Chicago Public Schools Preserves May 1 as Full Instructional Day

CHICAGO – Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will maintain Friday, May 1, as a full instructional day, as originally scheduled in the 2025-26 academic calendar. An agreement with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) reflects the District’s consistent position that the school day proceeds as scheduled, while allowing schools to offer lesson plans on civic engagement and action or join local related events. 

 

“This agreement preserves the classroom time students deserve and respects our staff and families who must be able to trust CPS to uphold the academic school year calendar,” said CEO/Superintendent Dr. Macquline King. “At the same time, the agreement honors the proud history of civic action in Chicago and beyond.”

 

A CPS-CTU Memorandum of Understanding outlines the agreement and highlights include: 

 

A Full Instructional Day

CPS has preserved May 1 as a full instructional day for CPS students. This also means that all planned activities, such as field trips, proms, senior nights, and other events can go on as planned. 

 

Expectations for Staff

All staff are expected to report to work as scheduled and work a full day. Any use of benefit days (personal business or zero days) must follow each school’s established notice and approval processes. Central office teams will work to support schools on May 1.  

 

Optional Participation in May 1 Civic Engagement Events

Principals may exercise their existing authority to provide students the opportunity to participate in events and field trips, including civic engagement activities on May 1 during the school day. Schools wishing to participate must follow the existing CPS student travel policy and normal field trip procedures.

 

Participation in May 1 local events is completely voluntary and is at the discretion of school leaders. No student is obligated to participate; they can opt to stay in school.  No staff member is obligated to participate, nor are staff excused from normal duty for the purposes of their own participation. 

 

Student Civic Engagement Absences

If a student’s school chooses not to participate in events on May 1, Illinois law (105 ILCS 5/26-1(8) still allows students in grades 6 to 12 one (1) excused absence per school year to participate in a “civic event.” However, parental permission must be provided to the school in advance.

 

A qualifying “civic event” must be open to the public and sponsored by a nonprofit organization or a government agency. Examples include cultural or artistic performance, educational gatherings or activities that support a nonprofit’s mission.

 

Supporting Learning on May 1

As outlined in the District’s five-year strategic plan, Success 2029: Together We Rise, the District’s goal is to provide all students with high-quality instruction that is rooted in rigorous academic standards and social-emotional learning. School leaders will continue to utilize the appropriate learning resources aligned with these established standards for instruction on May 1. A joint CPS-CTU working group will ensure that for future school years, CPS makes available additional classroom  materials, aligned to the Illinois State Learning Standards and instructional requirements of the Chicago Board of Education.

 

The existing CPS-CTU contract authorizes that CPS and the Chicago Teachers Union can mutually agree on one teacher-directed professional development day in future years, confirmed in the MOU as beginning on May 1, 2028. 

 

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