As the Black mother of two Black girls, I am always acutely aware of how Black girls are harmed in this society. However, there are some moments in America, when it is amplified that me and my girls, are truly at the bottom of the totem pole of those deemed in need of protecting. This weekend, the Lifetime docu-series, “Surviving…
Tag: CPS
To Maintain a Culture of Trust, CPS Must Ensure Data Privacy and Safety For Undocumented Students
This op-ed is co-authored by Olivia Albrecht, youth organizer for the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, and BPNC President Anita Caballero. Last year, the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council supported undocumented students from across the Southwest side as they organized Coming Out of the Shadows assemblies at their schools. The celebrations were beautiful moments of resistance, where students chose to speak…
Preventing Sexual Abuse in Schools Starts With Training and Reducing Shame and Fear
We see the headlines about the new Title IX Office in CPS. The background checks. The handful of firings. But it’s harder to see what changes in culture are happening to stop sexual assault in schools. Back in the summer, I talked with experts about what CPS is doing to protect students. Today, I want to talk about what I’m…
How to GoCPS for Elementary School, Part 2: The Application
Welcome to how to use GoCPS! In case you missed Part One, here’s what to do to get up to speed. Read my earlier blog post and make a list of at least 10 schools you want to apply to for your child. Today’s post (and my Facebook Live webcast) will walk you through the application process itself, so you…
How to GoCPS for Elementary School, Part One
Are you planning to use GoCPS to apply for your child’s elementary school for next year? Well, buckle up, because it’s not easy. The process of choosing schools, applying, and enrolling your child in the Chicago Public Schools is daunting for even the most seasoned of parents. As a Chicago Public Schools graduate, I had dreams of my children attending…
When Enrollment Is Declining, Let Communities Decide Next Steps for Schools
Urban school systems all over the Northeast and Midwest are facing declining enrollment and struggle with the challenge of downsizing without shortchanging students’ education. Unfortunately, Chicago is a leader in the problem, but new thinking on the role of neighborhoods could propel the city to become a leader in solutions. Enrollment in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has been sliding…
Applying for School in Chicago? Your Odds May Have Just Changed.
Originally posted on Chalkbeat by Cassie Walker Burke on October 25, 2018. One of the key factors in Chicago public school admissions, tier numbers assigned by a student’s address serve to more equitably distribute seats in test-in and magnet programs. The numbers, on a 1 to 4 scale, reflect a neighborhood’s socioeconomic status. The school district has issued new tier…
From Chicago to Connecticut, Moms Are Fighting for Equity
From Connecticut to Chicago, moms of all backgrounds are starting a conversation about educational equity. In Connecticut, mom Gwen Samuel and parents like her are fighting to open empty seats in magnet schools to Black and Brown children. One of Connecticut’s greatest challenges in creating diverse magnet schools has been building bridges to white and affluent families who have multiple…