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.

Stakeholders Conversation -- Thursday, November 6

The Office of Family and Community Engagement (F.A.C.E.) invites community-based organizations to a Stakeholders Conversation on Thursday, November 6, from 10am - 12pm at the McCormick Tribune Campus Center Ballroom at I.I.T. (3201 S. State).

Please confirm your attendance via email at rsvp_face@cps.edu by November 3.

For more information click here.

Town Hall on Education Funding Reform

There will be a Town Hall meeting on Education Funding Reform hosted by State Representative Christian Mitchell on October 27 from 6:00-7:30pm.

The meeting will be held at the Chicago Urban League (4510 S. Michigan).

Special guests include Rep. Ken Dunkin, Rep. Will Davis, Alderman Pat Dowell, Alderman Will Burns, Pastor Chris Harris, and Rev. Dr. L. Bernard Jakes.

Click here for more information.

Principal Selection Forum at Jackie Robinson School on October 29

There will be a principal selection forum at Jackie Robinson School (4225 S. Lake Park) at 6pm on Wednesday, October 29. Come and see the finalists for the principal position!

Important Information about Future School Actions: Your Feedback Can Make a Difference

CPS has posted the draft Guidelines for School Actions for the upcoming school year. These draft guidelines are open to a 21-day comment period, ending October 22nd, and your input is critical. 

These guidelines contain information about proposals for reassignment boundary changes and school co-locations. This draft version does not contain provisions for closures, consolidations, or phaseouts.

You can find the draft guidelines at the following link and there are several specified mechanisms by which feedback can be provided.
http://cps.edu/About_CPS/Policies_and_guidelines/Pages/SchoolActionsFeedback.aspx

Let's Talk Testing -- Sunday, October 19, 2:00 - 3:30pm

Do you have questions about standardized testing in our public schools? Are you wondering about the new PARCC assessments? Confused about the NWEA MAP’s role this year?

Join us at a gathering to talk about testing. We’ll listen to your concerns, answer questions, and talk about options for families.

Let’s talk about how standardized testing is affecting public education in Chicago—both our own experiences, and the impact of testing in our community and the city as a whole.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

2:00 to 3:30

5213 S. Kenwood Avenue

For more information, contact: info@ilraiseyourhand.org

Coordinated by Raise Your Hand for IL Public Education and More Than A Score

October 22 meeting to be held at Shoesmith

Our October CAC meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 22 at Shoesmith Elementary School, 1330 E. 50th Street. There will be a tour of the school at 5:30 pm. The meeting begins at 6pm.

On the agenda are presentations from State Representative Christian Mitchell as well as the Directors of Early Childhood Education programs, Preschool for All and Head Start.

We hope to see you there!

National Summit on Urban Education on October 28

Journey for Justice Alliance and the Rainbow PUSH coalition are holding a National Summit on Urban Education on Tuesday, October 28 at Rainbow Push headquarters, 930 E. 50th Street (50th and Drexel in Kenwood) from 9am - 3pm. 

Click here for the flyer.

Bret Harte Students' Fundraisers in the News

Bret Harte 8th graders are holding multiple fundraisers to generate $1079 per person for a trip to Washington DC this April. Their recent efforts have made the news!

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20141013/hyde-park/bret-harte-kids-washing-cars-selling-apples-get-washington-dc

College Scholarship Fair on October 11

A college scholarship fair sponsored by 100 Black Men of Chicago will be held this Saturday, October 11, from 9am-2pm at the UIC Forum (725 W. Roosevelt). Click here for more information.

Kindergarten teacher needed at Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson Elementary School (4225 S. Lake Park) is looking for a Kindergarten teacher.
A bachelor's degree is required. 

Please send resumes to:  jrprincipalselection@gmail.com

Community Forum on the University of Chicago Police Department and its Relationship with the Community

On Wednesday, October 29, at 7:00pm, the Invisible Institute will host a public forum on
the relationship of the University of Chicago Police Department to the communities it
serves. Public safety is a concern to all. The Kenwood, Hyde Park, and Woodlawn
neighborhoods have the benefit of being policed by the UCPD as well as the Chicago
Police Department. As is the case of the CPD, community members have a range of
concerns about UCPD policies, transparency, and accountability. The forum, which will
be moderated by journalist Jamie Kalven, is an occasion to voice your concerns and to
hear those of your neighbors. All are welcome.

The forum will be held at the Experimental Station at the SW corner of Blackstone
Avenue and 61st Street. There is ample street parking. Please enter at the Blackstone
Avenue door.

Education is a Human Right Town Hall Meeting

There will be a town hall meeting on October 13 to push the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights' investigation of abuses at Dyett High School and Mollison Elementary. 
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Education, CPS Board of Education, and Amnesty International will be in attendance. 
Also, come express your support for the Dyett 13 and the Dyett Global Leadership and Green Technology High School. 
Sponsored by the Journey for Justice Alliance and the Coalition to Revitalize Dyett High School.

When: Monday, October 13, 6pm-8pm
Where: First Unitarian Church of Chicago, 5650 S. Woodlawn Avenue

For more information, click here.

Implementation Planning Retreat for the Coalition to Revitalize Dyett

The Coalition to Revitalize Dyett High School is holding an implementation planning retreat on Saturday, October 25, at 10AM at Mollison Elementary (4415 S. King Drive). This is a good opportunity to learn more about the details of their proposal. Contact Duane Turner for more information: duane.turner@comcast.net .

Community Events/Activities

An after-school writing support program has begun at Kenwood High School on Thursdays from 3:30-5:00pm. If you would like to help high school students work on college essays, scholarship essays, or homework assignments, please contact Deb Hass (debra.a.hass@gmail.com).


Bret Harte 8th graders are raising money for a trip to Washington DC in the spring. They have painted faces at the Book Fair, washed cars at JazzFest, and plan to do a number of other fundraisers to generate the $1079/person that they need.


Logan Art Center is offering Friday matinees to local schools; bus service to bring students to and from the Logan Center is often provided. Contact the University of Chicago's Neighborhood Schools Program (nspinfo@uchicago.edu) for more information.


On October 18 high school students can learn more about college entrance essays from the University of Chicago Admissions Department. Topics to be discussed are common mistakes to avoid and how to write an essay that allows your unique personality to shine through. N.B. You do not need to be applying to the University of Chicago to attend this session.
Where: Ida Noyes Hall, Max Palevsky Theater
When: 12pm, October 18
Click here for more information and for the link to rsvp.

City-Wide School Fair October 4-5 at McCormick Place

Parent Power Chicago is sponsoring a city-wide school fair from 8am-3pm on October 4-5 at McCormick Place. Admission and registration are free. The schools cover grades K-12, with an emphasis on high schools. Public, charter, private, parochial, and selective enrollment schools will be represented.

For more information, click here.