RYH Newsletter 4.23.20
On Saturday, Governor Pritzker suspended in-person instruction for the rest of the school year in IL. We recognize that there are so many questions about public education in IL. We are trying to find the answers and share them out. We are also consistently pressing for parents to be at the table, virtually of course, so that we have input in the plans and solutions moving forward. Please consider following us on all of our social media channels.
A few things we want to highlight...
Weāve been sharing a RYH Parent Mantra for Remote Learning via social media every day this week and last. You can find those Mantras here.
City Bureau has published a comprehensive Chicago COVID Resource Finder. Please check it out and share with families. Text "covid" to 312-436-2280 to access via phone.
CPS consolidated meal sites last week. We have a webpage with the basics, info on site locations, and a link for the food delivery form: CPS Grab & Go Meal Sites: Basics + Changes.
Raise Your Hand has joined the Right to Recovery (R2R) Coalition, which is made up of progressive grassroots organizations and elected officials who believe that our path to recovery must center those most at risk. We are looking for parents who want to be part of the fight and join RYH's Right to Recovery parent leaders. We believe this is a great learning opportunity to deepen our understanding of the political and organizing landscape as well as work in a large coalition on complex and challenging problems. If interested, read more here & fill out this form.
Our newsletter today- found below the Mantras- includes Remote Learning (RL) news, CPS Board of Ed meeting topics, LSC and Special Education news & Zooms, PreK and GoCPS updates, and more. Stay well, Friends.
~ RYH Board & Staff
Remote Learning in the news
As this experiment continues and evolves, the media has coverage of how Remote Learning (RL) is actually playing out on the ground. The articles below highlight real live examples of RL in action- the good and the incredibly difficult- and/or impossible- for many families.
WBEZ Education has several stories featuring teachers and students participating in Remote Learning and they also have stories about impacts on college students.
Chalkbeat Chicago: Remote learning in Chicago: Hereās whatās working so far and what needs improvement
And for some reality on the inequities and real struggles faced by many studentsā¦
Chalkbeat Chicago: For Chicago homeless students, school provided more than an education. Hereās how they are coping.
Teen Vogue: Distance Learning During Coronavirus Worsens Race, Class Inequality in Education
Chalkbeat Chicago: Pandemic diary: How one Chicago Latina is regaining her high school momentum
And read this from a CPS high school teacher & CPS parentā¦
The White Rhino blog: Stop telling Chicago Public Schools students they're falling behind during the COVID-19 pandemic
CPS Board of Ed meeting: devices, internet access, grading policy, etc.
Yesterday the Lightfoot appointed CPS Board of Ed hosted their monthly meeting remotely.
Our Executive Director and our Parent Organizer both spoke. You can find our statements, links to video, and all the press coverage here. We spoke on the need for transparency and accountability as well as the need for parents and community to be involved in decision making in how COVID-19 related funds are spent. We also spoke on the huge inequities across CPS with respect to remote learning and the need for CPS to address these needs and listen to the communities most greatly impacted.
Device distribution & internet access... WBEZ: 5 Weeks After In-Person School Shut Down, Only Half Of CPS Kids Who Need A Computer Have One
Gradingā¦ No real answers yet; guidance coming soon. Chalkbeat Chicago: Goodbye As, Bs and Cs? Chicago Public Schools to revisit grading during pandemic
Budgetā¦ School level budgets expected by end of the month. WBEZ: āThere Are A Lot Of Unknownsā: Budgeting For Chicago Public Schools In The Age Of Coronavirus
Yeah, this was said aloud š² ā¦ Sun-Times: Remote learning āmay be the new normal even in the fall,ā Chicago schools chief says
Chicago Principals & Administrators Association (CPAA) shared concerns about the health & safety of school admin working at schools. Read more here.
Local School Council (LSC) news
LSC elections have been officially postponed. CPS is working on securing a new date- the IL School Code will have to be changed. Besides elections, LSCs are facing other difficulties: setting up virtual meetings, communicating those to families, wondering how to fill vacancies, performing their usual duties... all of this in the midst of a pandemic and while receiving conflicting information from CPS. The below WBEZ story covers all of the above with LSC member voices. The story also highlights RYH's work leading up to the LSC election season.
