Dear CPS Colleagues, Families, and Supporters,
With four weeks of classes under our belt, I hope that everyone is finding their rhythm and getting into a good routine. With our city in the national spotlight, this has been an unusual start to the school year, and I want to say how proud I am of our school communities for pulling together and supporting each other at every turn.
The increase of federal agents in Chicago is affecting all of us differently. For some, there is fear and anxiety around their own safety, and the safety of friends and loved ones. Others, while impacted less directly, are seeing the effect of that strain on their CPS colleagues, neighbors, and families.
In these challenging times, it’s important that we all make our mental health a priority. This is especially true for our students, which is why CPS has an entire webpage — cps.edu/mentalhealth — with resources to support students’ emotional health and wellbeing. This page has material for both students and caregivers, on topics such as substance use and suicide and self-harm prevention, and specific resources for priority student groups including our LGBTQ+ students and students in temporary living situations.
- For middle and high school students: Taking Care of Your Mental Well-Being [ ENGLISH | SPANISH | POLISH | CHINESE | URDU | UKRAINIAN | ARABIC ]
- For elementary students: Taking Care of Your Feelings [ ENGLISH | SPANISH | POLISH | CHINESE | URDU | UKRAINIAN | ARABIC ]
- School Avoidance [ ENGLISH | SPANISH | POLISH | CHINESE | URDU | UKRAINIAN | ARABIC ]
Through a partnership with Hazel Health, CPS also now offers all high school students with access to free virtual counseling sessions. Families can learn more about this program in this informational flyer or by visiting getstarted.hazel.co/district/cps.
Even during this very stressful time, I want to remind all families that school is the best and safest place for students, and that we will continue welcoming all children with open arms and providing them with a learning experience that will allow them to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
I thank you for your partnership this school year, and urge you to take care of yourselves and of each other during this highly stressful time.
Getting Ready for GoCPS
It’s hard to believe that just four weeks into the school year, we’re already talking about next fall! But the application period for GoCPS opens in less than two weeks on Tuesday, September 23!
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. They can also call the GoCPS Hotline at (773) 553-2060 to speak with a knowledgeable support specialist like Lillian Wilkins, whose career journey we explore in today’s newsletter!
I urge everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to find the learning environment that is right for your family. And remember that all GoCPS applications for the 2026–27 school year MUST be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025!
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!
A Look Around the District
As a part of the National Latinx KidLit Book Festival, students from Cooper Elementary in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood read the 2025 Pura Belpré Award-winning book Lola by author Karla Arenas Valenti over the summer, which culminated in a virtual talk with students and the author herself. Click here to check out the conversation featured at this year’s festival.
At Bridge Elementary in Dunning, students kicked off the school year with a House Sorting Ceremony as a part of the school’s positive behavior incentive system. Fifth-grade students had a blast as they were sorted into houses with 6th-8th graders and participated in a fun color run with their new peers.
And at Avalon Park Elementary, located on the South Side of the City, the school community gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the school’s very first Parent Engagement Center. Families also joined the school for a fun and informative evening at their Parent Open House!
Ray Graham Back-to-School Block Party Celebrates School Renovation
Congratulations to the school community at Ray Graham Training Center on the renovation of their modular building! These changes will ensure that the facilities at Ray Graham are fully accessible to all students with disabilities, and will help this school community succeed in its mission to create a school climate that promotes self-advocacy, mutual respect, individuality, and continuous learning for all students.
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in District Athletics
CPS SCORE! Elementary Fall Schedules are now available as games kick off this weekend for our athletes in 5th–8th grade! This fall, students will be able to participate in volleyball, soccer, and cross country as they learn key skills and gameplay techniques! Click here to find the schedules for your students and schools.
On Saturday, September 13, CPS is excited to partner with SportsEdTV for a volleyball coaches clinic with 2x USA Volleyball Champion and Expert Dr. Gylton B. Da Matta. This opportunity is open to all elementary and high school coaches free of charge! For more information and to attend, please click here.
The first few weeks of High School Football are in the books! Click here to check out the photo galleries from some of our teams as they begin another exciting year of Chicago Public League Football.
Whitney Young Alum Chelsea Thorpe is thriving at her new home at the University of North Carolina (UNC), playing volleyball for the Tar Heels. CPS caught up with Chelsea to learn more about her journey and what life is now like for the freshman in North Carolina. Click here to read more.
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 throughout the year. Please click here for the upcoming list of webinars and to register!
For the latest content surrounding CPS student-athletes, make sure to follow us on social media!
Special Ticket Offers from the Chicago Fire
There’s still time to take advantage of discounted Chicago Fire tickets for their remaining theme offers at Soldier Field!
- Harry Potter Night - September 13
- Hispanic Heritage Night - September 27
- Fan Appreciation Night - October 4
For each match, 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.
Experience Fall at the Chicago Park District
Provide Input on the 2026 Chicago Park District Budget
Chicago residents are encouraged to share ideas on the Chicago Park District’s budget for 2026. Share feedback online or in-person. An in-person budget forum will be held on Monday, September 22, 6 pm at the Chicago Park District Administration Office, 4830 S. Western Ave. An online forum will be held on Thursday, September 25, at 6 pm. Ideas can be submitted online as well. Learn more and share an idea here at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/annual-budget-process/cps
Register Now for Girls Day of P.L.A.Y. on Sept. 26 (day off school)
Girls ages 6–12 are invited to participate in the Chicago Park District Girls Day of P.L.A.Y. program when off school on Friday, September 26. Offered at more than 20 parks across the city, this free day-long program includes sports, arts and crafts and more! Girls Day of P.L.A.Y. programming focuses on Positivity, Leadership, Ambition and being You! Ages and times can vary by park. Learn more and register at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/girls-play/cps
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the Parks
Join the Chicago Park District in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at a variety of events offered from mid-September through mid-October. View the list of events at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/hispanic-heritage-month/cps
Paid Lifeguard Training Program for Teens Start Sept. 22—Register Now
In the Lifeguard Explorers training program, participants learn the skills needed to be a lifeguard and pass the Chicago Park District Lifeguard Skills Test (while getting paid! Participants must be 14–19 years old and live in Chicago. The fall session is offered at seven parks across the city. Classes begin the week of September 22 and run through December 7. Learn more and register at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/lifeguard-explorers/cps
Spots Still Available in Many Fall Programs—Register Now!
Most fall programs started the week of September 2 and run through early December. Aquatics programs begin the week of September 15. Learn more and register at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/fall-programs/cps
For questions, please email play@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
Important Dates
For more upcoming events around the District, visit cps.edu/calendar.
- Thursday, September 25: Board of Education Meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Friday, September 26: Professional development day for staff; no classes for students
- 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.