AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/chicago-public-schools/)
No longer will Austin students have to leave the West Side to continue or start their IB education at the high school level. Michele Clark High School will receive $200,000 in next year’s budget to begin implementing the rigorous program offered in more than 146 countries.
Longtime resident Dwayne Truss hopes CPS CEO Janice Jackson will ensure West Side students get the same opportunities for IB, STEM and other programs more commonly found in other parts of the city.
Michele Clark Principal Charles Anderson Jr. said many students who attend elementary school in Austin leave the community for high schools that offer an IB program, especially if they were already enrolled in the program. The hope is that having a high school program in Austin would keep some of those students in Austin.
The Chicago Police Department and Chicago Public Schools are hosting today’s event from 2 to 5 p.m. in the 15th District’s west parking lot, 5701 W. Madison. There will be immunizations, dental exams, food, games, performers and more.
Over the next year, the Austin College and Career Academy will get an entirely new lab, while Michele Clark Magnet High School will see improvements to its existing lab.
Chicago Public Schools is holding a town hall meeting with CPS CEO Janice Jackson on May 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Michele Clark High School, 5101 W. Harrison.
CPS officials released school-by-school budgets in April, three months earlier than last year.
Parents, teachers and school staff will be able to vote Wednesday at elementary schools and Thursday at high schools. In Austin, there will still be vacancies on 12 of the 17 LCSs, which will be filled before July 1 when all members begin serving.
The public is invited to testify April 11 at a public hearing, being held by Chicago Public Schools.
Some programs started this week, so Chicago high school students should apply as soon as possible for the more than 7,000 paid apprenticeship and internship opportunities across the city, including a number in Austin.