End of Week Message: Last Chance for GoCPS; Expanding Bus Transportation for our Students

New Sensory Room at South Shore Fine Arts Academy

This week, CPS cut the ribbon on the District’s latest sensory room at South Shore Fine Arts Academy. This is one of 22 such rooms serving 1,500 students with disabilities this year throughout CPS. Sensory rooms are calming, supportive spaces where students in the District’s cluster programs can focus, self-regulate, and improve their sensory processing skills while also developing improved coping skills. We thank Special Children’s Charities and the Children First Fund for working together to make these sensory rooms possible.

Kellyn Acosta Foundation Donates Books to Piccolo Elementary

Thanks to a foundation created by Chicago Fire FC player Kellyn Acosta, more than 450 books were donated this week to Piccolo Elementary School. These books were collected through a Back-to-School book drive organized in collaboration with the Children First Fund. Thank you to Kellyn Acosta and his team for spearheading this donation, and for meeting with middle school students at Piccolo.

ProgramBridge Update

ProgramBRIDGE is our District’s ongoing effort to modernize our information systems and transition to an Oracle Fusion Cloud solution. This month’s issue looks closely at the groundwork that’s been laid for the district’s transitional journey to an Oracle Fusion Cloud system. In addition, we begin two new features: 

• A profile series on our Change Champions network, starting with Teena Lorie Harris, who serves as Executive Director and steward leader for the District’s Office of Business Diversity; and 
• “Know Your Cloud” terms, which explains specific tech terms that we all need to know in order to understand our transformation.

You can find out more about ProgramBRIDGE on our new intranet page. Access it here!

Taking Care of Your Mental Health During the Holidays

According to UChicago Medicine, about 5% of the U.S. population experiences Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). In addition, a 2021 survey from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) showed that 3 in 5 Americans feel their mental health is negatively impacted by the holidays. To support CPS students, staff, and families during this time, the Office of Student Health and Wellness’ Mental Health Team has created this resource on SAD, holiday mental health support, and local warming and meal sites. Please also feel free to contact mentalhealth@cps.edu with any questions.

2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Now Available!

It’s time for all CPS 12th-graders to complete their FAFSA! This is a graduation requirement for all CPS seniors. Students who complete the FAFSA are eligible for up to $7,395 in Pell Grant funding to subsidize the cost of college at virtually all postsecondary institutions across the country. Additionally, students who attend college in the state of Illinois may be eligible for up to $8,400 in additional MAP Grant funding. Students may also be eligible for between $5,500 and $9,500 in federal student loans.

For more information and assistance with the FAFSA, students should reach out to their school counselor, or visit cps.edu/LearnPlanSucceed.

Aspiring Student Writers: Here’s Your Chance to Get Published in The Chicago Sun-Times!

High school students, ever think about having your writing published in the Chicago Sun-Times as a guest columnist? Here’s your chance to make it happen! 

Submit a short column about your vision for the future, based on the theme "Looking Ahead." However you interpret the theme is up to you, whether that’s writing about personal goals, professional aspirations, the environment, diversity, or politics, the Sun-Times wants to hear your unique perspective.

Here’s how it works:

• Submit an original, unpublished 525–600 word writing sample in English or Spanish now through December 31, 2024 (Note: writing samples will be used to determine contest winners, but winners will have the opportunity to write a different column once selected).
• Submissions will be accepted from high school students only. All entrants under the age of 18 must submit a parental consent form. 
• A panel of Sun-Times staff will choose guest columnists to feature, and these columnists will have an opportunity to have their work edited by a Sun-Times editor.
• Winners will each receive a $250 stipend and be published in the paper and online.

Learn more and enter in English at suntimes.com/chicagovoices or in Spanish at suntimes.com/vocesdechicago.

Calling All CPS Artists! Upcoming Opportunities in the Arts

CPS Sophomores and Juniors: Apply now to RE:ALIZE, the FREE dual enrollment arts program created in partnership with Columbia College Chicago. In addition to 6–12 college credits in theater, music, dance, or visual arts, RE:ALIZE offers students support with developing a portfolio, workshops with professional artists, college and university visits, free supplies, multiple opportunities to showcase their work, and more. Apply by the deadline of March 17, 2025, or learn more on the RE:ALIZE website and through this informational slideshow. You can also reach out to realize@cps.edu with any questions!

