When graduating senior Christian Tam told a cafeteria full of younger students at The Noble Academy’s college signing day, “I’ll be going to…,” they corrected him before he could even mention his college. “Graduating from!” voices in the crowd shouted eagerly. “Graduating from Northwestern University,” Tam finished, revealing his gray-and-purple college t-shirt to thunderous applause and cheers. This group of…
Author: maureen
What’s Up in CPS This Week? School’s Out
Children enjoying the Chicago open fire hydrant tradition near Spry Elementary in Little Village. While the school year is drawing to a close for many students–tomorrow is the last day for students in most district-run schools–the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board recently predicted a long, hot summer for CPS as it overhauls its handling of sexual abuse allegations. If you volunteer…
Middle Schoolers and Mentors Celebrate Careers
Nearly 400 CPS middle-school students and mentors from companies including Google, KPMG, Lenovo and Tyson took time to celebrate last Friday at Daley Plaza during Share Your Spark.
What’s Up in CPS the Week of June 11, 2018?
School Facilities Public Hearings Start Today For decades, Chicago Public Schools made decisions about construction and repair of school facilities with little input from the public and less transparency about the process. In 2011, thanks to pressure from community advocates, Springfield passed a law requiring CPS to create a 10-year capital spending plan, known as the Educational Facilities Master Plan.…
What’s Up in CPS the Week of June 4, 2018?
There’s never a dull moment in Chicago Public Schools. Sex Abuse in CPS The Chicago Tribune exposé on sex abuse in district schools prompted CPS leaders to create an action plan that features improved background checks, more employee training on reporting abuse and increased supports for victims. As the plan goes into action, it’s worth remembering inadequate protection against sexual…
Chicago Students Say #Enough to Gun Violence
On Saturday, June 2, at 10 a.m., Everytown for Gun Safety will host a Wear Orange event in Hadiya Pendleton Park, 4345 S. Calumet Avenue. While #WearOrange events will be happening all over the country this weekend, the Chicago event includes a twist: a public art project developed by local students. Students from Chicago’s public and private schools have been…
Welcome to Chicago Unheard
There’s a new story emerging in Chicago—a story of academic progress in the city’s public schools. Despite the endless political drama that surrounds the Chicago Public Schools, elementary students are making academic gains that outpace their peers in Illinois and the nation. In high schools, more students are graduating and, slowly but surely, more graduates are earning college degrees. While…
Hey 7th-Graders, Here’s the App to Help You Find a High School
By launching GoCPS this school year, Chicago Public Schools took a huge step toward making applying to both elementary and high schools easier and more fair. But the process isn’t perfect and many families are still struggling to learn how it works. During Tuesday’s Town Hall meeting at Back of the Yards College Prep, CEO Janice Jackson fielded questions from…