After Illinois’s largest single-day jump in known Coronavirus cases, Governor Pritzker announced on Friday, April 17th that all Illinois schools (public and private) would remain closed through the end of the academic year. This comes after approximately 20 other states –including Michigan and Indiana—issued state-wide closures for their schools through the end of their academic years in order to continue mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
On Monday, April 13th Chicago Public Schools began their remote learning plan for all CPS students which included delivering 100,000 laptops, tablets, etc. to students who need them (for more information, see our blog post from April 1st). Schools will continue with this remote learning plan through the duration of the year, and while students are encouraged and expected to participate, school work through remote learning will not be counted against students in their final grades.
In a statement released by CPS, Janice K. Jackson (Chief Executive Officer) and LaTanya D. McDade (Chief Education Officer) assured families saying, “We know this is a tough time, but Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will be here to support you every step of the way.” They also offered these tips for quality remote learning through the rest of the year:
Visit cps.edu/remotelearning for the most up-to-date information on remote learning and to access valuable learning resources.
If your school is providing remote learning online and your child needs a device, please contact their principal.
Your involvement is key to ensuring your child puts forth their best effort. Please take advantage of the resources offered by your school, including remote office hours with your child’s teachers.
Please utilize Parent Portal to monitor your child’s progress.
In addition, they wanted to make sure families knew that Grab-and-Go meals would remain available throughout the rest of the school year. For more information on how/where to receive Grab-and-Go meals, visit cps.edu/mealsites. While some logistics of remote learning through the end of the year remain uncertain including “grading in quarter four, grade advancement, and requirements for graduation,” CPS reassured families that they are working to find the best solutions possible for families and will keep everyone updated as soon as they know more.
Chicago Public Schools has still yet to make an announcement regarding when and if students will make up their spring NWEA MAP test for selective enrollment high schools. However, Test Prep Chicago will continue to monitor the situation and let families know as soon as CPS disseminates that information. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter on our homepage, testprepchicago.com, for all the most current information.
Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266