End of Week Message: Celebrating Women’s History Month; Parent-Teacher Conferences and LSC Elections on March 18
13 March 2026
Dear CPS Colleagues, Families, and Supporters,
March is Women’s History Month! This month, we proudly recognize and celebrate the women across our District whose leadership, dedication, and service as educators, leaders, and support staff help drive the success of our schools and students every day. Overall, women make up 75% of the CPS workforce, giving our female students no shortage of role models to look up to. 77% of CPS teachers are women, as are 74% of our school principals and 73% of our support staff.
The women who make up today’s CPS workforce stand on the shoulders of countless trailblazers who came before them — leaders, public servants, and heroes who made great contributions to society and helped to expand opportunity for future generations.
Many CPS schools proudly bear the names of these remarkable women from Chicago and beyond whose legacies continue to inspire our communities.
- Harriet Tubman Elementary in Lake View is named for the renowned abolitionist who escaped slavery and led hundreds of enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad.
- Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez Elementary in Little Village honors the courageous figure who played a pivotal role in Mexico’s independence movement.
- Jane Addams, the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, dedicated much of her life to improving the educational and social conditions of children and immigrant families on Chicago’s West Side.
- Eliza Chappell, the first teacher in Chicago to be paid with public funds, devoted her career to expanding access to education for all children, especially Black students.
- Kate Kellogg, known for meeting students where they are, introduced innovative teaching practices that remain common today, including encouraging parent-teacher conferences and advocating for arts education.
- Ella Flagg Young began her career as a CPS educator and went on to become Superintendent of Chicago Public Schools—the first woman to lead a major city school district in the United States and later served as the first female president of the National Education Association.
- Gwendolyn Brooks High School in Roseland honors the lifelong Chicagoan who became the first Black author to win the Pulitzer Prize and later served as Illinois Poet Laureate.
- Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy in Ashburn is named for the first Black woman to receive a U.S. patent.
- Irma C. Ruiz Elementary on the Lower West Side is named for a heroic Chicago Police Officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty while working to protect a CPS school community.
Together, these women represent the courage, leadership, and dedication that continue to shape our District and inspire the next generation of students and educators.
Closing the Gender Gap in Academics and Career
This Women’s History Month, we are proud to highlight the ways CPS is working to close the gender gap when it comes to opportunities for our female students. This includes increasing female participation in courses like AP Computer Science. Our District has been recognized nationally for our efforts in this area, having received the College Board’s AP Female Diversity Computer Science Award in multiple years.
Another example is the Annual Skilled Trades Fair, which has seen nearly 150 female student participants so far this year, and which featured two female plumbing apprentices as part of a panel discussion during the fair’s first event focused on careers in the plumbing industry.
In collaboration with city agencies, City Colleges of Chicago, and a range of labor and corporate partners, the Skilled Trades Fair provides CPS juniors and seniors with access and exposure to various skilled trades, including plumbing, construction, carpentry, and engineering. These events are part of our efforts to provide high school students from around the city with direct access and insight into training programs, internships, and potential career opportunities. Especially during Women’s History Month, we are glad to see a growing interest among our female students in these types of careers, which have traditionally been dominated by males.
Reminder: Parent-Teacher Conferences and LSC Elections Coming Up on March 18
Next Wednesday, March 18, is an important day in CPS! It is the day for both our spring parent-teacher conferences and our 2026 Local School Council (LSC) election! Click here for tips on having a successful conversation with your child’s teachers, and for complete details on our LSC elections, including election hours and who is eligible to vote.
We look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday, March 18!
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
Students at King College Prep, located in Chicago’s North Kenwood neighborhood, celebrated Black History Month with a variety of engaging activities, including their Culinary Connections event, a Door Decorating Contest, Open Mic Poetry, and a school-wide assembly featuring the KCP Marching Band.
At Jordan Elementary in Rogers Park, students and staff are fostering a love of reading through their new Book Vending Machine. In addition to their library, students now have access to a wide range of books in diverse languages through the vending machine at the school’s main entrance.
Staff members from Corkery Elementary, located in Little Village, recently participated in the Special Olympics Polar Plunge for the fourth consecutive year. Staff dressed in costume and exceeded their fundraising goal, with a total of $8,597.05 raised!
And at Mayer Elementary in Lincoln Park, students spent a day dedicated to elective-style learning that transcends the traditional classroom through the school’s IB Mini-Courses. Students in grades 6 to 8 engaged in workshops that were tailored to their unique interests and that were designed to foster community!
CPS Crowns Citywide Spelling Bee Champion
Congratulations to Seraj Z. from LaSalle II MagnetSchool in Wicker Parkon having been named champion of the 2026 Citywide Spelling Bee! The winning word in this year’s competition was “logothete. We congratulate Seraj on this outstanding accomplishment and wish him luck as he goes on to represent CPS at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.!
North Lawndale Community Celebrates New Parent University
CPS leadership gathered with members of the North Lawndale community this week to cut the ribbon on a new Parent University site inside Collins Academy STEAM High School. This is the latest in a series of investments that are revitalizing neighborhood schools in North Lawndale and providing students with a continuous STEAM experience from pre-k through high school graduation. Programming for the Parent University site at Collins will include workshops in computer literacy, job readiness, and various other subjects that will help parents become stronger partners in their children’s education.
