Dear CPS Colleagues, Families, and Supporters,
This week, after nearly a full year of negotiations, CPS and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) reached a Tentative Agreement around a four-year labor contract for our teachers.
There’s a lot to be proud of in this proposed agreement. It stays true to our District’s values, and our vision for what a child’s daily learning experience should look like. It rewards the excellent work of our educators in a financially responsible way. It makes targeted investments to support our highest need students. Above all, it continues to place the needs of our students first. And — if the deal is approved by the CTU membership and the Chicago Board of Education, it will be the first time in over a decade that a CTU contract will be settled without putting families through a disruptive and damaging work stoppage.
I’m grateful to everyone who helped get us here, especially the CPS bargaining team, who worked around the clock for many months — through nights and weekends, holidays and breaks — in service of our students. Our hope is that the Tentative Agreement will be ratified by CTU members in the coming days so that it can be presented to the Board of Education for final approval.
For details on what is included in the proposed agreement, please read the letter that was sent to families earlier this week, and explore our Labor Updates web page for more information.
CPS Students and Staff in the Spotlight
Congratulations to Micaela “Mica” Ortiz Arredondo, a custodian at Hibbard Elementary School, on being named a national finalist in the prestigious Cintas Custodian of the Year competition. This annual contest spotlights custodians from around the country who have shown tremendous dedication to creating safe, welcoming learning environments, and who go above and beyond to be positive role models for the students in their schools.
In addition to her outstanding work, Ms. Ortiz Arredondo is described as someone whose uplifting spirit and genuine care for others make the school community at Hibbard feel like home. The Cintas Custodian of the Year will be decided based on public voting, so I encourage everyone in our CPS family to cast your vote for Ms. Ortiz Arredondo by Saturday, April 12!
Congrats also to the Debate en Español Team from Back of the Yards College Prep (BOTYCP) on clinching their first city title for debate! This group of multilingual students now heads to the Urban Debate National Championship at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia!
BOTYCP is home to Chicago’s first-ever high school-level Spanish language debate team. This has been a transformative experience, fostering equitable opportunities for multilingual students to sharpen their critical thinking and communication skills in their native language. This season has been particularly meaningful, as the newest members of the team are all newcomer students.
We wish BOTYCP the best of luck as they represent Chicago at the national debate competition this weekend!
Finally, today, I want to highlight a special moment for a member of the Class of 2025. Josue, a senior at Brooks College Prep High School, was invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Monday afternoon’s Chicago White Sox game. He was joined by Bridget Segroves, a citywide teacher of the visually-impaired with the CPS Office for Students with Disabilities.
Throughout his time at Brooks, Bridget has helped Josue gain greater independence, and a broader understanding of the opportunities that are available to him. This has included Josue’s participation in the Spectrios Institute for Low Vision—a non-profit organization funded by several partners, including White Sox Charities.
With support from Bridget and the rest of his OSD team, along with the Spectrios Institute, Josue was recently accepted to the University of Chicago with nearly a full scholarship. Check out this heartwarming video capturing his story!
We look forward to sharing more highlights from the CPS Class of 2025 in the coming weeks! Please follow our blog and social media channels to learn about the accomplishments, goals, and dreams of this talented class!
Finally today, I want to urge everyone to make our assistant principals feel especially loved between April 7 to 11 — Assistant Principal Appreciation Week! We will be featuring the outstanding work of our APs throughout all of next week, beginning with Terry Batey, the assistant principal at Prosser Career Academy High School. Read all about him here!
Sincerely,
Pedro Martinez
Chief Executive Officer
Chicago Public Schools
Help Us Highlight Your School
We love highlighting the amazing things that are happening day-to-day in our schools, along with the people who are making them happen! Please share your stories with us using our Good News Form so that we can amplify the many ways “the best are with CPS!”
Exploring Preschool Options for the 2025–26 School Year
Join us for Pre-K Week from April 7 to 13, 2025, when CPS schools will be hosting events for prospective families to learn more about their preschool programs. Use our calendar to find an event near you! And remember that applications for pre-k programs open on Tuesday, April 8. Visit chicagoearlylearning.org to explore your options!
