FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CICS Northtown Academy Addresses Cancellation of SAT Testing

[Chicago, August 28, 2023] - CICS Northtown Academy regrets to inform the community and stakeholders about the recent cancellation of the scheduled SAT testing on August 26, 2023. We understand the importance of standardized testing in the college admissions process and want to provide clarity on the reasons behind this unfortunate occurrence. 

Check out this amazing feature done by one of our SMO partners, Distinctive Schools, highlighting CICS Prairie's amazing STEAM Lab!

National Principals Month honors principals for their significant impact on the success and well-being of our nation’s students.

Join us as we celebrate all CICS principals throughout October!

Check out several of the school principals from our Avalon, Basil, Bucktown, Irving Park, Loomis-Longwood, Lloyd Bond, Northtown Academy, Prairie, Ralph Ellison, Washington Park, West Belden and Wrightwood campuses. 

We plan to profile all our principals this week and their journeys to becoming great leaders!  We thank them for all they do!  

www.principalsmonth.org 
www.ChicagoIntl.Org

#ThankAPrincipal #CICSPrincipals #Leaders 

CICS Northtown Academy kicked off their Hispanic Heritage Month celebration with an amazing collaboration between students, faculty, and staff! The assembly was organized by their very own Spanish Teacher, Ms. Tucker, and aided by the student group, Pumas Internacional. During the festivities everyone was able to participate in a salsa competition, enjoy professional folklore dancers and a performance from their Latin Dance Club, and more!

This momentous occasion was also special because it afforded Northtown Academy the opportunity to have their first assembly since the start of the pandemic, what a way to come back together! Please take a moment to also check out their video compilation of students, faculty, and staff as they share their heritage with us and why Hispanic Heritage Month means so much to them in their nativ tongue. Enjoy! 

Visit www.CICSNorthtown.Org to learn more about more amazing things happening on their campus.

#EveryChildEveryDay #WeAreCICS

A Statement from CICS 

Earlier this Spring, the Archdiocese of Chicago put up their property for sale on Spaulding Avenue, which includes the church and rectory, but it also includes our thriving school community, CICS Irving Park. While CICS has a long-term lease on the school building, the decision by the Archdiocese of Chicago to put their property on sale would have a significant impact on the CICS Irving Park school community. In response, CICS has been working with the Archdiocese of Chicago to ensure that any impact on our school community is minimized and that CICS continues to be part of the Irving Park community for many years to come.

Thus, we are excited to share that CICS is finalizing negotiations with the Archdiocese of Chicago to purchase the CICS Irving Park campus and adjoining rectory and church. The CICS Board of Directors and CICS Network leadership, with support from Distinctive Schools leadership, have approved this purchase and believe that this is in the best interest of CICS Irving Park’s teachers, staff, students, families and the Irving Park community.  

We reached a major and important milestone with the purchase agreement and we will continue to provide important information to keep you informed of this process as the full execution of this agreement is still a few months away.

Our commitment to CICS Irving Park remains strong. This summer CICS completed several projects to prepare our campus for back to school. Our facilities teams were busy making enhancements to the Irving Park campus making it safe and ready to welcome our community on August 23. With an eye toward the future, we will continue to ensure that our awesome, powerful community has a permanent place to call home!  

The CICS school community continues to thrive and is proud to continue to be a part of the Irving Park community now and long into the future. We thank the Irving Park community for its continued partnership!

About Chicago International Charter School

Chicago International Charter School is a vibrant network of diverse Chicago charter schools that enable students to thrive every day, put them on a path to success in college and life, and empower entrepreneurial educators to pursue excellence through innovation. CICS is serving more than 7,400 students at 13 campuses across Chicago. To learn more, visit  www.chicagointl.org.

Congratulations CICS Loomis-Longwood High School Basketball Coach Keyon Smothers!

Earlier this month, Kris Cheung joined CICS as our new Chief Executive Officer.

