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,
Today we wrap up National School Lunch Week—a great chance to highlight the 270,000 meals served daily in CPS, as well as showcase our schools serving as the community hubs they are!
To mark this occasion, the CPS Nutrition Support Services (NSS) team launched a “School Food Spectacular” that featured interactive events and cafeteria takeovers throughout the week. Prosser Career Academy in Belmont Cragin, for example, hosted Chicago Chef Danielle Smith, who taught the school’s aspiring culinary professionals her favorite Mostaccioli recipe while talking them through all that goes into executing a large-scale meal service.
I’m particularly proud of the role that student voice plays in our District’s menu designs and daily food offerings. After a school food survey that received more than 13,000 responses, we have rolled out new options that match popular flavor trends requested by our students. These include protein kits, yogurt parfaits, “breakfast for lunch” items, and CPS’ new custom-crafted Sweet Heat Sauce!
I thank our Nutrition Support Services Team for ensuring that, in addition to being flavorful and fun, the meals served to CPS students each day meet and exceed federal nutrition standards, providing our students with the healthy fuel they need to reach their full potential in the classroom.
Families can explore school-specific menus and nutrition information at cps.edu/mealviewer.
A New Twist on Career Day
At CPS, we firmly believe that it is never too early for students to begin exploring the career paths that may one day shape their futures.
Bronzeville’s Dunbar Vocational Career Academy is one of more than 100 CPS high schools that host annual Career Exploration Days for our 6th–8th-grade students. These exciting, hands-on experiences allow students to rotate through Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, which at Dunbar include architecture, auto body repair, broadcasting, cosmetology, culinary arts, and health sciences.
Why start this process in middle school? Because the sooner students begin exploring what interests them, the more informed their future choices will be. We refer to this as “career-connected learning”—part of our District’s goal of matching students’ interests and strengths to the jobs that will shape their futures.
Check out this video of the CTE students from Dunbar showing off their broadcasting skills! And explore all of our District’s CTE options here.
We encourage everyone to keep up with everything that’s happening at CPS by visiting our website and following us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube).
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 Anti-Bullying Awareness Month. What is your school community doing to ensure students show kindness and respect toward each other?
- 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!
Attention Teens! You’re Invited to Fallapalooza!
Chicago teens ages 14 to 19 are invited to participate in the 3rd-annual Falapalooza on Friday, October 16 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Hosted in the Harold Washington Library’s Haunted Winter Garden, this FREE event will feature food, crafts, raffles, laser tag, spooky activities, and a costume contest with prizes! Students can RSVP here!
GoCPS 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:Peoples' Day.
- October 22: Board of Education meeting.
- October 23: End of quarter 1.
- November 2: Parent-teacher conference day; no classes for students.
- November 3: Election Day; no classes for students.
- November 11: Professional development day for staff; 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
STEAMtober Continues with BITTSFest Chicago
As part of our ongoing celebration of STEAMtober, CPS students from around the District had the opportunity this week to participate in BITTSfest Chicago 2026. This was a chance for students to explore the world of aviation, STEM, and innovation through hands-on activities, learning, and fun!
A Look Around the District
This month, our schools wrapped up Hispanic Heritage Month with various celebrations and activities!
At Lane Tech High School in Lake View, the school community took part in four interactive, student-led workshops to create pipe cleaner flowers, monarch butterflies, intricate papel picado decorations, and traditional cantarito ceramic jugs.
Second-grade students at Lloyd Elementary in Belmont Cragin learned about traditional Colombian Cumbia attire and researched their family’s cultural heritage to create their own traditional clothing from recyclable materials. Students later showcased their projects on a call to a second-grade classroom in Colombia.
Barton Elementary, located in Gresham, took part in activities like a school-wide Spirit Week, Loteria, a gallery walk with students’ research on Hispanic countries, and special performances from the Curie High School dance team Latinos Juntos and Sones de México.
Similarly, O’Toole Elementary in West Englewood celebrated with a Spirit Week, themed daily announcements, and a Door Decorating Contest, offering a fantastic opportunity to showcase creativity, learn about rich cultural heritage, and keep the school hallways vibrant and educational!
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in District Athletics
Congrats to Alison T. of Schurz High School on being named the Chicago Bears Girls Flag Football Player of the Week! Alison helped lead the Bulldogs to an impressive playoff win, where she totaled 118 yards and two touchdowns. Alison will be honored at halftime of the Bears game on December 6.
A big shout-out also goes to the boys soccer team at Lane Tech on capturing the city championship for 2026!
Next up in this championship season is a faceoff between the top two football teams in our Red Conference! Morgan Park will take on Kenwood for the title on Saturday, October 17, with kick-off slated for 1 p.m. at Lane Stadium (2601 W. Addison St). Tickets can be purchased via GoFan.
This Saturday will also feature the boys and Girls Cross Country Championships at Washington Park. We hope to see you there!
Stay up to date on all high school playoffs and championships by visiting CPSAthletics.com and following us on Instagram @cpsathletics_.
Special Offers from Lyric Opera Chicago
- Don Giovanni (October 10 - November 1): 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. Use promo code CPS20 to get 20% off tickets.
- 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