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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.