Dear CPS Colleagues, Families, and Supporters,
As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to share a message of gratitude and hope with our community. Even in challenging times, we continue to find strength and joy in one another—in the way our community shows up, supports each other, and works together for our young people. I hope the days ahead bring you rest, connection, and moments of peace.
A reminder that CPS students will not have classes from Monday, November 24 through Friday, November 28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.. And speaking of Thanksgiving, I’m excited to highlight two CPS communities that are already spreading joy this holiday season!
We’ll start with Vaughn Occupational High School on Chicago’s North Side, which hosted their annual Friendsgiving celebration last week. Students from the school’s transition program cooked, decorated, and prepared everything for the event, which honored the community organizations and corporate partners that are such great supporters of Vaughn’s transition programs.
Meanwhile, at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS) on Chicago’s southwest side, students prepared a Thanksgiving feast for 400 senior citizens in their community. This was the thirteenth year for this event, which sees CHSAS students from across multiple pathways, including Animal Science, Horticulture, and Agricultural Technology, preparing all of the food and serving the meal to the seniors.
This annual dinner doubles as a food drive for the community’s Maple-Morgan Park Food Pantry, as the seniors who attend bring food items to donate. These items are collected and organized by the CHSAS students and delivered to the food pantry prior to Thanksgiving.
I thank these school communities for giving back and look forward to seeing more examples of generosity and service from our students as the holidays continue!
Celebrating Record Advanced Placement Coursework Success
We are incredibly proud to have one of the strongest Advanced Placement (AP) programs in the nation. CPS has been recognized twice by the College Board as an “AP District of the Year,” expanding both access and achievement for our AP students:
- CPS has increased AP enrollment by 18 percent since 2020, with particular growth among our Black and Latinx students.
- The number of AP exams taken has increased by 23 percent in the past five years.
- Last school year alone, CPS students earned 28,328 qualifying AP scores (3+), which is equal to nearly 85,000 potential college credits and $42.5 million in tuition savings for families.
In 2025, 56.3 percent of CPS graduates earned at least one early college or career credential before finishing high school. This is an encouraging trend, but we are not done. As outlined in Success 2029: Together We Rise, (our District’s five-year strategic plan) our goal is to see that number increase to 70 percent by 2029.
We were excited to visit Westinghouse College Prep in East Garfield Park this year to celebrate our students’ accomplishments. Westinghouse boasts 26 different AP classes; and half of last year’s Westinghouse College Prep graduates scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP test during their high school careers, making this school an ideal backdrop to highlight our District’s continued AP success!
Changes Coming to SNAP Benefits on December 1
Members of our CPS community who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will need to be aware of some impending changes, particularly regarding work requirements.
As of December 1, 2025, everyone ages 18 to 64 MUST work or volunteer a minimum of 80 hours per month to qualify for SNAP benefits. There are some exceptions to this rule, including if you are pregnant, or if you are a parent or other member of a household that includes a child under the age of 14.
Click here for a full explanation of the changes to SNAP benefits, along with a list of resources for staff and families who may need support accessing groceries and meals.
SNAP recipients can also contact the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) at (800) 843-6154, or visit wegotyouillinois.org/updates for help understanding changes to the program.
I’ll close today by sharing this video of Kelvyn Park High School students sharing what they’re thankful for this Thanksgiving!
I hope that you all have a safe and enjoyable holiday, and look forward to seeing everyone back in class on Monday, December 1!
Sincerely,
Dr. Macquline King
Interim Superintendent/CEO
Chicago Public Schools
Highlight Your School for the Holidays
We know that there will be great things going on in our schools during the upcoming holiday season! Please let us know about your holiday celebrations and special events, including those featuring your students and staff giving back to the community, using the Good News Form!
A Look Around the District
Take a look at how students and staff in our District are giving back to their communities ahead of the Thanksgiving Holiday!
The School Resource Strategy (SRS) Team, with the CPS Office of Budget and Grants Management, engaged in a Thanksgiving holiday team service event, "A Day of Serving Others!" at the Pacific Garden Mission (PGM). The team provided hands-on assistance to the kitchen crew, served dinner to PGM residents, guests, and staff, and helped with post-meal cleanup.
Lastly, students at Aldridge Elementary in the Altgeld Gardens community recently worked on projects in partnership with the Collective Learning Lab to imagine a greener, healthier, and more connected community. Students then visited the National Public Housing Museum, where their designs and ideas are featured in the Project Greenway Exhibition!
Students Experience a Unique Field Trip from the Chicago Sky
Ninth-grade girls from Chicago Vocational Career Academy, Dyett High School, and Hyde Park Academy High School experienced the field trip of a lifetime this week when they participated in a field trip sponsored by the Chicago Sky. This experience featured several interactive opportunities, including yoga, community building activities, and a panel discussion.
