RYH Newsletter 6.9.21
At RYH we’ve been pointing out the discrimination in the HS application process for students with disabilities and have been talking to CPS about this for some time. It’s time to take collective action.
If you have an 8th Grader with an IEP in CPS who you believe was denied opportunity for appropriate High School programs due to NWEA and grade cut scores (for either application or acceptance), we want to hear from you at bit.ly/NoGoCPS. Thank you!
More SpEd News: A Note From Mary | SSCA/UER Resources | FRDC For Advocacy Needs
Hi All,
Just a heads up, for personal reasons, I am taking a 4 month leave of absence from my role as Special Ed Parent Liaison with Raise Your Hand. In the meantime, as always, the RYH Special Education Parents and Supporters FB group is a great place to connect with parents, get information and moral support, and hear from families who are willing to share their experiences as a guiding light. Please click on the button below to access the RYH Special Education Resources webpage.
~ Mary Fahey Hughes
RYH teamed up with Equip for Equality for two information sessions (one in English and one in Spanish) on UER (Universal Enrichment Remedy) and SSCA (Student Specific Corrective Action). Free extra special ed services or reimbursement for extra services you already paid for?!? Yes! And did you know CPS has identified over 10,000 students to automatically get extra services to make up for their illegal special education actions in school years 2016-17 & 2017-18? It’s true! All of the resources for both events are here.
For parents looking for an advocate, we recommend the Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD). It is a federally funded not-for-profit organization that has a core mission to support people with disabilities and their families. They have special education advocates who will answer your questions, review your documents, even attend IEP meetings with you - all for FREE. The only thing that they ask is that you first attend one of their know your rights trainings, as that is the most efficient way to ensure parents are exposed to the basics. Their advocates are experienced and knowledgeable.
CPS Parent Survey - Fall Reopening SY22 Survey
ICYMI... CPS released their Parent Survey - Fall Reopening SY22 late last week. We encourage you to take it and share it with other CPS families: cps.edu/familysurvey. Due Fri, June 18.
Local School Council (LSC) Events
LSCs Working Together Q & A
Hosted by Lugenia Burns Hope Center
TONIGHT! Wed, June 9 | 6PM | Register
The Gathering: Organizing for Effectiveness
Hosted by LSCs.4.All Coalition
Tues, June 22 | 4:30PM | Register
Youth Led Meetings For Youth!
On Fridays, #PoliceFreeSchools youth host a call for fellow students to learn more and get involved. 5PM | Register
ACTION ALERT: Tell ISBE To Stop Their Vote To Determine New Student Tests!
We are partnering with several organizations to call on the IL State Board of Ed (ISBE) to stop a vote scheduled for June 16. ISBE intends to approve spending more than $227M over the next 10 years on a state-mandated testing program that increases high-stakes tests for students.
Watch Monday’s webinar: Reimagining Assessment in IL: Taking a Closer Look at ISBE’s Vision for Mandatory State Testing. Our live tweets are here.
Elected School Board Bill Update
The IL House is set to return to Springfield Wednesday to take care of some unfinished business including the elected school board bill. This bill passed in the Senate with an amendment so now must return to the House for concurrence.
All of the below press is from the Sun-Times:
Back to Springfield: Elected Chicago school board, energy bills on legislators’ agenda next week
Why Chicago school board needs more democracy (OpEd from Sen Martwick)
ICYMI… Here’s our one pager on the bill, HB 2908.
RYH Says, “Subscribe To Newswire From City Bureau!”
RYH was part of a cohort receiving and providing feedback on Newswire, a daily email newsletter from City Bureau highlighting their work of documenting 10-20 public meetings a week as well as highlighting ways you can get involved in your community and in Chicago. We have appreciated their coverage of the monthly meetings of the CPS Board of Ed as well as covering most Community Action Council (CAC) meetings. Subscribe here.
Learn more in this blog post: Why We’re Launching Newswire, Your Daily Dose of Chicago Civic News.
Want to know how Chicago ticks? Trying to get involved in your community? This people-powered civic newsletter has you covered.
CPSuccess!
Meet the Youth Behind the General Iron Campaign – Borderless Magazine Washington HS
WBEZ: Chicago High Schoolers Celebrate Prom 2021 Senn HS | Look at the pictures!
Block Club Chicago: Morgan Park Mustangs Honored With Parade, Pep Rally After Winning City High School Baseball Championship
Block Club Chicago: Clemente High School's Baseball Team Finishes First Season Since Pandemic Hit With Big Win: 'As A Team, We Never Gave Up Hope'
Art on theMart is featuring artwork from CPS students until June 26 | 9-9:30PM
In Other News
Read this! Chalkbeat Chicago: Chicago schools funnel Black and Latino students into JROTC
Letter to the editor from a CPS student. Sun-Times: CPS needs to use federal relief funds to increase mental health services for students | Letters
Two articles here from Chalkbeat Chicago: Newly passed laws may bring change to Illinois classrooms. | In Chicago, elected school board supporters criticize compromise plan
Two articles here from Chicago Tribune: Summer school? Parents and teachers are just saying no, despite COVID-19 learning loss and federal relief funds to pay for it. | A maze, not a path: For CPS grads, there’s no standard route from high school diploma to college degree. And the pandemic has added many detours
CPS: CEO Survey | Calendar | PreK
Webpage worth noting: Chicago Public Schools CEO Selection Process. There is a survey on this page- scroll down- due Fri, June 11. (1 week extension added.)
ICYMI... the CPS BOE approved the 2021-22 school calendar in March 2021. The 1st day for CPS students is Mon, Aug 30. Printable calendar here (click on SY2021-22 Calendar.)
PreK: Apply Now Flyer and the FCRC/Library Flyer listing the libraries that will be providing enrollment support for our families. Before visiting a library, parents must make an appointment, here is a link to schedule their appointment: Spanish | English