• Cell phone
• CPS ID or another form of identification
• Any medication they will need to take

• CPS Staff Chaperones: All students will be paired with an adult chaperone who will oversee the student for the entirety of the Summit. In addition to the chaperones, there will also be several volunteers. In total, the Summit will have approximately a 2:1 student-to-staff ratio. 
• Workshop Room Monitors: Each workshop will have at least two CPS staff members who will ensure that all students feel safe, supported, and heard. 
• Student Support Services: Several CPS mental health providers (e.g., school social workers, psychologists, counselors, and nurses) will be present at the event to provide 15-minute check-in conversations to students who request or may require a safe space to talk. This room is an optional resource and is not part of the Summit’s programming. 
• Calming Room: The purpose of the calming room is to provide a supervised, safe, supportive, and calming space for participants to regulate their emotions through the use of positive coping strategies (e.g., sensory manipulatives, low-lighting, calming music, etc.) to return to Summit activities successfully.
• ADA Accessibility: The entirety of the event is on the first floor. The auditorium has ADA seating. Summit staff will be available to support attendees with various accessibility requests.

• CPS Security: CPS’ Office of Safety and Security will staff the Summit with six security guards.
• Malcolm X Security: Malcolm X Conference Center will provide additional security during the event. 
• Evacuation Plan: If necessary, all students will exit the Forum through one of the designated exits. The evacuation plan maps can be found in the confirmation email students will receive after registering for the event. Students will also be reminded of these during the Summit’s Opening Ceremony. 

• Masking: Masking will be highly encouraged throughout the entirety of the Summit, regardless of vaccination status, except during meals. Students will be able to eat meals outside (weather permitting). Masks will be available should anyone need them.
• COVID-19 Testing: We will have a limited number of tests available for attendees. Taking a COVID-19 test during the Summit is optional.
• Sanitization: Hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout the Conference Center. There will also be accessible restrooms where students can wash their hands.

Students are expected to stay for the entire Summit (9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) to minimize safety concerns and disruptions to the event’s programming. If a student needs to leave early for an emergency, their chaperone and event volunteers will assist them to ensure their safety. 

We encourage students to be present in whatever way feels best to them. While we discourage the usage of cell phones in disruptive ways, we recognize this space can be overwhelming, and temporary cell phone usage may ease social stressors. With that being said, we do invite students to keep cell phone use to a minimum. If there is prolonged cell phone use, a room monitor or staff member will check in with the student to see if they need alternative needs met.

There will be approximately a 2:1 student-to-staff ratio.

Students with staff for their school will be paired with chaperones from their school as well as be chaperoned by District staff. Students who do not have staff attending the summit will be chaperoned by District staff.

All workshops will be reviewed and approved by a group of CPS K–12th-grade teachers. 

There will be photographs taken at this event, and we have included a media consent form within the permission slip. If your student does not want to be photographed at this event, please select “I do not consent” on their media consent form. The safety and privacy of our students is a top priority, and we will only share photographs of students if they have a media consent form filled out in the affirmative.

The Opening and Closing Ceremonies will include speakers, remarks from CPS leadership, performances, and information and reminders for students regarding the Summit.

If a student feels uncomfortable during the Summit, Summit staff will gauge what the student needs to feel comfortable and provide them with any needed support. As a reminder, several CPS mental health providers will be present at the event, and it will also have a designated Calming Room. 

We are requesting that students who take a CPS bus to the Summit also take a CPS bus from the Summit and are dropped off at their initial pick-up location. If this is not possible, please email galaxysummit@cps.edu to see if an alternative transportation plan for a student can be accommodated.