Want to see your school featured in this newsletter, on CPS social media, or in the news? Use our Good News Form to tell us your story!
Dear CPS Families, Colleagues, and Champions,
A reminder that there will be no classes for CPS students on Wednesday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day. We thank all of our veteran staff, parents, guardians, and community members for their service and we encourage everyone to take a moment on Wednesday to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many who have served.
I also want to remind everyone that the deadline to submit GoCPS applications for the 2027–28 school year is Friday, November 13 at 5 p.m.
From neighborhood, selective enrollment, and magnet schools, to IB, STEM, and CTE programs, students and families can explore all of the options CPS has to offer by visiting go.cps.edu. This site also offers helpful guidance and tutorials on navigating the GoCPS process.
Welcoming the Fully-Elected Chicago Board of Education
For the first time in our District’s history, Chicagoans have chosen 21 elected representatives to serve on the Board of Education.
This historic transition comes at a pivotal moment for CPS, as we work to strengthen academic outcomes, advance educational equity, address significant fiscal challenges, and ensure every student has access to the resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive. The leadership, perspective, and partnership of our Board will be essential as we navigate these priorities and build a stronger future for our schools.
Visit the Chicago Board of Elections website to see the results of the election on November 3. We look forward to officially welcoming these Board Members during their swearing in on Friday, January 15, 2027.
Exciting Progress in the Arts
I’m happy to announce that CPS schools have now reached a 100% completion rate for the Creative Schools Survey! This means that all of our schools are now eligible for the Arts Essentials Funds Program, which provides $1,000 in funding to be used for purchasing materials, supplies, and equipment for visual art, music, dance, theatre, and media arts programming or instruction during the school day.
This moves us closer to the ambitious goal established in our Arts Education Plan 2.0: Cultivating Creativity, which calls for all CPS schools to meet or exceed our standards for Arts Access, as defined by the Creative School Certification, by 2030.
And speaking of the arts, I encourage all of our student artists and performers to submit their work for consideration as part of REVERBERATE, Extra/Ordinary, and Art on the Mart — three upcoming public art exhibitions geared towards Chicago’s youth. From music ensembles, to dance and drama, to the visual arts, these are amazing opportunities for CPS students in grades pre-k–12 to showcase their talent and creativity! You can learn more about each of these opportunities here.
Speak Up for Fair Funding from the State of Illinois
Our strength lies in our unity as one CPS community, working together to advocate for the fair and equitable funding our students and schools deserve. So, as our elected officials in Springfield meet this month for their final legislative session of the year, I urge everyone to explore the many ways you can lend your voice to this campaign.
CPS meets with our elected officials on a regular basis, and I have personally traveled to Springfield several times this year to make our case for more funding. But these lawmakers also need to hear directly from Chicago’s students and families about what your needs are. Through calls, emails, your social media presence, and various other avenues, you can help our lawmakers understand their responsibility to act in this critically-important moment for Chicago’s schools.
You can also travel to Springfield to meet with legislators directly. CPS has a limited number of seats available on buses for parents and community partners who wish to make this trip on Tuesday Nov. 17 and Tuesday Dec. 1 to meet with lawmakers. Click this link to sign up and reserve your spot. Please Note: This opportunity is not available to CPS staff and students, as both November 17 and December 1 are instructional days.
I hope you will join our campaign at cps.edu/advocacy.
Sincerely,
Dr. Macquline King
Chief Executive Officer
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!
- Veterans Day is November 11. What is your school doing to honor those who have served?
- Thanksgiving is right around the corner! How is your school celebrating and/or making a difference for others in the community?
- Is there a school program that you’re particularly proud of?
- What about a member of your school community who deserves to be recognized?
Share your story with us today so that we can feature it through this newsletter, on CPS social media, and even in the news!
Stay Protected This Respiratory Illness Season
COVID-19 and flu cases are increasing. The updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines are the best way to help protect yourself, your family, and our school communities.
Key Reminders:
- Stay up to date on recommended and required vaccines.
- Get tested for COVID-19 before and after large gatherings and before returning to school after breaks.
- Wash hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home when sick.
- Consider wearing a mask if you have symptoms or are around medically vulnerable individuals.
Helpful Resources:
- CPS Vaccine Information: cps.edu/vaccines
- Minimum Health Requirements: (ENGLISH | SPANISH)
- Illinois Department of Public Health guidance
- School-Based Health Centers
- Find a Health Center: findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
- Healthy CPS Hotline: 773-553-KIDS (5437)
What’s Happening in the Parks
The Chicago Park District is teaming up with the Chicago Bulls to support Inner City Hoops! Purchase your Bulls tickets today, and a portion of sales will go to support this program!