WBEZ: Fate Of Chicago Local School Council Elections Up In The Air Because Of The Coronavirus
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, RYH LSC work continues. We are hosting weekly LSC Member Solidarity Calls on Thursdays, 6-7:30pm. We've learned so much listening to LSC members from across the city and our participants have been able to share resources & other info and ideas with each other. We are also discussing possible collective actions. Join us TONIGHT, Th, 4/23, 6pm. Register here. Upon registering, youāll receive an email containing the login information. If you cannot join us, please take a few moments to complete a short survey. All individual responses will be kept confidential.
Special education news
The IL State Board of Education and CPS both posted updated Special Education FAQs during Remote Learning on April 20. There are still a lot of unanswered questions.
IL State Board of Education (ISBE) FAQs for SpEd during Remote Learning
CPS Frequently Asked Questions | Diverse Learner Supports and Services during COVID-19 School Closures
These docs can be found on the CPS COVID-19 Updates & Resources page
If you are in a non CPS district in IL use the ISBE FAQs and look out for some FAQs or communications via your district's website, your school's website, district/school social media, and via teachers & staff.
RYH is hosting weekly Special Ed Parents & Supporter Zoom calls: Tuesdays, 1-2:30pm. Register here. The next call is Tues, April 28, 1PM. Dr. Jones, ODLSS Chief Officer, and Ms. Parker, ODLSS Deputy Chief, are joining the call for the first 30 minutes.
CPS applications: PreK + GoCPS (elementary schools) - DELAYED
PreKā¦ If you want to stay up to date on when applications will be available, you should subscribe to this email list: chicagoearlylearning.org/connect. According to CPS: "You can visit chicagoearlylearning.org or call the Chicago Early Learning Hotline at (312) 229-1690 to find out more information about programs that best meet your family's needs." Applications were originally set to be ready on April 21.
GoCPSā¦ High school notifications were sent on time. Please check GoCPS for the timeline for that ongoing process. Elementary school notifications (and magnet PreK) have been delayed until May 8.
Chalkbeat Chicago has all of the above covered here: Chicago to delay preschool applications, kindergarten admissions
Language Access Volunteer Sign Up - not for RYH use only
This is a form to collect volunteers who are able to potentially provide translation and interpretation of news around services that will be offered. We want to use this to coordinate both with officials and grassroots groups. This is not just for RYH specific messaging - we see this as a broader tool that will be shared with other folks doing mutual aid or sharing critical news. Link to volunteer. Thank you for considering.
Action Alert from the Right to Recovery Coalition
Mayor Lightfoot is attempting to seize complete control over federal aid coming to the City via her Emergency Powers Ordinance. Her ordinance fails to name a pathway for bringing relief to our most vulnerable and at-need to communities. We say VOTE NO to an ordinance that gives the Mayor more power and gives our communities nothing! Call your alderman and say, āVote no on the Emergency Powers Ordinance.ā You can find your alderman and their contact info here. There could be a vote on this Friday at a 1:00 meeting so please call today.
Worth a read
In the Public Interest: How to spot privatization schemes in the middle of a crisis
Revive, Rally, and Recover Public Schools, a blog by Nancy Bailey: Public School āReimagineā and āRevolutionā Hypocrisy: Put Them Out to Pasture!
Teachers and parents on the frontlines of this pandemic should be given control of how their schools are reimagined in the future. When this crisis ends, they should be given the voice on how to bring back democratic public schools and make them their own. Any revolution surrounding schools is theirs.
Mercedes Schneiderās blog: States Need to Plan Now to Forego Standardized Testing in 2020-21
Upcoming event
Ally is a Verb Series: Anti-Racism during COVID-19
Sun, April 26, 2:30 - 4PM via Zoom
Hosted by SURJ Chicago
Free
Remote Learning Quick Links
RYH resources & webpages worth noting:
RYH Remote Learning SpEd Resources from CPS Parents, Teachers & Clinicians & What SpEd Parents Want to See from CPS re Remote Learning
RYH COVID-19 Resources
CPS webpages worth noting:
NEW! 4.20.20: CPS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | Diverse Learner Supports and Services during COVID-19 School Closures Eng | Span
Parent Tech Support Portal: Use this any time for tech support help files and to submit service requests for your student's CPS-issued device
Tech Resources for Remote Learning: Prepare for Remote Learning- instructions on setting up an internet connection, how to use your device, troubleshooting, etc
CPS Remote Learning: Guidance, printable remote learning packets, printable resource packets, etc
IL State Board of Education (ISBE)