End of Week Message: GoCPS Deadline Extended to Dec. 15; CPS Shines Spotlight on Social-Emotional Learning
15 November 2024
Dear CPS Colleagues, Families, and Supporters,
I’ll begin with another update regarding this year’s GoCPS deadline. Applications for the 2025–26 school year will now be accepted until 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2024.
As a reminder, GoCPS is our District’s platform to help families explore and apply to academic programs around the city, including magnet, career and technical education, selective enrollment, and charter high schools. Families interested in elementary charter schools must apply to those schools directly rather than using GoCPS.
Please visit the GoCPS website for more information, and to complete your application by the new deadline of Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 5 p.m.
Our Commitment to Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
When I visit schools across the District, one of the most frequent topics that comes up is the state of our students’ emotional and mental health. As a parent, I know it’s not enough for our children to do well — they need to be well too.
For students to learn effectively, they must feel safe, supported, and engaged at school. That means high-quality instruction and social-emotional learning (SEL) must go hand-in-hand in every one of our classrooms.
Over the past several years, CPS has transformed its approach to SEL, making key investments in systems, staff, and resources for our students. Since 2019, CPS has hired hundreds of additional counselors, social workers, and case managers to respond to our students’ needs.
But supporting students’ mental health is more than just the responsibility of a few staff members in each school — it is a responsibility that we all share. That’s why CPS created the Healing Centered Framework, with the goal of ensuring that “all CPS schools are safe, supportive environments where all staff actively promote mental wellness while rallying around students who have been most impacted by trauma and could benefit from more targeted supports.”
Because of these investments, we are transforming CPS into a national leader in this space, creating one of the most trauma-engaged, culturally-responsive school districts in the country.
Our District’s leadership in this area was on display this week at a conference held right here in Chicago by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL).
This three-day event brought educators, researchers, and policymakers from around the country together to collaborate around the importance of social-emotional learning. Topics included whole school safety, data-driven practices, and the many innovative ways that SEL is being implemented in school districts around the country.
CPS led several of these workshops, including a deep dive around integrating SEL practices at the high school level. Ofelia Contreras Dang, an SEL Specialist for Network 16, demonstrated the success of SEL supports in high schools on Chicago’s south and west sides, including the connection between an increase in restorative practices and a decrease in suspensions and similar disciplinary practices.
“Our motto in Network 16 is ‘Leading with Love’, and our focus is the need to build trusting relationships within school communities,” said Contreras-Dang. “That trust plays a huge role in creating healthy, supportive learning environments for both students and staff.“
As an SEL Specialist, Ms. Contreras-Dang coaches educators and school leaders on how to create a positive climate and culture in their schools. She works with both school-based Behavioral Health Teams and community partners on how to provide effective SEL supports to students, from individual counseling to small group interventions. Some of the focus areas of these groups include anger management, building healthy relationships, and coping with grief and trauma.
When asked why it’s important to focus so much time and energy on social-emotional learning, Ms. Contreras-Dang put it very simply:
“Without SEL, kids cannot progress academically, and therefore can’t achieve what we know they’re capable of.”
We know that we must continue this work, and continue our investments in order to meet our students’ needs. Our strategy for success and our SEL goals are outlined in Success 2029: Together We Rise, our District’s five-year strategic plan. Some of these include:
- Ensuring that SEL practices are incorporated into the daily student experience.
- Ensuring 100% of schools have Culture and Climate Teams that are focused on building trusting relationships within the school community.
- Empowering school-based Behavioral Health Teams to assess student needs, monitor progress on interventions, and leverage community partners to support students social-emotional development.
- Ensuring that all schools have Whole School Safety Plans that incorporate restorative justice practices and connect staff, students, families, and communities to SEL and mental health resources.
- Focusing on the physical and mental health of students and families by connecting them to resources and providers that will help them make informed health-related decisions.
- Connecting at-risk students with caring adults and other interventions to reduce chronic absenteeism by 15%.
These goals reflect our District’s belief in the power of SEL. It is not an “extra,” nor is it something to be tacked onto the end of the school day if time allows. It is and will continue to be an integral part of our District’s vision, which is to provide every child with a rigorous, joyful, and equitable daily learning experience that will prepare them for success in college, career, and community.
