CHICAGO – Students of Chicago Public Schools took in the final hours of summer break before heading back to school on Monday.
More than 200 kids celebrated “New School Year Eve” Sunday at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and East 21st Street on the city’s South Side. There, they grabbed some snacks, picked up backpacks, and some even got back to school haircuts.
“If you look good, you’ll do good, right? And I think, you know, having that level of self-esteem is what’s really important, right? So we have to make sure that they are in a position where they can be good, feel good, look good, and do well in school,” said Bamani Obadele of Acclivus, Inc.
In November, Chicagoans will elect school board members for the first time. The Chicago Teacher’s Union will continue negotiating a new contract, but said it won’t rule out a walk-out.
It’s also unclear if CPS Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez will leave. He and Mayor Brandon Johnson have been at odds over way to deal with a budget deficit.
About 8,000 students did not have bus service on the first day last school year. Parents WGN News caught up with remained hopeful that won’t be an issue this year.