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Dear CPS Families, Colleagues, and Champions,
I am thrilled to wish all of our outstanding school leaders a Happy National Principals Month!
As a former CPS principal, I understand both the challenges and the rewards of this role. These leaders set the tone for a joyful, productive school year, and are responsible for shaping learning environments where all students feel a deep sense of belonging at school. At the same time, they must empower their staffs to provide the best instruction possible, and must serve as a resource for families who are striving to become involved in their children's education.
I applaud our principals for the dedication they show and the countless hats they wear each day. And I encourage everyone, from our students and families to our educators and support staff, to take time this month to let these leaders know just how much we appreciate them!
I also want to shout out our more than 2,500 custodians on Custodian Appreciation Day!
These dedicated employees are charged with the physical care of our schools, which of course means ensuring all buildings are safe, warm, and dry. But the impact of our custodians goes much further, because the care they take in the condition of our facilities means that students can feel proud about where they go to school.
Our custodians are often working behind the scenes, but their impact on our District remains front and center!
An Exciting Update for Our Nutrition Staff
Each day, our lunchroom employees help make CPS schools welcoming and supportive places for students. They arrive early, prepare and serve nutritious meals, keep our kitchens running, and make sure our students have the fuel they need to learn. For these reasons, I am excited to share that CPS has reached a tentative agreement with UNITE HERE Local 1, the labor union representing our lunchroom employees.
Under this new agreement, every category of employee will receive significant pay increases over the course of the four-year contract, with no lunchroom staff earning less than $21 per hour. Additional wage increases will go to those staff members who have dedicated many years of service to our District.
I thank our lunchroom employees for their dedication, and am glad an agreement has been reached that honors their commitment to our students and school communities.
An Engaging Week for CPS Families
Thank you to all of the parents and guardians who joined our first CEO Community Conversation virtual webinar this past Tuesday to discuss issues that are top of mind for CPS right now. These included District enrollment, the November 3 election, and CPS’ ongoing celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
These webinars will take place every other Tuesday at 6 p.m. Families can watch this week’s webinar on our website here, and can use this link to sign up for the next one on Tuesday, October 13.
Thanks also to those families who attended our CPS Parent Conference last Saturday at Whitney Young High School! This event featured workshops on everything from early childhood education, to navigating special education services, to college and career success! Parents who attended came away from this event with valuable information and a deeper understanding of how to get more involved in their schools.
When it comes to educating Chicago’s children, parents are CPS’ most important partners. So I urge all families to continue engaging with us on our website, on social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube), and by signing up for our next virtual webinar on Tuesday, October 13 at 6 p.m.!
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!
- October is National Principals Month! Let us know why your school leader deserves a shout-out!
- October is also Bullying Prevention Month. What programs does your school have in place to help students learn to value and respect each other?
- Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 through October 15! What is your school community doing to celebrate?
- 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!
STEAMtober in CPS!
CPS students of all ages are encouraged to attend the University of Chicago’s 5th-Annual South Side Science Festival on Saturday, October 3! This FREE event will include 100+ hands-on science demonstrations and brain-bending challenges led by UChicago scientists, along with two spectacular science shows! Read more about this opportunity and RSVP at southsidescience.event.uchicago.edu.
This is part of our District’s promotion of STEAMtober: a two-week period of STEAM-anchored experiences designed to give students meaningful opportunities to explore, experiment, create, and discover new possibilities for their futures.
GGoCPS Applications Now Open!
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. GoCPS applications for the 2027–28 school year are open now and will be accepted through Friday, November 13 at 5 p.m.
Election Day Resources
Election Day in Chicago is Tuesday, November 3. There will be no classes for CPS students on this day.
This is the first election where registered voters will be able to vote for a fully-elected, 21-member Chicago Board of Education. By law, Chicago Public Schools will remain neutral in all elections for candidates and referendums. In addition, the use of school resources and school property for campaign activity is strictly prohibited.
Visit the Chicago Board of Elections website to:
- Register to vote
- Find your polling place or a drop box for your ballot
- Change your name or voting address
- Request a mail or absentee ballot
- Download a sample ballot of candidates running for office in your area
- And more!
You can also check out this Election Day Guide from CPS for more information!
Mark Your Calendars!
Now that the school year is underway, be sure to visit cps.edu/calendar for important dates! Here are a few to keep in mind right now:
- October 7: Board of Education Agenda Review Committee meeting and CPS High School Admissions Test (HSAT) day for eighth graders.
