Parents hear CPS strike plan
Some 35,000 Chicago residents packed the phone lines Thursday to join a “teletownhall” about what to do with kids if Chicago Teachers Union members strike on Monday.
Chicago Schools CEO JeanClaude Brizard told the phone-in audience he expected to provide a half-day of food and shelter to about 150,000 of the system’s more than 400,000 public school children if teachers walk off the job.
But Brizard emphasized, “none of us are looking to replace our teachers. We are providing breakfast, lunch and some activities for kids.”
“We want to assure you we are meeting every day to reach a fair agreement because no one will be hurt more than the 400,000 children who just began a new school year.’’
Earlier Thursday, Chicago Public Schools officials released the names of 144 school sites that will be open on a limited basis for students in case of a strike — from 8:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. weekdays.
The sites also will provide breakfast, lunch, “a safe environment” and “positive activities” for students, according to a CPS statement.
Although the system will not turn away any CPS children, CPS spokeswoman Robyn Ziegler emphasized that the contingency sites are intended as a “safety net” for children whose parents have “exhausted all other means to find a safe environment” for their kids.
No issue still on table justifies a strike |
Parents who need to use the schools are encouraged to sign up their children beforehand at
or call 311 if parents don’t have Internet access.
Eventually, all missed days will have to be made up, even for those children who attend contingency sites, Brizard said in response to several parent questions.
Also on Thursday, Chicago pastors announced 59 church doors will be open as safe havens for children in the event of a CPS strike.
The pastors said CPS has not reached out with details of a contingency plan but will provide some Safe Haven funds to some of the churches if a strike occurs. The rest of the funds will come from Catholic Charities ministries and donations.
Parents can register their kids for the church safe-haven program by calling a hotline at 773-553-2500.