events, please contact your coach or event lead.
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Families will be notified about any changes to the school year calendar. At this time, we do not plan to make up days missed due to a strike.
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During a strike, principals will be able to fulfill transcript requests for students at their school. Families are encouraged to plan ahead with regard to obtaining letters of recommendation and other required materials.
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No. All selective enrollment open houses have been canceled. They will be rescheduled at a later date. Please contact the school directly for an update.
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For the latest news and information regarding the strike, visit cps.edu/contingencyplan. You can also sign up to receive updates by email at cps.edu/signup and follow us on social media:
- Twitter: @ChiPubSchools
- Facebook: FB.com/ChicagoPublicSchools
- Instagram: @ChiPubSchools
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Yes. You can view or download the list of all available sites.