Dear CPS Colleagues, Families, and Supporters,
As we close the 2026 celebration marking 100 years of Black History Month, I'm reminded that Black History Month is both a celebration of achievement and a reminder of the ongoing work to advance equity, opportunity, and justice. We take time to reflect on the generations of leaders and change makers whose contributions continue to shape our nation and our city, generations of leaders, artists, educators, activists, and everyday citizens whose courage and contributions have shaped our nation and our communities.
This year, our reflection is especially meaningful, as we also honor the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. Reverend Jackson was a towering civil rights leader whose advocacy for education, economic empowerment, and human dignity left a lasting impact in Chicago and across the country.
As a community, we recognize the profound influence of leaders like Reverend Jackson and everyone whose work continues to shape our schools and neighborhoods. We are reminded that education remains central to progress and that our daily work in classrooms and communities carries forward a larger legacy of hope and possibility.
As this centennial observance concludes, we carry that reflection forward into the remainder of our academic year and next year.
The SY26-27 academic calendar provides continued opportunities for learning, celebration, and growth, and we remain focused on ensuring strong instruction and supportive learning environments for every student.
I want to thank the more than 36,000 students, families, staff, and partners who provided feedback as we worked to construct our academic calendars for the next two school years. I am pleased to share that the Chicago Board of Education has now approved these calendars, both of which can be found here.
In a CPS survey conducted in late 2025, the majority of respondents said that they favored starting school two weeks before Labor Day. As a result, the 2026-27 school year will begin on Monday, August 24 for all students in Kindergarten through 12th-grade, with Pre-k students starting school the following day. The school year will end for Pre-k students on June 10, 2027, and for all other students on June 11.
Calendars for both of the next two school years include the following:
- 176 student attendance days
- 4 Teacher Institute days
- 4 School Improvement days
- 2 Parent-Teacher Conference Days
- 4 Professional Development days
One thing to note is that in both of the next two school years, our first semester will end after winter break. This is because, with Labor Day falling so late in both 2026 and 2027 (Sept. 7 and 6, respectively), it would be challenging for our high school students to complete their required number of semester credits before winter break. So in both of the next two school years, students will have three weeks after the break to complete the first semester.
We are glad to be releasing our next two academic calendars now, as the information will give staff and families ample time to plan. Please review the calendars here!
11 CPS Teachers Named Golden Apple Finalists
Congratulations to the 11 4th through 8th-grade teachers who have been selected as finalists for the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Through their instruction and results, these educators demonstrate a significant impact on their students' growth and learning, and a positive influence on their school communities as a whole.
Our 11 finalists for the Golden Apple Award are:
- Alfredo Calderon, Cooper Elementary School
- Heather Debby, Disney II High School
- Samantha Gill, Sabin Elementary School
- Ma Luz Cruz, McDowell Elementary School
- Sara Mazhary, Camras Elementary School
- Melissa Moody, Lovett Elementary School
- Misty Richmond, Ward Elementary School
- John Ruskamp, Hernandez Middle School
- Nita Sengupta, Salazar Elementary School
- Shweta Shah, Clinton Elementary School
- Manfredo Winton, ACERO-Idar Elementary School
I wish these teacher finalists luck during this process and look forward to celebrating them as they continue their journey with Golden Apple!
CPS Leadership Update
Congratulations to Ed Wagner, who was appointed by the Board of Education this week as CPS’ new Chief Information Technology Officer. With more than 27 years of experience within CPS’ technology ecosystem, Ed is an ideal choice to oversee the strategic vision and operational management of the District’s vast digital infrastructure.
A product of the CPS system, Ed understands the unique technological needs of our school communities. His deep institutional knowledge and commitment to digital equity will help CPS solidify a sustainable technology foundation, and I look forward to working with him on a smooth and confident move into our District’s next phase of innovation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Macquline King
Interim Superintendent/CEO
Chicago Public Schools
Share Your Good News!
