Dear CPS Colleagues, Families, and Supporters,
A reminder that spring break begins this Monday, March 23 and runs through Friday, March 27! Families looking for options to keep their children safe and engaged can visit cps.edu/springbreak for a list of resources, and can visit this page for additional opportunities.
LSC Elections and Parent-Teacher Conferences
I want to thank everyone who participated in our Parent-Teacher Conferences and Local School Council (LSC) Elections earlier this week! I had the pleasure of casting my own vote at Dett Elementary School, and I appreciate all of the parents, staff, and community members who took the time to vote at their respective schools as well. I look forward to working with all of our newly-elected LSCs to continue moving our school communities forward.
CPS Spring Surveys Now Open
Between Parent-Teacher Conferences and LSC Elections, we’ve seen a lot of great community engagement this week! I want to see us build on that momentum with our District’s spring surveys, which are open now through April 30.
For parents and guardians, the Spring Survey covers two important topics:
- School Culture and Climate: This survey invites you to share feedback regarding your impressions of the culture and climate at your child’s school.
- Capital Planning: This survey invites you to share thoughts on what facility investments would have the most impact on your school community.
You can fill out both surveys here anytime between now and April 30, 2026. More information is also available at cps.edu/surveys.
For staff, the spring survey is focused on the District’s capital plan. It’s your chance to share what kinds of facility investments would have the greatest impact on your school community. You can fill out the survey here anytime between now and April 30, 2026. More information is also available at cps.edu/surveys.
Please Note: A series of community meetings will be held throughout April to discuss the District’s capital plan. These meetings will be held virtually and in person, and will be available in both English and Spanish. Visit cps.edu/capitalplan for complete details.
Enjoy Spring Break!
Again, all CPS students will be on spring break all of next week (March 23 to 27) Families seeking options for their children during this time can find a list of opportunities here, or at cps.edu/springbreak.
I wish everyone a safe, fun, and relaxing spring break, and look forward to seeing everyone back in class on Monday, March 30 ready to finish the school year strong!
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
The school community at Salazar Elementary on the Near North Side recently came together to celebrate Holi, the vibrant festival of colors. The celebration offered students a joyful opportunity to learn about the festival's cultural significance while experiencing the spirit of togetherness it represents, as colorful powders filled the air.
At Stone Elementary, located in the West Rogers Park neighborhood, 3rd-grade students participated in the grade level’s annual social studies Chicago History project, creating a “News Report” at several of the city’s key landmarks.
Meanwhile, senior students at Juarez High School in Pilsen dove deep into their future career paths and shared their knowledge with underclassmen at a poster tabling event. By learning directly from their peers, students were able to get a head start on setting goals and making strategic post-secondary choices.
Similarly, Morton Elementary in East Garfield Park hosted its first-ever Career Fair, themed Passport to Possibilities. 3rd to 8th-grade students explored a variety of professions by visiting career stations and collecting “passport stamps” as they learned about different career paths.
And students and staff at Sabin Elementary in Wicker Park recently celebrated Pi Day with a variety of activities. 5th- to 8th-grade students participated in math challenges focused on the mathematical constant pi (π), culminating in a schoolwide event where students competed to recite digits of π and participate in a pie-eating contest for a chance to pie their own teachers!
Chicago Bulls Spotlight CPS’ Academic Champions
At their game on Thursday evening, the Chicago Bulls hosted students from Kenwood, Englewood STEM, and Chicago Vocational Career Academy (CVCA) as part of their CPS Academic Champions event. In recognition of their success this year in Chess (Englewood STEM), Debate (Kenwood), and Academic Decathlon (CVCA), these students were brought onto the court to enjoy pregame festivities, then watched the game from United Center suites, where they were featured on the big screen during the third quarter.
Introducing Chicago Youth Works
Mayor Brandon Johnson visited Back of the Yards High School this week to announce the official launch of “Chicago Youth Works,” formerly “One Summer Chicago”. This 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.
Attend the My CHI, My Future Teen Bash on March 28!
2026 My CHI. My Future. Teen Bash, one of the biggest FREE events for teens in Chicago, will be held in the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier on Saturday, March 28 from noon to 4 p.m. Teens ages 13–19 are invited to attend!
