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!]

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.

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.

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.