Kris is a student-centered leader and we are excited for him to be part of the CICS family serving our teachers, staff and familes in providing excellent, innovative and equitable educational experiences to Chicago’s communities.

Check him out at Crain's Chicago ‘On the Move.’

WTTW Chicago Tonight recently profiled CICS Loomis-Longwood on their "In Your Neighborhood" segment. 

The segment profiled the Washington Heights neighborhood which is surrounded by the Roseland, Auburn Gresham, Beverly and Morgan Park communities.

The feature showcased CICS Loomis-Longwood and the importance our school serving its student population in the South Side neighborhood. K-5 School Director Lindsey Girard was featured speaking on the reopening of the campus this Fall.  For more on this feature and to view one of our campuses, click here.  

Dear Teachers and Staff,

I am grateful and excited to be welcoming staff and students back into our school buildings this month. While I cannot say for sure what the coming weeks and months may hold, I can say with complete confidence that teachers and staff and all of our School Management Operators (SMO) partners and teams are ready to jump back into supporting student learning, collaborating with one another, and welcoming students and families back into our CICS community with open arms.

By now, you have all heard from your SMO leadership and school leaders about the logistics of your first days back and you should have a good idea of what to expect. Today, I’d like to focus on the slightly bigger picture as we navigate a return back to school buildings and continue adjusting to the changing landscape around us.

This school year, I hope we take with us some hard-earned lessons from last year and commit to creating an even brighter path ahead. I hope we maintain our commitment to truly supporting one another, being nimble and innovative, and keeping a laser focus on supporting our students both academically and emotionally regardless of the context or challenges. I hope we carve a new path – one that brings our Graduate Aims to life on a daily basis; one that doesn’t just fill gaps from the last year but actually accelerates student learning and opportunity; and one that brings our community closer together and engages and invests even more people in the success of our students.

I am absolutely delighted and honored to start this new school year on a positive and safe note with this team of exceptional educators and staff members. Our CICS team is working very closely with our SMO partners and closely monitoring local school health data, as well as school reopening guidance from local, state and federal agencies to ensure a safe and successful experience for all. We ask that you continue partnering with us in finding the balance in providing a safe learning environment and educating all of our students during this time. I look forward to engaging and communicating with you all as we begin this journey together.

With gratitude,


Pelin Deniz

Chief Operations Officer 
Chicago International Charter School 

___________________________________

[Spanish translation]

Estimados maestros y personal de las escuelas CICS,

Estoy agradecida de dar la bienvenida al personal y a los estudiantes de nuevo a nuestros edificios escolares este mes. Si bien no puedo decir con certeza lo que depararán las próximas semanas y meses, puedo decir con total confianza que los maestros y el personal y todos nuestros socios y equipos de Operadores de Administración Escolar (SMO) están listos para volver a apoyar el aprendizaje de los estudiantes, colaborando con unos a otros, y dar la bienvenida a los estudiantes y sus familias a nuestra comunidad CICS con los brazos abiertos.

A estas alturas, todos habrán escuchado de sus líderes del SMO y líderes escolares sobre la logística de sus primeros días de regreso y deberían tener una buena idea de qué esperar. Hoy, me gustaría centrarme en el panorama un poco más amplio mientras navegamos de regreso a los edificios escolares y continuamos ajustándonos al panorama cambiante que nos rodea.

Este año escolar, espero que llevemos con nosotros algunas lecciones del año pasado que tanto nos costó ganar y nos comprometemos a crear un camino aún más brillante por delante. Espero que mantengamos nuestro compromiso de apoyarnos mutuamente, ser ágiles e innovadores, y mantener un enfoque en apoyar a nuestros estudiantes tanto académica como emocionalmente, independientemente del contexto o los desafíos. Espero que logremos un nuevo camino, uno que dé vida a nuestros objetivos de posgrado a diario; uno que no solo llena los vacíos del año pasado, sino que en realidad acelera el aprendizaje y las oportunidades de los estudiantes; y una que acerque a nuestra comunidad e involucre e invierta aún más personas en el éxito de nuestros estudiantes.