We love highlighting the great things that are happening in our schools, along with the people who are making them happen! Please use the Good News Form to tell us your stories so that we can share them with the District!
Share your story with us today so that we can feature it through this newsletter, on CPS social media, and even in the news!
A Look Around the District
Check out some highlights from schools across our District!
Students at King College Prep High School, located in the North Kenwood neighborhood, participated in the 38th Annual Model United Nations Conference at the University of Chicago. The six sophomore delegates, representing the country of Bolivia, discussed and debated topics ranging from the economy to government policies.
Meanwhile, at Carter Elementary in Washington Park, performing arts teacher Ms. Shonda Ponder-Ballad was recently honored by the Alumni Association of Illinois State University. She received the Senator John W. Maitland, Jr. Commitment to Education Award for exemplifying the university's tradition of excellence through her work in the district. Congratulations to Ms. Ponder-Ballard and the entire Carter community!
CPS Students Celebrate Lunar New Year
Several CPS schools hosted events this month to celebrate Lunar New Year, including Healy Elementary in Chicago’s Bridgeport community. Chief Education Officer Alfonso Carmona, who previously served as Healy’s principal, attended this special assembly featuring culture-rich performances by Healy students.
Chicago Bulls Praise CPS’ “Academic Athletes”
The Chicago Bulls recently selected the Kenwood Academy policy Debate Team and the Englewood STEM Chess Team for their City of Champions program, honoring these students as "academic athletes”. This honor celebrates these students’ discipline and perseverance in the classroom and on the debate stage and chess board, respectively. Video of both teams in action will be showcased at an upcoming Bulls game.
Helping Students with Disabilities Succeed Beyond High School
In conjunction with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) and City Colleges of Chicago, CPS recently hosted the annual Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) Transition Fair, which offers resources for post-secondary planning for high school students with disabilities. Students received access to community agencies, colleges, training programs, workshops, mock interviews, resume clinics, Chicago CityKey ID printing, and City Colleges enrollment support. Thank you to Malcolm X College for hosting this important opportunity for students.
Apply for an Education Grant from The Rotary Club of Chicago
The Rotary Club of Chicago (ROTARY/One) is encouraging CPS teachers and administrators to submit grant proposals for projects that will support areas and student populations that are underserved, and that will improve educational outcomes in Chicago. Complete details here.
Register Now for a Black Student Success Plan Roundtable
This March, CPS will host several Black Student Success Plan (BSSP) Community Roundtables, both virtually and around the city. These discussions are a chance for our CPS communities to learn about plan updates and understand the role they can play in the plan’s implementation.
Click here for complete details and to register! And if you have any questions regarding the roundtables, please contact bss@cps.edu.
Deadline Tonight: Share Your Thoughts on School Food and Other Important Topics!
The CPS SY26 Winter Survey is available now. The deadline has been extended and will now close tonight (February 27, 2026) at 11:59 p.m. This survey covers the following topics:
- School Food: Share your experience and preferences around the food at your child’s school. If you have children attending multiple CPS schools, you can complete a different survey for each school.
- Health Education: This section asks about how Health Education is scheduled, structured, and staffed at CPS. Note: If you are interested in participating in a focus group on this topic, please fill out this form.
- GPA and Promotion Policies: The Grade Point Average (GPA) Policy is about how high school students’ GPAs are calculated. The Promotion Policy is about how students are moved from one grade to the next in high school.
- Special Education Services: Share your experience with special education supports and services at CPS.
You can fill out the SY26 Winter Survey at cps.edu/wintersurvey, and learn more at cps.edu/surveys. Each section of the survey should take 5–10 minutes to complete. Please note that each section should be done in one sitting, because your data will not be saved if you close your browser. However, if you only have time to finish one section, you can always come back later to complete additional sections. All survey responses are anonymous.
