End of Week Message: As Thanksgiving Approaches, CPS Students Give Back
22 November 2024
Dear CPS Colleagues, Families, and Supporters,
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I find myself filled with gratitude. Gratitude for my incredible leadership team, and for the teachers, school leaders, and support staff who drive the daily work of our District. I am also grateful to our families for entrusting us with their children’s education and wellbeing, and to our students themselves, not just for their hard work, but for the many ways they are giving back as we begin the holiday season.
Take the students at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS) on Chicago’s far southwest side. Earlier this week, these students hosted their 12th-annual Thanksgiving dinner for around 400 senior citizens in the community.
Guests were treated to a traditional Thanksgiving feast, complete with turkeys raised on the CHSAS farm by students in the Animal Science Pathway. Students in the Food Science Pathway prepared the side dishes using potatoes, corn, pumpkins, and other ingredients grown on the school’s farm, while students in the Agricultural Mechanics and Technology Pathway built centerpieces for the tables.
Students from the Horticulture Pathway then filled those centerpieces with their own unique flower arrangements, while special education students from CHSAS contributed by setting tables, rolling silverware, and serving beverages to the seniors attending the event.
I applaud the nearly 100 CHSAS students who worked together to make this event a success, as well as Principal Hook and his team of educators for supporting their efforts. Nothing makes me prouder than seeing our students use the skills they are learning at school to make a difference in the lives of others, especially during this season of giving.
The CHSAS students responsible for this Thanksgiving meal are among the nearly 13,000 CPS youth currently enrolled in our District’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Part of our mission to prepare students for success beyond high school, CTE pathways allow our youth to explore potential careers and gain valuable job skills while still in high school.
This hands-on approach to postsecondary success was among the topics discussed when I met with students for a dynamic roundtable discussion organized by our Student Voice and Engagement Team. It was also the subject of a recent Chicago Sun-Times article featuring how students interested in manufacturing are being given the chance to explore real-world career possibilities in the city they call home.
Thanks to our partners at World Business Chicago, more than 135 students and educators from around the city were able to visit 11 Chicago companies last month, touring factories, hearing from executives and CEOs, and watching products like high-tech batteries, security cameras, and industrial train seats being created in real time. The goal was to bridge the gap between schools and employers, and to show students the wealth of opportunity that exists within Chicago’s manufacturing sector.
Manufacturing is among a dozen CTE pathways currently operating in CPS high schools, each of which gives students the chance to gain real-world experience in the industries that interest them, and that could be the start of their journey toward future study and meaningful employment.
I’ll end today by reminding everyone that there will be no classes for CPS students from Monday, November 25 through Friday, November 29 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Several Safe Haven sites will be open for part of the week to provide students with a safe, engaging space during their break from school. Schedules vary by location, so please visit the Safe Haven website for specific details.
I thank you all for your partnership so far this school year, and wish everyone in our CPS community a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
Pedro Martinez
Chief Executive Officer
Chicago Public Schools
A Look Around the District
CPS students from 13 Early College STEM High Schools attended the Women in STEM Career Fair as part of the Girls in STEM Initiative. This event exposed female students to various STEM careers while giving them the opportunity to make connections with professional women in the field.
Meanwhile, as the Thanksgiving Holiday approaches, schools across the District are celebrating friendship and showing their gratitude with various celebrations.
Students at Vaughn Occupational High School, located in Portage Park, cooked, decorated, and prepared materials for a Friendsgiving meal and celebration.
And at Miñoso Elementary in Bridgeport, the school’s mentoring group G.E.N.T.S. hosted a ‘Mansgiving’ Luncheon for 4th-8th grade boys. As a part of the event, the group learned different skills, like how to tie a tie, how to dress in various formal settings, and dinner table etiquette.
Reminder: GoCPS Application Deadline Is Now December 15
GoCPS applications for the 2025–26 school year will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2024. As a reminder, GoCPS is our District’s platform to help families explore and apply to academic programs around the city, including magnet, career and technical education, selective enrollment, and charter high schools. Families interested in elementary charter schools must apply to those schools directly rather than using GoCPS.
Please visit the GoCPS website for more information, and to complete your application by the deadline of Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 5 p.m.
2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Now Available!
