The Chicago Teachers Union on Thursday set a strike date of Monday, Sept. 10, while the school district began reaching out to parents with information on programs that will be available for their children if classes are canceled.þþThe district said it is sending letters, emails and text messages and making robocalls to parents to pass along information on the status of the potential strike and a contingency plan should teachers walk. The district said it also is working to organize a telephonic town hall meeting for parents next week.þþIn addition to opening 145 schools for a half-day in the event of a strike, the district is asking community organizations to submit proposals for providing activities for children. A list of programs could be available to parents by Tuesday, when the majority of the district's students return to class, the district said.þþParents will have to enroll their children in the district-sponsored programs by phone or online — but the district is not opening enrollment yet because a walkout still could be averted.þþÿWe don't want parents to go through the efforts of signing up if there's no need,ÿ Chicago Public Schools spokeswoman Becky Carroll said. ÿWe're hopeful we'll reach an agreement.ÿþþCPS has asked the state's governing body for high school athletics for permission to hold practices and host sporting events even if teachers decide to walk out.þþCPS chief Jean-Claude Brizard said in a statement that among other issues, ÿcollege transcripts and recommendations for 20,000 seniors will be put on holdÿ in the event of a strike, making it crucial that the 11 remaining days be used to ÿreach a fair resolution for our teachers.ÿþþThe union's house of delegates unanimously approved the strike date of Sept. 10, the first day of the second week of school for most students, President Karen Lewis said after Thursday's meeting.þþÿWe have been telling our parents and the city to prepare for this,ÿ Lewis said. ÿWe do not want to strike but apparently the board does — because if they didn't, we wouldn't be in this situation where we are today.ÿþþLewis said negotiations are scheduled every day until Sept. 10, including through the Labor Day weekend.þþBoth sides are working to build community support for a settlement. Lewis on Thursday urged parents to call the school board and ÿput pressure on them to settle this.ÿ Radio ads asking concerned parents to text the word ÿcompromiseÿ to add their name to an online petition against a teachers strike are being paid for by a privately funded education reform group that has backed Mayor Rahm Emanuel's efforts to overhaul education in the city.þþCommunity groups active in education say parents are growing more frustrated as the standoff with teachers drags on.þþÿThey think both parties are grandstanding and no longer have the children's best interests at heart,ÿ said Juan Jose Gonzalez, director of the Chicago chapter of the reform advocacy group Stand for Children. ÿThey think it's all political nonsense.ÿþþWendy Katten, director of the political action group Raise Your Hand, said there is little consensus among parents about which side is to blame. Some now are weighing their child care options in the event of a walkout, she said.þþAnd most want the district and its teachers to turn their attention back to the many problems facing the city's schools.þþÿ(Parents) are so burnt out on this district and the sad state of public education in this city,ÿ Katten said. ÿI think a lot of them genuinely worry about the future.ÿþþDetails of CPS' contingency plan have yet to be finalized. In addition to opening schools, the district likely will partner with other city agencies, including the Chicago Park District, to extend 70 to 80 summer camps. Dozens of libraries also might be used to provide computer access.þþDespite the union rhetoric, many teachers are just as nervous as parents about a strike. Julie Ciesz, a paid part-time teacher aide at Columbia Explorers Academy, has a son at the school and is also a member of the teachers union. She said a strike would be a double whammy for her family and the prospect is already proving a distraction for some teachers and staff.þþÿStaff is worried, teachers are worried,ÿ Ciesz said. ÿIt's hard not to think about it.ÿþþþSome parents are taking their concerns directly to their alderman.þþÿI think parents are nervous,ÿ said Ald. Ameya Pawar, 47th, whose North Side ward has seven public grammar schools and four high schools. ÿI understand there are plans to get kids into (schools and other facilities if there is a strike.) But that's only for half a day.ÿþþþHe added: ÿWe're just trying to hold our breath, and hopefully there is a deal and they just continue with school.ÿþþAld. Howard Brookins, 21st, whose wife works full time and whose two children attend public schools, said a strike has been on their minds.þþÿMy wife is the main (CPS) parent I've been hearing from,ÿ Brookins said. ÿI don't know what we do if there's a strike.ÿþþMercy Solis picked up her 9-year-old son at Columbia Explorers Academy on the Southwest Side and said, ÿBoth sides need to work this out because it's not fair to kids.ÿþþHer son, a fourth-grader, said his friends often talk about what they'll do if the teachers walk out.þþÿA lot of my friends will be pretty happy, but I'll be disappointed if the school shuts down,ÿ Richard Solis said. ÿAll of my friends are here.ÿþ
Source: Chicago Tribune
