Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Ways you can support our neighborhood schools

If you are looking for ways to support our Hyde Park/Kenwood public schools this holiday season, here are some ideas:

-- Help Ms. Kristy Papczun's 8th grade class at Bret Harte take a trip to Washington DC this spring. You can make a contribution here:

-- Support the 4th graders at Shoesmith who are collecting new pajamas for homeless families in the community. They need:
Girls’ socks
Girls’ undershirts and pjs sizes: 4, 6, 10, 12, 14 & 16
Girls’ underwear sizes: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 & 16
Women’s socks & pjs
Women’s underwear and pjs sizes: 4, 6, 8, & 10
Camisoles: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large                                
Boys’ socks & pjs
Boys’ briefs, undershirts and pjs sizes: 10, 12, 14 & 16
Men’s socks
Men’s briefs, undershirts and pjs sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large and XX-Large

Donations will be collected between Monday, December 14 and Friday, January 8. Shoesmith is located at 1330 E. 50th Street. 

-- Ray School teachers have put together some requests through Donors Choose and Digital Wish. You can see them here.

-- Kenwood Academy teachers have Donors Choose projects here.

-- Carnegie Elementary teachers have Donors Choose projects here.

-- King High School teachers have Donors Choose projects here.

[If there are any school funding projects that are missing from this list, please email the CAC at hydeparkcac@gmail.com. Thank you!]

Thursday, December 10, 2015

December CAC meeting to be held at Kenwood HS on 12/15 -- Come for a Tour of the Canter Building!

The HPKCAC will meet on Tuesday, December 15 at Kenwood High School (5015 S. Blackstone) at 6:00pm. There will be a tour of the Canter Building at 6:45.


Monday, December 7, 2015

Community Forum on Advancing Policy and Community Accountability on December 9

The Chicago Urban League is hosting a community forum, "Truth and Justice for All: Advancing Police and Community Accountability," that will examine the need for improved policing practices by the Chicago Police Department (CPD) following the death of Laquan McDonald. The Chicago Urban League (CUL) brings together a panel of the nation’s leading voices on social justice and legal issues for a critical discussion on how to reform the CPD and why reform is necessary. Community members will have the opportunity to verbalize their growing frustrations and recommend ways to improve relations between their neighborhoods and the CPD.    

Confirmed  Panelists:
Lorenzo Davis, former Chicago Police Department investigator 
Craig Futterman, Clinical Professor of Law, The University of Chicago, and Founder, Civil Rights Accountability Project  
Jamie Kalven, The Invisible Institute 
Trina Reynolds, Black Youth Project 100
Shari Runner, Interim President & CEO, Chicago Urban League
Paul Strauss, Co-Director of Litigation for the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Director of the CLC’s Employment Opportunities Project
Rufus Williams, President and CEO of BBF Family Services

*Representatives from Mayor Emanuel’s office have also been invited to participate

Moderator: Dometi Pongo, News Anchor, WVON 1690AM

Where:          Chicago Urban League, 4510 South Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60653

When:           Wednesday, December 9, 2015   *   6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (CST)                         

“We can no longer allow African American lives to be taken without accountability. The long-standing lack of transparency and due process has earned mistrust in law enforcement,” said Shari Runner, Interim President & CEO, CUL. “This forum will allow us to begin the conversation about what we need to do to heal the police and community relationship.”

About the Chicago Urban League
Established in 1916, the Chicago Urban League works for economic, educational and social progress for African Americans and promotes strong sustainable communities through advocacy, collaboration and innovation. For more information, visit www.thechicagourbanleague.org.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Public Forum & Workshop for Parents on Special Education Issues and Changes in CPS on December 8

Raise Your Hand is hosting a public forum and workshop for parents on the topic of special education issues and changes in CPS from 6:30-8:00pm on Tuesday, December 8 at U.E. Hall (37 S. Ashland Avenue).

