RYH Newsletter | 10.3.19
Strike Update:
Last night CTU’s House of Delegates set Thursday, October 17 as the possible start of a teachers’ strike. This is the same day that SEIU Local 73 (school district staff) and Chicago Park District workers could start strikes.
WBEZ: Chicago Teachers And Two Other Unions Set Strike Date
Sun-Times: 35,000 Chicago teachers, school support staff and park district workers set joint strike date
As we noted in our email blast sent last week: This does not mean there will definitely be a strike. We urge both sides to take every measure possible to avoid a strike.
Where are contract talks now?
The CTU and CPS are in active negotiation; they most recently met Tuesday, October 1, and Friday, September 30. Negotiations will continue up to the strike date. There is a lot of information being distributed around these talks.
Last night Janice Jackson sent an email to all staff and families sharing the CPS Contingency Plan which states that all schools will be open during the event of a strike.
The CTU has a YouTube channel where they post updates after each negotiation.
CPS has published a blog post with their take on the contract.
High school youth have relaunched their Students Strike Back Twitter and Facebook accounts.
What are ways to show support for our teachers and support staff?
Today and tomorrow, CTU members will be outside schools available to talk to parents about their contract demands.
This weekend there will be a community Art Build at the CTU (1901 W Carroll) where families can come and help create art (banners, signs, prints etc…)
On October 10th, the Chicago Teachers and Staff Solidarity Campaign will be hosting a Town Hall at Grace Episcopal Church to discuss how folks can build support.
Every Tuesday, Parents 4 Teachers does a call in to the mayor. Information can be found here in this Facebook event.
What are ways parents can stay informed?
Stay in touch with Raise Your Hand.
Have conversations with your school’s teachers and staff.
Chalkbeat Chicago is #TrackingTheContract in this article.
What will happen to my kids?
In their Contingency Plan, CPS says they can go to school buildings.
In the past, some families have organized strike camps.
Reach out to other CPS families and see if there are ways to support one another.
Check with local community organizations to see what they will be offering.
We’ve created a web page where we will provide an updated list of ideas for families. If you know of something we should add to the list, please send us an email: jennie@ilraiseyourhand.org.
Will a strike affect my college senior who is in the midst of college applications?
Talk to counselors & teachers at your school. Look for communication from your school's counselors in the next few days.
Families that went through this is the past tell us that many colleges extended deadlines for teachers to submit recommendations and for other supplemental materials. Students still need to meet deadlines, but teachers should have more time.
Contact college admissions officers to make sure you understand the requirements at the school(s) where your child is applying. This is especially important for the early action and early decision deadlines that are coming up.
Special Education news
Special Education Workshops.... The Advocate Group is hosting a series of special education workshops. Please see our web page here for all the info you need! Two of these trainings will be offered in Spanish. *Please note that there has been a date change for the Austin neighborhood workshop! It will now be Saturday, October 19.*
Additional Trainings in Spanish… Familias incluidas en Recibiendo Mejor Educación Especial (FIRME) Entrenamiento- A special education training opportunity for Spanish speaking parents from Family Resource Center for Disabilities (FRCD). Please share with Spanish speaking parents!
Raise a Glass for RYH 2019!
We are less than three weeks away from our annual fundraiser! Here are 3 quick reasons why you should buy your tickets today!
1. Great beer! Lagunitas Brewing! (Non alcoholic drinks will be available.)
2. Great food! Las Carnitas Uruapan!
3. Great company! A room full of people who believe in and are dedicated to public education in Chicago and beyond.... does it get any better than that?
SUFEO: A resource for parents & students!
From Stand Up for Each Other Chicago - SUFEO, an initiative led by Loyola Chicago law students to address suspension issues in Chicago schools:
SUFEO’s hotline is open. We are now taking bullying cases in addition to suspension cases.
If you have any events coming up that law students could possibly come to to advertise the services of SUFEO, please get in touch. We can also host know your right trainings on disciplinary proceedings.
SUFEO flyer (English; Spanish); SUFEO website
What parents are reading this week
Sun-Times: Teacher proposal could shorten school day for CPS kids
Sun-Times: After scandal, CPS spent $6.7M to protect students from sexual misconduct, new report says
WBEZ: As Black Enrollment Drops, Racial Issues Emerge At Chicago’s Elite Payton College Prep
Chalkbeat Chicago: Are Chicago teachers among the country’s highest-paid? A look at salaries and the contract conflict
Chicago Tribune: Column: Abandoned twice: 11 children with severe disabilities are in education limbo because no one wants to pay
Upcoming events
Hosted by LCSs 4 ALL coalition
The Gathering is for anyone interested in making Local School Councils (LSCs) more effective. Whether you are curious about LSCs, what it means to be an LSC member, or whether you're unsure if your school has an LSC; The Gathering is for you.
Sat Oct 5, 10am - 12pm
NTA, 55 W. Cermak
⟹ A Gathering of Communities: Healing Through Justice!
Hosted by Communities United in partnership with multiple organizations
Sat Oct 5, 9am - 1pm
Corliss HS, 821 E. 103rd St
⟹ Young Women Run Chicago 2019
Hosted by Ignite National
Sat, Oct 19, 9am - 2pm
Convene, 16 W. Adams
More information and registration here.
⟹ Raise a Glass for RYH 2019
Tues Oct 22, 5:30 - 8:30pm
Lagunitas Brewing Company, 2607 W. 17th Street
Buy tickets to our annual fundraiser today! See you there!
⟹ Unelected CPS Board Of Education Meeting
Wed Oct 23, 10:30am
CPS, 42 W Madison
Registration to speak or attend begins on Mon Oct 21 at 10:30am.Online registration to speak or attend is here. We will be there so please contact us if you need assistance: jennie@ilraiseyourhand.org. Note: The agenda for the meeting is available at www.cpsboe.org at 10am on Mon Oct 21.