End of Week Message: Celebrating the Impact of School Counselors
07 February 2025
Dear CPS Colleagues, Families, and Supporters,
It’s National School Counseling Week! A great chance to bring awareness to the school counseling profession and the important role that our counselors play in our students' daily experience.
With their academic, social-emotional, and postsecondary supports, CPS counselors have contributed significantly to our students’ recent gains. These include CPS’ record-breaking graduation rate, increased FAFSA completion and college enrollment, and two consecutive years of CPS graduates earning more than $2 billion in college scholarships. In addition, our counselors’ commitment to Learn.Plan.Succeed. ensures that CPS students are graduating with a solid plan in place for success after high school.
Several of our counselors have earned esteemed professional recognition, including Marisa Matthews, the Prescott Elementary School counselor who was named Illinois School Counselor of the Year in 2024. Ms. Matthews arrived at Prescott just as students were returning to in-person learning after the pandemic, so has focused much of her time these past few years supporting the mental health challenges that have arisen for students from that difficult time.
Then there’s Lisa Delgadillo—another Illinois Counselor of the Year during the 2022–23 school year. Ms. Delgadillo’s work is now receiving national recognition, as she was one of just five counselors nationwide who were named finalists for the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) Counselor of the Year Award. The counselor at Hibbard Elementary, Ms. Delgadillo is known for her empathy and listening skills, as well as her ability to build relationships with students, help them navigate their challenges, and support them in healing from trauma.
CPS is committed to providing all children with a student-driven, data-informed school counseling program that supports academic, social-emotional, and college and career success. This is why we have significantly increased the number of counselors in our schools over the past few years, and worked to ensure that additional counselors are assigned to schools with the greatest needs. We’ve also committed to provide our counselors with high-quality professional development so they can continue to support our students in the most effective way.
Celebrating Black History Month
Black History Month is officially underway, and schools are busy celebrating black identity and experiences across all genres, including the arts. At Durkin Park Elementary, for example, student “correspondents” shared information about Black music genres with their classmates, playing their song choices throughout the school during lunch.
More assemblies, projects, and performances will be happening throughout the District in the coming weeks, including the official launch of our Black Student Success Plan, which coincides with the fifth anniversary of the CPS Equity Framework.
Part of our five-year strategic plan, the Black Student Success Plan is key to our goal of eliminating opportunity gaps and providing Black students with the support needed to achieve both academic success and personal growth. We look forward to sharing more about this plan when it’s released later this month.
I thank our educators for centering Black voices and helping all of our children connect with Black history and learn from it — not just during Black History Month, but throughout the school year.
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 share them with the District!
We are particularly interested in your school’s plans for the celebration of Black History Month!
Use our Good News Form to help us showcase all the ways the best are with CPS!
A Look Around the District
This Lunar New Year, students at James Ward Elementary in Bridgeport celebrated with their annual school-wide assembly! Performances included the traditional Lion Dance, Chinese Dance, Merit School of Music Violin Ensemble, and songs from their primary class to welcome in the Year of the Snake.
Meanwhile, at Orozco Elementary on the Lower West Side of Chicago, the school community came together for an International Day event where guests learned about various countries and tasted their cuisines. The event helped raise funds for the school’s 8th-grade trip to Washington D.C.
And at Colemon Elementary in West Pullman, staff member Ms. Robinson-Gavin helped host a Financial Literacy Day in collaboration with Huntington Bank and parents in the school community. The entire school wore green attire as they participated in activities, like vision board making, and learned about renting and owning property, buying cars, credit scores, and more!
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.
Cash Assistance for CPS Families Experiencing Homelessness
Thanks to a partnership between the Illinois Department of Human Services, GiveDirectly, and the University of Chicago’s Inclusive Economy Lab, CPS families who are experiencing housing instability are now eligible to receive up to $6500 in cash assistance.
To be eligible for this financial assistance, families must:
- Currently be experiencing housing instability or homelessness
- Have a child who is 17 or younger and enrolled in Chicago Public Schools
- Have a member of the family receiving SNAP, TANF, or VTTC benefits.
