The Chicago Teachers Union is ready to strike Thursday if it doesn’t reach a deal with Chicago Public Schools and Mayor Lori Lightfoot by midnight Wednesday.
A strike from the 25,000-strong teachers union would cause the cancellation of classes for 300,000 CPS students.
CPS has published a contingency plan for parents outlining alternative options for students should a strike occur, which include libraries, parks, community centers, and other sites that will be staffed to supervise children while schools are closed.
“Although we are doing everything we can to reach agreements that benefit our school communities,” the district wrote on its website, “we have plans in place to ensure our students stay safe should a work stoppage occur.”
CPS school buildings will be open at their usual times, and principals and non-union staff will be on site providing breakfast and lunch to students and coordinating “engaging activities” to occupy the time. Students can attend any CPS school that is appropriate for their age, even if it’s not their usual school.
In addition to CPS buildings, all Chicago Public Libraries will accept students, as will 18 parks, designated “Safe Haven” sites, and other community partner sites.
You can search through the full list of contingency sites using this site locator map:
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If you plan to send your student to a CPS school during the strike while classes are canceled, the district is asking that you sign up with your child’s student ID number via this online registration tool.
Alternative options include 31 “Safe Haven” sites like St. Sabina Church, the Institute for Positive Living, and Bright Star Community Outreach. Other community partner host locations include the Beverly Arts Center, five Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago locations, the Gary Comer Youth Center and many YMCAs across Chicago.
