RYH Newsletter 1.30.20

Jan 30

"Worthwhile" was how a few attendees described last night's CPS School Funding Working Group meeting held at Amundsen HS. These workshops are part of a larger initiative to examine Student Based Budgeting (SBB) with the possibility of changing it for the 2022 school year. Read a recent report on the inequities of SBB here. It will take all of us to challenge the current inequitable CPS SBB funding formula. Please plan to attend one of the 5 remaining meetings:

Th, Jan 30, 6–8pm, Clark HS, 5101 W. Harrison St
Sat, Feb 1, 11am–1pm, Corliss HS, 821 E. 103rd St
Wed, Feb 5, 6–8pm, Hammond ES, 2819 W. 21st Pl
Th, Feb 6, 6–8pm, Dyett HS, 555 E. 51st St
Sat, Feb 8, 11am–1pm, Clemente HS, 1147 N. Western Ave

Here's press coverage of last night from Chalkbeat Chicago: Chicago mulls how to reslice the school budget pie — but what about a bigger pie?

Local School Council (LSC) Elections are in April

LSC Elections: Wed, April 22 (elementary schools) and Th, April 23 (high schools)

LSC Candidate materials: CPS LSC Elections web page

Thank you to the over 150 folks who came out to #LSCSummit2020 this past Saturday! If you are interested in running for a LSC and want to be connected to resources but did not register or attend the event please email admin@ilraiseyourhand.org.

Chalkbeat Chicago was there: Wanted: Ways to boost the profile of Chicago’s Local School Councils. A new bill could be a start. CAN TV recorded the opening panel and the LSC Elections workshop. We will share broadcast details when we have them.

#LSCSummit2020 was hosted by the LSCs.4.All coalition: Blocks Together, Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), Chicago United for Equity (CUE), Lugenia Burns Hope Center, Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO), Northside Action for Justice, Pilsen Alliance, and Raise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education (RYH).

Next LSC event.... The Gathering- LSC Elections - Building LSC Power Together

Join the LSCs.4.All coalition for our next event! This is free and open to the public.

Sat, Feb 15, 10:30am - 12pm, National Teachers Academy (NTA), 55 W. Cermak

CPS Board of Education Committees

The Whole Child Committee met Monday. The CPS SQRP (School Quality Rating Policy) was the focus. You can read our live tweets from this committee meeting here. Chalkbeat Chicago: Can Chicago design a better school ratings system? Principals, parents, and teachers think so.

Recommended reading to learn more about CPS SQRP:

CPS SQRP web page | RYH resources from What Makes a School Great? Feb 12, 2018, including South Side Weekly coverage: Beyond the Levels

RYH’s Guide to Talking About High Quality Education, 2014

Consider taking CPS School Quality Rating Policy (SQRP) Survey: English | Spanish.

The Workforce Development & Equity Committee has posted a link to all the materials from this committee's inaugural meeting.

The Early Childhood Committee has not posted their materials yet from their first meeting. Materials will post on www.cpsboe.org. Scroll down to “News and Announcements.” A link should be there soon.

Special education news

We need your Special Education questions! RYH is working on creating an online resource to help families navigate Special Ed in CPS and would love for you to fill out this survey: English | Spanish. Please share this survey with your contacts!

RYH Special Ed Tip of the Week:

Bring someone you trust with you to any meetings (a family member, a friend, a neighbor, another parent of a child with special needs), at the very least to provide moral support and take notes. Having a trusted companion to take notes at your child’s IEP meeting will free you up to focus on the team discussion and provide any future documentation you may need.

Healthy Schools Campaign is collecting testimonials from advocates, service providers, school administrators and health staff, families, students, etc. on the importance of having quality school health services, as part of the effort to support free care, but also in terms of expanding school health services in general. Please submit a testimonial and/or share with your networks across the state - it only takes two minutes to complete. Link here.

Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD), Chicago’s Metropolitan Area Parent Training and Information Center can provide you with no cost Special Education advocacy help. All FRCD asks of parents who want an advocate to help them navigate the special education process is that you complete one of their know-your-rights trainings so you will be empowered with knowledge that will benefit your child.

CPS All City Performing Arts Program Spring 2020

CPS All City Performing Arts Program is taking applications for new participants. First rehearsals are Sat, Feb 8. The application & more details are here.

SUFEO: Great, free resource for parents & students!

Stand Up For Each Other (SUFEO) Chicago, is an initiative led by Loyola law students to disrupt the school to prison pipeline and address a gap in legal services in Chicago. SUFEO’s goal is to reduce the use of suspensions and exclusionary practices and to keep young people engaged and safe in school. SUFEO advocates on behalf of PreK-12 students in suspension appeals. We have also recently expanded our representation to students in need of safety protections in school as a result of bullying. SUFEO’s services are completely free.

SUFEO website | hotline: 773.800.0338 | email: SUFEO-Chicago@luc.edu