AustinTalks | CPS | AustinTalks

coronavirus

Michele Clark HS 1 of 3 schools in CPS where students can get vaccinated for COVID-19

By AustinTalks | July 14, 2021

Shots will be administered on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting July 15 at the West Side high school. Students, their relatives and community members may register in advance, and walk-ins are also being accepted for the free vaccines. The two-dose Pfizer vaccine is the only one currently approved for individuals ages 12 to 17. A parent or guardian is required to be present for anyone under 18. Students 18 and older are also eligible for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

News

Most Austin schools to see increase in their budgets next year

By Shelby E. Hawkins | July 6, 2021

No Austin schools will see a drop in their budgets in 2021-2022, according to preliminary numbers released by Chicago Public Schools earlier this spring.

After School Matters

Austin teen making an impact through art

By Shelby E. Hawkins | April 20, 2021

Austin teen Tyshaun Zollicoffer, who’s in the After School Matters art program, is inspiring others with his creativity. Zollicoffer, president of Senn High School’s Black Student Union, plans to attend college in New York City.

Chicago Run

Chicago Run hosts first in-person race in a year

By Zach Cunning | March 30, 2021

Chicago Run hosted its first in-person race since the start of the pandemic at Columbus Park last weekend.

Chicago Public Schools

West Side LSCs still seek members after low turnout

By Shelby E. Hawkins | February 17, 2021

There are nearly 700 open seats on 267 local school councils across the city; five schools in Austin are still looking for members to serve. See the list AustinTalks has compiled of members currently serving on LSCs in Austin.

black excellence

Lewis School receives grant to help teachers be more culturally responsive

By Shelby E. Hawkins | December 30, 2020

Principal Aquabah Gonney-Buckner was able to secure $10,000 in funding for her school, the Leslie Lewis School of Excellence. Teachers at the Austin school are learning about the history of race and race relations to prepare themselves for the difficult conversations they say students are ready to have.

education

Local School Council elections held this week

By AustinTalks | November 18, 2020

Elementary school LSC elections are Nov. 18, and high school LSC elections are Nov. 19. In-person polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Local school councils — made up of parents, students and community members that can make school budget and principal hiring decisions — were once seen as a bastion of school-level democracy, according to Block Club Chicago.

News

Austin men commemorate Million Man March

By Zach Cunning | October 20, 2020

About 50 people came together last week to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Million Man March and to call for new economic drivers for the Austin community. The Million Man March, which the Washington Post called “the largest civil rights demonstration in U.S. history,” was held in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 16, 1995.

Opinion

Youth call on Chicago Board of Education to remove police from schools

By AustinTalks | August 26, 2020

VOYCE – a youth organizing collaborative led by students of color from six community groups – says the school resource officer (SRO) program criminalizes Black students. Instead, the youth want CPS to invest in a trauma-informed public health approach to safety. The board of education is expected to vote Aug. 26th on the issue.

News

Dozens of young people in Austin protest police in schools

By Zach Cunning | August 25, 2020

About 50 people gathered at La Follette Park Friday before marching to Chicago Board of Education member Dwayne Truss’ residence. They were protesting the contract between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Police Department, and calling on Truss to vote against the contract at CPS’ Aug. 26th meeting.