Dear CPS Colleagues, Families, and Supporters,
This week, we celebrate two groups who are critical to the success of our students’ academic, emotional, and physical growth and wellbeing: our talented teachers and dedicated school nurses!
May 4 to 8 marks Teacher and School Staff Appreciation Week, with National Nurses Week running from May 6 to 12. So we’ve been excited to recognize both groups of professionals for all that they contribute to our school communities every day.
I was excited to hear about the many different ways students, families, and staff were celebrating across the District.
At South Loop Elementary, for example, students asked their teachers what advice they would give to their younger selves. Check out their inspiring answers in this short video!
I loved my years being a classroom teacher in our District. But I’ll always remember the responsibility I felt knowing my students were looking to me to help them succeed. I thank our teachers for embracing this role every day, and for being the most passionate role models and advocates any child could hope to cross paths with on their educational journey.
Introducing CPS’ Newest Golden Apple Winners!
It’s fitting that during Teacher Appreciation Week, two CPS educators and one school leader were among those named recipients of this year’s prestigious Golden Apple Award. School and District leadership joined the Golden Apple Foundation to surprise English teacher Heather Debby, Science teacher Misty Richmond, and Bronzeville Classical principal Nicole Spicer with this well-deserved recognition.
This was a full circle moment for Principal Spicer, who was named a Golden Apple Scholar of Illinois in 1997 when she was a student. She is the founding principal of Bronzeville Classical, where she is seen as a compassionate, solutions-oriented leader who prides herself on being an accessible and visible presence within her school community.
Heather Debby, an English teacher at Disney II Magnet School in Irving Park, challenges her students to think about literature in new ways, helping them become stronger readers, writers, and communicators. Beyond the classroom, Ms. Debby is involved in many elements that define a joyful experience for students, including coaching sports, assisting with the school musical, and designing the most creative bulletin boards at Disney II, if not the entire District.
A 20-year veteran of CPS, Misty Richmond is a Science teacher at Ward Elementary School in Armour Square. She is also an alumnus of the District, having attended Burbank Elementary School and Lindblom Math and Science Academy. Ms. Richmond is known as a teacher who can always get students to talk in her class. This creates a culture where students feel empowered to share their thoughts and ideas, and where learning becomes engaging and fun. She also has a way of demystifying Science so that students can connect it to their everyday lives.
I could not be more proud of these three Golden Apple recipients, and hope that they, along with all of our educators, were made to feel valued and appreciated this week and every week!
Let’s turn now to our incredible school nurses!
As a former CPS principal, I know just how valuable it is to have a qualified medical professional in the building. Because whether it’s a fever, a skinned knee, or a serious medical condition, students know that they are safe and cared for in the hands of our school nurses.
Nurses are also critical to educating our communities around issues of health and wellness, providing the information families need to stay healthy and safe, and to keep students in class where they belong.
As we celebrate our current nurses, I also want to acknowledge the CPS students who are training to become the healthcare professionals of tomorrow! This week, our partners at Rush University Medical Center recently hosted students from Crane, Dunbar, and Roosevelt high schools for a day of hands-on activities designed to expose students to the skills needed for careers in the medical field.
I thank our partners at Rush for providing our students with such a unique opportunity, and sincerely hope that some of these young people will find an eventual home as a school nurse in CPS!
Advocating for our Latino Students in Springfield
Along with Dr. Karime Asaf, our District’s new Chief Education Officer, I had the opportunity this week to participate in Latino Unity Day in Springfield. As part of this event, I met with members of both the Illinois Latino Caucus and the Latino Policy Forum to reinforce our District’s commitment to serving Chicago’s Latino students and families. I was grateful for the chance to connect with these passionate leaders and advocates, and look forward to working together to ensure CPS obtains the funding needed to sustain student supports and protect the classroom experience.
Sincerely,
Dr. Macquline King
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!
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A Look Around the District
Ninos Heroes Elementary in South Chicago recently partnered with First Tee of Greater Chicago to give students access to golfing opportunities throughout the summer and the rest of the year at Harborside International Golf Course!
