End of Week Message: Providing the Best, Safest Place for CPS Students
24 January 2025
Dear CPS Colleagues, Families, and Supporters,
Much has happened in just the first week of the new presidential administration, including the elimination of a long-held policy that named schools as “sensitive spaces” when it comes to immigration enforcement. I know that this has many in our CPS community feeling deeply unsettled, and I am truly sorry for the unfair burden of fear and anxiety that is being placed on our immigrant families right now.
I want to speak directly to our CPS parents. Even with everything that’s happening, the best, safest place for your children is at school. First off, school is where they will receive the high-quality education they need and deserve. But beyond that, each CPS school is FILLED with adults who will go above and beyond every day to protect and care for your children.
As we’ve said many times, CPS DOES NOT ask for the immigration status of our students or families, and WILL NOT cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who come to our schools unless they have a criminal judicial warrant signed by a federal judge. Even in that rare instance, we have a team of lawyers available at all times to review those warrants.
I want families to know that our District, city, and state are completely aligned on this issue. There are laws and policies, including the Illinois Trust Act and Chicago Welcoming City Ordinance, that are in place to protect our children, regardless of any changes that are made at the federal level.
The one thing we are asking of our families is to make sure your school has updated emergency contact information on file. Beyond that, we simply want you to send your kids to school every day with the confidence that we will protect and care for them.
Families can find a wealth of resources on immigration services, including a schedule of free “Know Your Rights” trainings and workshops, on our website at cps.edu/newadminguidance.
Honoring the Legacy of Dr. King
I want to thank the many CPS schools that spent part of last week celebrating the tremendous impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on our society. I had the pleasure of joining several elected officials, including Governor Pritzker and Lieutenant Governor Stratton, at Lindblom Math and Science Academy in West Englewood as part of the ChiGivesBack MLK Day of Service beautification project. Approximately 200 community volunteers gathered to paint and refresh several areas of the school, mirroring the commitment to service that was central to Dr. King’s mission.
As we approach the start of Black History Month in February, I urge everyone to continue sharing all the ways your school communities are celebrating the contributions of not only Dr. King, but so many black leaders, artists, and scholars on our city, country, and world.
Managing Winter Weather in Chicago
This week’s frigid temperatures are a good reminder to recap how CPS is ensuring all schools remain safe, warm, and dry during Chicago’s winter months. To make things as comfortable as possible for students and staff, our building engineers, custodians, and other facility staff work around the clock this time of year to ensure that heating systems are working properly, and to clear sidewalks and parking lots of ice and snow. Schools will also implement their protocols for inclement weather, including limiting the time students spend outdoors at recess.
If the decision is ever made to cancel classes due to extreme weather, all staff and families will hear directly from the District via email, text, and robocall. CPS will also notify the local media and post on social media. If you do not hear anything from the District, this means that schools will operate as normal.
We know that along with education, our students rely on their schools to provide meals, and a safe, warm environment. So as long as it is safe for children and staff, CPS will always do everything possible to keep classes in session, whatever the weather.
Fortunately, temperatures look to be on the rise for the remainder of the month. But here are a few tips to help you stay warm when they begin to drop again:
- Limit unnecessary trips outdoors
- Wear several layers of loose, warm clothing
- Pay special attention to keeping your hands, head, ears, and feet warm and dry
Chicago also operates several warming centers that can be accessed throughout the winter months. Click here for complete details on these centers, or call 3-1-1 for information on where you can take shelter from the cold.
I thank you for your partnership as we continue enduring Chicago’s winter months together! Please visit cps.edu at any time for all weather-related updates.
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!
Here are some ideas to consider:
- January is National Mentoring Month. Do you know a CPS teacher, counselor, coach, or other education professional who deserves to be recognized for the extra time they take with students?
- What plans does your school have for the celebration of Black History Month this February?
Use our Good News Form to help us showcase all the ways the Best are with CPS!
A Look Around the District
Check out these highlights from schools across the District!
Cameron Elementary in Humboldt Park hosted a Day of Dance event where students in grades 5 to 8 showcased what they’ve been learning in their elective Dance class this school year.
And at Dulles Elementary, located in the Parkway Gardens neighborhood, students enjoyed classroom performances in a school-wide Winter Assembly filled with singing, dancing, and good spirits.
Finally, at Shoesmith Elementary in Kenwood, students engaged in various mentorship activities with school staff members and members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated Xi Lambda Chapter. The day’s topics focused on leadership, helping students master foundational skills, practicing healthy behaviors, and building positive relationships with peers and adults.