Doors will open at noon for a resource fair featuring summer job opportunities, with the main event beginning at 1 p.m. The day will include:
- Pizza and snacks
- Several giveaways, including Lollapalooza and Chicago Sky tickets
- Live music and DJing from Pep Rally Takeover
- Exclusive merch drops designed by Clue?
- Video games, skateboarding, and air hockey
The event is completely free, but all teens MUST register to attend!
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.
FREE Tax Help for CPS Families
As we begin tax season, CPS is excited to partner with Ladder Up (Spanish flyer)—a trusted nonprofit providing free, IRS-certified tax preparation services to hardworking families across Chicago. Our trained volunteers are ready to help CPS families maximize refunds, claim eligible credits, and file with confidence, all at no cost. Services are available to households earning up to $40,000 a year. Visit goladderup.org for complete details.
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.
See What’s New in the Parks
Celebrate Spring at the Conservatories
The annual spring flower shows are returning to the Garfield and Lincoln Park Conservatories! Enjoy the sights and scents of both shows now through May 10. Learn more and register.
Register for spring programs in-person and online. Programs run March 30–June 7. Visit ChicagoParkDistrict.com for more information.
Want to work with kids in day camp this summer? Students ages 16+ can apply now to be a recreation leader!
Be a 2026 Summer Lifeguard – Apply TODAY
Get your summer job plans in motion now. Earn $20.50 an hour this summer as a Chicago Park District lifeguard. Apply today, and then register to take the Lifeguard Test. Must be a Chicago resident and at least 16 years old by July 1, 2026. Learn more and apply at chicagoparkdistrict.com/lifeguards/CPS.
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in District Athletics
High School Basketball Finals
Two CPS Boys Basketball teams made history last week at the IHSA state tournament, with Farragut finishing in 4th place in class 2A, and Marshall capturing the 1A State Title in dramatic fashion, bringing home their first basketball championship in more than 20 years! Congratulations to the Admirals and Commandos on this incredible achievement. Check out the recaps and photos here!
Spring sports are just around the corner—make sure to stay up to date on our website.
CPS SCORE!
ICYMI: CPS SCORE! crowned their cheer championship earlier this winter. The photo gallery and championship recaps are now available here!
CPS is proud to partner with Project Love for TWO unforgettable panels and clinics in flag football, soccer, volleyball, baseball, and basketball. These events will feature guest speakers from the professional sports space, including CPS’ very own Manager of Elementary Sports, Jenni Dant (3/28). More information and registration details can be found below.
Boys Clinic | 3/21/26 | 11 a.m. at the Salvation Army Croc Center (1250 W. 119)
Girls Clinic | 3/28/26 | 11 a.m. at the Salvation Army Croc Center (1250 W. 119)
Schools are now signing up for the spring season of CPS SCORE!, featuring Girls Soccer, Track and Field and Boys and Girls Flag Football. Check with your school to find out what programs are being offered this spring and register at cpsathletics.com.
For the latest content surrounding CPS student-athletes, make sure to follow us on social media!
Special Ticket Offers from the Chicago Bulls and Lyric Opera of Chicago
CPS staff are invited to cheer on the Chicago Bulls with an exclusive ticket offer for the below games. Buy tickets for the March games here and the April games here.
- Bulls vs. Rockets: March 23
- Bulls vs. Pacers: April 1
- Bulls vs. Magic: April 10
Lyric Opera of Chicago welcomes Chicago Public School employees to enjoy 20% off performances of Madama Butterfly at Lyric Opera of Chicago with the promo code LYRCPS. Visit lyricopera.org/butterfly to purchase tickets for this Puccini classic that glows with beauty and heartbreak. This is a must-see for opera lovers and newcomers alike!
Important Dates
For more upcoming events around the District, visit cps.edu/calendar.
- Monday, March 23–Friday, March 27: Spring break for all CPS students and teachers.
- Friday, April 3: A professional development day for staff; no classes for students.
- Wednesday, April 8: Board Agenda Review Committee meeting beginning at 10:30 a.m.
- Thursday, April 23: Board of Education meeting beginning at 10:30 a.m.