Estoy absolutamente encantada y honrada de comenzar este nuevo año escolar con una nota positiva y segura con este equipo de educadores y miembros del personal excepcionales. Nuestro equipo de CICS está trabajando muy de cerca con nuestros socios del SMO y monitoreando de cerca los datos de salud de las escuelas locales, así como la orientación de reapertura de escuelas de las agencias locales, estatales y federales para garantizar una experiencia segura y exitosa para todos. Le pedimos que continúe asociándose con nosotros para encontrar el equilibrio para brindar un entorno de aprendizaje seguro y educar a todos nuestros estudiantes durante este tiempo. Espero involucrarme y comunicarme con todos ustedes mientras comenzamos este viaje juntos.

Sinceramente,

Pelin Deniz

Jefa de Operaciones

Escuela Charter Internacional de Chicago

Dear CICS Families,

I hope that you all have found moments of relaxation and rejuvenation as summer weather finally graces our beautiful city. After an exceedingly difficult year, we all deserve time to celebrate what we accomplished, mourn what we lost, and feel grateful for what lies ahead.

Speaking of what lies ahead, it is with great excitement that I am writing to officially notify you that our CICS campuses will return for full-time, in-person learning this fall. We are working closely and collaborating with all our SMO partners for a strong and safe launch. Planning is ongoing and new information is gathered daily, and we are confident that we will be ready to welcome back students into our school buildings when we begin the 2021-2022 school year.

There will be many more details and conversations in the weeks ahead, and you should expect outreach from your individual school campus as plans evolve. Please reach out directly to your school leaders with any questions that you have. And, in the meantime, continue to rest and find moments of joy as you soak in a long-awaited Chicago summer.

I look forward to seeing our community back together soon.

With warmest regards,

Pelin Deniz
Chief Operations Officer 
Chicago International Charter School 

__________________________________________

[Spanish Translation]

Estimadas familias de CICS,

Espero que todos hayan encontrado momentos de relajación y rejuvenecimiento mientras el clima de verano finalmente adorna nuestra hermosa ciudad. Después de un año extremadamente difícil, todos merecemos tiempo para celebrar lo que logramos, lamentar lo que perdimos y sentirnos agradecidos por lo que nos espera.

Hablando de lo que nos espera, les escribo con gran entusiasmo para notificarles oficialmente que nuestros escuelas de CICS volverán para el aprendizaje en persona a tiempo completo este otoño. Trabajamos cerca y colaboramos con todos nuestros socios del SMO para un lanzamiento sólido y seguro. La planificación es continuada y se recopila nueva información todos los días, y estamos seguros de que estaremos listos para recibir a los estudiantes en nuestros edificios escolares cuando comencemos el año escolar 2021-2022.

Habrá muchos más detalles y conversaciones en las próximas semanas, y debe esperar un acercamiento de su escuela escolar individual a medida que evolucionen los planes. Comuníquese directamente con los líderes de su escuela si tiene alguna pregunta. Y, mientras tanto, continúe descansando y encuentre momentos de alegría mientras se sumerge en un verano de Chicago tan esperado.

Espero ver a nuestra comunidad nuevamente unida pronto.

Con mis mejores deseos,

Pelin Deniz
Chief Operations Officer 
Chicago International Charter School 

Dear CICS Families, 

Welcome back from Spring Break! Even if you stayed close to home over the week off, I hope you found moments to rest, relax and prepare for the final months of the school year. 

We want to remind our CICS families that each CICS campus will be offering families different learning opportunities, based on need and parent/guardian input, for the remainder of the school year. All campuses will continue to offer remote learning for families who desire, and your campus and SMO teams will share more details about various in-person options on a campus-by-campus basis. 

Each CICS campus is finalizing its plan for the in-person administration of assessments to begin in the weeks ahead. It’s important that we have students participate in these assessments so that we can understand how to best support our students when we return in the fall. