This week, Chicago Unheard will host two parent conversations about the proposals to change how the Board of Education is selected. The Illinois State Senate is examining two bills: one would create a 21-member, fully-elected school board; the other would have 11 members, eight appointed by the mayor and three elected. Today, our friends from Kids First Chicago will hold…
Chicago Unheard Contributor Ashley McCall Wins a Golden Apple Award
Congratulations to Chicago Unheard contributor Ashley McCall!
All These Third-Graders Are Saying Is, “Give Dreamers a Chance!”
Chavez Elementary students share their feelings about supporting Dreamers.
THURSDAY: Black Community Collaborative Wants You To Tell CPS How To Spend Its Pandemic Windfall
CPS is about to receive more than $1 billion in federal funds, but has not made parents part of the budgeting process. Make your voice heard Thursday night!
I Don’t Need a Video; I Want to Hear From Our Young People
Adam Toledo attended Gary Elementary, the school my husband attended. Last week, the simple question, “What additional resources is Gary Elementary receiving after the killing of Adam?” was met with, “Well, we don’t know. We’ll get back to you.”
Elected and Appointed School Boards, Explained
The effort to change Chicago’s school board from mayor-appointed to elected could win this legislative session. But Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who supported an elected school board when she ran for office, appears to be changing her mind in favor of a hybrid between elected and appointed members, which would allow her to retain final authority and continue to hold the…
I Am an Early Childhood Educator. I Should Be Shaping Early Childhood Policy.
Illinois must ensure early childhood educators’ voices continue to shape policy. Teacher reps must be part of the next steps in building a more equitable system of early care and learning across our state.
WEDNESDAY: Join the Day of Action to Get Students Connected to Broadband
A year ago, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down U.S. schools. A year into the pandemic, 12 million students still lack adequate broadband access at home. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) already has millions of dollars for broadband in schools and libraries in a program called E-Rate. But right now those institutions can’t use the money to get their families connected.…