Click here for more information. The event is free, but if you plan to attend please rsvp to info@ilraiseyourhand.org

Music and Dance Performance (and Participation) on December 10 & 11

Muntu Dance Theater: One Tree, Many Branches (Dec 10 & 11 10:30-11:30 AM)

Through the Logan Center Matinee Series - Muntu offers a fun, energetic, and interactive performance perfect for school and community groups. Appropriate for youth of all ages, Muntu’s One Root, Many Branches Student Matinee will feature exciting dancing, engaging music, and the opportunity for audience members to participate and express their own creativity. Please note that the Dec 10th event is for K-8 and the 11th is for K-12. For more information, please visit the Logan Center site.

Financial Literacy Summit for High School Juniors and Seniors on December 5

Financial Literacy Summit (Dec 5 10am-3PM)

Join Rainbow Push (930 E. 50th Street) for a free Money Matters Workshop. This workshop will focus on teaching high school juniors and seniors about building credit, investing, budgeting, and more. Boxed lunch provided. For registration information, please visit the website. (Note: If you have a group of more than 25 students, please contact Rev. Janette Wilson at (773) 373-3366.)

Free program for families on December 5: Physics with a Bang

Physics with a Bang! (Dec 5 11-4:30 PM)
Students, families, teachers, and especially the curious are invited to attend the Kersten Physics Teaching Center's (5720 S. Ellis) free annual Holiday Lecture and Open House. See fast, loud, surprising and beautiful physics demos performed by Professors Heinrich Jaeger and Sidney Nagel. Participate in hands-on activities related to their research! Doors for the Lectures open 30 minutes before each show. Please note: there will be no online registrations, and will be a first to arrive, first ticketed event. There is no guaranteed availability of seating, but shows will also be streamed live to alternate venues. More information is available on the website.

Thursday, November 5, 2015

November HPKCAC meeting to feature presentation by Network Chief Jerrold Washington

Our November CAC meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 17 at Kenwood Academy High School in the library from 6pm-7:45pm. The new Chief of Network 9, Jerrold Washington, will give a presentation on the state of the Hyde Park/Kenwood CAC schools.

All are welcome!

The December and January meetings will also be held in the library at Kenwood Academy HS at 6pm on December 15 and January 26.

Monday, November 2, 2015

Teachers for Social Justice Curriculum Fair at Kenwood HS on November 21

Join Teachers for Social Justice at their 14th Annual Curriculum Fair hosted at Kenwood High School on Saturday, November 21 from 10am-4pm. Teachers will "exhibit" curriculum oriented toward social justice. There will be a keynote speaker and a number of workshops (and food!), and hundreds of like-minded people to gather and learn with each other. It’s free—but they request a $5-10 donation at the door for food (except from K-12 students and their families).


Click here to view the poster.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Dyett High School Information Session on November 10 and Schedule for Future Meetings

There will be an information session about the new Dyett High School on Tuesday, November 10 from 4pm-7pm at the Herman Hall Ballroom at IIT (3241 S. Federal Avenue).

Going forward, monthly community meetings will be held to allow members of the community to participate in the creation of the plan for Dyett High School. All meetings will be held from 6pm-7pm in the auditorium of the Colman Building (4655 S. Dearborn).

You can find more information here.


Early Access to Care Initiative -- a Resource Fair for Parents on November 7

A free resource fair for parents with concerns about their child's development will be held on Saturday, November 7 at King Community Center (4314 S. Cottage Grove). Free, one hour appointments are available.

If you are wondering

-- Is my child learning as quickly as other children?
-- Why isn't my child speaking yet?
-- Is my child behaving normally?

contact the Early Access to Care hotline to schedule your appointment: 312-967-9329
email: earlyaccesstocare@gmail.com

Click here to see the flyer.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Office of Early Childhood Education is hosting Resource Fairs on October 24 and November 14

The Office of Early Childhood Education is hosting two Resource Fairs for families from 10am-1pm on Saturday October 24 and Saturday, November 14 (each at a different location).

These events are free and no rsvp is necessary.

