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CPS Policies & Procedures

Below you’ll find links to important policies, memos, and guidance documents generated by Chicago Public Schools and the CPS Department of Arts Education.

Please note that some links may only be accessible via CPS login.

To view the overall district Policies and Rules, please visit this page.

CPS Policies, Memos, and Guidance Documents Related to Arts Education

List of Active CPS Vendors
A regularly-updated list of all active CPS vendors that schools may purchase from. PLEASE NOTE: This list is subject to change, as vendors are deactivated on a rolling basis due to inactivity. Please ask your school clerk to ensure the most up-to-date vendor data via Oracle.

Acquisition, Ownership, Conservation, and Maintenance of the Chicago Public Schools’ Works of Art
Chicago Public Schools’ policy on CPS works of art. If you have questions about this policy, please email jarodrigue@cps.edu

Work of Art Policy and Arts Installation Safe Schools Training
Guidance on the Works of Art Policy and what is and is not part of the CPS Fine Art Collection. Resources on how to gain approval and install public art on your school campus. This training can also be accessed through the CPS SafeSchools platform under Extra Trainings in the Policy section. 

School Artwork Approval Form
If your school is looking to create or install a mural, mosaic, fence letters, or other public artwork, completing this form will initiate the approvals needed for artwork installed inside, outside, or on a CPS building. The artwork project lead should complete this form.

Minimum High School Graduation Requirements
Sets forth minimum high school graduation requirements to prepare students for postsecondary education and the world of work, including arts education requirements.

Piano Removal Recommendation
Guidance for schools looking to remove an existing piano from their building.

Other Important CPS Policies, Memos and Guidance Documents

Acceptable Use Policies
Establishes the standards for acceptable electronic activity of students, employees, and other authorized users accessing or using the district or school technology, internet and network systems (regardless of physical location) and also the electronic communications between students and CPS staff and other adults who work in schools.

Acceptance of all Grants, Gifts, and Donations
Establishes an acceptance process for all grants, gifts and donations received by any central office, area or school unit.

Attendance and Truancy
Resources, forms, and guidelines provided by the CPS Department of Attendance and Truancy.

Diverse Learners Policies & Procedures Manual
Updated CPS procedures and guidelines for students referred for or currently receiving specialized services, issued by the Office of Diverse Learner Supports and Services (ODLSS) in September 2018. Available in multiple languages.

Facility Standards
This CPS website houses information related to all CPS facilities, including Facility Performance Standards.

Instrument & Device Agreements
Instructions on how to use the new Arts Device Use Agreement and how to create an inventory for your musical instruments and/or arts devices.

List of Active CPS Vendors
View a list of all active CPS vendors that schools may purchase from. This list is regularly updated by the Department of Procurement throughout the year.

Standards of Conduct for Maintaining Professional Boundaries between Staff and Students (updated September 2020)
These standards define appropriate and reasonable boundaries for CPS staff members and students to (1) protect students from sexual misconduct and abuse, and (2) to protect CPS staff members from misunderstandings and false accusations.

Student Media Consent Form and Releases
In order for students to be photographed, filmed or videotaped for non-profit use by CPS, he or she must have a consent form signed by a parent or guardian on file at school. Consent forms are generally handed out during the first week of school. Parents/guardians must return signed forms to their child’s school.

Student Travel Policy
Establishes requirements for student travel and trips to ensure the safety and well-being of students and chaperones and establishes a uniform set of procedures that govern the travel approval process.

Volunteer Policy
Ensures that prospective volunteers are properly vetted and approved annually, ensures that volunteers do not pose undue risk to the health and safety of CPS students, and makes clear that CPS principals are responsible for ensuring that volunteers are properly vetted and approved in advance and that approved volunteers are properly supervised. For more volunteer resources, visit cpsvolunteers.org.

Other Key Policy Documents:

CPS Department of Arts Education

773-553-2170

cpsarts@cps.edu

42 W. Madison St, 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60602