Resources For the First Day, and Beyond
This page provides resources to support students and parents in the 2022-23 school year. Read through the information carefully to ensure you and your student are ready for a successful return to school.
Below you will find information about:
- Transportation services and safety
- School supplies by grade level
- School meals, menus, and nutrition
- Steps for accessing your CPS account
Getting to School
Transportation Services
Your student's school is your main source for information about eligibility for transportation services provided by CPS. To find out if your child is eligible, contact your school directly or call the CPS Office of Transportation Services at 773-553-2860.
Safe Passage Routes
The Safe Passage program is offered to select schools to provide a positive, trusted adult presence for students as they travel to and from school. Safe Passage workers are posted on Safe Passage routes to support children traveling to and from school during arrival and dismissal bell times.
Public Transit
To learn more about Ventra passes for CPS students, please contact your school directly. Contact information for your child's school can be found by using the CPS School Info Map.
Packing For School
It’s important for you and your child to be prepared for the first day of school, and checking this list of recommended school supplies is the best way to make sure our students have everything they need.
The school supply list is subject to change per teacher request. Please contact your child’s school to get a complete list of the school supplies needed for the upcoming school year. School contact information is available on the CPS School Locator.
Meals at School
School Menus
CPS provides all students free breakfast and lunch meals. Some schools also serve after-school snacks, after-school suppers, Saturday meals, and summer meals. For questions, please email food@cps.edu.
School Menus
CPS provides all students free breakfast and lunch meals. Some schools also serve after-school snacks, after-school suppers, Saturday meals, and summer meals. For questions, please email food@cps.edu.
MySchoolBucks
As an extra resource for students who purchase additional meal items beyond the reimbursable meal or a la carte items in high school, the Office of Nutrition Support Services is excited to offer MySchoolBucks®. This online payment service provides a quick and easy way to add money to your student's meal account using a credit/debit card or electronic check.
Accessing Your CPS Account
Log In To Your Account
Get your technology ready for school by logging into or setting up your CPS account. This will give you access to all the Google Tools needed for classroom activities. All students are issued a CPS account upon enrollment; however, students who have never logged in to their account will need to claim their account before they can access their email and other CPS applications.
To log into your CPS account, visit cps.edu/portal.
Reset Your Password
If you do not remember your CPS account information, follow the steps in our password reset guide.
You can also go to cps.edu/portal and click "Forgot Password." All you need are the answers to your three challenge questions. Don't know your challenge questions? Call your school.
Claim Your Account
If your child does not have a CPS.edu account, follow these instructions for how to set up an account for the first time, also known as “claiming an account.”
Log In For the First Time
Go to cps.edu/portal and click on "New User." Set up your account. All you need are your legal first name, your Student ID Number for your claim code and your birthday (YYYYMMDD).
Don't know your Student ID Number? Check your last progress report, report card or your Student ID Card.
Get Account Support
For CPS student account support before the first day of school, please contact your school.
After the first day of school, ask your teacher for help with logging in to your CPS account.