If we are truly motivated to create a future that defeats the past, a future where we have risen above the durable walls of separation racism erected, we must accept discomfort, valorize truth, and labor for reconciliation. We must teach our children how the world became the way it is and trust them with the information.

Not-Normal Times Need Not-Normal Grades
School is not normal. Instruction is not normal. Student engagement is not normal. So why are we still giving grades as normal?

New Online Course Helps Parents, School Nurses Become Vaccine Ambassadors
To help parents and school nurses talk to parents with these concerns, last week, Coursera launched a free online course, “COVID Vaccine Ambassador Training: How to Talk to Parents.” The self-paced course can be completed at any time and takes less than two hours.

Chicago Private and Charter Schools Receive $5 Million to Expand Enrollment
Philanthropist and school choice advocate Janine Yass teamed up with the Center for Education Reform, to award $5 million in RESCUE Grants to Chicago private and charter schools with the “capacity and interest in expanding quickly.”

Chicago Isn’t the Only City Putting Politics Over Kids
We need to look to and elevate the leaders and communities that are actually building positively toward the empowerment of their students and schools. If our children see only dysfunction, we’ll only see more of it when it’s their turn running the show—unless the goal is to show students what not to do when they hold these positions.

Weary Chicago Parents, I Salute Us
Maybe now is a good time to start thinking about more kinds of child care and community. Weary Chicago parents need respite and support.

Q&A with Dr. Allison Arwady (Video)
On Sunday, January 9 – Dr. Allison Arwady met via Facebook Live with a group of parents to answer some of their questions.

CPS Parents Deserve a Refund
For nearly two years, parents have picked up the slack for the Chicago Public Schools. We deserve a refund.