New Curiosity Classroom at Burke Elementary
This week, CPS cut the ribbon on a new Curiosity Classroom at Burke Elementary School. Curiosity Classrooms are an innovative learning environment meant to provide pre-k through second-grade students with sensory-rich, hands-on learning experiences. These spaces encourage pre-k through 2nd-grade students to take a hands-on approach to their learning by immersing them in sensory-rich environments that allow them to collaborate with their peers while also building their sense of self. Students develop their knowledge of STEM, literacy, and the arts through the various tools, equipment, and other materials that are available to them. These resources also allow students to express themselves creatively while becoming problem solvers and strategic thinkers. We thank everyone who is helping CPS make these investments possible, including the Chicago Children’s Museum.
Complete the CPS Spring 2025 Survey
CPS often uses surveys to ensure our families and staff have a voice in the District’s decision making. To simplify this process, we have now combined several of those tools into one SY25 Spring Survey. This survey covers several important topics, including capital planning, school culture and climate, and parent engagement. Each section will take five to ten minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous. The survey is open through May 17, 2025, and is available in Chinese (simplified), English, Polish, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Summer Programs with Girls Who Code
There is one week left to apply for 2025 summer programs through Girls Who Code! Don’t miss your chance to apply for the summer adventure of a lifetime! Solve real-world problems with code, make friends for life, and launch your future with practical college and career advice—no coding experience or fees required! High school girls and non-binary students can choose between two incredible program options that fit their different interests and schedules. Don’t wait, the application closes on April 11th!
Attend the 2025 RE•VER•BER•ATE Festival
All are invited to attend the 2025 RE·VER·BER·ATE Festival at the historic Chicago Cultural Center from April 22–25. The Festival celebrates the creative expression and student voice found throughout our District, bringing together young artists from all over the city for an unforgettable week of creativity, performances, and community building. By coming out to support them, you will be amplifying our emerging student artists and making sure their talents reverberate throughout Chicago. Click here for complete festival details!
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in District Athletics
Student-athletes at Kenwood and Dyett high schools have been celebrated over the past few weeks, their communities showering them with congratulations on their respective boys and girls IHSA state basketball championships. Congratulations once again to the Kenwood and Dyett communities!
Track and Field also crowned their indoor champions this past weekend. Congratulations to Whitney Young and Kenwood for capturing the titles!
In addition, the talents of our diverse learner athletes were on full display at the IHSA State Tournament as they competed in the unified special olympics basketball championships. Students from Southside Occupational and Vaughn Occupational competed in the annual tournament, bringing home both hardware and great memories. Check out their story here.
CPS SCORE! Elementary Sports crowned their winter champions this past weekend in basketball, wrestling, and cheer. Congratulations to Bell (Large), Brown (Medium) and Hoyne (Small) on their championships in cheer, Hyde Park on their wrestling championship, and Beasley (Boys Basketball) and Moving Everest (Girls Basketball) on their championship seasons!
Best of luck to all of our student-athletes as they begin their spring seasons! Make sure to check our website and social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, and X) for the latest updates on schedules, stories, and more!
Calling All Student Artists and Writers: Your Creativity Could Mean the Field Trip of a Lifetime!
Introducing America’s Field Trip - a nationwide contest designed to engage students around America’s upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026. Students in grades 3 - 12 are invited to submit an essay or piece of artwork that answers the question: What does America Mean to You? Twenty-five 1st Place winners will get the chance to go behind-the-scenes at some of America’s most well-known historical landmarks, including the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Ohio, the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and several more. Second-place awardees will also earn cash prizes. The submission deadline is Wednesday, April 16 at 4 p.m. CST. Get all the details and enter here.
Applications Now Open for the Next Honorary Student Board Member
The Chicago Board of Education is looking for a student leader to serve as its Honorary Student Board Member (HSBM) for the 2025–26 school year. Selected annually, the HSBM represents the interests and perspectives of all CPS students by attending the Board’s monthly meetings, which are generally held on the fourth Thursday of each month at the CPS Loop Office (42 W. Madison St. in Chicago). The HSBM is also an active participant in the Student Voice Roundtable initiative, which provides a platform for students from across the District to engage with CPS leadership and Board members on topics that are important to Chicago’s youth. The HSBM will also be awarded a $1,000 scholarship to be used to support enrollment in a two or four-year college or university.
