End of Week Message: Celebrating our Assistant Principals, our Youngest Learners, and our District’s Love of Literacy
10 April 2026
Dear CPS Colleagues, Families, and Supporters,
As we close out Assistant Principal Appreciation Week, I want to recognize and thank our District’s assistant principals for the extraordinary impact they have across our schools. They do so much for so many, always starting with their students. The AP’s office is often a place where students go to find encouragement—a safe and steady space where they know they will be supported, especially on the toughest days.
APs are valued mentors to our teachers and a trusted source of information for our CPS families. And to our principals, they are true partners, anticipating their needs and helping them shoulder the awesome responsibility of leading a school community.
I am grateful to all of our APs and hope they were made to feel valued and appreciated this week and all year long!
Pre-K Applications Now Open
Getting children into the classroom early provides major benefits for their academic and emotional growth. So I’m excited to share that the application window for our youngest learners (our District’s three- and four-year-olds) is now open!
Free, full-day pre-k is now available in all of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a result, every four-year-old in our city now has access to this programming. In addition, some half-day programs are also available for three-year-old students. This video gives you a peek inside our pre-k classrooms, spaces where learning, play, and joy come together.
All pre-k programs are designed to boost academic skills, fuel intellectual curiosity, foster independence, and instill a lifelong love of learning in our youngest students. Families can explore all of their early childhood options for next school year at chicagoearlylearning.com.
Additionally, CPS schools will be hosting events for prospective families during Pre-K Week from April 12 through 18. These events will highlight the high-quality teaching and joyful learning that take place in our pre-k programs. Please check out this calendar to review these upcoming events.
A Big Win for Student Literacy
Earlier this week, CPS and the Chicago Public Library (CPL) held an event to celebrate “The 81 Club” - a program that ensures students in every school have access to free, high-quality digital resources through the CPL’s 81 branch locations.
This partnership provides all CPS students and teachers with their own 81 Club accounts, giving them widespread access to digital resources that will help support learning at every grade level. Beyond the classroom, students can also use their 81 Club accounts to gain access to out-of-school-time resources, including books, homework support, cultural programming, and safe community spaces.
I thank our partners at the Chicago Public Library for finding new and innovative ways to promote a love of reading among our city’s children. CPS students have achieved impressive literacy gains in the past several school years, and I’m confident this partnership will help us build on that momentum.
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
Check out these highlights from across our district!
Students in the Chicago Builds program recently participated in the ComED CONSTRUCT Youth Academy. The program focuses on building awareness of trade career opportunities by introducing youth to craft positions such as Construction Workers and Overhead Helpers.
While at Mays Elementary, located in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago, the school showed its appreciation for its school crossing guards, Teamwork Englewood parent mentors, and Safe Passage workers with a special celebratory event.
Oglesby Elementary in Gresham hosted its Empowering Future Leaders: Career Day event. The school welcomed professionals from different fields, including the 17th Ward Alderman, to speak with students about their careers and demonstrate how students can reach their goals and help their communities in the future.
At José de Diego Elementary in Wicker Park, students and staff worked together to host the school’s first-ever Autism Awareness Week. Members of the school community participated in activities that promoted inclusion, celebrated diversity, and fostered understanding and support for autistic individuals worldwide.
And students at Career and Technical Education (CTE) high schools across our district recently participated in informational sessions to learn more about the CPS Office of Early College and Career Education (ECCE) and the Office of Capital & Facilities’ Summer Internship Program. Click here to learn more and apply!
Attend Capital Planning Meetings for the 2026-27 School Year
A series of community meetings is being held this month to discuss the District’s capital plan for the 2026-27 school year. The schedule is as follows:
- Tuesday, April 14: 3 to 4 p.m. (English/Spanish, Virtual)
- Thursday, April 16: 5:30 to 7 p.m. (English/Spanish, Virtual)
- Tuesday, April 21: 1 to 2:30 p.m. AND 5:30 to 7 p.m. (English/Spanish, in-person at Colman Administrative Office, 4655 S. Dearborn Street in Chicago)
- Tuesday, April 28: 5:30 to 7 p.m. (Spanish Only, Virtual)
Visit cps.edu/capitalplan for complete details.
Daley College Hosts Women in Manufacturing Day
As part of an ongoing effort to expose female students to traditionally male-dominated careers, CPS and City Colleges of Chicago partnered this week to host Women in Manufacturing Day. As part of this opportunity, girls from the District’s Early College STEM Schools visited Richard J. Daley College to meet with industry professionals and participate in demos in welding, robotics, laser-cutting, 3D printing, and electrical multimeter and circuit creation.
CPS Spring Surveys Now Open
CPS’ spring surveys are open now through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 30.
For parents and guardians, the spring survey covers two important topics:
- School culture and climate
- Capital planning
The staff survey is focused on the District’s capital plan.
Parents can fill out both surveys here, and employees can complete their survey here.
More information is also available at cps.edu/surveys.
Applications Now Open for 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. 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.
The application period is open now through Friday, April 24, 2026 at 5 p.m. Apply at cps.edu/HSBMapplication.
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.
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.
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.
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in District Athletics
The Chicago Public League is excited to once again partner with CBEA and UIC for a Jackie Robinson Day celebration of baseball. As the league celebrates Jackie Robinson Day all throughout the city, Morgan Park and Jones will compete in the marquee matchup of the day at Granderson Stadium (901 W. Roosevelt). First pitch is at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15.
Marshall High School celebrated its Boys Basketball IHSA State Championship, featuring guest speakers, alumni, Dr. King and Mayor Johnson last week! Click below to relive an unforgettable day!
Check out the highlights from the day!
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.
Ticket Offer from the Chicago Stars
The Chicago Stars professional women’s soccer team is excited to extend a special offer to Chicago Public Schools staff and families! Use this dedicated link (code: CPS) to unlock $10 tickets for their upcoming three home matches. Support our local club and women’s sports right on Chicago’s lakefront!
- Saturday, April 25 (5:30 p.m.): Chicago Stars vs. Boston Legacy
- Wednesday, April 29 (7 p.m.): Chicago Stars vs. Gotham FC
- Sunday, May 3 (12 p.m.): Chicago Stars vs. Portland Timbers
Important Dates
For more upcoming events around the District, visit cps.edu/calendar.
- Tuesday, April 14: FY27 Capital Plan community meeting at 3 p.m. in English and Spanish. Register here.
- Thursday, April 16: FY27 Capital Plan community meeting at 5:30 p.m. in English and Spanish. Register here.
- Tuesday, April 21: FY27 Capital Plan community meeting at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in English and Spanish. Register here.