Sincerely,
Pedro Martinez
Chief Executive Officer
Chicago Public Schools
Help Us Highlight Your School
We love highlighting the amazing things that are happening day-to-day in our schools, along with the people who are making them happen! Please share your stories with us using our Good News Form so that we can share them with the District!
A Look Around the District
Take a look at these highlights from across the District!
In honor of National STEM Day, 150 CPS middle school girls participated in a Computer Science Symposium at Truman College. Students attended a full day of workshops filled with activities, like using fruit as a power source, Google coding, and simulated welding with tech and manufacturing.
And at Graham High School in the Cragin neighborhood, the Flag Football team recently won 1st place in the Division 6 Special Olympics tournament. Congratulations Tigers!
Sauganash Music Room Named for Legendary Radio Personality Lin Brehmer
Introducing the Lin Brehmer Music Studio! This music room at Sauganash Elementary was recently named in honor of the iconic radio personality who greeted Chicagoans for decades as the morning host on WXRT radio. An ambassador for the city’s music scene, Brehmer was also a huge supporter to the staff and students at Sauganash during and after his son was a student at the school. The room named in his honor features many instruments and a comfortable, collaborative space where Sauganash students will make music together for years to come.
Calling All CPS Artists! Upcoming Opportunities in the Arts
CPS Sophomores and Juniors: Apply Now to Early College Arts Program
Early applications are due December 1 for RE:ALIZE, the FREE dual enrollment arts program created in partnership with Columbia College Chicago. The regular deadline is March 17, 2025. In addition to 6–12 college credits in theatre, music, dance, or visual arts, RE:ALIZE offers students support with developing a portfolio, workshops with professional artists, college and university visits, free supplies, multiple opportunities to showcase their work, and more. Apply here, learn more on the RE:ALIZE website and this informational slideshow, and reach out to us at realize@cps.edu with any questions!
CPS Seniors: Apply for the Senior Portfolio Exhibition by December 1
The CPS Senior Portfolio Exhibition gives Chicago high school seniors the opportunity to exhibit their artwork while gaining exposure to admissions representatives from colleges and universities. Apply here by December 1. Full details can be found in the submission guidelines. Learn more at cps.edu/acva, and you can contact allcityarts@cps.edu with any questions. Any artwork submitted to the Senior Portfolio Exhibition will also be automatically considered for inclusion in ART on THE MART 2025!
All CPS Students: Submit Your Work to RE•VER•BER•ATE and All-City Visual Art (ACVA) Exhibitions
RE•VER•BER•ATE (April 22–25, 2025) is a free, multidisciplinary arts festival that offers CPS students in grades pre-k—12 the opportunity to participate in exhibitions, performances, workshops, masterclasses, and academic and professional collaborations. Teachers and students are invited to submit applications to perform or exhibit at the festival. Apply HERE for performing arts by January 10, 2025. Apply HERE for visual arts by March 13, 2025. Learn more about these opportunities at cps.edu/reverberate, and contact reverberate@cps.edu with any questions.
Applications to participate in the ACVA Pre-k–12 Visual Art Exhibition are open through March 13, 2025. Apply here. Full details can be found in the submission guidelines. Learn more at cps.edu/acva, and you can contact allcityarts@cps.edu with any questions. Any artwork submitted to the Pre-k–12 Visual Art Exhibition will also be automatically considered for inclusion in ART on THE MART 2025!
CPS Teachers: Classroom Collaboration Opportunity for ART on THE MART
Want to see your students’ artwork projected onto the Mart’s massive Chicago Riverwalk facade? Join our upcoming information session on Monday, December 9 from 6–7 p.m. to learn how you can be a part of ART on THE MART, an exciting opportunity as part of the All-City Visual Arts Exhibitions. We’ll walk you through the submission guidelines and offer a live demo of Adobe Photoshop and After Effects to help you prepare your work for projection. Register for the information session here, and contact allcityarts@cps.edu with any questions.
