Introduction to the New School Year
Eva Corona can’t wait to welcome her students Monday back to the South Side elementary school she says has become a haven for a small group of newly arrived immigrants. But the bilingual coordinator knows the summer has been rough for many of those families. With the stepped up threat of deportation from the federal government hanging over them, some have left. Others have lost jobs or felt nervous about keeping them and are struggling to keep “a roof over their heads.” Corona says they have asked for help with uniforms and school supplies, and her school is providing what it can. “They are always going to be scared, but they want their kids to have a normal life and school year,” she said.
Impact of Trump Administration on CPS
The Trump administration has the potential to create disruptions for Chicago Public Schools this year. Not only are many families affected by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and immigration policies, but the school district is also under investigation by the administration. The federal government could conclude that CPS violated civil rights or Title IX protections and freeze funding — something that CPS has not taken into account as it has devised its budget. At the same time, the district officials spent the summer grappling with a massive budget deficit for this school year. Last week they rolled out a budget proposal and board members are set to vote on it next Thursday, after classes begin. CPS also has a new interim leader steering the district through these tumultuous waters.
Educational Experience
But Nicole Milberg, chief of teaching and learning, stressed that behind the scenes there’s been attention to the educational experience. “We’ve all worked really hard this summer to make sure that what we know matters the most for kids is in place,” she said. “I feel really confident sending my two kids to school on Monday knowing that they are going to get the same high-quality experience that they’ve gotten in all the years before.”
Enrollment and Attendance
When Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began sending busloads of migrants to Chicago in 2022, the move was sharply criticized as inhumane. But for Chicago Public Schools, the new families were a positive. They helped stabilize a student population on the decline. Some schools in low-income Black communities that had years of dropping enrollment, like where Corona teaches, saw bumps. But President Donald Trump’s campaign against immigration might mean more enrollment declines. When Trump initially threatened “shock and awe” enforcement, parents started keeping their kids at home, and then again, whenever parents heard of ICE raids, said Patrick Brosnan, executive director of the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council. Brosnan said some parents got picked up by ICE on their way to drop their children off at school. “These are the stories that terrify parents,” he said.
There was a false alarm at Hamline Elementary in the Back of the Yards neighborhood in January that ICE agents had attempted to enter the school, spreading fear in a community that was on high alert.
Tyler Pasciak Lariviere / Sun-Times
Now, the fear is that some families won’t return at all. Corona says if any don’t show up, she plans to call moms and dads and urge them to come. CPS leaders met with principals on Friday morning to make sure they had what they needed for immigrant families who might feel threatened, said Milberg. “We want to make sure that our communities are set up to support them,” she said.
Teachers in Classrooms
As they grappled with the budget deficit, CPS officials said their No. 1 priority was to protect the student experience. They kept the same teacher-to-student ratios, and even continued funding more than 550 extra teachers whose job is to target struggling students, as well as 174 instructional coaches to make sure teaching practices are strong. Chief Talent Officer Ben Felton said he is especially proud that, in the midst of a continued teacher shortage and threats on public education, the CPS vacancy rate is less than 3%, the lowest level perhaps ever. “When you have lots of vacant positions, it’s oftentimes kids who are furthest from opportunity, who suffer the most,” Felton said. “What we’re seeing in our data too, is that the biggest reduction in teacher vacancies are in our highest-need neighborhoods. So we’re really thrilled about that.”
Cuts to Support Staff
But the deficit is being erased in part through layoffs and closing positions, some of which will touch schools. Among the casualties are 100 crossing guards, 250 lunchroom workers, and 500 custodians. In a letter to parents, CPS acknowledged these changes may impact schools, including seeing cleaning schedules altered and the loss of hot meals after school.
Chicago Public Schools is cutting 100 crossing guards at intersections around the city to help close the budget deficit.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-T