FREE Tax Help for CPS Families
As we begin tax season, CPS is excited to partner with Ladder Up (Spanish flyer)—a trusted nonprofit providing free, IRS-certified tax preparation services to hardworking families across Chicago. Our trained volunteers are ready to help CPS families maximize refunds, claim eligible credits, and file with confidence, all at no cost. Services are available to households earning up to $40,000 a year. Visit goladderup.org for complete details.
Do You Work with Students with Disabilities? CPS Needs Your Feedback!
The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) is developing the SY26-27 IDEA Procedural Manual and the SY26-27 504 Procedural Manual, and we need your help to ensure both provide the clearest and most effective guidance possible on special education and related services.
Please review the SY26 IDEA Procedural Manual and the SY26 504 Procedural Manual, making note of any sections that need updating, clarification, or additional information. We are specifically looking for guidance on the following:
- How the guidance aligns with the needs of CPS students with disabilities.
- Any areas that could benefit from further clarification or improvement.
Please use the dedicated forms below to submit your suggestions for each manual by the deadline of March 13, 2026.
SY27 IDEA Procedural Manual Feedback
SY27 504 Procedural Manual Feedback
We thank you for your feedback and invite you to email Jessica Steiner at jsteiner1@cps.edu with any questions.
Summer Internship Applications Now Open
CPS high school students are encouraged to unlock their potential with real-world experience through an internship this summer! This opportunity is open to all students ages 16 and older, including soon-to-be graduates from the Class of 2026.
Summer interns typically work 20 to 25 hours per week with a local corporation, business, or nonprofit organization. These paid internships provide students with mentorship, skill development, and networking opportunities.
More information is available at cps.edu/summerinternships, or by contacting summerinternships@cps.edu.
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in District Athletics
This week, the Chicago Public League crowned their varsity basketball champions in front of a packed house at Credit Union 1 Arena, with Kenwood securing the Girls Championship and Curie capturing the Boys Championship! Check out the recaps at cpsathletics.com!
During our basketball championships, CPS was proud to honor several CPL legends for their accomplishments in the league and their commitment to the betterment of our student-athletes and programs. This year’s honorees were Tyrone Slaughter, Tim Hardaway, Mark Aguirre, Jimmy (In the Gym Smith), Natasha Pointer, the 2006 and 2007 Simeon Boys Basketball State Champions, and Clyde Travis. Congratulations to all of our honorees!
For the latest content surrounding CPS student-athletes, make sure to follow us on social media!
See What’s New in the Parks
Coming Soon! Register for Spring Programs at www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com!
Enjoy working with kids? Apply now to be a Recreation Leader at the Chicago Park District summer camps. Applicants must be 16 or older. Apply at Jobs | Chicago Park District.
Teens and parents, join us for the 10th annual Teen Opportunity Fairs. Hosted at three locations across the city, these FREE events offer information about summer opportunities in the parks for Chicago youth ages 13-19.
Learn more here.
Be a 2026 Summer Lifeguard - Get your summer job plans in motion now. Earn $20.50 an hour this summer as a Chicago Park District lifeguard. Apply today, and then register to take the Lifeguard Test. Must be a Chicago resident and at least 16 years old by July 1, 2026. Learn more and apply here.
The Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon will remain open through March 8. All other outdoor ice rinks are now closed for the season. Learn more & register for a skating session here.
For all questions, please email play@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
Special Ticket Offers from the Chicago Bulls
CPS staff are invited to cheer on the Chicago Bulls with an exclusive ticket offer for the below games. Buy tickets for the games here.
- Bulls vs. Grizzlies: March 16
- Bulls vs. Raptors: March 18
- Bulls vs. Cavaliers: March 19
- Bulls vs. Rockets: March 23
Important Dates
For more upcoming events around the District, visit cps.edu/calendar.
- Wednesday, March 4: Board Agenda Review Committee meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Tuesday, March 17: A professional development day for staff; no classes for students.
- Wednesday, March 18: Elementary and high school parent-teacher conferences; Local School Council elections; no classes for students.
- Monday, March 23–Friday, March 27: Spring break for all CPS students and teachers.