Nominate an Educator for the Red Cross Heroes Award
The Red Cross Heroes Breakfast is an annual celebration of local heroes who have saved or changed lives. If you know an educator who should be honored, please nominate them here!
Become a Chicago Park District Summer Lifeguard
Interested in being a Chicago Park District lifeguard next summer? The first test opportunity is Saturday, November 16. Apply online today and select your test date when applying. You must be a Chicago resident age 16 or older by July 1, 2025. Enjoy your perfect summer job in the parks! Learn more & apply at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/lifeguards/CPS.
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in CPS Athletics
Congratulations to Lane Tech High School, who finished second in state in the IHSA 3A Boys Soccer tournament. Lane Tech finished the year as the Chicago Public League city champions and state runner-ups, capping off an unforgettable year!
The Chicago Public League Varsity Football Final Four is set! Lincoln Park will take on Kenwood, and Whitney Young will take on Amundsen for a spot in the championship this weekend. The City Champion will compete in the historic Prep Bowl against the winner of the Catholic League Championship. The City Championship will take place on November 23, and the Prep Bowl will take place on November 29. Details and locations can be found here.
Congratulations to Eddie Curry, a CPS athletics administrator, on being inducted to the Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame. For more than 30 years, Mr. Curry has been instrumental in the development and growth of youth softball and baseball across the District. Learn more about Mr. Curry here.
CPS SCORE! is excited to host an elementary basketball coaches clinic at Corliss High School on November 23, with NBA Hall of Famer and Chicago's very own Tim Hardaway Sr. This clinic will help provide key skills and drills to our coaches before the winter basketball season begins.
For more updates on CPS sports, visit CPSAthletics.com.
Discounted Tickets for CPS Staff and Students
CPS staff are invited to cheer on the Chicago Bulls with exclusive ticket offers for the below games!
Get your tickets for Educator Appreciation Night on Sunday, November 17:
- This special ticket offer includes your discounted ticket to the Bulls vs. Rockets game and an exclusive educators-themed tumbler. This special event ticket package must be purchased from this link on FEVO.
And get your tickets here for the below games:
- Bulls vs. Hawks: Friday, November 22
- Bulls vs. Pacers: Friday, December 6
- Bulls vs. 76ers: Sunday, December 8
DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL is a hilarious, heartfelt family adventure based on the bestselling book series! Don't miss the SUPA awesome production beginning Nov 8 at The Studebaker Theater. Teachers can Download Educational Resources here. CPS staff members receive 20% OFF tickets with code DM20CPS at checkout (good through November 24, P1 and P2 price levels only, based on availability). Click for Dog Man tickets!
Experience one of the greatest operas ever written with Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro at Lyric Opera of Chicago, "a joyous celebration of life and love" (Chicago Tribune). Use promo code CPS25 to save 25% on tickets for any performance of The Marriage of Figaro. Click HERE to purchase.
A Limited number of $29 tickets are also available for select performances on November 19 and 21 through Lyric's DEAL program for educators and administrators. Offers are subject to availability and restrictions apply.
ROYKO: THE TOUGHEST MAN IN CHICAGO tells the story of cantankerous Chicago columnist Mike Royko, a 34-year newspaper veteran who wrote 7,500 columns in his career. A fixture amongst Chicago newspapers, Royko wrote about the city the way people like to think of themselves: cynical, humorous, and with compassion for the little guy. Now through Dec 22 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St, Chicago.
CPS employees receive 25% OFF tickets using code ROYKO25 at checkout. Offer good through December 22, excludes Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees, based on availability. PURCHASE TICKETS http://royko.brownpapertickets.com/
Important Dates
For more upcoming events around the District, visit cps.edu/calendar.
- Monday, November 25–Friday, November 29: In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, no students or teachers will be in school from November 25–29 and all CPS buildings will be closed on November 28 and 29.
- Wednesday, December 4: Board of Education Agenda Review Committee meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Thursday, December 12: Board of Education meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Monday, December 23–Friday, January 3: All CPS students and teachers will be on winter break from December 23 through January 3; all CPS offices will be closed from December 25 through January 1.