Dear CPS Colleagues, Families, and Supporters,
October is Principal Appreciation Month, and I want to thank all of our school leaders for the job they’re doing leading our CPS communities with courage, vision, and heart. By always keeping our students’ needs at the center, our principals inspire everyone around them, and in doing so, set the tone for what is possible for our District.
Principals are not just the heartbeat of our school communities. They are the key drivers of positive change within our school buildings — setting a standard of excellence and helping everyone reach the goal. So I hope everyone in our CPS family will seek out our school leaders this month and let them know how profoundly they are appreciated!
We are also continuing our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, with schools around the city hosting vibrant events to uplift Latinx heritage and culture.
In Chicago’s Back of the Yards community, students at Lara Academy sang and danced their way through a musical journey around Latin America with help from local musical artists Nelson and Paola Sosa.
Meanwhile, the school communities at Logandale and Schubert elementary schools hosted festive Loteria nights where everyone came together to enjoy the traditional Mexican board game.
In addition, we are proud to feature the inspiring story of Yehiri Gonzalez, a member of the CPS Class of 2021 who is now in her first year of teaching at Talcott Elementary in Chicago’s West Town community.
As a former English learner in CPS schools, Yehiri brings a unique perspective and empathy to the 51% of Talcott students who are working to learn English alongside their native Spanish. She is also among the first group of educators to complete CPS’ Teach Chicago Tomorrow Program—a multi-year opportunity that provides CPS students who are interested in becoming educators with academic guidance, mentorship, and financial and career support.
Hear Yehiri’s story in her own words here!
An Important Reminder on Childhood Vaccines
In order to attend school, CPS students are required by the State of Illinois to receive certain vaccines. The deadline to submit proof of these vaccines is October 15, 2025. Families should review this Minimum Health Requirements document and speak with their child’s health care provider to determine which vaccines their children need.
Also, as we enter the colder months of the year, respiratory illnesses will become more common. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are recommending students and staff stay up-to-date on flu, COVID, and RSV vaccines to protect them against these viruses.
How to Get Vaccinated
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.
Below are options for how to obtain these vaccines. All of this information is also available on our District’s website at cps.edu/vaccines.
- Start with Your Family Doctor, Local Health Provider, or Pharmacy. The fastest and easiest way to get a vaccine is through your child’s doctor, local health care provider, or a local in-network pharmacy. Families can check the IDPH vaccine locator or findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov to find vaccine opportunities.
- School-Based Health Centers: If your child does not have a doctor or medical home, you can enroll them as a patient at one of CPS’ dozens of School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs). Hours vary across these health centers, as do rules about eligibility and cost. Click here to find an SBHC near you, and remember to call ahead to make an appointment.
- Saturday Vaccine Events. Beginning Saturday October 18, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) will hold seven weekly vaccine clinics from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City College campuses around Chicago. Vaccines will be available at no cost to all children regardless of insurance or immigration status. Walk-ins are welcome, but making an appointment is strongly encouraged, especially if you would also like your child to receive a physical exam. Appointments for these exams will be limited. Click here to make an appointment at one of these Saturday sessions, or at another vaccine event being offered this fall through CDPH.
- Mobile Care Services by CIMPAR. CPS is excited to welcome students, their families, and members of the surrounding community to receive school required and recommended health services, including physical exams and vaccines, through our partners at CIMPAR. Private/public insurance information is needed for some of these services. Appointments are strongly encouraged, so click here to register.
- PRISM Health. Through a partnership with PRISM Health, CPS is able to offer additional vaccine opportunities to students at no cost. Click here to register for a PRISM Health event.
With regard to respiratory viruses, CPS is following the vaccine guidelines recently approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Below is a chart of who should receive the flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines based on age and risk factors.
|
Age/Status |
Flu |
RSV* |
COVID-19 |
|
Infants (0-5 months) |
Not Recommended |
Recommended |
Not Recommended |
|
Infants (6-7 months) |
Recommended |
Recommended |
Recommended |
|
Infants (8-19 months) |
Recommended |
Recommended (if high risk) |
Recommended |
|
Infants (20-23 months) |
Recommended |
Not Recommended |
Recommended |
|
Children (2-17 years) |
Recommended |
Not Recommended |
Recommended (if high risk or if parent/guardian desires) |
|
Adults (18-49 years) |
Recommended |
Not Recommended |
Recommended |
|
Adults (50-74 years) |
Recommended |
Recommended (if high risk) |
Recommended |
|
Adults (75+ years) |
Recommended |
Recommended |
Recommended |
|
Pregnancy (Any age) |
Recommended |
Recommended (during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy) |
Recommended |
|
*RSV vaccine is currently only recommended once per lifetime |
|||
We know that for children to be successful, they need to be in school. This can only happen if our students stay healthy, so I strongly encourage everyone in our CPS community to get vaccinated 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).
Sincerely,
Dr. Macquline King
Interim Superintendent/CEO
Chicago Public Schools
Help Us Highlight Your School
We love highlighting the amazing things that are happening day-to-day in our schools, along with the people who are making them happen! Please share your stories with us using our Good News Form so that we can share them with the District!
