News and Advocacy

The Promise of a New School Year

A message from CPAA President Banks

Pam Farrell: Championing the Arts and Her Members

Pam says of AFSA, "As soon as we met the team, we knew we had found a home. They have been so instrumental as a resource and a feeling that we are not alone. As AFSA 151, we are part of a larger union family, and that means a lot when you are doing this work.”

NYC Council to Take Up AFSA’s Call for National School Safety Task Force

Resolution to be introduced Sept. 10 calls on Congress and the President to act as new research highlights threats facing school leaders responsible for keeping students and staff safe.

CPAA Honors Principals and Assistant Principals at Retiree Celebration

This winter, CPAA held a dinner celebration to honor CPS principals and assistant principals who retired in 2017 and 2018. Congratulations to Dr. Stanley Griggs, Kimberly Jockl, Susan Kukielka, Cassandra Washington, Edward Breen, Dana Andre Butler, Mary Katherine Clancy, Karen Koegler, Dr. Patricia McCann-Nicholes, Patrick J. MacMahon, and Dr. Lucja Mirowska-Kopec.

President LaRaviere Uses Mayor's Race to Raise Awareness of Severe Understaffing in CPS

Nearly a year ago, President LaRaviere commissioned research that uncovered the fact that CPS is the most understaffed school district in Illinois. Our president, Troy LaRaviere, worked to raise public awareness of this crisis but the media paid little attention. So he ran for mayor in order to use the platform of the race to bring attention to the issues and concerns that our members have.

CPAA Legislation Forces CPS to Abandon SBB for Special Ed and Return to Position-Based Budgeting

CPAA Special Education Bill Passes Illinois Senate 51-0

THE GOOD NEWS

A Video Tribute to Robert Croston

On Sunday, services were held for Robert Croston and our brother was laid to rest. His wife sent out a call for people to make short videos about Rob, and we responded with the video below. He left an immense legacy for us to uphold.

Respectfully,
Troy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-DHsA25lvc&feature=emb_title

Two Days Left for Principals to Contribute to ISBE Special Education Inquiry

As you know, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is conducting an inquiry into special education policy at CPS. Last Friday at 1:46 PM, LIz Kirby, CPS Chief of School Strategy and Planning, sent the following email to principals encouraging them to cooperate with the inquiry by sending the attached flyer home with students.