CPS releases RFP for current Dyett High School Site

On December 19, CPS issued a request for proposals for a new, open enrollment, neighborhood high school at the current site of Dyett High School to be operated by the District or as a contract school, but not a charter operator, in School Year 2016-17.

Any interested parties will be able to submit proposals, and CPS will evaluate all proposals that meet the established criteria. This RFP is open to those submitting a concept for a District-operated school and new or existing partners who wish to open and manage a high-quality contract school in the facility. To be considered in this selection process, respondents are encouraged to file a notification of intent by January 28, 2015 and all materials must be submitted by the proposals' deadline of April 6, 2015.

The announcement and additional information can be found here.


On December 18, Catalyst reported that supporters of the Coalition to Revitalize Dyett advocated for the plan which they developed. If this plan were adopted, the school could open in Fall, 2015. For the Catalyst article, click here.

State of Schools address by Janice Jackson, Chief of Network 9

At the December 19 CAC meeting, Network 9 Chief, Janice Jackson, gave a presentation on the state of Hyde Park-Kenwood schools. That presentation can be found here.

Aldemanic Forum on Saturday, January 10

The Coalition for Equitable Community Development (CECD) is sponsoring a forum of all candidates on the ballot for Alderman of the 4th and 5th Wards on January 10th, from 10 a.m.-noon, at Augustana Lutheran Church (55th & Woodlawn Avenue). 

Come and hear from your choices in the February election. 

Donors Choose project supports Bret Harte 8th graders' trip to Washington, DC

The Donors Choose project to raise money to support Bret Harte 8th graders' trip to Washington, DC this spring was successful! Thank you to everyone who supported them!

Urban Students Strive to Make White House Tour a Reality

CPS Admissions Process Meeting at Blackstone Library, December 10

Let's Talk CPS Ins & Outs of the Admissions Process "FINAL HUDDLE"

Wednesday, December 10th, 6 to 8pm

Blackstone Library, 4904 South Lake Park Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60615

"The Hyde Park Area Parents Leadership team is presenting a 2nd informational panel series. It is getting parents together to talk about the CPS Options for Knowledge application process before the final deadline on Friday, December 12, 2014.

If you haven't already go to: https://apply.cps.edu.

This is more of an informal talk that we all can share our experiences in enrolling our child in the Chicago Public School system. Please bring and share notes."

OR 

"By this point- you've got your PIN, you've done a number of school tours, and you're narrowing down the list of schools to apply. Want some last minute input from other parents?

The CPS applications are due on Dec. 12th, so this falls right before the deadline. Come out and talk with parents who have been in the trenches and weathered the storm of the CPS application process. We will discuss our own experiences with the process, talk differences in school types and share perspectives of the schools. 

Also, a representative from CPS will be in attendance to go over the application process and answer questions. This event is sponsored by Hyde Park Area Parents Group."

Citywide Education Assembly: December 10

Citywide Education Assembly (CEA)

Conveners’ Kick-off Mtg Agenda, Dec 10, 2014, 6pm – 8pm

Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, NEIU, 700 E. Oakwood

 

6:15: Background Context: How Did We Get to Where We’re at Today?

• Brief background on the recent “meet and greet” session
• Brief acknowledgement of numerous educational struggles over the years – and the challenges we face both externally and within the public education movement 

• tity takes about one minute for their intro, major issue(s), reason for coming

6:25: Present the Purpose and Vision of a Citywide Education Assembly (CEA)

• Review draft proposal
• Agree upon 6 major “action areas” – see notes from earlier  
• Discussion

6:50: Review the Platform by LSCs United for Power as a Starting Point for the CEA’s Guiding Principles

• What works?
• What might we change?
• What process will we establish to change these?

7:25: Introductions: Include Major Issue(s) Working Towards or of Most Concern:

• Set up emerging visual taking notes on major themes / issues (begin to categorize)
• Consider 3 major issues currently being worked on as CEAs starting point: Which ones?

7:45: Next Steps

• Each entity expresses interest, possible interest, or rejection to be a “convener” of CEAs
• Set up sub-committee for drafting assembly processes
• Set up sub-committee for organizing CEA Launch event
• Set next Conveners Team mtg and make invitation list
• Other?   

Support Bret Harte students by bringing your presents to be wrapped

MAC Properties is partnering with Bret Harte to organize a bake sale/gift wrapping fundraiser on Sunday, December 14 and Saturday, December 20 to help the 8th graders raise money for their trip to Washington DC in the spring. See the details below and the attached flyer. 

UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS FOR OUR 8^TH GRADERS’ 

WASHINGTON, DC TRIP

WHAT	WHEN	WHERE	INFO
World’s Finest Chocolate Bar Sales	Dec 15- Jan 7	From an 8th grader	Chocolate bars are $1!  Find an 8th grader to buy from!
Bake Sale/Gift Wrapping	Sunday, Dec 14 9a-11a	Windermere Apartments 1642 E. 56th Street	Buy a sweet and/or get your gifts wrapped! $5/package, paper/bow included
Bake Sale/Gift Wrapping	Saturday, Dec 20 10a-noon	Del Prado Apartments 5307 S. Hyde Park Blvd.	Buy a sweet and/or get your gifts wrapped! $5/package, paper/bow included

Click here for the flyer

Metra Safety-Around-Train-Tracks Poster Contest

Metra has announced its Ninth Annual Metra Safety Poster Contest. This year's theme is "Unplug for Safety: Look, Listen and Live."

The Safety Contest is a key part of Metra's ongoing effort to increase public awareness, especially amongst our region’s school children, of lifesaving railroad safety practices.

Judges will select one first, second and third place safety poster contest winner from each grade, K-12. Winners will receive the following prizes:
First Place: iPad
Second Place: $250 Gift Card
Third Place: $100 Gift Card
The deadline is Friday, January 30, 2015. For more information see:
http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/utility_landing/riding_metra/rail_safety_security/MetraContest.html

US Dept of Education training program on how to fully utilize federal funds for education

On Thursday, December 11, 2014, the U.S. Department of Education will provide an exclusive training program on how to take full advantage of federally funded educational programs. This training benefits all American citizens, from youth to senior citizens seeking to enhance their education. The presentation will take place at the Chicago Urban League 4510 S. Michigan Ave., and will start promptly at 10am and end at 12pm.  

The training and presentation will generally cover the most efficient ways to obtain financing for education and career training through the U.S. Dept. of Education. The U.S. Dept. of Education funds and facilitates 9 programs: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, Federal Work-Study, Federal Perkins Loan, Direct Subsidized Loan, Direct Unsubsidized Loan, and the Direct PLUS Loan.

Pre-registration is required. Register by Tuesday, December 9th by contacting Romell Breckenridge via email rbreckenridgebey@thechicagourbanleague.org or phone: 773-624-8828.

Growing Pains: A discussion on public schools and neighborhood revitalization programs -- December 9

Growing Pains considers the complexities of change and explores the contention that exists just below the surface, sometimes erupting publicly, when neighborhood revitalization projects take shape in historically under-resourced areas. A discussion focused on public schools will be held at 6pm on December 9 at the Arts Incubator (301 E. Garfield Boulevard, which is Garfield and Prairie Avenue). For more information, click here. 

Action-Based Communities Project for CPS Middle School Teachers

On January 22, Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago (CRFC) will offer a free ABC Project: Action-Based Communities training to middle school teachers at Chicago Public Schools. ABC Project engages 5th-8th grade students in “civic learning through doing.” The program will help teachers guide students through the process of  identifying and addressing a problem in their community; creating a web-based presentation of their work; and sharing their recommendations with local experts and policymakers at a hearing in the spring. Held in downtown Chicago at the GE business offices, the training will be led by Chicago Public School teachers who have participated in the program in the past.  Attending teachers will receive all of the materials necessary to lead the program with students as well as many useful strategies and ideas for successfully implementing the program in the classroom. Teachers who attend the training also have the opportunity to receive: A free set of ABC Project classroom materials Reimbursement of registration fee Reimbursement for sub coverage Support for implementing the program in the classroom An opportunity for students to present a completed project at a hearing in Spring 2015 CRFC is a CPS Strategic Source Vendor (#22296) certified to provide professional development for instructional support aligned to REACH.  ABC Project is aligned to the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies for grades 6-8, English Language Arts for grades 5-8, and the Anchor Standards for College and Career Readiness. If you are interested in this opportunity, please sign up now as space is extremely limited! The deadline to register is Thursday, December 18. Please note that a $50 deposit is required to reserve a spot in the workshop, but will be fully reimbursed upon completion of the workshop. Learn More or Register

Copyright © 2014 Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago, All rights reserved.  Our mailing address is:  Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago 205 West Randolph Suite 1245 Chicago, IL 60606

Follow up information regarding the PARCC exam and opting out

At our November 19 meeting, Deb Hass, representing Raise Your Hand, gave an informative presentation on the different problems that have been identified regarding the PARCC exam and its proposed implementation this spring.

For more information from Raise Your Hand about ways in which you, like CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, can encourage the Illinois State Board of Education to "Park the PARCC", click here. You can join over 4000 people who have signed a petition to get a PARCC waiver this year here: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/isbe-acquire-a-waiver-1

Please share your feelings with your elected representatives. This legislative fact sheet may be helpful in talking with them. The Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference has put together a website with the emails and telephone numbers for city, state, and national representatives for those living in Hyde Park/Kenwood: http://www.hydepark.org/elected/  (you have to scroll down to get to them)

For information about opting out of standardized tests, see More Than a Score, and in particular, this website, which includes a universal opt-out letter as well as sample opt-out letters.