- October 12: CPS schools and offices are closed in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day.
- October 22: Board of Education meeting.
- October 23: End of quarter 1.
Be sure to also check your school’s website for a school-specific calendar of events!
Important Health News
A reminder that all required vaccinations and physical exams for CPS students are due by October 15. Visit cps.edu/vaccines for a list of these requirements.
Throughout the fall, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) will be providing student vaccines required by CPS at no cost to families. These include the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) and varicella (chickenpox), as well as seasonal vaccines for the flu and COVID-19. Please visit the CDPH website for complete details on immunization clinics and upcoming vaccine 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
What’s Happening in the Parks
Summer may be over, but Night Out in the Parks continues! Find a performance or event near you!
The kids are back in school. What’s next? Keep your children engaged and active after school with the ParkKids Afterschool Program, or explore other fall activities offered in the parks!
The Chicago Park District proudly celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month in the Parks.
Visit our website to find a cultural celebration near you!
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 running event near you!
RiverLab Paddles and more
Nature enthusiasts can enjoy the great outdoors with Guided Paddles at River, Marquette, or Garfield Parks. Register for a Guided Paddle event today!
Help Shape the Future of Grant Park! Vote NOW through September 30!
The Park District is implementing Participatory Budgeting (PB), a democratic process that allows community members to decide how to allocate a portion of public funds. It’s a way for community members, park users, and neighbors to have a direct say in how money is invested in their parks. Learn more here.
Share Your Ideas on New Park Rules for E-bikes, E-scooters, and More
Join an in-person or virtual town hall to learn about a new state law impacting micromobility and share your ideas for new rules for micromobility vehicles on Chicago Park District bicycle paths and trails. “Micromobility” refers to small vehicles intended for personal use that allow people to commute short distances (e-bikes, e-scooters, etc.). Learn more here!
Staff Spotlight
It’s an exciting year for Ms. Deanna Tomasetti from Schurz High School! She recently received a Fulbright Teacher Exchange award. Early next summer, she will travel abroad as part of a fellowship that will expand her perspective as an educator.
This opportunity is building on some of the work she has already been leading at Schurz! About two years ago, she was an instrumental part of piloting a colloquium program that allows students to learn topics beyond their typical curriculum. This allowed them to build relationships with teachers in new ways. It highlights how you build school culture by trying new experiences!
A Look Around the District
Check out these highlights from schools across our District!
Spry Elementary in Little Village celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a special ceremony honoring Mexican Independence Day, where the school’s security guard, Mr. Rivera, delivered a powerful speech on unity, resilience, and cultural pride.
And at Gregory Elementary in Chicago’s Homan Square neighborhood, students and staff took part in a school-wide game of Loteria to celebrate Hispanic culture.
Meanwhile, Lindblom High School in West Englewood hosted the Illinois Tech Challenge Kickoff, inviting about 15 schools across the state to attend and learn about this year’s robotics challenge!
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in District Athletics
After a thrilling two days of competition, CPS crowned our first athletic champions of the school year in Boys’ and Girls’ Golf! Congratulations to Amundsen High School on securing their first-ever Boys Golf City Championship, and congratulations to Whitney Young on securing their seventh-straight city championship for Girls Golf! Best of luck to all the golf teams and individual golfers who will be representing CPS in the IHSA State Tournament!
Next up is the Girls’ City Tennis Championship this weekend! Best of luck to all of our CPS competitors!
Visit CPSAthletics.com and follow us on Instagram @cpsathletics_ for the latest program information, feature stories, season previews, photo galleries, and more!
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:
- Friday, October 9: Bulls vs. Grizzlies
- Friday, October 16: Bulls vs. Timberwolves
- Saturday, October 24: Bulls vs. Wizards
Special Offer from Lyric Opera Chicago
Use promo code LYRIC20 for 20% off tickets to Don Giovanni. October 10 - November 1, 2026 at Lyric Opera Chicago.
Led by Music Director Enrique Mazzola and starring acclaimed bass-baritone Christian Van Horn, Don Giovanni brings together sharp humor, high drama, and Mozart’s unforgettable score in the story of one of opera’s most infamous anti-heroes—and his spectacular downfall.
Sung in Italian with projected English titles. Click here to purchase tickets!