CPS classes cancelled for tomorrow ahead of teacher's strike

Although a deal looks within reach as Mayor Lightfoot has announced she was ready to write staffing and class size promises into the union contract, two of the big issues for CPS along with a commitment to hiring more support staff, social workers, nurses, librarians etc. Also according to Jesse Sharkey, Chicago Teacher’s Union President, they foresee this as a short-term strike. In the interim, here are some resources you may find helpful as the parent of a CPS student thanks to WGN News:

If your child needs a safe place to go during the strike, CPS has a safe place site locator for parents.

All CPS school buildings will be open during the normal school day. Students who need a safe place to go are encouraged to attend their regular school, but will be welcomed at any CPS school that is age appropriate. More on CPS’s contingency plan can be found here.

Parents are encouraged to register their child online for the duration of the potential strike. While not mandatory, it helps ensure the district has enough staff and meals to serve each child. All CPS schools will serve breakfast and lunch to students.

School transportation services will not be available to for students during the potential strike.

All after school activities, including sports, tutoring and field trips, will be canceled.

According to Raise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education, there are many additional options for child care around the city during the potential strike:

YMCA

The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, which offered day camps during charter school strikes last school year, will offer a first-come, first-serve Schools Day Out program, which lets families drop off children from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 10 locations citywide. Costs depend on location and hours served.

Albany Park Community Center

The Albany Park Community Center can care for around 100 children, up to age 12, at its site. The cost for families is $25 a day.

The Jewish Community Center of Chicago

The Jewish Community Center of Chicago is planning strike-day camps that include an International Day and a Star Wars-themed day. The costs are $80 for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. camps, and $20 for aftercare.

Beverly Arts Center

The Beverly Arts Center’s “If CPS Strikes, We Have Your BAC-k Camp,” which would run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at a cost of $38 for members and $42 for non-members (scholarships will be available).

Hyde Park Neighborhood Club

Your Solution for CPS Strike Days – HPNC Care Camp. K-8; It runs from 8 a.m. to 4p.m with after care available until 6:30 p.m. Pre-Registration is required. First come, first serve.

Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club

NBGC will be open for youth from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday for as long as a strike lasts. All families enrolled full time in NBGC’s after-school program will have a fee of $20 per day. All families not enrolled in NBGC’s after school program will have a fee of $60 per day. Financial assistance is available.

Kids Science Labs

Kids Science Labs is offering CPS Strike Camp at two locations in Lincoln Park and the South Loop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. See web page for costs.

Chicago Public Libraries

The Chicago Public Library system has more than 70 branches across the city. In the event of a strike, the library will offer more children’s activities, but no details have been given yet.

Chicago Park District

The Chicago Park District will open 18 fieldhouses on weekdays, from 2pm to 6pm. Patrons will be able to engage in drop-in and low-organized activities including open gym and fitness center use. Non-staffed parks, the Chicago lakefront, playgrounds and outdoor nature areas will be open, as usual.