Dear CPS Colleagues, Families, and Supporters,
Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed a safe and restful winter break, and that everyone returned to class this week ready to start the second semester strong!
The start of a new year is an important moment. It’s a time to reflect on where we’ve been, and to look ahead to the work of the second semester of the school year.
The summer and first semester brought unprecedented challenges, including a challenging financial outlook and the unsettling arrival of federal law enforcement in our communities. But in true CPS fashion, our District responded with purpose, closing a $734 million budget gap and rallying around each other to address the impact of federal law enforcement on our students’ safety and education.
The full impact of these ongoing developments is not yet clear, but I want to assure our school communities of the following:
- CPS will continue working with our elected representatives at both the state and local level to secure the funding our schools and students need.
- We will continue implementing initiatives that reduce opportunity gaps and prioritize the needs of those children who are furthest from opportunity.
- And we will remain diligent about creating safe, positive learning environments where ALL students are valued and supported, while continuing to provide our immigrant families with the resources they need to navigate these challenging times.
My hope for this second semester is that we will continue coming together to build on our District’s strong momentum, including our youngest learners outperforming national averages in math, our elementary school students outpacing their peers in reading growth, and our high school students achieving a record-high graduation rate, and earning more than $3 billion in scholarships to help them continue their education. As we begin this new semester, I am confident that by continuing to work together with focus, care, and shared commitment, we will keep moving our students, schools, and communities forward. Below is additional information to support these goals.
Stay Protected from Respiratory Illnesses
None of this will be possible, though, if our students are not in school. And in order to be in school, they need to stay healthy!
We know that when the weather turns cold, respiratory illnesses are more common. Chicago is currently experiencing a spike in flu cases, with emergency room visits and hospitalizations for flu at their highest level since 2022. While these serious flu cases are impacting all age groups, the most notable increase has been among children. And we know families are also vulnerable to RSV and COVID-19.
Thankfully — it’s not too late to get vaccinated this winter! All required and recommended vaccines, including the flu shot, are widely available at little to no cost, regardless of health insurance or immigration status. Families can visit cps.edu/vaccines for information on where to find vaccines.
I strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated against the flu and other respiratory viruses this winter, and to make sure your children are up to date on their required vaccinations. For any questions about upcoming vaccine opportunities, families should email schoolhealth@cps.edu, or call the Healthy CPS Hotline at (773) 553-KIDS (5437).
Filing Deadline Approaching for LSC Elections
Our District’s next Local School Council (LSC) elections are coming up this spring, and the deadline to become a candidate is Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.!
This is a great way to get involved in your school communities!
If you’re a parent, run so that you can play an active role in supporting your child’s education.
If you’re a community member, run to uplift the neighborhoods you call home.
If you’re an educator, run so that your school continues to be a great place to work.
And if you’re a student, run to make sure that students’ needs are at the center of every decision your school makes.
Whatever your connection to CPS, we need your voice!
Anyone interested in running for their school’s LSC must complete their candidate forms by Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 3 p.m. Talk to your school leadership for more information, or visit cps.edu/lscelection.
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!
Here are some ideas to consider:
- January is National Mentoring Month. Is there a teacher, school leader, coach, etc. who you feel is serving as an exemplary mentor to the students in your school?
- January is also National Mental Health Awareness Month. Tell us about a school counselor, social worker, SEL specialist, or other member of your school community who is helping ensure that students’ mental health remains a top priority.
- What events, projects, or festivities does your school community have planned for the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 19) and Black History Month (February)?
Share your story with us today so that we can spread the news through this newsletter, on CPS social media, and even in the news!
A Look Around the District
Check out all the fun ways schools across our District wrapped up 2025!
At Edwards Elementary in the Archer Heights neighborhood, students learned about the true meaning of giving back with a special Animal Bath Towel Drive. The school collected more than 100 towels to bring warmth and comfort to our furry friends in need.
Ruggles Elementary in Park Manor hosted a WinterSTEAM Fest to spark creativity, curiosity, and holiday joy through hands-on learning experiences. Students engaged in STEAM-based activities blending science, technology, engineering, art, and math with seasonal fun and exploration.
At Logandale Elementary in the Avondale neighborhood, students and families came together for a special breakfast with Santa, where guests enjoyed food, photo opportunities, and a holiday-season raffle.