Roundtable on SB 16 on Education Funding: December 9

Tuesday, December 9, 2014, 6:30 pm


Education Funding Roundtable with Ralph Matire
Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church,
600 E. 35th Street

Click here for the flyer with more information.

High school students needed to test games at University of Chicago

Game Changer Chicago Playtest Sessions (December 4, 6, 11)

Game Changer Chicago (GCC) Design Lab within Ci3 (the Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health) is looking for high school students (grades 9-12) to provide feedback on its board, card, and digital games. These sessions take place Thursdays weekly from 5:00pm - 7:00pm and Saturdays biweekly from 12:30pm - 2:00pm on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park. For more information and to participate, click here. 

Inspiring high school students to become global citizens

Global Glimpse


Global Glimpse is a not for profit organization working with partner public high schools to inspire America's next generation to become responsible global citizens through after school programming and 3-week transformative summer travel in the developing world. They provide need based scholarships to 100% of accepted students and are the only organization making this kind of educational travel program accessible to low income youth on a large scale. For more information, click here. 

Collegiate Scholars Program open to current CPS high school freshmen

Collegiate Scholars Program Application for Class of 2018 (February 15)


The Collegiate Scholars Program (CSP) is a three-year enrichment program for public high school students in Chicago, offering the opportunity for students to take interesting and challenging courses taught by University of Chicago faculty and gain skills and experience to help gain admission to our nation’s most selective colleges and universities. The application for the high school graduating class of 2018 (current high school freshmen) is now open and will close February 15, 2015. For more information and to apply, click here. 

Summer Journalism Program at Princeton for High School Students

There is an an all-expenses-paid program for high school student journalists from low-income backgrounds that will take place for 10 days next summer on the campus of Princeton University. The program is entering its 14th year; since 2002, approximately 260 students from high schools across the country have participated. The program’s goal is to diversify college and professional newsrooms by encouraging outstanding students from low-income backgrounds to pursue careers in journalism.

Classes at the program are taught by reporters and editors from The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, The Daily Beast, Time, National Journal, New York Magazine, The New Republic, ESPN the Magazine, CNN and NPR, among other media outlets. Students meet with numerous Princeton professors, as well as Princeton’s president and dean of admissions. They report an investigative story, cover a professional sports event, produce a TV segment, and publish their own newspaper. And they receive guidance on the college admissions process not only during the 10 days of the program, but also during the fall of their senior year of high school.

Students selected for the program will have all their costs, including the cost of travel to and from Princeton, paid for by the program.


The application process will take place in two rounds. The first round of the application should be filled out online here:

https://fs4.formsite.com/pusjp/form1/secure_index.html

We must receive this part of the application by 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, February 20, 2015.

Those students selected to advance to the second round of the application process will be notified in March. They will be asked to provide printed copies of the following items via U.S. mail: an official transcript; the first page of the 2013 (or 2014, if available) income-tax return form (the 1040 or 1040EZ form) of their custodial parent(s)/guardian(s), or a signed statement by their parent(s)/guardian(s) saying that their income is below the level at which they would be required to file income tax returns; a recommendation letter from a teacher; and clips from their high school newspaper or other publication (optional).


To be eligible for the program, students must meet the following qualifications:


- They must currently be juniors in high school.


- They must live in the continental United States.


- They must have at least an unweighted 3.5 grade point average (out of 4.0).


- They must have an interest in journalism.


- The combined income of their custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) plus 
child support payments, if any, must not exceed $45,000.


Note: This program is for students from low-income backgrounds. If the combined income of the custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) plus child support payments, if any, exceeds $45,000 and a student still wishes to apply, he or she may attach a letter explaining why his or her family qualifies as financially under-resourced.

Additional information about the program is available at www.princeton.edu/sjp.

Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Local School Councils

The Office of Local School Council Relations and Family and Community Engagement invite you to the 25th Anniversary of Local School Councils on Monday, December 8, at Lane Tech College Prep from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Refreshments will be served.

For more information and to RSVP visit: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/25th-anniversary-of-local-school-councils-tickets-13767544095?aff=eac2

Scholarships to City Colleges of Chicago

The Chicago STAR Scholarship at City Colleges of Chicago provides assistance in the form of tuition, fee, and book waivers to qualifying Chicago Public High School graduates. With the help of this scholarship, thousands of Chicago students have the chance to earn an associate degree with no out of pocket costs.

This opportunity is available to Chicago Public High School graduates that meet three academic requirements:
1. Graduates from a CPS high school with a 3.0 or higher GPA;
2. Places into college-level Math and English via the ACT or COMPASS;
3. Enrolls in one of CCC's pathways.

This includes undocumented students and students at CPS charter schools.

