News and Notes
Sept. 29 LEAD dinner to honor Mayor Johnson, Randi Weingarten — get your tickets today
Get your tickets today for this year’s Legislators and Educators Appreciation Dinner — LEAD — as we honor our union brother Mayor Brandon Johnson and our AFT President Randi Weingarten. Join CTU members, elected officials and our community allies for an evening of celebration and coalition-building. It’s never been more important to celebrate our political power. Sept. 29, 4:30 p.m. social hour, 5:30 p.m. dinner at the CTU Center. Tickets are on sale now, get yours today!
Support the CTU PAC, our tool to organize for political change
Thanks to our collective efforts and the dedication of our members, we did what the pundits said couldn’t be done — elect a union brother, a teacher, a CPS parent mayor of Chicago. Beating the billionaires and business interests for this historic achievement was only possible by thousands of rank-and-file members organizing in our communities and pooling our resources by supporting the CTU Political Action Committee (PAC). Learn more and support your union’s political organizing today.
Your input needed: CPS Skyline Survey
In response to member concerns about the Skyline curriculum mandates, we’ve asked CPS to attend a webinar with us so the district can hear our concerns, answer our questions and take feed back from members. In preparation for the webinar, please take our Skyline survey so we can organize the webinar and prepare CPS to attend with clear solutions to the issues raised. Take the Skyline survey today.
Sept. 25 and 26: CPS SPED Advisory Committee listening sessions
As CPS begins its search for a new leader of the special education department, the newly formed CPS Special Education Advisory Committee will host two more listening sessions:
- Mon., Sept. 25, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Back of the Yards High School, 2111 W. 47th St.
- Tues., Sept. 26, 4 to 5:30 p.m., at Lavizzo Elementary School, 138 W. 109th St.
Parents, educators, school staff and community members are invited to offer input on the top qualities and skills they want to see in the new SPED chief.
The CTU is proud to celebrate and lift up the culture, contibutions and voices of our vibrant Latine community. ¡Esta lucha es tuya, mía, y de nosotros! Read more.
We kicked off our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at the Mexican Independence Day Parade this weekend. Such a beautiful, uplifting event. See video above.
First dues and PAC deductions this week
the first dues deduction for CTU members working at CPS schools will happen on this week’s paycheck (9/22). Those members who contribute to the CTU’s PAC will also have their first PAC deduction.
Election to fill vacancies on the CTU Executive Board
Nominations to fill six vacant slots on the CTU Executive Board will be taken at the Sept. 27 House of Delegates meeting and the election will be held at the Nov. 1 meeting. Read more.
Oct. 11: NBCT Information Session
Recruitment begins in October for the 2024-2026 Nurturing Teacher Leadership National Board Certification cohort. CTUF will host a virtual information meeting on Oct. 11, 5 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, contact LynnCherkasky-Davis@ctuf.org or register for the NTL information session here.
Features
How roller derby helped Nora Flanagan stand up to the CPS school of hard-knocks
Nora Flanagan’s experience as a roller derby skater has no doubt served her well as a high school teacher and as an organizer in Chicago and beyond. And it probably won’t hurt in her new position at CTU, helping to build and support our union’s anti-racist work. Read more about Nora.
CFL/Arise Chicago Labor in the Pulpits
Every Labor Day weekend, union activists fan out across the city to speak at churches, synagogues, and mosques. This Labor Day, Debby Pope, CTU activist and CFL Delegate, spoke at the Grace Church of Logan Square. Above, she is with Preacher Lindsey Joyce and her young daughter.
Members Corner
CTU member and Durkin Elementary teacher Luis Rodriguez has published a colorful children’s book with a dope soundtrack, coloring pages and more. A Children’s Guide 2 Chicago takes young readers through a 14 neighborhood adventure with heroine Lucha Lupe and a diverse Chicago kid crew. The book explores Chicago’s rich culture and history while acknowledging its inequity. The sound track is a captivating synergy of house music, CTA train sounds, and Chicago kid voices. The book also includes QR codes to connect with 13 local organizations families can support. Find the book on Amazon.
Do you have a special CTU member you’d like to shout out to your colleagues? Send their story to communications@ctulocal1.org and we’ll consider it for an upcoming Members Corner. The content of the Members Corner does not reflect official CTU policy or endorsements.
Events
- Sept. 20: Bilingual Education Committee meeting and resource fair
- Sept. 21: CTU Human Rights Committee kick off meeting, 5 p.m., at CTU
- Sept. 21: CTU School Counselors Meeting, 4:30 p.m.
- Sept. 25: CPS SPED Advisory Committee listening session, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Back of the Yards High School, 2111 W. 47th St.
- Sept. 26: CPS SPED Advisory Committee listening session, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Lavizzo Elementary School, 138 W. 109th St.
- Sept. 26: CTU Retiree POWER Jam meeting, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at CTU
- Oct. 11: NBCT Information Session
In the News
- Chicago Public Schools is asking the public’s input in hiring the next special education chief | Chalkbeat
- CPS shortens high school admissions test but pauses plan that would have diversified selective schools | Sun-Times
- Black CPS teens benefit most from shift from suspensions toward restorative practices | WBEZ
- Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Vision for a Better Chicago: An Exclusive Interview | Chicago Defender
- COVID relief helped Cook County child care providers stay open, but advocates say more support is needed | Chalkbeat
- In one 1977 front-page photo at Southwest Side school, the human story of school desegregation era | Sun-Times
CTUF Quest Center
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