For more details, click here.

"Vision Casting Social" regarding Dyett High School to be held on October 26

On Monday, October 26, there will be a Community Meet & Greet "Vision Casting Social" regarding Dyett High School at Bright Star Church (735 E. 44th Street) from 6pm-7:30.

For more information, click here.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

October HPKCAC meeting to be held at Hyde Park Academy HS on Tuesday, October 27

Our October meeting will be held at Hyde Park Academy High School (6220 S. Stony Island Avenue) on Tuesday, October 27. There will be a tour at 5:30pm. The meeting begins at 6pm.

All are welcome!


Tuesday, October 6, 2015

CPS High School Fair will be held at Kozminski on October 24

Network 9 will host its first High School Fair on Saturday, October 24, from 9:30am - 12:30pm at Kozminski Community Academy (936 E. 54th Street). This free event offers parents and students the opportunity to learn about great high school options. 


The fair will also feature a High School Application Workshop to help families better navigate how to apply to high schools. 
Parking is available in the school parking lot and on the street.

Please help to spread the word about the fair!

If you have any additional questions please contact Michael McGehee at mmmcgehee@cps.edu.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Bret Harte 8th graders holding a CAR WASH on Saturday, Oct 3, from 10am-noon

The Bret Harte 8th Graders are running a CAR WASH on Saturday, from 10a- noon at Bret Harte -- 56th and Stony Island.  Cars are $7 and we will graciously accept any donations.  

We will be having another on October 17. We all need our cars washed with all this construction, eh?

All funds will go toward the 8th graders' trip to Washington DC in May.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Public hearing on neighborhood boundaries for Dyett High School will be held on Friday, September 25

The Proposed Boundaries Match Previous Boundaries for Dyett High School

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, September 23, 2015
For more information, contact:
CPS Office of Communications
Phone: 773-553-1620

Chicago Public Schools will hold a public hearing from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm on Friday, September 25, 2015 to receive community feedback from students, families, educators and the public on the neighborhood boundaries for the new Walter H. Dyett High School. The hearing will be held at the Chicago Board of Education Chambers, 42 West Madison Street.

Registration to speak will begin at 5:00 pm and end at 7:00 pm. Speakers will have two minutes to speak and will be called in the order in which they signed up.

Anyone who would like to provide written comments may submit them to fax 773-553-1559, or email onsoperations@cps.edu. The record will remain open for these comments until 10:00 am on Monday, September 28, 2015. If you would like additional information, please contact 773-553-1500.

The proposed attendance boundaries match the previous boundaries for Dyett and include the following:

  • Beginning at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and 41st Street
  • East to Lake Michigan
  • South along the Lake to 47th Street
  • West to Cottage Grove Avenue
  • South to 60th Street
  • West to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
  • North to the starting point  
Chicago Public Schools announced that a new open enrollment, neighborhood high school with an arts program and community technology lab and training center will open in Walter H. Dyett High School for the 2016-17 school year.

If you would like additional information, please contact the Office of Innovation and Incubation at 773-553-1530.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Next CAC meeting to be held on Tuesday, September 22 at Robinson Elementary

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 22 at 6pm at Robinson Elementary (4225 S. Lake Park Avenue). We'll be holding a working meeting to set up our speaker topics for the year. Come with ideas!



Friday, August 21, 2015

Back to School on Tuesday, September 8: How you can help

The first day of school for all CPS students is Tuesday, September 8, and CPS needs your help to get the word out!

For a list of all upcoming back-to-school festivals and community events in which CPS will be represented, please go to this link: http://www.cps.edu/pages/backtoschool.aspx

There are a few ways to participate in CPS's Back-to-School campaign. One way to support their Back-to-School efforts is to volunteer with their phone bank (i.e., calling CPS families to make sure they know when school begins). If you are interested in helping in this way, please email face@cps.edu and we will follow-up to provide you with the details.  