For more information, go to: http://www.ccc.edu/departments/Pages/chicago-star-scholarship.aspx

All-CAC Holiday Party: December 10

Everyone is invited to the All-CAC Holiday Party hosted by the office of Family and Community Engagement. There will be plenty of food, beverages, music, give-aways, and holiday cheer!

Wednesday, December 10
4:00pm -- 8:00pm
IIT's Technology Business Center Atrium
3440 S. Dearborn Walkway

Free parking available (entrance at 34th and State). Detailed instructions provided upon RSVP.

Please RSVP by December 5 to rsvp_face@cps.edu or 773-553-5757

December, January, and February meetings to be held at Kenwood

Kenwood Academy High School (5015 S. Blackstone) will be the location for the HPKCAC's December, January, and February meetings.

The dates are:
Wednesday, December 17
Wednesday, January 28
Wednesday, February 25

The March meeting will be held at William H. Ray Elementary (5631 S. Kimbark) on Wednesday, March 25 at 6:00pm. A tour will be offered at 5:30.

Hope to see you there!

Warren Simmons to speak on Equity and Urban School Improvement: December 3

Generation All Speaker Series Invitation presents Warren Simmons, who will speak on the topic of Equity and Urban School Improvement.

The event will take place at Kenwood Academy High School Auditorium on Wednesday, December 3, from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.

Come hear about education reform efforts nationally and locally. Learn about the history of urban school reform, discuss the importance of community involvement in the process, and share your perspective on how we can move forward as Chicagoans in shaping the future of our public education system. 

Co-hosted by The Chicago Community Trust and Kenwood Academy High School.

Click here to register to attend.

University of Chicago CCSR Study of CPS Middle School Students

The University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research (CCSR) has recently published a study of middle school students and predictors of their success in high school. Since the HPKCAC has made supporting our middle school students a priority, this study may help to inform our discussion. Click here to access the study.

November CAC meeting at Murray

The HPKCAC's November meeting will be held at Murray Language Academy (5335 S. Kenwood) on Wednesday, November 19 at 6:00pm. A tour will be offered at 5:30.

Hope to see you there!

What is High Quality Assessment and How Do We Get There?

Raise Your Hand is sponsoring a panel on High Quality Assessment on Tuesday, November 18, from 6:30pm - 8:30pm at 1647 S. Blue Island.

Translation from English to Spanish will be provided.

This is a free event and open to the public, but you must register in advance.

Click here for more information and for the link to register.

Ray School needs volunteers for kiss-n-go in the mornings

Ray Elementary School is in need of volunteers to help manage traffic on Kimbark and 56th Street in the mornings. This Kiss and Go program helps to keep children safe in the morning and allows for traffic to flow smoothly near the school. It only takes about 30 minutes -- from 8:20 until 8:50am. You can commit to as little as one day a week, or you can be a substitute if a regular volunteer is unable to work that day.

If you are able to help out, please email Sharon at sharon@thehollandergroup.net.

Bret Harte looking for tutors in reading and math

Bret Harte is looking for tutors who could help upper grade students with reading and math. They are looking for people who are available after school, starting around 3:30pm. Even one hour once a week would be helpful! If you are able to help, please contact Kristy Ulrich Papczun at kristypp@yahoo.com.

CPS to issue a request for proposals for Dyett High School in December 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                

FRIDAY, October 24, 2014                                                                           

For more information, contact:                                                                                                                        

CPS Office of Communications                                                                                                                       

Phone: 773-553-1620                                                                                                                       

Website: http://www.cps.edu                                                                                                                       

Facebook: ChicagoPublicSchools 

Twitter: @ChiPubSchools

CPS to Accept School Proposals for Current Dyett High School Site

Responding to Community Input, Request for Proposal Will be Issued Seeking Neighborhood School Plans

CHICAGO – Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced today that it will be issuing a request for proposal (RFP) seeking plans for a new open enrollment neighborhood high school to be located at the current site of Dyett High School. CPS will issue the RFP in December 2014 with the intention of opening a new school at the Dyett site in School Year (SY) 2016-17.

“Members of the community have expressed a strong interest in a new school at the Dyett site, and we look forward to working with the community to develop a new high-quality option for students living in the neighborhood,” said CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett. “We are committed to ensuring the new neighborhood school at Dyett meets the community’s needs and will evaluate proposals from all interested parties.”

In order to identify a school model that meets the needs of the local community, CPS will be issuing an RFP in December 2014, and proposals for a new high school at the current Dyett site will be accepted until April 2015. Any interested parties will be able to submit proposals for the new open enrollment neighborhood high school, and CPS will evaluate all proposals that meet the criteria laid out in the forthcoming RFP. CPS will only consider proposals for open enrollment neighborhood high schools, and charter proposals will not be eligible for the Dyett site.