To be eligible for this opportunity, students must be a rising junior or senior (current 10th or 11th-grader), hold a 3.0 G.P.A. or higher, and demonstrate proven leadership experience.
Applications will be accepted through Friday, April 25, 2025 at 5 p.m. Students can visit cpsboe.org for more information and to apply.
Nominate a School Nurse for a ROSE Award
The ROSE award (Recognition of Service Extraordinaire) honors the service of CPS school nurses in one of five categories: Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. Principals, assistant principals, network chiefs, and nurse managers can nominate school nurses for the Rose Award here through April 11, 2025.
Latest Update on ProgramBRIDGE Now Available
Click here to review the progress being made on ProgramBRIDGE - the initiative currently underway to modernize our District’s information systems. In this update, you can learn more about the March 10 Kick-off with CPS Leadership and hear from this month's featured Change Champion, Brian Forero.
Options for Getting the Measles Vaccine
Cases of measles are currently on the rise around the country. While none have been reported in Chicago this year, we want to make sure our CPS community is protected from this very contagious disease. The best way to do this is by making sure you and your children are up to date on the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which provides lifelong protection against measles.
Most people will have gotten the MMR vaccine during childhood. But for those who have not, there are many opportunities to get the vaccine. CPS offers school-required vaccinations like MMR, and other recommended vaccines at our school-based health clinics, and through our elementary, high school, and charter mobile clinics. Please use these links to schedule an appointment for a vaccine. Vaccines through CPS are free for those who are uninsured, underinsured, or who have health insurance through Medicaid or Medicare. For those with private insurance, please contact the clinic for details on which insurance carriers they accept.
The Chicago Department of Public Health also offers no-cost vaccines for those who are uninsured or under-insured at four immunization clinics in the city. Click here for details on these clinics. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is highly encouraged. Create an account and register for an appointment at https://getvaxchi.chicago.gov or by calling the clinic.
Individuals with private insurance or Medicaid/Medicare can also receive vaccines at health care providers or local in-network pharmacies throughout the city. Visit vaccines.gov to find a vaccine provider. Anyone unsure about which providers are in-network should call their health insurance company before getting vaccinated to avoid out-of-network charges.
Supporting Families Amidst Federal Policy Changes
With the transition to a new presidential administration, many in our school communities are experiencing anxiety, especially regarding immigration issues. CPS is committed to ensuring that our schools remain safe, inclusive, and welcoming educational environments that embrace and celebrate everyone in our diverse communities. CPS has strong protections in place for our students and staff; you can read about them here.
We have also created a website with many resources on immigration services, as well as details on “Know Your Rights” trainings and workshops that are being held throughout Chicago. Some of these sessions are being conducted by our District’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Team, while others are being presented by our community partners. Families can find complete details at cps.edu/newadminguidance. This website will be updated frequently to reflect new training opportunities and any changes to federal law, so we encourage everyone to visit regularly. Mental health supports are also available to students through their schools. Parents who feel their children could benefit from these supports should contact their child’s teacher, principal, or school counselor directly.
Explore Student Job Opportunities for the Summer
Online applications are now open for One Summer Chicago—the youth employment program that partners with local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and city agencies to provide paid work experience, work-based learning, and skill development opportunities for young people ages 14–24 over six weeks during the summer. Students should visit onesummerchicago.org for more information and to apply.
In addition, Navy Pier is hosting a summer job fair from 2 to 7 p.m. on Monday, April 7. It will be held at the pier across from the Amoeba in the Main Food Court Area. Further details can be reviewed here.
Opportunities from the Chicago Park District
Register for Chicago Park District Summer Camps April 14 and 15. Summer is around the corner! View summer camps and other summer programs online, and create your wish list beginning Monday, April 7. Online registration begins Monday, April 14 at 9 am (for programs at parks located West of California Ave.) and Tuesday, April 15 at 9 am (for programs at parks located East of California Ave.). Day camp runs June 23–August 1. Dates vary for other camps. Most other summer programs (besides camps) run June 16–August 10. Learn more, and get a checklist to help you be best prepared for registration day at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/day-camp.