Another way you can support CPS students is by providing them with the classroom supplies they need to start the school year. Many children, especially those in temporary living situations, will arrive at school on September 8 without adequate supplies. To purchase school supply kits for these students, or to find out how you can donate money to purchase supplies, visit cps.edu/supplythefuture.

Finally, also as part of the "Supply the Future" campaign, there is also the option to donate actual school supplies. To make a contribution of school supplies, please call 773.553-1540 or e-mail partnerships@cps.edu


Thank you for supporting CPS students as they prepare to return to school on September 8. If you have any questions regarding volunteer opportunities, email face@cps.edu.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

NPN South Side Preschool and Elementary School Fair at Hyde Park Neighborhood Club on September 19

NPN will host its annual South Side Preschool and Elementary School Fair at HPNC (5480 S. Kenwood Avenue) on Saturday, September 19, 2015, from 10am-1pm. 

This expo-style event features 60+ local schools and enrichment programs from around the city. Attendees can talk with representatives from public and private preschools, elementary schools, non-profits, and businesses with activities and services that cater to families with small children.

Click here to register your school. Note that if you reserve a table, someone from the school needs to be there that morning by 9:30.

For more information, see: http://www.npnparents.org/events/2090

End to the Hunger Strike to support the Dyett Global Leadership and Green Technology proposal

Supporters of the proposal for the Dyett Global Leadership and Green Technology High School went on a hunger strike for 34 days in order to draw attention to the lack of response to their proposal from CPS and the mayor.

You can read it about in the news:
http://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/7/71/888584/jesse-jackson-joins-hunger-strike-parents-seeking-new-dyett-school

http://progressillinois.com/quick-hits/content/2015/08/17/education-activists-go-hunger-strike-over-dyett-high-schools-future

http://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/7/71/904014/dyett-parents-8th-day-hunger-strike-save-school

On Thursday, September 3, CPS made the following announcement:
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) today announced that a new open enrollment, arts-focused neighborhood high school and community innovation lab will open in Walter H. Dyett High School for the 2016-17 school year.

The hunger strike continued, however. You can read about the hunger strikers' reasons for continuing the strike here: 
http://catalyst-chicago.org/2015/09/dyett-to-reopen-as-neighborhood-arts-school/


On Saturday, September 19, after 34 days, the hunger strikers ended their strike. 

From the Dyett Global Leadership and Green Technology Facebook page, they cite the following:

Victories:
1. Dyett will re-open as an open enrollment neighborhood school
2. Dyett will not be privatized as a contract school
3. Demonstration that when the game is rigged, organized and passionate parents and grassroots groups can change the rules of school "reform."
Still Fighting For:
1. Community control through an LSC from day 1
2. Green Technology curriculum
3. Integration with neighborhood feeder schools to create sustainable community school village
4. Preservation of the legacy of Walter Dyett in the school's name

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Dyett RFP Process has been extended; Rally to support the proposal for the Walter H. Dyett Global Leadership and Green Technology High School set for Monday, August 10

On August 7, 2015, CPS announced that the request for proposal process to identify a new open enrollment, neighborhood high school at the current site of Dyett High School is being extended. The reason they give is to provide adequate time to review community feedback and proposals.

CPS is also moving the public hearing on the proposals to 6 p.m. on September 15, 2015 inside the Board of Education Chambers at 42 West Madison.

Forrest Claypool, the new CEO of CPS, stated: “Chicago Public Schools is committed to a community driven process that will identify a high-quality education option for the former Dyett site. We continue to review the applications by the 2014 RFP, but with the budget and financial crisis dominating the focus of the new CPS administration, more time is necessary to make an informed recommendation to the Board of Education. We look forward to receiving further feedback at the upcoming community hearing.”

There will be a rally to support the proposal for the Walter H. Dyett Global Leadership and Green Technology High School on Monday, August 10, at 4pm at CPS Headquarters (42 W. Madison Street). 



Wednesday, July 15, 2015

IIT Block City on July 18 for children and their families: Free

IIT Block City -  Saturday, July 18th

On Saturday, July 18th, Illinois Institute of Technology is once again hosting Block City, a fun-filled event for children and their families. Using over 40,000 LEGO bricks, participants will build a city of LEGOs that spans the floor of Crown Hall. See more information and register here, and view pictures from last year's event on our Facebook Page. This event is open to the public and free of charge, but advance registration is required.

Block City
We provide the blocks; you provide the imagination!
 
Date
Saturday, July 18, 2015
 
Time
9 a.m-Noon | General session #1
1–4 p.m. | General session #2
 
Location
3360 South State Street
Chicago, IL 60616
 Register here
Contact: Lauren Shelby: 312.567.5030 | rsvpevents@iit.edu

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Special HPKCAC meeting on July 30 to discuss revisions to CPS Promotion Policy: PLEASE REVIEW the proposals linked below

The HPKCAC will hold a community meeting on Thursday, July 30 to hear a presentation on proposed revisions to the CPS Student Promotion and Retention Policy. 
The two proposals can be found here
CPS is seeking feedback on these proposed changes before they are presented to the Board of Education on August 26. 

When: Thursday, July 30, at 6pm
Where: 5225 S. Cottage Grove in the University of Chicago Facilities building; parking is available

All are welcome! An rsvp is not necessary, but if you are planning to attend, we'd appreciate knowing so that we can be sure the space we are planning to use will be suitable. You could let us know at hydeparkcac@gmail.com.

Thank you!




Saturday, June 27, 2015

Workshop on Organizing and Stewarding your School Garden: July 23

Are you having a difficult time creating and sustaining your school Garden Team? Is your school garden a challenge to maintain during the summer? This workshop is aimed at K-12 teachers and members of school gardening committees and covers how to organize and build a Garden Team, stewardship schedules, and how to harvest and weed gardens. Through activities and discussion, there is ample time to network and for participants to learn from their peers at other schools. Come and learn from other school gardens!

Where and When: Thursday, July 23, 2015 9am-3pm at Beulah Shoesmith Elementary School,
1330 East 50th Street Chicago, IL 60615

Cost: Free for schools that have participated in the Building School Gardens Program

Support for this workshop is provided by the Polk Bros Foundation, The Albert Pick, Jr. Fund, and Peoples Gas. For registration information please contact John Cawood at jcawood@openlands.org.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

HPKCAC bylaws amended at the June 24 meeting

The bylaws of the HPKCAC were amended at the June meeting at University Church so that the body has the flexibility of not meeting as a group every month. The new bylaws state that we will meet at least six times per year. This may mean that the group as a whole will meet bimonthly; in the other months, this may free up a night for committee meetings and/or committee work.

The amended bylaws can be found here.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

June 24 CAC meeting to be held at University Church

Elections for leadership positions for the coming year will take place at our June 24 meeting, which will be held at University Church (5655 S. University Avenue). Doors open at 5:30; the meeting will start at 6pm. In addition to holding elections, we will spend time setting the topics/agendas for future meetings. We will also vote on a proposal to meet every other month instead of monthly.

If you are a member of the CAC and are interested in running for one of the co-chair or one of the co-secretary positions, please email Carl Hurdlik (cchurdlik@cps.edu) or CAC leaders (hydeparkcac@gmail.com).



Saturday, June 13, 2015

Update on Kenwood's use of the Canter Building on June 23

A presentation on the use of the Canter Facility will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2015, from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m at Kenwood Academy High School. The purpose of the presentation is to communicate project updates. In addition, Harrison Staley, CPS Project Director, will offer insight on the current work and timeline for completion.
Please complete the survey below if you plan to attend this meeting:
Canter Informational Session Survey:
http://goo.gl/forms/yTXcHPcEz1

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Free Kids' Fair on Saturday, June 27 from 11am-1pm

Come to the Courtyard Shops at the Hyde Park Shopping Center on Saturday, June 27 from 11am-1pm for a free fair for kids. There will be music, arts & crafts, and treats!

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Dyett RFP Proposals and Information about a Community Meeting on June 17

Chicago Public Schools will host a Community Meeting for the Dyett High School RFP. The purpose of this meeting is to allow community members and other stakeholders the opportunity to learn more about the three proposals (see below) which were submitted in response to this RFP. 

Click here for the proposal for Walter H. Dyett Global Leadership and Green Technology High School
Click here for the proposal for Little Black Pearl School of the Arts
Click here for the proposal for Washington Park Athletic Career Academy
(Thank you to Catalyst for these links.)

Date
June 17, 2015

Time
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Location
King College Prep High School
4445 S. Drexel Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60653

Community members will have an opportunity to share their thoughts regarding the three proposals presented during the public comment portion of the agenda. Upon arrival community members will be asked to sign up to speak (2 minutes per person) should they wish to do so.

Tentative Agenda:
6:00 - 6:10 p.m.        Welcome & Introductions 
6:10 - 7:10 p.m.        Presentations (3 groups, 20 minutes each)
7:10 - 7:55 p.m.        Public Comment (2 minutes per person)
7:55 - 8:00 p.m.        Closing Remarks 

For community members wanting more information related to the proposals presented, they are encouraged to contact the groups directly. Please see below for direct contact information to each of the proposal groups.

Point Person Contact Information:

Proposal Received From: Coalition to Revitalize Walter H. Dyett High School
Proposed School Name: Walter H. Dyett Global Leadership and Green Technology High School
Proposal Point Person: Duane Turner

Proposal Received From: WPACA Design TeamProposed School Name: Washington Park Athletic Career Academy
Proposal Point Person: Charles Campbell

Proposal Received From: Little Black Pearl Workshop
Proposed School Name: Little Black Pearl School of the Arts
Proposal Point Person: Zakeya N. Cartman

Friday, May 29, 2015

Summer jobs available with MAPSCorps

MAPSCorps is seeking applications for summer mappers. Mappers are trained by University of Chicago researchers and college students to walk each block of different South Side neighborhoods, collecting information about every business and organization providing goods or services to the public. Applicants must be at least 16 years old and an incoming high school junior, senior, or college freshman. The deadline for applications is June 5. Mappers will work Monday-Thursday from July 6 to August 13 and are paid $8.25 hour. To learn more, check out this video. To apply, go to the After School Matters online application and search "MAPSCorps".

Opportunity for high school students to learn coding this summer for free

CoderSpace Summer Program (Apply by June 15)

CoderSpace is hosting an 8-week summer program which offers high school students (including students who will graduate from 8th grade in June) the opportunity to learn the basic coding languages that power the web (HTML, CSS, and JS). Students gain experience in web development, teamwork, and leadership as they work together in small teams to design and build websites for local businesses. The program runs Monday through Friday from July 6 to August 28 at the Community Programs Accelerator at the University of Chicago. The program is FREE and laptops and CTA passes are provided. For more information and to apply, click here

How to become a member of the HPKCAC

It's easy to become a voting member of the Hyde Park/Kenwood Community Action Council. Just fill out this application and come to meetings! Our next meeting will take place at 6pm on June 24. The location will be announced shortly.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Check out the Asset Map that Block 58 made for the HPKCAC!

The HPKCAC is extremely grateful to Block 58 for putting together a searchable Asset Map for the greater Hyde Park/Kenwood community. This Asset Map can be searched according to 12 categories. You can type in your address and find a wide range of services and activities for children within 2 blocks or up to 2 miles from your home.

http://hpkcacassetmap.github.io/FusionTable-Map-Template/

If you notice something that is incorrect or missing from the Asset Map, please send us an email and let us know! The HPKCAC's email address is hydeparkcac@gmail.com.

Friday, May 22, 2015

May 27 CAC meeting to be held at Reavis Elementary School

Our May CAC meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 27 at Reavis Elementary Math & Science Special School at 834 E. 50th Street. We will be meeting from 6pm - 8pm in Room 109. A tour will be offered at 5:30pm.

