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Dear CPS Families,
As the weather continues to get warmer, we know that our students will want to spend time outdoors with friends. I want all of our kids to socialize outside and enjoy the spring and summer months, but we need to work together to keep them safe.
As we saw in our city last weekend, large, unsupervised gatherings of young people can get easily out of hand. This can lead to traumatizing experiences for our kids, and worse, serious injury or even fatalities. Last weekend was a reminder to all of us that we must do more to keep our children and our communities safe.
The best way to keep your kids safe is to know who they are spending time with and what their plans are when they leave home. Please also be sure that your children know how to reach you, and please encourage them to spend time with a few friends rather than gravitating toward large gatherings.
I want our kids to experience everything this amazing city has to offer. And while they do, I want them to reflect all of the values that our District stands for — integrity, leadership, and above all, respect for others in and beyond the classroom.
From sports leagues, to arts programs, to employment opportunities, there are so many programs available to help keep kids engaged during the weekends and throughout the summer. I encourage you to visit cps.edu/summerprograms, MyChiMyFuture.org, Chicago Public Library, and the City’s Park District website to find programs that are right for your family.
As CPS CEO, I witness our students’ potential daily. They are the future of our city and our world, and we need to make sure they have the chance to achieve everything they are dreaming about right now. I know that our families share this commitment, and I thank you for your partnership in helping keep students safe during these spring and summer months.
Sincerely,
Pedro Martinez
Chief Executive Officer
Chicago Public Schools