Spring Break 2023 Resources

Recreational Opportunities

We are proud to partner with organizations across Chicago to promote opportunities for students over spring break. Please visit the resources below to find programs.

• Spring Break Camps through the Chicago Park District: Kids can enjoy their school break with other kids their age, in a fun and supervised environment, at an affordable cost.  In "spring break" camp, kids will participate in recreational activities, arts and crafts, and sports along with other fun activities. Some specialty camps are also available.
• Chicago Public Library: CPL offers exciting programming all across the city for kids and teens all year round, including over spring break. Explore events for kids and events for teens.
• My CHI. My Future.: The city is offering a variety of opportunities for youth during spring break through My CHI. My Future. Students can join a day of service with the Chicago Park District, attend a Chicago Public Library arts event, or build on their coding skills with Code Your Dreams. Young Chicagoans can also apply for summer jobs through One Summer Chicago and the Chicago Park District.
• Spring Break at Navy Pier: Navy Pier will offer artisan markets and free workshops starting Saturday, April 1 to Saturday, April 8 starting at noon. Activities include one-of-a-kind arts and crafts, interactive technology lessons, photography classes, music, and dance. Visit the Navy Pier website or download this schedule for information. Additionally, starting March 27 through April 9, the Chicago Children’s Museum located at Navy Pier is open every day 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a Free Family Day on March 30. The Water City experience is now open. Children of all ages and abilities can determine their own experiments, narratives, sensory experiences, and explorations of the physical properties of water. Learn more about Water City at the Navy Pier website.
• Spring Forward Teen Bash on Saturday, April 8: My Chi. My Future. and the Chicago Park District are hosting a spring break party for Chicago residents ages 13-24. This event will take place from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 8, at the Aon Ballroom in Navy Pier and will include musical guests, food, raffles, and information about summer job opportunities. Advance registration is required to take part in this bash. Register for the event and view the flyer for more details.
• Lifeguard Certification: Students 16 and older can apply to work as lifeguards this summer with the Chicago Park District. To do so, they must have their American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding Certification. These certification classes are being offered for free during spring break. Register for a class and learn more about the lifeguard position.

Safe Haven Program

For over 10 years, the Safe Haven Program has kept CPS kids safe, healthy, and active during spring and summer breaks as well as after school. The program incorporates social-emotional learning, academic assistance, and fun. Additionally, students get healthy meals and snacks at no cost to their families. Sites are open from Monday, April 3 to Friday, April 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, view a list of Safe Haven sites open over Spring Break.

COVID-19 Testing

CPS will not perform in-school COVID-19 testing while schools are closed for Spring Break. In-school testing will resume on Monday, April 10.

• Rapid Tests Available at CPS Schools: Rapid at-home COVID-19 tests are available at every CPS school for any student or staff member who wants them. Please take advantage of these free COVID-19 tests and take them home to use over Spring Break. We recommend contacting your school administration to request tests from your school. For parents, we recommend picking them up during report card pick-up.
• Rapid Tests Available at Chicago Public Libraries: We are also happy to announce that CPS is partnering with Chicago Public Libraries during spring break to distribute rapid at-home COVID-19 tests to all CPS families and staff. Tests will be available at all Chicago Public Libraries beginning Friday, March, 31–Sunday, April 9. 
• Rapid Tests Available Via Mail: You can also request free COVID-19 tests to be delivered to you by mail by visiting covid.gov/tests, and you can sign up for weekly COVID-19 testing in your school by visiting color.com/readycheckgo-cps.
• Additional Testing Opportunities: Visit our COVID-19 Testing page for more testing opportunities.

Report a Positive Test: If you receive a positive test, please report the positive test with our COVID-19 Self-Reporting Form and please follow the guidance on our COVID-19 Safety Guidance page.

COVID-19 Vaccinations

Getting vaccinated is the absolute best way to protect yourself and your community from COVID-19. Vaccines are safe, free, and widely available across Chicago for everyone ages 6 months and up. For those who have already had their initial vaccine series, an updated booster shot which offers increased protection is now available for everyone ages 6 months and older. Please visit cps.edu/vaccinations to get more information and make an appointment. 

Please note that our mobile COVID-19 vaccination events will not run during Spring Break, and our vaccination clinics at Richards High School, Chicago Vocational Career Academy, and Roosevelt High School will also be closed. Our vaccination clinic at Clark High School will be open on Thursday, April 6 and at Saucedo Elementary School will be open on Saturday, April 15. You can make an appointment on our vaccination booking site. All of our school-based health centers are run independently, so please make sure to call ahead to check if they're open before visiting.

For more vaccine opportunities, visit vaccines.gov.

Masks

Masks increase your protection against COVID-19. We continue to encourage mask-wearing both in and outside of school to reduce your risk of getting COVID-19 — and we especially encourage you to wear a mask in school in the days after returning from Spring Break.

Most importantly — please stay home if you are sick and get tested — even if your symptoms are mild or you don’t think you have COVID-19.