Dear CPS Families, Colleagues, and Supporters,
I hope you’re enjoying July and getting ready for the start of school in exactly one month!
The new school year starts for all K–12 students on Monday, August 24, with our pre-k students returning one day later on Tuesday, August 25.
Budget Update
CPS’ proposed budget for the 2026–27 school year is available for review at cps.edu/budget. Thank you to everyone who attended our Budget and Capital Plan hearings earlier this week to provide your feedback.
The full budget will be presented to the Chicago Board of Education for approval next week on Thursday, July 30.
After months of work and community engagement, CPS has created a balanced, responsible, and student-centered budget for next school year that prioritizes classroom learning and the student experience while closing a $732 million budget deficit. This budget is also specifically designed to give CPS more time to work with our partners in government to secure additional revenue.
The budget needs to pass by July 30 for CPS to make payroll in September and avoid major disruptions for the upcoming school year.
You can find complete information about the FY27 budget at cps.edu/budget.
To provide families, staff, and community members with more information, we’ve also developed several materials with key information:
CPS will provide another update after next week’s budget vote.
Getting Ready for Next Year
Our educators are busy getting ready to welcome students back for their best year yet! Take this Summer Leadership Development Seminar with City Colleges of Chicago and University of Illinois-Chicago, where our high school administrators spent a day learning from each other and delving into best practices to help students achieve success after high school!
Families can visit our back-to-school website for everything you need, including required forms, information on school meals, school supply lists, and the school calendar for the coming year!
Join Us for the Annual Bud Billiken Parade!
Don’t miss out on a Chicago back-to-school tradition—the Bud Billiken Parade. Join us for this community celebration on Saturday, August 8, 2026, and look out for CPS in the parade. We hope to see you there as we mark the end of summer and the beginning of the new school year. Learn more here.
Celebrate PlayStreets Week with the Chicago Department of Public Health
The Chicago Department of Public Health is celebrating PlayStreets Week through July 26 with free events across the city. Participants can enjoy interactive activities like games, sports, music, dance and arts and crafts, as well as healthy snacks, health information, and access to resources and city services. You can view a full calendar of these events at Chicago.gov/PlayStreets.
What Our Students Have Been Up To
Thank you to My Brother's Keeper and the Obama Leadership Academy for working with CPS to identify college readiness, service learning, and career shadowing opportunities for our students!
One session held this month allowed students from Hyde Park Academy, Dyett School of the Arts, and Chicago Vocational Career Academy - three schools located near the new Obama Presidential Center - to interact with sports professionals from the Chicago Bears, Cubs, Sky, and Stars, plus professional athletes competing in jump rope and boxing.
Meanwhile, students from Morgan Park High School unveiled the school’s new Legacy Garden, which was inspired by school alumnus Trinity Miles, who wanted to honor former MPHS teacher Edward McKnight, who was an avid gardener.
The garden will serve as a tribute to Mr. McKnight’s legacy while providing students and staff with a peaceful, sustainable outdoor space featuring native plants and flowers.
In the world of basketball, the WNBA All-Star Game Host Committee collaborated with CPS, the Mayor’s Office, and several other city agencies and partners this month to welcome more than 100 children to both Foster and Robichaux parks for basketball skills development, mentorship, and pathway-building.
Along with the Children First Fund, our District’s philanthropic foundation, the WNBA has also sponsored the renovation of a wellness room at Brown STEM Academy Magnet School on the Near West Side.
This month’s ribbon-cutting ceremony featured a demonstration of yoga and meditation activities, as well as a basketball clinic led by WNBA players and clinicians.
Also, in partnership with Foot Locker and Project BackBoard, Cather Elementary in East Garfield Park recently revealed a new mural painted on its outdoor basketball court. To celebrate, the school hosted a basketball clinic for students with the Chicago Sky Academy.
Special Discount Offers for Teachers
Save on Back-to-School at Target
Target is making classroom essentials more affordable for teachers! Those educators who are part of the free Target Circle Loyalty Program can access exclusive savings, including 20% off one storewide purchase through September 12. Verify your teacher status in the Target Circle app today!
A Special Ticket Offer from the Chicago Fire
Attend the Chicago Fire’s Teacher Appreciation Match on Sunday August 16 at 5:30 p.m. at Soldier Field! CPS staff receive 30% off tickets purchased through this link, and will receive a special teacher appreciation jersey from the team!
Please enjoy these final weeks of summer! We look forward to seeing everyone back in class, ready to learn, on Monday, August 24 (K–12 students) and Tuesday, August 25 (pre-k students)!
Sincerely,
Dr. Macquline King
Chief Executive Officer
Chicago Public Schools