West Side CPS students needing a place to go today, the first day of a teachers strike, will be able to stay at one of 144 schools across the city.
More than a dozen of CPS’ “Children First” site locations are on the West Side, and all will be open to students from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today and the rest of the week, as needed.
There will be pickets outside all 675 schools and the Chicago Board of Education headquarters. Teachers, paraprofessionals and school clinicians have been without a labor agreement since June 30; negotiators from CPS and the Chicago Teachers Union are expected to return to the bargaining table today.
While there will be no instruction at the 144 Children’s First sites, there will be some activities, and breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Parents can sign-up their child using the student’s student identification (ID) number through the sign-up tool. Parents without access to the Internet can call 311 or visit their local library to sign-up their child.
Every CPS student has been assigned a designated site in their community that is not necessarily their regular school but will be equipped to address their needs and provide a safe environment. CPS says parents are strongly encouraged to register their children to ensure staff at the site are prepared for any needs children may have.
Here are the West Side elementary students that will be open, as more than 20,000 teachers are on strike:
- Crown, 2128 S. St. Louis Ave.
- Herzl, 3711 W. Douglas Blvd.
- Mason, 4217 W. 18th St.
- Gregory, 3715 W. Polk St.
- Hefferan, 4409 W. Wilcox St.
- Tilton, 223 N. Keeler Ave.
- Spencer, 214 N. Lavergne Ave.
- Brunson, 932 N. Central Ave.
- Nobel, 4127 W. Hirsch St.
- Piccolo, 1040 N. Keeler Ave.
- Sayre, 1850 N. Newland Ave.
West Side high schools include:
- Clemente, 1147 N. Western Ave.
- Farragut , 2345 S. Christiana Ave.
- Marshall, 3250 W. Adams St.
In addition to the 144 Children First sites, CPS says other alternative programming is available starting today at:
- Fifty-nine faith-based organizations through the Safe Haven program;
- More than 90 community-based organizations;
- Seventy-eight Chicago Public Libraries, which will maintain their operating hours and offer a safe environment for students where they can access books, magazines and online learning opportunities;
- Seventy-eight Chicago Park District sites.
In order for CPS seniors to not fall off-track for college, seniors will be eligible to continue their studies via online coursework in credit recovery, Advanced Placement (AP) or non-credit bearing General Elective classes. Seniors should register for online courses at www.cps.edu/cpsseniorsonline.
More information about the Children First plan to support families and kids most in need as well as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be found at www.cps.edu/childrenfirst. These FAQs reflect questions CPS received from the more than 35,000 parents who joined in a teletownhall last week, as well as those from staff and other stakeholders.
Charter schools will be open today and continue with their regularly scheduled classes.