End of Week Message: Reminders About Parent-Teacher Conferences, Election Day, and the CPS Youth Wellness Fair
30 October 2026
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Dear CPS Families, Colleagues, and Champions,
As a reminder, CPS students will not have classes on Monday, November 2, for parent-teacher conferences, or Tuesday, November 3, in observance of Election Day.
I encourage all families to participate in parent-teacher conferences on Monday. These conversations are a valuable opportunity to connect with your child’s teachers, celebrate their progress and accomplishments, and identify areas where additional support can help them continue to learn, grow, and succeed. Click here for some tips on how to have a successful conference.
I also want to urge everyone who is eligible to get out and vote on Election Day on Tuesday, November 3! This is a historic moment for our District, as it is the first time that Chicago residents will choose a fully-elected, 21-member Board of Education.
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
- Download a sample ballot of candidates running for office in your area
You can also check out this Election Day Guide from CPS for more information.
With Halloween on Saturday, many of our students and families are looking forward to the festivities! As they prepare to celebrate, we want to share a few important reminders to help ensure a fun, safe, and respectful experience for everyone, especially while trick-or-treating. We encourage families to:
- Travel in pairs or small groups whenever possible.
- Communicate about their location and where they are going.
- Use reflective tape on their costumes to help cars and people see them better.
- Stick to well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
- Carry a cell phone for emergencies, but remember to stay alert while walking.
- Pay close attention while crossing the street and while walking in parking lots.
- Go to the nearest business or populated area if feeling unsafe and call for help.
The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications has created this webpage with additional Halloween and trick-or-treating safety tips.
We also encourage students and families to choose costumes that reflect the spirit of Halloween while being mindful of cultural sensitivities and respectful of others, helping to ensure an inclusive and enjoyable celebration for all.
Please have fun and celebrate safely this Halloween!
Introducing Inside Out: CPS’ Interactive Youth Wellness Fair
Something I’ve heard over and over again from our students is that they need more guidance, resources, and support when it comes to mental health. From those conversations came Inside Out: CPS’ Interactive Youth Wellness Fair, and I strongly encourage all students in grades 7–12 to attend!
This free event will be held at Westinghouse High School (3223 W. Franklin Blvd.) on Wednesday, November 11 (a non-attendance day for students). The day will feature fun, hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and opportunities for students to discover their strengths, build confidence, and learn helpful ways to cope with daily stressors and challenges.
Check out this invite from Robert, our Honorary Student Board Member!
The deadline to register is Wednesday, November 4! Students can sign up today at cps.edu/insideoutregistration.
CPS Boasts Illinois Top-Ranked Elementary School
Congratulations to Edison Elementary in Albany Park on being ranked the #1 elementary school in Illinois by US News and World Report! This school is being celebrated for exemplary academic achievement, with 97% of K–8 students testing at or above proficient in reading and 93% testing at or above proficient in math.
Four additional CPS schools—Decatur Classical, Hawthorne, Keller, and Skinner North—were also ranked among the top 10 elementary schools in Illinois. Congratulations to all of these school communities on this outstanding accomplishment!
The Power of Accessibility
Earlier this week, I was honored to attend the One Chicago Accessibility Summit hosted by Apple and the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD). Events like this demonstrate what is possible when technology, education, and employment intersect to expand access and opportunity for students and adults with disabilities, and builds on the work CPS is doing to ensure that every student with a disability achieves “rightful presence” at school.
At the heart of this work is our commitment to ensuring that every student is seen, valued, and supported. This means creating learning environments that recognize and respond to each student’s unique strengths and needs, while ensuring all children have access to the resources, opportunities, and supports they need to thrive. I am grateful to our City and community partners for championing this event and helping empower students and adults with disabilities to build confidence, strengthen independence, and access the tools and opportunities they need to pursue their goals and achieve success.