Taking Care of Your Mental Health This Winter
We know that this is a challenging time for many in our CPS community, and getting ready for the winter holidays (and winter weather) can add an extra layer of stress. To learn more about how to take care of your mental health in the months ahead, please review this information on Seasonal Affective Disorder and the Chicago Services Resource Guide. Additional resources can be found on the Office of Student Health and Wellness Mental Health website. Please reach out to mentalhealth@cps.edu with any questions.
Stay Healthy During Respiratory Virus Season
All required and recommended vaccines for children are widely available to CPS students at little to no cost, regardless of health insurance or immigration status. Visit cps.edu/vaccines for information on accessing our District’s dozens of School-Based Health Centers, and to see a list of upcoming vaccine opportunities, including Saturday vaccine events being held by CPS and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH).
We know that for children to be successful, they need to be in school. This can only happen if our students stay healthy, so families are also encouraged to get vaccinated against the flu, COVID-19, and RSV in accordance with the guidance provided by our public health experts.
For any questions about upcoming vaccine opportunities, families should email schoolhealth@cps.edu, or call the Healthy CPS Hotline at (773) 553-KIDS (5437).
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in District Athletics
The Chicago Public League will crown a football champion TONIGHT! Morgan Park and Simeon will play for the city title at 5:00 p.m. at Rockne Stadium! The winner will face either St. Ignatius or Notre Dame in the annual Prep Bowl between the Chicago Public League and the Chicago Catholic League on November 28, at 12:00 p.m. at Hanson Stadium. For more information and tickets, please visit cpsathletics.com. We wish the best of luck to our teams!
CPS student-athletes made history in Girls Swimming at the IHSA State Tournament, as Whitney Young finished 16th in state and Lane finished 24th. CPS students took home eight placing times and finished across events. Congratulations to our teams and students on a tremendous swim season!
Outside of football, all of our fall Chicago Public League High School City Championships have now been completed! Check out our website for the latest stories, photo galleries, and recaps!
Winter sports are just around the corner! As we gear up for another unforgettable season, make sure to visit our website to learn about our student athletes, their goals for the year, and fun facts about this year’s teams!
IMPORTANT: As we continue the fall season of sports, please find the updated CPS-stadium policies for spectators as they relate to security, prohibited items and new bag policies. Please ensure to review this in advance of attending your next event at one of the stadiums. Please note: These are new rules for CPS-owned and operated stadiums; individual school events may have different rules for their on-campus activities.
Experience Fall in the Parks
Keep Your Kids Active Over Thanksgiving Break in a Park District Camp: Fall Break Camps are offered at a number of parks throughout the city. It’s a low-cost way to keep your kids active and engaged over the break. Register now!
Come Out and Skate! The Maggie Daley Ice Ribbon is now open, and all other outdoor ice rinks open November 28, 2025 (weather permitting). Pre-registration is required for all ice rink programs, including open skate sessions. Learn more and register for a skating session here!
Register for Winter Programs beginning December 8 and 9: Find something to get your kids out and active during the winter months! There is something for every age group throughout the city, and classes are very affordable. Most programs run January 5 through March 15, 2026. View programs and create a wish list beginning December 1. Learn more here.
Tell Us About Your Favorite Park Treasures: As the Park District prepares to celebrate our 100-year anniversary in 2034, we’re developing a Centennial Plan for Historic Assets. We want to hear from you! Tell us which historic buildings, landscapes, sculptures, murals, and park features matter most to you—and which might need some extra care or attention. Your stories, memories, and ideas will help inform our Centennial Plan. Submissions will be accepted through December 15, 2025. Learn more and submit your favorite treasures here.
Calling Chicago performing artists and filmmakers: Be part of the 2026 season of Night Out in the Parks and the Chicago Onscreen Local Film Showcase! Submit your Night Out in the Parks proposal or Chicago Onscreen film application today! The submission deadline is December 8. Learn more and apply now.
Planning to host an event in the parks in 2026? Apply starting November 7. Learn more here.
Apply now to be a 2026 summer lifeguard: Get your summer job plans in motion now. Make $20.50 an hour next summer as a Chicago Park District lifeguard. Apply now and select your test date—the next test will be offered on December 20. Must be a Chicago resident and at least 16 years old by July 1, 2026. Learn more and apply here.
For questions, please email play@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
Special Ticket Offer from the Chicago Bulls
CPS staff are invited to cheer on the Chicago Bulls with exclusive ticket offers for the below games.
- Bulls vs. Heat: November 21
- Bulls vs. Wizards: November 22
- Bulls vs. Nets: December 3
- Bulls vs Pelicans: December 31
Important Dates
For more upcoming events around the District, visit cps.edu/calendar.
- Monday, November 24–Friday, November 28: In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, no students or teachers will be in school from November 24–28 and all CPS buildings will be closed on November 27 and 28.
- Wednesday, December 3: Board of Education Agenda Review Committee meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Thursday, December 18: Board of Education meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Monday, December 22–Friday, January 2: All CPS students and teachers will be on winter break from December 22 through January 2; all CPS offices will be closed from December 25 through January 1.