Bowen High School, located in the South Chicago neighborhood, hosted a school-wide talent show. Students and staff enjoyed fun performances before being dismissed for winter break.
Similarly, Dewey Elementary in Back of the Yards hosted its first-ever Winter Concert. Ms. Merrell, the school’s new music teacher, organized the event and prepared students for spectacular performances for families and community members!
Attention High School Stakeholders: Join a CPS Policy Focus Group
Two District policies, one on Grade Point Average and one on High School Promotion, are currently under review, and we need the help of our high school stakeholders to ensure both policies remain equitable, flexible, and aligned with student success beyond high school!
To gather as much feedback as possible from our stakeholders, CPS will be holding virtual focus groups around these policies during the week of January 19, 2026. These discussions are being held across multiple days and times to accommodate as many schedules as possible.
- If you are a parent or guardian, please sign up for a focus group here.
- If you are a high school or academic center teacher, please sign up for a focus group here.
Each discussion will last for approximately one hour. Once you sign up for a specific date, you will receive a calendar invitation via email with a link to the Google Meet for that session.
Please contact the CPS Office of Teaching and Learning at teachingandlearning@cps.edu with any questions.
Apply Now to Join the Board of Education’s Special Education Advisory Committee
The Chicago Board of Education’s Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is currently accepting membership applications. The SEAC will appoint 14 members to each serve a 1-year term. Applicants must reside within the City of Chicago, and if selected, must complete the CPS New Volunteer Application and participate in a series of required trainings.
Established in August 2023, the Special Education Advisory Committee serves as a formal advisory body to the Board of Education. The committee provides structured input on policies, programs, and services; elevates issues that require the Board’s attention; and strengthens transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement across special education.
The SEAC is committed to a fair and transparent application process. The application is open to a broad range of CPS stakeholders, including students, parents, public school educators and administrators, social service providers, residents, and community leaders. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that the experiences and needs of students with disabilities and their families are represented in District decision-making.
Applications will be accepted online through Monday, Jan. 12, 2026 at 5 p.m.
You’re Invited to the All-City Visual Arts Senior Portfolio Exhibition
With support from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and the Design Museum of Chicago, the CPS Department of Arts Education is proud to present the 2026 All-City Senior Portfolio Exhibition, which features the creative work of more than 100 student artists. This exhibit is free of charge, and will be open daily from January 7 to January 14, 2026 at the LeRoy Neiman Center (37 S. Wabash Ave). Can’t make it in person? Explore the exhibition online here!
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in District Athletics
We are already in the playoff and championship season for some of our winter sports! Here is the upcoming schedule:
- Boys Bowling: January 10, Waveland Bowl
- Competitive Dance: January 17, Kenwood Academy
- Wrestling: January 16–17 and 24–26 at Curie and Whitney Young high schools
- Girls Bowling: January 31, Waveland Bowl
For the first time in a decade, CPS brought back a boys basketball holiday tournament, featuring unforgettable games and experiences for our student-athletes! Check out the highlights of Merry Madness Day 1 and Merry Madness Day 2!
Winter schedules for CPS SCORE! Have now been released for basketball, wrestling, and cheer! Visit cpsathletics.com to find out who is playing where and when this winter!
CPS is proud to continue our 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 to register.
For the latest content surrounding CPS student-athletes, make sure to follow us across social media!
Enjoy Winter in the Parks
Winter programs have begun. Start out 2026 by trying something new! Find something to get you out and active over winter! There is something for every age group throughout the city, and classes are very affordable. Most programs run January 5 through March 15, 2026. Spots still remain. Learn more here.
All outdoor ice rinks are now open (weather permitting). Pre-registration is required for all ice rink programs, including open skate sessions. Learn more & register for a skating session here.
Apply today 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 today, and then register to take the Lifeguard Test. Upcoming test dates are January 30 and February 27. Must be a Chicago resident and at least 16 years old by July 1, 2026. Join the Chicago Park District team! 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 an exclusive ticket offer for the below games.
- Bulls vs. Mavericks: January 10
- Bulls vs. Jazz: January 14
Important Dates
For more upcoming events around the District, visit cps.edu/calendar.
- Wednesday, January 14: Board Agenda Review Committee meeting. Learn more at cpsboe.org.
- Monday, January 19: CPS offices and schools are closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. No classes for students.