Night Out in the Parks continues. Find a performance or event near you here!
Keep your children engaged and active after school with the Park Kids Afterschool Program, or explore other fall activities here!
Free Timed Runs in a park near you! Calling all runners, join us for 'Go Run Chicago, a series of free organized Saturday morning runs that are open to everyone. Register to find a park run near you!
RiverLab Paddles and more. Nature enthusiasts, enjoy the great outdoors and fall foliage with Guided Paddle at River, Marquette, or Garfield Parks. Register here for a Guided Paddle event!
Mark Your Calendars!
Be sure to visit cps.edu/calendar for important dates! Here are a few to keep in mind right now:
- November 11: No Classes for CPS Students in Observance of Veterans Day
- November 23–27: Thanksgiving holiday; no classes for students.
Be sure to also check your school’s website for a school-specific calendar of events!
Keeping Schools Safe Amid Federal Activity
Over the past year, we have seen an escalation of federal activity in Chicago, and we want to remind everyone what CPS is doing to keep schools and students safe.
Please visit cps.edu/immigration for the latest information, including:
- Our procedures and protocols to ensure safety at school
- Tips for staying safe at home and in the community
- Resources available to families and staff, including “Know Your Rights” trainings and mental health supports
Attend the 2026 Sneak Peek Construction Summit
Hosted by the CPS offices of Procurement and Capital Management and Construction, the 2026 Sneak Peek Construction Summit will be held virtually on Tuesday, November 10. This event offers prequalified general contractors, prime vendors, and potential subcontractors a first hand opportunity to see the District’s upcoming construction projects.
A Look Around the District
Take a look at what schools across our District have been up to!
In Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, Hammond Elementary hosted its first annual Pumpkin Decorating event, followed by a Trunk or Treat on Halloween.
At Hendricks Elementary in Fuller Park, the school’s clinical team hosted a sensory-friendly Halloween event to create a calm, welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environment in the building.
Students and families at Haugan Elementary in Albany Park participated in a cross-cultural activity, building Ofrendas and educational displays in honor of Día de los Muertos.
And at Leland Elementary in South Austin, students showed their appreciation for Hispanic Heritage and culture with a school-wide assembly featuring singing, dancing, poetry, and a special Mariachi Band performance!
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in District Athletics
Congratulations to Kenwood, King, Lane Tech, Morgan Park, and Simeon high schools on advancing to the next round of the IHSA football playoffs! Their schedule for this weekend is below:
Friday, November 6:
- Lane Tech vs. Huntley | 7 p.m. | Huntley High School
Saturday, November 7:
- Morgan Park vs. Providence | 12 p.m. | CPS Stagg Stadium
- Simeon vs. Nazareth | 1 p.m. | Nazareth Academy
- King vs. Cary Grove | 1 p.m. | CPS Eckersall Stadium
- Kenwood vs. Normal | 4:30 p.m. | Normal Community High School
In other football news, we want to shout out Sarah E. Goode STEM Academy for making history this past weekend! Goode took on Quincy in a hard fought matchup that saw record team and individual statistics. While the Goode Knights ultimately fell 88-84, they were part of the highest-scoring high school football game in Illinois history!
Meanwhile, CPS SCORE!, had an unforgettable day at Hanson Park / Stadium as our 5-8 grade students competed in this year’s Cross Country Championships. The day concluded with the annual Halloween Fun Run, with students in full costume running their mile!
Stay up-to-date on all scores and schedules by visiting CPSAthletics.com, and following us on Instagram @cpsathletics_.
Special Offer from Lyric Opera Chicago
Disney’s Encanto in Concert Live to Film (November 28 & 29): Magic comes to life onstage accompanied by a full live orchestra. Film presented in English with Spanish subtitles. Use promo code CPS25 to get 25% off tickets. Offer valid through November 7, 2026
Special Discount Offer from the Chicago Bulls
Are you ready to SEE RED at the United Center? Click here to purchase discounted tickets for the below games:
- Wednesday, November 11: Bulls vs. Spurs
- Friday, November 13: Bulls vs. Hawks
- Friday, November 20: Bulls vs. Wizards
- Sunday, November 22: Bulls vs. Nuggets
- Monday, November 23: Bulls vs. Cavaliers