GoCPS Applications Now Open for the 2026–27 School Year
GoCPS is a one-stop-shop for exploring all of the academic programs that CPS has to offer. These include neighborhood schools, magnet programs, Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities, and selective enrollment schools.
Families can visit the GoCPS website to explore their options and access helpful training sessions on navigating the application process for both elementary and high school.
All GoCPS applications for the 2026–27 school year MUST be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025.
New Spaces for Students to Play, Grow, and Thrive
CPS celebrated two ribbon-cuttings this week—one at Bateman Elementary in Chicago’s Albany Park community, and the other at Julian High School in Washington Heights.
Thanks to advocacy from school families, CPS leadership, and elected officials, the students at Bateman are now enjoying a new playground and a freshly installed turf soccer field.
Meanwhile, the Julian High School community marked 50 years of service to students on Chicago’s far south side by gathering with families and alumni on their new turf football field! The ribbon was cut on this field during a Homecoming pep rally that celebrated not just this investment, but half a century of school spirit and community pride.
Students Enjoy Chicago Football Classic College and Career Fair
CPS students from around the city visited Soldier Field today for the annual Chicago Football Classic Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) College and Career Fair. This was a chance for students to talk with counselors and recruiters from around the country about what HBCUs have to offer, as well as engage with a number of the District’s career partners, some of whom were hiring on site.
After-School Safe Haven Sites Serving CPS Students
The CPS Office of Faith-Based Initiatives partners with Safe Haven sites around the city to provide students with snacks, engaging activities, and supervision after school. Days and times vary by site. Click here for a complete list of Safe Haven locations.
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in District Athletics
WCIU, The U, is partnering with CPS to continue its decades-long tradition of bringing the best in local high school sports to Chicago viewers this fall. The 2025 high school broadcast season will start by highlighting the first-ever televised Chicago Public League girls volleyball doubleheader on Saturday, Oct. 4 at South Shore International High School. This broadcast will feature Whitney Young vs. Kenwood Academy at 2 p.m., followed by Walter Payton vs. Jones at 3 p.m. WCIU, The U CW26, is seen on Channel 26.1, Xfinity 183/1026, Astound TV 6, Dish 26, DirecTV 26, DirecTV Stream, Spectrum Charter 22/616, U-Verse 10/1010, YouTube TV and FuboTV.
IMPORTANT: Please find updated policies for spectators at CPS-owned and operated stadiums as they relate to security, prohibited items, and new bag policies. Please note: These rules apply only to CPS-owned stadiums. Individual school events may have different rules for their on-campus activities.
A High School Boys Golf Champion has been crowned, as Payton-Jones Co-Op secured the title this past Sunday at Indian Boundary Golf Course! Good luck to the team and all of our other CPS teams and individual golfers as they move on to the IHSA state tournament!
Chicago Public League high school playoffs and championships continue, as the league looks to crown its next champions in flag football and tennis over the next two weeks! For the latest information on tournaments, digital programs, and schedules, please visit cpsathletics.com.
CPS SCORE! Elementary Fall Schedules are now available! This fall, students are participating in volleyball, soccer, and cross country as they learn key skills and gameplay techniques! You can find the schedules for your students and schools here.
CPS is proud to continue its partnership with Honest Game to ensure students are academically eligible to play sports in college if they so choose. Families can learn more about Honest Game’s services for their student-athletes through family-facing webinars being held throughout the year. Click here for more information and to register.
For the latest content surrounding CPS student-athletes, make sure to follow us on social media!
Experience Fall in the Parks
Halloween in the Parks
From haunted houses and parties, to pumpkin patches and family-friendly Fall Fests, there is a Halloween celebration for everyone in the parks! More than 40 events are being offered at parks across the city from October 3–31, including a series of events just for teens. Join in on the fun! View the full list of events 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 first two tests will be offered on November 14 and December 20. Must be a Chicago resident and at least 16 years old by July 1, 2026. Learn more and apply at chicagoparkdistrict.com/lifeguards/CPS.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the Parks
Join the Chicago Park District in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at events running through mid-October. View the event list here.
For questions, please email play@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
Special Ticket Offers from the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Fire
There’s still time to take advantage of discounted Chicago Fire tickets for their Fan Appreciation Night match tomorrow—Saturday, October 4—at Soldier Field! Tickets start at just $20 and include a special-edition scarf! Click here to learn more and secure your tickets.
The Chicago Fire can also offer STEM and soccer programming for your students! If interested in learning more, please reach out to their group sales team at grouptickets@chicagofirefc.com, or call (872) 710-0550.
CPS staff are invited to cheer on the Chicago Bulls with an exclusive ticket offer for the below games.
- Bulls vs. Cavaliers: October 9
- Bulls vs. Pistons: October 22
- Bulls vs. Kings: October 29
- Bulls vs. 76ers: November 4
- Bulls vs. Spurs: November 10
- Bulls vs. Heat: November 21
- Bulls vs. Wizards: November 22
Important Dates
For more upcoming events around the District, visit cps.edu/calendar.
- Wednesday, October 8: Board Agenda Review Committee Meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Monday, October 13: CPS offices and schools are closed in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day. No classes for students.
- Thursday, October 23: Board of Education meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Monday, October 27: Parent-teacher conferences; no classes for students.