Speak Up for Fair Funding from the State of Illinois
Finally today, I want to remind our CPS community that our elected officials in Springfield will meet next month for their final legislative session of the year. 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. Visit cps.edu/advocacy to explore the many ways you can lend your voice to this critical campaign.
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!
Deadline Approaching for GoCPS Applications
The deadline for GoCPS applications for the 2027-28 school year is fast approaching on 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.
What’s Happening in the Parks
Halloween in the Parks: Come celebrate this spooktacular time of year in the parks! From family-friendly Fall Harvest Fests and pumpkin patches to haunted houses, parties, and more, the parks have something for everyone this season. Find an event near you!
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!
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;
- 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.
- 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 Peak 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.
Two School Communities Celebrate “Space to Grow”
This week, students at both Moos Elementary School in Humboldt Park and Washington High School on the East Side cut the ribbon on new school yards that will deeply enrich the experience of their school communities.
At Moos, the new space includes play mounds, swings, slides, and plenty of room for athletics, along with safer, more accessible play spaces for students of all ages and abilities.
And at Washington High School, the community worked together to create a welcoming schoolyard with dedicated space for sports, along with seating and shaded areas for gathering, eating, and studying outdoors.
Part of our District’s ongoing partnership with Space to Grow, these investments help cultivate a deep sense of pride within CPS communities, and allow for outdoor spaces where friendships are formed, positive memories are made, and students build skills like teamwork, patience, and empathy.
A Look Around the District
This month, schools across the district celebrated their school leaders for National Principal Appreciation Month!
At Steinmetz High School in Belmont Cragin, students and staff thank their principal, Dr. Vilchez, for her outstanding leadership and work elevating programs like JROTC and CTE while increasing access to funding, professional development, and community partnerships.
Kellman Elementary in the North Lawndale neighborhood celebrated Principal Robinson throughout the month with small tokens of appreciation, including a special certificate, sentence stems from students, and thank you notes from staff members.
And Principal Figueroa at Sawyer Elementary in Gage Park was celebrated for consistently supporting his staff and leading by example as they work toward the common goal of making their school a better place for students and families.
Meanwhile, Nicholson Elementary in Englewood got ready for the Halloween season with a Spooky Door challenge that required classrooms to go above and beyond with their creativity to implement STEM principles in their decor.
And students in grades pre-k–3 from Saucedo STEAM Magnet Academy celebrated Latino culture and musical traditions through their Dia de los Muertos assembly. Traditionally celebrated on November 1 of each year, Dia de los Muertos is a Latino holiday that honors and celebrates the memory of loved ones who have passed away.
Highlighting Principal Appreciation Month
Happy Principal Appreciation Month!
Principal Jason Davis pursued education as a career to be the advocate that he never had as a student. He believed that he would be able to take students under his wing, provide them with direction, and ultimately set them on a path toward reaching their full potential. His plans didn’t include transitioning into school leadership at first. In fact, he thought he would never become a principal and would “teach until he was 70.” But he has followed a philosophy of letting the right role find him rather than chasing a specific title.
And Principal Grant Varveris admits that school was never his favorite part of the day growing up. However, he had some impactful educators who encouraged him every step of the way. That focus on mentorship carried on during his career as an educator, eventually leading him to become the principal of Burroughs Elementary School on the Southwest Side, where he’s been since 2021. The culture at Burroughs is what has kept him coming back year after year.
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in District Athletics
The Chicago Public League has a new Girls Volleyball Varsity Champion! Congrats to Lane Technical High School, who took home the title in thrilling fashion, and who will now go on to compete in the IHSA state tournament!
Congrats also to Whitney Young High School on securing both the Girls Swimming and 16 inch Softball Championships, and Saya T. and Aoi K., the doubles team from Walter Payton who took fourth in the IHSA state tournament for Girls Tennis!
CPS SCORE!, the official interscholastic league for students in grades 5-8, will host its Cross Country Championships on October 31 at Hanson Park / Stadium. This event will also feature a Halloween Fun Run!
Stay up-to-date on all scores and schedules 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
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