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Dear CPS Families, Colleagues, and Champions,
This week marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of our Latinx communities. Throughout the month, schools across CPS will recognize the traditions, stories, and accomplishments that are an important part of the fabric of our District and our city.
We also recognize National Arts in Education Week and the important role the arts play in a well-rounded education. Across CPS, talented educators, students, community partners, and arts organizations bring visual and performing arts to life in our schools, creating opportunities for students to express themselves, develop their talents, and experience the power of creativity.
Hispanic Heritage Month and Arts in Education Week came together in a special way this week, with the launch of America 250: Our Shared Success - a student-led art exhibition at our Office of Multilingual, Multicultural Education (OMME) Center. I urge everyone to watch this video featuring the artwork our students curated for this multicultural showcase!
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
With nearly half of CPS students (46%) identifying as Latinx, Hispanic Heritage Month has a special significance for our District. I had the privilege of kicking off this month-long celebration at the 55th-Annual Mexican Independence Day Parade in Little Village, and I can tell you that the mood was festive!
This year’s parade, which stepped off from the iconic 26th Street Arch, carried the theme “United We Ride, Stronger Than Ever,” capturing the love, unity, and pride that filled the streets of this vibrant Chicago neighborhood.
Hispanic Heritage Month events are also underway in our schools, including parades, folkloric dance performances, cultural showcases, and reenactments of the historic early morning Grito de Dolores, the call that launched Mexico’s struggle for independence. Students will also spend time this month exploring Hispanic and Latino literature, music, visual arts, history, and traditions as part of classroom learning and schoolwide programming.
Celebrating Arts in Education Week
Through our longstanding partnership with Ingenuity, and with the support of Lyric Opera of Chicago and many other arts partners, CPS is expanding access to rich arts experiences that inspire creativity, nurture student talent, and foster a lifelong connection to the arts at every grade level. That commitment is also visible beyond our classrooms. The space outside the Chicago Board of Education chambers is now home to a permanent showcase of student artwork, providing a prominent and lasting celebration of the creativity and talent of students from across the District.
A recent study from Ingenuity, “The Arts Advantage in Chicago Public Schools”, underscores the critical role that the arts play in supporting both students’ well-being and academic success.
This report shows:
- High schools with higher access to the arts had, on average, an 11-percentage-point lower chronic absenteeism rate.
- Students in schools with higher access to the arts were 20 percentage points more likely to enroll in a 2-year or 4-year college.
- Students in schools with higher access to the arts were 30% more likely to remain in college after their first year of enrollment.
It also highlights that students in schools with greater access to the arts were 70% more likely to score at or above proficiency on the IAR Math exam and 30% more likely to score at or above proficiency on the IAR ELA exam. Our Arts Education Plan 2.0 vision builds on this promise by working to ensure every CPS student, regardless of school or neighborhood, has access to high-quality arts programming and the opportunities it provides.
The District prioritized making arts positions a core part of the resources allocated to every CPS school. The data also highlights the impact of our many arts partners, including Lollapalooza, which has provided CPS with more than $3 million in funding over the past few years to support artist residencies, field trips, and professional development for our arts educators.
Attend the 2026 Parent Resource Conference
I’ll close today by encouraging all families to attend the CPS Parent Resource Conference on Saturday, September 26! This event will be held at Whitney Young High School from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and will include:
- Workshops on everything from student health and wellness, to navigating special education services, to preparing students for success in college and career.
- A panel discussion featuring parent leaders who will share their experience and provide guidance on getting involved with your school community.
- A resource fair where you can find tools and information to help your students succeed.
The event will also include a free light breakfast and lunch. Find more information at cps.edu/face and register here to attend. I look forward to seeing you there!
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!
- Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 through October 15! What is your school community doing to celebrate?
- International Peace Day is September 21. How is your school marking this important occasion?
- 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!
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:
- September 21: Student progress reports distributed for Quarter 1
- September 24: Board of Education meeting
- September 25: Professional development day; no classes for CPS students
- October 7: Board of Education Agenda Review Committee meeting
- October 12: CPS schools and offices are closed in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day
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
Recapping the Chicago Football Classic
CPS students shone at this year’s Chicago Football Classic, with the Lindblom High School choir performing both the National Anthem and Black Anthem before the start of the game between Lincoln University and Mississippi Valley State, both part of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) system.
As part of this event, student musicians from King College Prep, Englewood STEM, and Gwendolyn Brooks challenged each other in the High School Battle of the Bands Competition, and high school students from around the District visited the HBCU College Fair.
Math Students in National Spotlight
Congratulations to the 30 CPS students in grades K - 8 who have been named National Math Stars for 2026! These students have been identified as possessing a 1 in 1,000 talent and aptitude for math abilities at their age. As a result of their selection, each student will receive a decade of academic support, including advanced math learning opportunities, mentorship, STEM enrichment experiences, and financial support.
Google Grant to Support Austin-Area Schools
Spencer Technology Academy played host this week to a grant announcement from Google, in which the company pledged $1 million to the philanthropic organization A Better Chicago. These funds will be used to support out-of-school-time programming and address chronic absenteeism in several Austin-area schools.
Staff Spotlights
Charles E. Hughes Elementary School is extremely proud of Ms. Jones! She has recently been recognized as both a Teach Plus Change Agent and a recipient of the ChiGivesBack award. Her commitment to impactful instruction is strengthened by her focus on community service, student advocacy, and uplifting our world’s future leaders both in and out of the classroom.
And Ms. Dilworth is making a difference at De Diego Community Academy! Fun fact: She’s a De Diego alumna! In addition to supporting students as a special education classroom assistant, she coordinated a fabulous back-to-school event that was a huge success! On top of that, she is also behind her school’s social media accounts, which document the joy of learning and working at De Diego.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Harte Elementary in the East Hyde Park neighborhood celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a special performance for students from Mariachi Herencia de Mexico, a Chicago-based youth ensemble, originally from a CPS mariachi education program.
CPS Scoreboard: This Week in District Athletics
Congrats to the Lane Tech girls volleyball team on competing in a historic first! The team played a game against DePaul Prep outdoors, under the lights in front of thousands of fans. Check out the photos here!
Check out Sharena Atikinson, the boys basketball coach at Little Village Lawndale High School, who was recently featured on “Good Morning America” as part of the program’s ‘Honoring Coaches Making A Difference In Their Communities' segment!
Our District’s first athletic championship of the year is right around the corner, with the boys and girls golf finals taking place on September 25 and 27, respectively. Come out to support our students as they compete at Indian Boundary Golf Course!
Visit CPSAthletics.com and follow us on Instagram @cpsathletics_ for the latest program information, feature stories, season previews, photo galleries, and more!
Chicago Stars vs. Washington Spirit
The Chicago Stars are offering CPS staff and families $5 tickets to see the team take on the Washington Spirit, including star player Trinity Rodman, on Sunday, September 20 at 4 p.m. Get your tickets here!