Chicago Schools Won't Turn Away Students During a Strike

CHICAGO, IL — Chicago schools will stay open even if teachers follow through with their promise to go on strike Tuesday, Oct. 11, according to Chicago Public School officials.

“If [Chicago Teachers Union] leadership moves forward with a strike, CPS is committed to providing all students with safe environments that will keep them fed and engaged,” CPS CEO Forrest Claypool said in a statement.

Although CPS encourages parents to keep kids at home or find other arrangements in case of a strike, students will not be turned away from schools, which will still keep their normal bell schedules and offer free breakfasts and lunches to children who need them. Extracurricular activities, however, will be cancelled, according to the school system.

RELATED: Chicago Teachers to Go On Strike Oct. 11

School officials worked with other city departments and agencies to develop the contingency plan, which is similar to the one used when teachers walked out in 2012. Students will be allowed to spend the day at any school, so long as high schoolers attend high schools and elementary students stay at elementary schools. The Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Libraries and Safe Haven locations also will offer child care options for families during a strike.

The Chicago Transit Authority will give free transportation to CPS students from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. throughout the duration of any walkout.

Despite the plan, CPS and the union are still working on a new contract, and both sides meet Wednesday to negotiate, the Chicago Tribune reports. City teachers have been working without a contract since June of 2015, and CTS negotiators rejected a contract proposed by CPS in January, the report added.

RELATED: About 250 CPS Teachers and Staffers Laid Off as Strike Threat Looms

"A strike can be averted, because we can all agree that teachers deserve a raise, which is why we are offering teachers a healthy net raise for all their hard work," Claypool said in his statement. "To make sure children’s academic progress isn’t interrupted, CPS will work tirelessly at the bargaining table to finalize a deal."

Parents can go to the CPS website for more information about the strike contingency plan.

image via Chicago Public Schools

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