All CPS Students: Submit Your Work to RE•VER•BER•ATE and All-City Visual Art (ACVA) Exhibitions

RE•VER•BER•ATE (April 22–25, 2025) is a free, multidisciplinary arts festival that offers CPS students in grades pre-k—12 the opportunity to participate in exhibitions, performances, workshops, masterclasses, and academic and professional collaborations. Teachers and students are invited to submit applications to perform or exhibit at the festival. Apply HERE for performing arts by January 10, 2025. Apply HERE for visual arts by March 13, 2025. Learn more about these opportunities at cps.edu/reverberate, and contact reverberate@cps.edu with any questions.

Applications to participate in the ACVA Pre-k–12 Visual Art Exhibition are open through March 13, 2025. Apply here. Full details can be found in the submission guidelines. Learn more at cps.edu/acva, and you can contact allcityarts@cps.edu with any questions. Any artwork submitted to the Pre-k–12 Visual Art Exhibition will also be automatically considered for inclusion in ART on THE MART 2025!

Upcoming Substance Use Virtual Workshops for Parents and Guardians

The Office of Student Health and Wellness is pleased to promote a free substance use education resource for CPS parents/caregivers through one of our community partners. The University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work is offering two virtual trainings/educational workshops during the month of December to provide practical insights into supporting youth safety and well-being around substance use. One session covers harm reduction, and the other is about understanding youth substance use. Please refer to the following flier for sign-up information. Note: These workshops are only available in English and on a first come, first served basis.

Nominate an Educator for the Red Cross Heroes Award

For 22 years, the American Red Cross of Chicago has been honoring local heroes who have acted with bravery, dedication, and service for the benefit of their communities. Categories of recognition include law enforcement, healthcare, and of course, education. If you know a CPS educator who is changing lives in their school, please nominate them for a Heroes Award here by the deadline of December 31, 2024.

Enjoy the Holiday Season in the Parks!

Register for Chicago Park District Winter Programs now! There is something for everyone to stay active this winter, physically and mentally. Classes are very affordable. Most programs run January 6 through March 16, 2025. Learn more here. 

Want to be a lifeguard this summer? Take the December 21 Test. Get your summer job plans in motion now. Make $19.75 an hour this summer as a Chicago Park District lifeguard. Apply now and pick the December 21 test date. Must be at least 16 years old and a Chicago resident by July 1, 2025. Learn more and apply here. 

Celebrate the Holidays in the Parks! Holiday events are offered in parks throughout the city. Some of the fun includes visits and skating with Santa, live holiday music, dancing, making holiday crafts, and the annual holiday flower shows at Garfield Park and Lincoln Park conservatories. Learn more here. 

Come Out and Skate in the Parks. Enjoy time spent on the ice at six outdoor rinks in parks throughout the city. Enjoy upcoming events like Skate with Santa. Learn more and register for skate sessions here.

Discounted Tickets for CPS Staff and Students

CPS staff are invited to cheer on the Chicago Bulls with an exclusive ticket offer for the below games. Get your tickets here!

• Bulls vs. Hornets: Friday, December 13
• Bulls vs. Pelicans: Tuesday, January 14
• Bulls vs. Hawks: Wednesday, January 15
• Bulls vs 76ers: Saturday, January 25

ROYKO: THE TOUGHEST MAN IN CHICAGO tells the story of cantankerous Chicago columnist Mike Royko, a 34-year newspaper veteran who wrote 7,500 columns in his career. A fixture amongst Chicago newspapers, Royko wrote about the city the way people like to think of themselves: cynical, humorous, and with compassion for the little guy. Now through Dec 22 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St, Chicago.

CPS employees receive 25% OFF tickets using code ROYKO25 at checkout. Offer good through December 22, excludes Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees, based on availability. PURCHASE TICKETS http://royko.brownpapertickets.com/

Important Dates 

For more upcoming events around the District, visit cps.edu/calendar.

• Monday, December 23–Friday, January 3: All CPS students and teachers will be on winter break from December 23 through January 3; all CPS offices will be closed from December 25 through January 1.