Spring programs are underway. Spots remain for many programs. Learn more at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/spring-programs/cps.
Be a lifeguard this summer and make $19.75 an hour! Take the April 12th test. This test takes place at Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside Ave., beginning at 9 am. Must be a Chicago resident aged 16 or older by July 1, 2025, to be a summer lifeguard. Learn more and apply at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/lifeguards/CPS.
Additional summer positions are available. Closing dates vary, with some closing April 5th. Enjoy your perfect summer job in the parks! Learn more and apply at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/summer-jobs/CPS.
Enjoy a Bunny Event in the parks. Enjoy egg hunts, bunny bonanzas, and other fun events now through April 19. Learn more at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/bunny-events/cps.
Spring has sprung at the Conservatories. Don’t miss this explosion of colors and floral fragrances at the annual Spring Flower Shows at Garfield and Lincoln Park Conservatories. Registration is required. Learn more at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/conservatory-flower-shows/cps.
Celebrate Earth Day in the parks on April 26. Join thousands of volunteers in parks across Chicago on Saturday, April 26 at 9am, and participate in the citywide Earth Day Parks Clean Up. Bring friends and family, and invite neighbors to join in. Activities include picking up litter and putting down mulch to give our precious green spaces a fresh start for the season. Hosted by the Chicago Park District in partnership with Friends of the Parks. See a list of park locations, learn more and sign up at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/earth-day/cps.
For questions about any of the above activities, please email play@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
Discounted Tickets for CPS Staff and Families
Chicago Cubs
On April 18th, the Chicago Cubs will honor Jackie Robinson and his achievements and will donate a portion of the proceeds from sales of the Special Ticket Offer to the Common Ground Foundation, working to empower youth to become future leaders and live out their dreams. Please use this flier to purchase tickets.
The Cubs also invite CPS teachers, administrators, and staff to visit Wrigley Field on Monday, May 5 at 6:40 p.m. for Teacher Appreciation Night! Discount tickets are available from $24 and include a Cubs quarter-zip. Get your tickets here!
Chicago Fire FC
In less than ten days, the Chicago Fire FC will take on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in their most anticipated match of the season. This match will be held on Sunday, April 13th at 3:30 PM at Soldier Field! The Fire have provided a special discounted ticket offer for CPS staff, students and their families. Please click here to view our dedicated ticket page.
Families and staff can also wrap up Teacher Appreciation week with the Chicago Fire on Saturday, May 10. Each ticket purchased through this link includes a special-edition scarf. The 1:30 p.m. match at Soldier Field is also the Fire’s annual Family Day and the first 5,000 fans receive a plush giveaway of their mascot Sparky!
Chicago Bulls
CPS staff are invited to cheer on the Chicago Bulls with an exclusive ticket offer for their game on Friday, April 11 against the Wizards. Get your tickets here!
Lyric Opera
Join Lyric in 19th-century Paris for a gorgeous, new-to-Chicago production of Puccini’s enduring masterpiece La Bohème. This passionate tale of young lovers is filled with fiery first romances, tragic heartbreaks, and an endearing ensemble of characters. Filled with music that you know and love, this grand, cinematic production features breathtaking spectacle and a universal story that has captured audiences’ hearts for more than a century and served as the inspiration for the Tony-winning musical Rent. Join us, and see why La Bohème is operatic perfection.
Lyric Opera of Chicago extends a 20% discount to CPS staff for La Bohème on stage March 15 - April 12. Buy tickets at lyricopera.org/Boheme with code CPSBOHEME.
Important Dates
For more upcoming events around the District, visit cps.edu/calendar.
- April 8–29: Spring 2025 Capital Plan Community Meetings. Learn more on the CPS website.
- Wednesday, April 9: Board of Education Agenda Review Committee meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Friday, April 18: Professional development day for staff; no classes for students.
- Thursday, April 24: Board of Education meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.