It’s time for all CPS 12th-graders to complete their FAFSA! This form opened earlier this week and 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 Early College Arts Program
Early applications are due December 1 for RE:ALIZE, the FREE dual enrollment arts program created in partnership with Columbia College Chicago. The regular deadline is March 17, 2025. 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 here, learn more on the RE:ALIZE website and this informational slideshow, and reach out to us at realize@cps.edu with any questions!
CPS Seniors: Apply for the Senior Portfolio Exhibition by December 1
The CPS Senior Portfolio Exhibition gives Chicago high school seniors the opportunity to exhibit their artwork while gaining exposure to admissions representatives from colleges and universities. Apply here by December 1. 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 Senior Portfolio Exhibition will also be automatically considered for inclusion in ART on THE MART 2025!
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!
Learn More About ART on THE MART
Want to see your artwork projected onto the Mart’s massive Chicago Riverwalk facade? Join our upcoming information session on Monday, December 9 from 6–7 p.m. to learn how you can be a part of ART on THE MART, an exciting opportunity as part of the All-City Visual Arts Exhibitions. We’ll walk you through the submission guidelines and offer a live demonstration of Adobe Photoshop and After Effects to help you prepare your work for projection. Register for the information session here!
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 asynchronous 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.
Ice Skating is Back through the Chicago Park District
The season for ice skating is back! The Maggie Daley Ice Rink is now open, and all other outdoor rinks are scheduled to open Friday, November 29, weather permitting. Advance registration is required. Learn more at chicagoparkdistrict.com/ice-rinks.
You can also vote for the Maggie Daley Park Ice Ribbon for Best Ice Skating Rink. This rink has been nominated by USA Today as one of its 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Cast your vote here!
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in CPS Athletics
Congratulations to the Payton Grizzlies, who made history this week as they captured the school’s first-ever IHSA state title in Boys Track and Field! Learn more about their historic year here.
Whitney Young’s Isabella C. made District history by becoming the first-ever CPS athlete to win an IHSA state championship in girls’ swimming and diving! Isabella captured first place in the 50-yard freestyle event with a time of 22.53. Read more about her historic accomplishment here.
The Chicago Public League Boys Varsity Football Championship is set for Saturday November 23. It will be a rematch of the 2023 title game, with Kenwood taking on Whitney Young. The game will kick off at 1pm at Gately Stadium (810 E. 103rd St), with the winner advancing to the historic Prep Bowl on Friday, November 29.
Tory S. of Jones College Prep was selected as the 2024 Chicago Bears Girls Flag Football Player of the Year! Tory was the top receiver in the state of Illinois, while also earning a 5.1 GPA and completing 50 hours of community service, making her a leader both on and off the field.
CPS SCORE! is crowning our elementary school champions this week in Girls Volleyball, Boys Volleyball and Boys Soccer! Make sure to stay up to date at cpsathletics.com!
Finally, we are excited to announce that BOWA Construction, in collaboration with the Chicago Park District, is inviting our female students to an empowering day of movement, fun, and community on Sunday, December 8. This athletic event is designed to get girls active and inspired! Activities will include a light workout tailored to all fitness levels, followed by refreshing beverages and snacks. Register here, and come ready to move, connect, and celebrate the power of girls in sports!
Discounted Tickets for CPS Staff and Students
CPS staff are invited to cheer on the Chicago Bulls with exclusive ticket offers for the below games. Get your tickets here!
- Bulls vs. Pacers: Friday, December 6
- Bulls vs. 76ers: Sunday, December 8
DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL is a hilarious, heartfelt family adventure based on the bestselling book series! Don't miss the SUPA awesome production beginning Nov 8 at The Studebaker Theater. Teachers can Download Educational Resources here. CPS staff members receive 20% OFF tickets with code DM20CPS at checkout (good through November 24, P1 and P2 price levels only, based on availability). Click for Dog Man tickets!
Experience one of the greatest operas ever written with Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro at Lyric Opera of Chicago, "a joyous celebration of life and love" (Chicago Tribune). Use promo code CPS25 to save 25% on tickets for any performance of The Marriage of Figaro. Click HERE to purchase.
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, November 25–Friday, November 29: In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, no students or teachers will be in school from November 25–29 and all CPS buildings will be closed on November 28 and 29.
- Wednesday, December 4: Board of Education Agenda Review Committee meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Thursday, December 12: Board of Education meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- 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.