And at Nicholson Elementary in Englewood, some students have been participating in an after-school robotics and 3D Printing program, while others organized a sneaker recycling initiative, collecting 200 pairs of shoes to recycle their rubber soles for a sports field.
Finally, at Inter-American Elementary in Lake View, 8th-grade students recently returned from their capstone trip to Washington, D.C. From the halls of the Smithsonian to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, these students explored American history and were granted the distinct honor of participating in the Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
CPS Hosts Annual RE•VER•BER•ATE Festival
This week, the CPS Department of Arts Education was proud to host RE•VER•BER•ATE—a free multidisciplinary arts festival featuring performances in music, theater, and dance by more than 2,000 students representing 110 schools. Thank you to our partners at the Chicago Cultural Center and the Design Museum of Chicago (DMoC) for working with us to provide this opportunity for students in grades PreK-12, along with workshops, masterclasses, and opportunities for academic and professional collaboration.
What’s more, RE•VER•BER•ATE is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the arts this month! I encourage everyone to support our talented student artists by visiting the 2026 PreK-12 All-City Visual Arts Exhibition at the Design Museum of Chicago until May 30 and attending the All-City Performing Arts (ACPA) Spring Showcase at Jones College Prep on May 17, 2026 at 12 p.m.
Chicago Cubs’ Players Visit Greeley Elementary
Earlier this week, Cubs all-star pitcher Matthew Boyd and Clark the Cub joined leadership from Chicago Cubs Charities to visit students at Greeley Elementary - a CPS school that operates in the shadow of iconic Wrigley Field.
Exciting Updates in STEM Education
This week, Amazon announced a $100,000 donation to support STEM initiatives across Columbia Explorers, Edwards, Nightingale, and Sandoval elementary schools and Curie High School, all in the Gage Park neighborhood. Each school will receive $20,000 to expand STEM resources, robotics, and Computer Science integration. Five additional elementary schools around the city - Sawyer, Mason, Kershaw, Randolph, and Parker will also each receive $10,000 from Amazon for enhancements to their school libraries.
Meanwhile, 50 CPS students participated in the District’s annual STEM Signing Day celebration, at Englewood STEM High School, where they were awarded college scholarships and invited to join a community of student STEM professionals and mentors.
Finally, CPS joined with NASCAR and the Field Museum to host 600 students from the District’s STEM and STEAM schools as they competed in a hands-on NASCAR-themed design challenge.
Celebrating Our City’s Future First Responders
Earlier this week, our District celebrated the 100 students who completed the Chicago Police and Fire Training Academy (CPFTA) in 2026. This four-year pathway is designed for students who are interested in pursuing careers in public safety, law enforcement, criminal justice, and fire science.
CPS Students Enjoying Green Space
Congratulations to Goethe Elementary in Logan Square, which cut the ribbon this week on a new turf field and nature play space. This celebration was followed by the school’s annual Annie Abreu Fun Run—a fundraiser to benefit Goethe’s community garden and wellness program.
Congrats also to Ray Elementary School in Hyde Park, which saw its students hosting a Farmer’s Market featuring produce they’ve grown and maintained at school in partnership with local chef Sebastian White. Funds raised at this event will benefit the school’s garden space and help students and staff purchase the materials needed to continue funding the garden in future school years.
Team from Kelvyn Park High School Makes Special Olympics Debut
Kelvyn Park High School will field its first-ever Special Olympics team this spring, with students competing in both track and softball. Kelvin Park will join more than 50 CPS schools who will be participating in this year’s Illinois Special Olympics Spring Games.
Mental Health and Substance Use Resources from the CPS Office of Student Health and Wellness
The CPS Office of Student Health and Wellness’ (OSHW) Mental Health Team is committed to promoting well-being, reducing stigma, and connecting students and staff to meaningful support. Mental health and substance use challenges can affect anyone, impacting relationships, well-being, and academic success — making early identification and supportive environments essential for our school communities. In honor of various mental health and substance use observances, we invite you to review these one-pagers and visit our website for additional resources. Contact mentalhealth@cps.edu with any questions.