At the meeting students from Bret Harte will tell us about their trip to Washington DC and Block 58 (a student group at the University of Chicago) will debut the asset map which they prepared for the HPKCAC. We will have laptops at the meeting for small groups to do searches and test out the asset map!

See you then!

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Volunteers needed for Career Day at Wendell Phillips Academy High School on May 27

Volunteers are needed for Career Day at Wendell Phillips Academy High School (244 E. Pershing) on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 from 8:15am - 12pm. Anyone with an interesting career is invited to attend. Speed networking volunteers are also needed.

Career panelists would answer questions posed by a moderator about their jobs, responsibilities, etc.
Speed networking volunteers would be interviewing groups of students. Volunteers can stay for as long as they are able. Breakfast will be provided from 7:30am - 8:15am.

For more information, see the attached flyer.


End-of-the-year Free Ecology Field Trips to Lake Michigan available

Sacred Keepers Sustainability Lab is offering FREE field trips for 6th-12th graders to Lake Michigan to learn about water ecology, the cultural history of the shores of Lake Michigan, how students' everyday behaviors affect the Great Lakes, and how to be good stewards of this amazing resource.

Free transportation provided.

For more information, click here.


Free Summer Camp on the topic of the environment offered by Kenwood Synagogue for high school students

From DNA Info:
K.A.M. Isaiah Israel is offering free summer camps for high school students interested in the environment.
Those interested should act quickly because the two four-week sessions starting July 5 and Aug. 2 fill up quickly.
Over four Sundays, kids learn about urban farming and sustainable land use from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the synagogue’s garden at 1100 E. Hyde Park Blvd. Those who participate can also earn community service credit while working on projects about resource conservation and food justice with experienced urban farmers and environmentalists.


The application deadline is June 19 and interested students are required to fill out an application at kamii.org/ylsp and submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or community member.



"Promoting Healthy Living on Chicago's South Side" program at Murray Language Academy on June 13

Network 9 and University of Chicago Medicine are offering a program on healthy living for the whole family at Murray Language Academy (5335 S. Kenwood) on Saturday, June 13, from 9am - 11am.

Topics to be covered include community health trends, healthy meal preparation, and asthma control.

Parking is available in the school lot; refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Mike McGehee (Office of FACE): mmmcgehee@cps.edu


Monday, May 18, 2015

Contact information for Hyde Park/Kenwood public schools

The Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference has put together a table of information about Hyde Park/Kenwood public schools. There is contact information for each school as well as information about whether a uniform is required. The table also gives the times for open houses; for those schools that do not have a regular open house, please contact the school individually.

http://www.hydepark.org/programs/OpenHouses_for_Parents_in_Schools_HPK_2015.pdf 

"Charging up the Classroom: The Future of Battery Science" program for high school students on June 4

Argonne National Laboratory is sponsoring a program for high school science and STEM classrooms interested in science, technology, and clean energy innovation. Charging Up the Classroom: The Future of Battery Science is an educational and interactive showcase event which features an agenda comprised of workshops and hands-on demonstrations led by dynamic entrepreneurs and scientists. This event aims to educate and enlighten students about the “power” of batteries and their potential to change the world we live in—from electric cars to solar energy to mobile devices. Throughout the day, students will have the opportunity to:
  • Learn about cutting-edge battery technologies
  • Participate in motivational workshops and hands-on demonstrations
  • Engage with entrepreneurs, scientists and engineers
  • Explore possible career pathways in energy science
The event will showcase the thriving battery research and innovation ecosystem in Chicago and the Midwest and show students how they can take advantage of new opportunities as the future generation of battery science leaders.
When:June 4, 2015, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Where:The Harper Court Skydeck
5235 South Harper Court, 11th Floor
Chicago, IL 60615
Register Now
Registration deadline: May 22

The event is free and lunch will be provided. For questions, contact Argonne’s Education Department at education@anl.gov.