New rules to healthcare leaves and updates on pay, telehealth and more
Teachers have been using this week to work with their principal on a remote learning strategy and will be paid through PHE. Members will also be paid their earned vacation pay for Spring Break, April 6-10. Upon returning from vacation, members will begin teleworking.
Voices of the Rank-and-File: To families from teachers in “our new classrooms”
“Am I doing this right? Am I doing enough? Am I screwing this up? Should I be doing more with my child?” The answers to those questions are simple: Absolutely. …
$205M in fed support to CPS must address gaping holes in equity
Digital divide thwarts remote learning for thousands of students while needs for health care, trauma supports go unaddressed. CHICAGO, April 2, 2020—CPS is expected to receive $205 million from the federal government to address costs and needs associated with the...
CTU Remote Learning Guidance
We met with CPS about its remote learning plan and forthcoming guidance this weekend, and after a planning week and Spring Break, remote learning begins the week of April 13.
Voices of the Rank-and-File: Opposing both faces of racism
Racism and xenophobia existed long before Donald Trump, and have a long and unfortunate history not just in politics, but in our unions.
Mayor to place childcare centers in schools, staff with rank-and-file volunteers
The mayor wants to line up volunteer CTU staff support for childcare centers in a small number of schools located near hospitals to care for children of healthcare workers. We need more assurances on member safety and we’re pushing for them.
CPS $75M blank check must drive equity, right to recovery for every student and family
CPS Board of Education meeting: 4PM TODAY, March 25 Via livestream: https://www.cpsboe.org/ CTU, SEIU Local 73 struck for 11 days to bring equity to school communities, and funds must be used to accelerate equity for low-income students, homeless students, English...
Effectively organizing during COVID-19
CTU delegates were sent this message with the goal of ensuring that organizing continues, even as members work remotely.
Resources for STLS families
Students in Temporary Living Situations (students who may be homeless, “doubled up” or in a similar situation) have resources available through CPS to help them get through this COVID-19 emergency.
UPDATE: Telehealth now includes behavioral/mental health treatment
CTU members with the PPO health plan can obtain unlimited telehealth mental health sessions. Three are free. Subsequent visits are covered according to the plan…
Voices of the Rank-and-File: Routines as a tool to manage anxiety
What are some of the positive portions of your routines while socially isolating/socially distancing? Send a video to sspencer16@cps.edu and let us know!
Voices of the Rank-and-File: Let us build together, and care for one another
Instead of waiting to be reactive, we must be prepared and ready to be the ones to push for a space of radical imagination and community.
The days ahead will be no different from the days we have already experienced
Our goal as a union right now is to protect educators, students, parents and anyone connected to our schools from taking on additional financial hardship.
Voices of the Rank-and-File: Five reasons why I had a sobbing meltdown within 24 hours of school closing down, and five things that are making it better
It wasn’t my best moment. I wasn’t especially proud, as the one in my family who has always been the rock in times of crisis, that I was sitting on the edge of my bed crying, and I couldn’t really even articulate why.
Voices of the Rank-and-File: Gratitude Intro for Teens
Our sister Samantha Spencer at Sullivan HS with the latest edition of her school closing vlog talking about resiliency, gratitude and the little things that help us get by—like cats!
Voices of the Rank-and-File: Reach out to someone you care about today
Reach out to someone you care about today.
Answers to FAQs while CPS schools are closed through April 20
More details can be found in a CPS email sent to all educators on Sunday, March 15 at 8 p.m. (subject line: Guidance for Educators Regarding School Closure due to COVID-19) which included links to HR details, the CPS FAQ, reminders about the Acceptable Use Policy and...Administrator requirements going beyond CPS protocol for assignments, grading
If your administration appears to be requiring things that go above and beyond the district guidance (like an extremely specific number of assignments, hours or length, or requiring any grading during this period), courteously inquire by email whether a) it’s required, and b) what will happen if you are unable to comply?
CTU urges State ed board to suspend standardized tests in wake of school closures
CTU urges Governor, ISBE to expand on leadership during pandemic by also addressing graduation requirements so no student is held back or unable to graduate because of school closures. CHICAGO—The Chicago Teachers Union is urging the Illinois State Board of Education...
Voices of the Rank-and-File: Self-care, news literacy and flattening the curve for teens
Samantha Spencer, digital media teacher at Sullivan High School, has started a video blog to communicate with students and emotionally navigate this challenging time.
Lesson plans and online resources
We’re committed to supporting members who are working on learning options for students until schools reopen.
Our schools must close NOW
Today, we are calling on the mayor and CPS to follow the leadership of the governor and school districts across the country and immediately close all traditional public, charter and contract schools in the city of Chicago.
Take Action: Demand the Mayor and CPS CEO Meet Emergency COVID-19 Needs
Take Action: Send a letter to the mayor and to members of the Chicago Board of Education requesting that they take emergency actions.