Nominate a Student for a CPS Champions Award
Nominations are now open for the 3rd-Annual CPS Champions Award! Sponsored by the Mayor's Office of Education, Youth, & Human Services, this program seeks to honor students who excel in areas that may not traditionally be recognized. Students in grades 8 through 12 are eligible for a CPS Champions Award. The nomination form can be accessed here, and additional information is available here. This year’s CPS champions event will take place on Monday, May 4th at Malcolm X College.
New Partnership Brings Student Photography to Skyline
CPS has launched a partnership with Chicago Public Media, home to WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, to bring local journalism to the District’s Skyline curriculum. Eighty-three culturally-relevant news stories have been transformed into texts that will help thousands of 3rd through 5th-graders build literacy and improve word study and fluency skills. Accompanying these articles is original photography created by students at eight CPS high schools who are interested in careers in media. Read more about this project here!
Introducing Chicago Youth Works
Mayor Brandon Johnson visited Back of the Yards High School this week to announce the official launch of “Chicago Youth Works,” formerly “One Summer Chicago”. This is an effort to provide Chicago’s students and young adults with employment in and beyond the summer. Applications are now open for youth ages 14 to 24 to fill an anticipated 29,000 jobs and internships. CPS students can explore options and apply here.
Attend the My CHI, My Future Teen Bash on March 28!
The 2026 My CHI. My Future. Teen Bash, one of the biggest FREE events for teens in Chicago, will be held in the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier on Saturday, March 28 from noon to 4 p.m. Teens ages 13–19 are invited to attend!
Doors will open at noon for a resource fair featuring summer job opportunities, with the main event beginning at 1 p.m. The day will include:
- Pizza and snacks
- Several giveaways, including Lollapalooza and Chicago Sky tickets
- Live music and DJing from Pep Rally Takeover
- Exclusive merch drops designed by Clue?
- Video games, skateboarding, and air hockey
The event is completely free, but all teens MUST register to attend!
Deadline Approaching for Early College Opportunity in the Arts
The RE:ALIZE program offers students a chance to explore dance, music, theatre, or visual arts while also earning FREE college credit from Columbia College Chicago during their junior and senior years of high school! RE:ALIZE is accepting applications now for the 2026–2027 school year from current sophomores and juniors. The deadline to apply is April 18, 2026. Contact realize@cps.edu with questions.
Class of 2026: Apply for $10,000 in Scholarships in Math and Science Today!
Applications are now open for the 2026 CGCS-Peters Pharis Foundation Math and Science Scholarships. $10,000 scholarships will be awarded to four 2026 high school seniors in school districts represented by the Council of the Great City Schools, which includes CPS! Please read the scholarship guidelines and criteria before applying. Apply online here by the deadline of April 13, 2026. If you have any questions, email Tonya Harris at: tharris@cgcs.org.
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.
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.
See What’s New in the Parks
Registration is now open. Programs run March 30 – June 7. In-person registration begins on March 14 or 16th. Visit www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com for more information.
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. The fair takes place on Saturday, March 14th, at Kennedy King College for ages 13-19. Learn more: https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/teen-opportunity-fairs
Shop and save this spring. DICK'S Sporting Goods is partnering with the Chicago Park District to offer a 20% off coupon to use March 13-16, 2026, at all Chicagoland Stores. Download your coupon TODAY!
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in District Athletics
The IHSA Boys Basketball season is coming to a close, with some history being made for our CPS teams. Behind a raucous crowd of fans, Farragut High School captured a 4th place finish in the State Tournament in Class 2A, the school’s best finish in basketball in more than 20 years. The Marshall Commandos are also making history, as they set their sites on a State Championship, now set for Saturday, March 14 at 10 a.m. against Goreville! Come out to support the team or watch it LIVE on WCIU TV ‘The U.’ Details can be found here.
Spring sports are just around the corner—make sure to stay up to date on our website for the latest schedules, stories, and key program information as the calendar shifts!
For the latest content surrounding CPS student-athletes, make sure to follow us on social media!
Special Ticket Offers from the Chicago Bulls and Lyric Opera of Chicago
CPS staff are invited to cheer on the Chicago Bulls with an exclusive ticket offer for the below games. Buy tickets for the March games here and the April games here.
- Bulls vs. Grizzlies: March 16
- Bulls vs. Raptors: March 18
- Bulls vs. Cavaliers: March 19
- Bulls vs. Rockets: March 23
- Bulls vs. Pacers: April 1
- Bulls vs. Magic: April 10
Lyric Opera of Chicago welcomes Chicago Public School employees to enjoy 20% off performances of Madama Butterfly at Lyric Opera of Chicago with the promo code LYRCPS. Visit lyricopera.org/butterfly to purchase tickets for this Puccini classic that glows with beauty and heartbreak. This is a must-see for opera lovers and newcomers alike.
Important Dates
For more upcoming events around the District, visit cps.edu/calendar.
- 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.
- Thursday, March 19: March 2026 Board of Education meeting beginning at 10:30 a.m.
- Monday, March 23–Friday, March 27: Spring break for all CPS students and teachers.
- Friday, April 3: A professional development day for staff; no classes for students.
- Wednesday, April 8: Board Agenda Review Committee meeting beginning at 10:30 a.m.