Sunday, December 30, 2018

Spaces available for 6th-8th graders to take free art class at HPAC

Hyde Park Art Center (5020 S. Cornell) is accepting new students into Creative Crew, a free 
program for middle school students
The program is offered on Fridays: January 11, 18, 25, February 8, 15, 22, and March 1, 8, 15, 22, 2019.
This program follows the CPS calendar so there is no class when CPS is closed.
The class goes from 4 – 6 p.m; the actual class starts at 4:30 p.m. with ice breakers from 4 – 4:30 p.m.
All students must be here by 4:30 p.m.

Students will participate in a wide range of art activities using various mediums.
Parents are responsible for dropping off and picking up their children.

If you are interested, please contact Gregory Smith at 773-324-5520 ext 1002 or gsmth@hydeparkart.org after January 3, 2019.


Saturday, December 1, 2018

Nominate a teacher for WGN's Teacher of the Month Award

You can nominate a teacher for WGN's Teacher of the Month Award!

"Candidates will be judged on their educational achievements in the classroom, community contributions and the innovativeness of their teaching techniques."

Here is the link for more information about the program and about how to submit a nomination:
https://wgntv.com/2016/08/16/wgn-tvs-teacher-of-the-month-award-nomination-application/?utm_source=wgn&utm_medium=wgnemail&utm_campaign=wgn

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Next HPKCAC meeting to take place on Wednesday, November 28

The next meeting of the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Action Council will take place on Wednesday, November 28 at Dyett High School from 6-8pm.

We'll hold elections, talk about goals for our daytime meeting in December, talk about getting a speaker on the topic of dyslexia, and share school updates.


Friday, October 19, 2018

School Needs

Another benefit of the Jane Averill Community Reading Day was visiting our local schools in person and finding out what kinds of supports they need.

This list will be updated, so please check back.

Kozminski -- has opened a second full-day Pre-K class and the classroom library is in need of books. You can drop books off in the main office for Room 008.

Ariel -- a classroom rug for the 3rd grade
          -- they also need some soft, vinyl-like cushions for students to sit on or lean against for comfortable reading on the floor.

Ray -- volunteers to help in the main office and during lunch
        -- tutors for middle school students
        -- tutors to work on English language with non-English speaking students
        -- sticky chart paper like this (https://www.staples.com/Post-it-Easel-Pad-White-25-x-30-Recycled-2-Pack-559RP/product_725873 ) *teachers love these!*
        -- money for field trip buses; money for staff snacks at school meetings




The HPKCAC is happy to help deliver items to schools! Contact us at hydeparkcac@gmail.com

Monday, October 15, 2018

Next HPKCAC meeting on Wednesday, October 24 at 6pm

The next HPKCAC meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 24 at 6pm. We will be meeting at Kenwood High School in Room 107.

At the meeting we will review the Jane Averill Reading Day that took place on Friday, October 12 and we will discuss next steps in supporting our local public schools.

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Second Jane Averill Community Reading Day to be held on Friday, October 12

The Hyde Park-Kenwood CAC is planning to build on the momentum generated last year by hosting a second Jane Averill Community Reading Day on Friday, October 12. This time we will be using a math-related book that celebrates Chinese culture: Round is a Mooncake.

The goal of this event is to further strengthen community support for our public schools. By bringing community members into PreK and Kindergarten classrooms and having them read the book to small groups of children, we hope to forge connections of support that will extend past this one-day reading event.

After the classroom visit, volunteers are invited to a tour of the school.

We partnered with 57th Street Books and the Schools Committee of the Hyde Park Kenwood Community Conference again this year to purchase enough copies of the book for every child to receive a copy. Thanks to the generosity of the Schools Committee of the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference, which donated $559 to cover the cost of 100 books, and many of you, we raised enough money to purchase 408 copies of the book! So we are no longer accepting donations to purchase books for this event as the final order will be placed today. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

Update: Thank you to all the folks who bought books, those who showed up to read and distribute the books, the hard-working principals who gave tours, and the teachers who opened up their classrooms! It was a great day!


Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Next HPKCAC meeting to take place on August 22 at HPAC

The next meeting of the HPKCAC will take place on Wednesday, August 22 at the Hyde Park Art Center (5020 S. Cornell) from 6-8pm.

We'll be discussing the HPKCAC's response to the updates to CPS's Educational Facilities Master Plan that were presented at our June meeting.

We'll also be making plans for the second annual Jane Averill Community Reading Day, which we are planning to hold on Friday, October 12.