Chicago Literary Hall of Fame Writing Contest for High School Students
High school students have an opportunity to win the Randall Albers Young Writers Award from the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame. Students should submit a poetry, fiction, or nonfiction entry here for the chance to win up to a $250 prize and be honored at the Harold Washington Library in May. Submissions are due on Monday, March 3, at 5:00 p.m. Full rules and guidelines can be found using the above link, and additional information is also available on this flyer.
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in District Athletics
CPS student-athletes competed in great basketball tournaments over Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend. Check out recaps and photo galleries from across the District on our website.
Payton College Prep freshman CJ P. continues to make the headlines for the Grizzlies this season in boys basketball. Learn more about his first season, his Elgin Holiday Tournament ‘All Tournament Honors” and his first year at Payton College Prep in this feature story.
Playoffs and championships for high school winter sports are here! Take a look at our website for the most up to date information. Good luck to all of our student-athletes and coaches!
- High School Cheer | January 25, 2025 | Little Village HS
- High School Girls and Boys Team Wrestling | January 24 & 25, 2025 | Curie High School
- High School Individual Boys Wrestling | February 1 & 2 , 2025 | De La Salle HS
- High School Girls Bowling Championship | February 1, 2026 | Waveland Bowl
- High School Boys Swimming and Diving Championship | February 7 & 8, 2025 | Jones & Whitney Young high schools
- High School Competitive Dance Championship | February 8, 2025 | Kenwood Academy
- High School Boys and Girls Basketball Championships | Feb 15, 2025 | Credit Union 1 Arena
CPS SCORE! Elementary sports are in full swing! Check out the latest schedules and information for the exciting athletics at the 5th-8th grade level at cpsathletics.com.
- 7th & 8th Grade Boys and Girls Basketball begins Saturday Jan 25!
REMINDER: New Year… New Platform: Chicago Public Schools Athletics is excited to announce their official launch on Instagram and Facebook, highlighting the incredible accomplishments of our student-athletes and programs across the District! Make sure to follow these accounts and interact with us on these new social platforms in addition to the already existing X account.
2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Now Available!
It’s time for all CPS 12th-graders to complete their FAFSA! This is a graduation requirement for all CPS seniors. Students who complete the FAFSA are eligible for up to $7,395 in Pell Grant funding to subsidize the cost of college at virtually all postsecondary institutions across the country. Additionally, students who attend college in the state of Illinois may be eligible for up to $8,400 in additional MAP Grant funding. Students may also be eligible for between $5,500 and $9,500 in federal student loans.
For more information and assistance with the FAFSA, students should reach out to their school counselor, or visit cps.edu/LearnPlanSucceed.
Summer Lifeguard Opportunity from the Chicago Park District
Make $19.75 an hour this summer as a Chicago Park District lifeguard. Apply Now! The next Lifeguard Skills test takes place Saturday, February 1 at Foster Park, 1440 W. 84th St. Sign up for the test when completing your application online. Must be a Chicago resident age 16 or older by July 1, 2025. Enjoy your perfect summer job in the parks! Learn more and apply at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/lifeguards/CPS.
Calling All CPS Artists! Upcoming Opportunities in the Arts
CPS Sophomores and Juniors: Apply now to RE:ALIZE, the FREE dual enrollment arts program created in partnership with Columbia College Chicago. In addition to 6–12 college credits in theater, 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 by the deadline of March 17, 2025, or learn more on the RE:ALIZE website and through this informational slideshow. You can also reach out to realize@cps.edu with any questions!
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 February 3, 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!
Discounted Tickets for CPS Staff and Families
Chicago Fire FC
The Chicago Fire FC is excited to offer CPS students, teachers, staff, and their family and friends over 60 percent off standard ticket pricing for their home opener on Saturday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. against DC United! Come celebrate the start of the Gregg Berhalter era at Soldier Field! Buy tickets here.
Chicago Bulls
CPS staff are invited to cheer on the Chicago Bulls with an exclusive ticket offer for the below games. Get your tickets here!
- Bulls vs. 76ers: Saturday, January 25
- Bulls vs. Pistons: Tuesday, February 11
- Bulls vs. Clippers: Wednesday, February 26
- Bulls vs. Raptors: Friday, February 28
Important Dates
For more upcoming events around the District, visit cps.edu/calendar.
- Thursday, January 30: Chicago Board of Education meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Wednesday, February 12: Chicago Board of Education Agenda Review Committee Meetings. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Monday, February 17: CPS offices and schools will be closed in observance of Presidents’ Day; no classes for CPS students.
- Thursday, February 27: Chicago Board of Education Meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.