After being selected by lottery, 750 families will receive a $6,500 payment, and 750 families will receive $500. Applications are open now, and the deadline to apply is March 9, 2025.
This pilot program aims to understand the impact of this one-time cash assistance pilot on families’ housing stability, as well as its impact on other measures of well-being for the entire family. For more information or to apply, click here, or speak with the STLS liaison at your school.
Upcoming Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification Opportunities
The CPS Office of Student Health and Wellness is pleased to offer additional free Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) certification opportunities (held virtually) for CPS staff during the remainder of SY24–25. Click here for more information on how to sign up. Please reach out to the mental health team at mentalhealth@cps.edu with any questions or specific requests.
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in District Athletics
On February 5, 2025, CPS was proud to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day by showcasing our female student-athletes as they continue to make history in athletics and in the classroom! Feature stories and photo galleries can be found at CPSAthletics.com or via our social channels on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Upcoming Championship Schedule:
- High School Boys Swimming and Diving | February 7 and 8, 2025 | Jones and Whitney Young
- High School Competitive Dance | February 8, 2025 | Kenwood Academy
Basketball Playoffs and Championships
The 2025 Chicago Public League Basketball high school playoffs are underway! We cannot wait to crown our champions this winter, with the Red and White Varsity conferences culminating at Credit Union 1 Arena! For more information and tickets to upcoming basketball playoff events, please visit our basketball headquarters.
CPS SCORE!
Elementary sports are in full swing! Check out the latest schedules and information for the exciting athletics at the 5th-8th grade level at cpsathletics.com.
Chicago Literary Hall of Fame Writing Contest for High School Students
High school students have an opportunity to win the Randall Albers Young Writers Award from the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame. Students should submit a poetry, fiction, or nonfiction entry here for the chance to win up to a $250 prize and be honored at the Harold Washington Library in May. Submissions are due on Monday, March 3, at 5:00 p.m. Full rules and guidelines can be found using the above link, and additional information is also available on this flyer.
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.
Opportunities from the Chicago Park District
Get a FREE heart health screening in the parks! In celebration of Heart Health Month, the Chicago Park District, in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Public Health and other health partners, is hosting heart health screenings every Thursday in February. These events will provide health assessments and education, while offering nutrition and physical activity tips to reduce chronic disease. See dates and locations and learn more here.
Celebrate Black History Month in the parks. Various events are offered in the parks throughout February in commemoration of Black History Month. See the event listing and learn about Chicago parks named in honor of African Americans here.
Enjoy Park District Valentine’s Day events. From dances and parties, to ice skating and crafts, there are a variety of Valentine’s Day events taking place in the parks from February 6 through February 14 (Valentine’s Day). See the full list of events and learn more here.
Register for Girls Day of P.L.A.Y on February 25! This is a non-attendance day for CPS students. Offered at more than 20 parks across the city, this free day-long program includes sports, arts and crafts, and more! Girls Day of P.L.A.Y. programming focuses on Positivity, Leadership, Ambition and being You! Ages and times can vary by park. Learn more & register here.
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 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!
Discounted Tickets for CPS Staff and Families
Chicago Fire FC
The Chicago Fire FC is excited to offer CPS students, teachers, staff, and their family and friends over 60 percent off standard ticket pricing for their home opener on Saturday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. against DC United! Come celebrate the start of the Gregg Berhalter era at Soldier Field! Buy tickets here.
Chicago Bulls
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. Pistons: Tuesday, February 11
- Bulls vs. Clippers: Wednesday, February 26
- Bulls vs. Raptors: Friday, February 28
Important Dates
For more upcoming events around the District, visit cps.edu/calendar.
- Wednesday, February 12: Chicago Board of Education Agenda Review Committee Meetings. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Monday, February 17: CPS offices and schools will be closed in observance of Presidents’ Day; no classes for CPS students.
- Thursday, February 27: Chicago Board of Education Meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.