Friday, July 20, 2018

Network 9 Back-to-School Bash to be held on Thursday, August 2

The Network 9 Back-to-School Bash will be held at Williams Prep High School (4934 S. Wabash) from 2pm-5pm on Thursday, August 2.

There will be entertainment, activities, free school supplies, food, and other giveaways.

Click here for the flyer.

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Next HPKCAC meeting to be held on Wednesday, June 27 at HPAC

The next meeting of the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Action Council will take place on Wednesday, June 27 at the Hyde Park Art Center (5020 S. Cornell) at 6pm.

We will hopefully have a quorum to approve this amended version of our 3-point plan.

A representative from CPS will also attend and present updates to their educational facilities master plan (EFMP).

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Friday, May 11, 2018

Hyde Park-Kenwood CAC seeking additional members

The Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Action Council (HPKCAC) works with CPS to support the public schools in our community. We are looking for more community members to get involved with our group. A good way to learn about community action councils is to attend the All-CAC Summit on Saturday, May 19 from 9am-2pm. If you would like to attend this event, please contact the HPKCAC at hydeparkcac@gmail.com.



Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Kozminski offering full-day PreK starting fall 2018

Kozminski Community Academy (936 E. 54th Street) is offering full-day Pre-K (7:45am-2:45pm) in addition to its regular half-day Pre-K programs.

For more information, click here.

Public forum on Illinois' new tax credit scholarships on Tuesday, May 22 at Kenwood HS

Learn more about Illinois' new tax credit scholarship program on Tuesday, May 22 at Kenwood High School (5015 S. Blackstone) from 6:30-8:30pm. 

Bobby Otter, Budget Director for the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, will be speaking with Dr. Christopher Lubienski, Professor, Indiana University, researcher on school choice, charter schools, and voucher programs.

Click here for the flyer.

The program is free, but please register here.


Wednesday, March 28, 2018

ILBCF scholarship application; deadline is May 9

The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation offers a scholarship for students seeking an undergraduate degree. Applicants should be an accepted student at an accredited institution of higher learning which includes community colleges, private institutions, and certified vocational training programs. 

For more information, and the application, click here.

The deadline is May 9, 2018.

Information about how to get the latest information about programs at CPS's Parent Universities

If you would like to stay updated on the various courses, programs, and information provided through CPS's Parent Universities, you can sign up here:

http://www.cpsparentu.org/apps/forms2/?f=10015 

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Election judges are needed for LSC elections on April 18 and April 19

CPS is looking for election judges to monitor Local School Council elections on April 18 and April 19. Two hours of training is required. The pay is $150 per day.

For all the details, click here.


Saturday, February 17, 2018

Symposium for girls in grades 6-8 to learn about STEM careers

Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) is an annual, one-day symposium for girls in grades 6-8 to learn more about careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). 

EYH provides middle school girls with a glimpse into the exciting world of STEM. Girls can engage in hands-on workshops led by Chicago area STEM professionals in industry and academia.

EYH will be held on Saturday, March 24th, 2018 from 8am-3pm at the University of Chicago. Registration opens on February 12th. Please click here to learn more.

Chicago United for Equity hosts a discussion on equity across schools in Hyde Park on February 20

Chicago United for Equity (CUE) is hosting a community discussion on the topic 'What does equity look like in Hyde Park?' on Tuesday, February 20 at the Hyde Park Art Center (5020 S. Cornell Avenue) from 5:30pm-7:30pm.

From the announcement of this event on Facebook: "Meet neighbors who share values of racial and economic equity, define your priorities as a community, and learn how local schools can help bring that vision to life.

This is an inclusive and open space for people from all walks of life. Light snacks will be provided. Please contact organizers of the event for translation, childcare services, or other accessibility requests."


Sunday, January 21, 2018

Black Girls CODE Chicago Chapter offers a workshop on a virtual reality platform on Saturday, February 17

This workshop teaches girls how to use Unity3D, an industry standard game development platform, to develop a simple Virtual Reality experience. They will use code to bring their experience to life.
All Black Girls CODE events are geared towards introducing participants to the technological universe and encouraging them to pursue careers as Tech Creators and Entrepreneurs. This event is intended for girls ages 10-17. No prior computing experience is necessary.
Check-in begins at 9:15AM; the event goes from 10AM-4PM. The event starts promptly at 10:00AM. Participants do not need to bring their laptops. Lunch will be provided.

The cost is $35; limited scholarships are available.

Location:
Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory High School
4445 South Drexel Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60653

Here is the link for more information and to rsvp: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-girls-code-chicago-chapter-presents-a-virtual-reality-experience-tickets-42369206437