Pre-k Applications Now Open for the 2026–27 School Year
We know that getting students in the classroom early is critical for their academic, social, and emotional development. So families are encouraged to visit chicagoearlylearning.com to explore their pre-k options for the 2026–27 school year. Applications are now being accepted for free, full-day programs, which are available to all 4-year-olds, and many half-day programs that are open to 3-year-olds.
Internship Opportunities for the Class of 2026
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.
Deadline Extended: Apply Now to Serve as CPS’ New Honorary Student Board Member
The Chicago Board of Education is looking for a student leader to serve as its Honorary Student Board Member (HSBM) for the 2026–27 school year. The deadline to apply for this position has been extended to Monday, May 11 at 9 a.m.
Selected annually, the HSBM represents the interests and perspectives of all CPS students by attending the Board’s monthly meetings, which are generally held on the fourth Thursday of each month at the CPS Loop Office (42 W. Madison St. in Chicago). The HSBM is also an active participant in the Student Voice Roundtable initiative, which provides a platform for students from across the District to engage with CPS leadership and Board members on topics that are important to Chicago’s youth. The HSBM will also be awarded a $1,000 scholarship to support enrollment at a two- or four-year college or university.
To be eligible for this opportunity, you must be a rising Junior or Senior (current 10th- or 11th-grader), hold a 3.0 G.P.A. or higher, and demonstrate proven leadership experience.
Apply at cps.edu/HSBMapplication by the new deadline of Monday, May 11 at 9 a.m.
Introducing Chicago Youth Works
“Chicago Youth Works,” formerly “One Summer Chicago” 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.
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in District Athletics
High school sports have crowned their first spring champion! Congratulations to Whitney Young on winning the Girls Badminton Championship! We wish you the best of luck in the state tournament!
High school playoffs and championships will continue over the next few weeks, with this weekend’s events including:
- Lacrosse | Lane Stadium | May 9 | 1 p.m. (Girls) 3 p.m. (Boys)
- Girls Track and Field | Hanson Stadium | May 9 | 10 a.m.
The full list of upcoming championship events can be found at CPSAthletics.com
The Chicago Public League is excited to return to the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field this spring to crown our CPS Baseball champion! The game will take place May 21, 2026, with first-pitch at 6 p.m. Admission is FREE, and we hope to see you there!
Spring sports are underway for our 5-8 grade students! This spring will feature flag football, track and field, and girls soccer! Make sure to stay up to date with the latest information and schedules at CPSAthletics.com.
What’s Happening in the Parks
Kick off summertime in Chicago on Saturday, May 9 from 11:30am - 1pm at the 12th annual Switch on Summer event, where we switch on the iconic Buckingham Fountain and announce Night Out in the Parks events. Learn more at chicagoparkdistrict.com
The Chicago Park District is looking forward to providing Chicago’s youth with a fun-filled summer through our Day Camp program, June 22–July 31. Registration is now open. Explore summer program options here!
Take a step towards an active lifestyle by joining us for one of our 40+ FREE fitness classes.
Celebrate spring at the conservatories! The annual spring flower shows have returned to the Garfield & Lincoln Park Conservatories. Enjoy the sights and scents of both shows now through May 10. Learn more and register here.
Be a 2026 Summer Lifeguard – Apply TODAY. 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 at chicagoparkdistrict.com/lifeguards/CPS.
For all questions, please email play@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
Ticket Offer from the Chicago Fire
The Chicago Fire are extending a Teacher Appreciation offer on Saturday, May 9 for a 1:30PM match at Soldier Field! Each ticket purchased through the link below includes a Teacher Appreciation jersey. This match is also the Fire's Marvel Day, with a special-edition Marvel comic provided to the first 5,000 fans, and Marvel characters roaming the stadium! Get your tickets here!
Important Dates
For more upcoming events around the District, visit cps.edu/calendar.
- Wednesday, May 13: Board Agenda Review Committee meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Monday, May 25: CPS offices and schools closed for Memorial Day. No classes for students.
- Thursday, May 28: Board of Education meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Thursday, June 4: Last day of school for students.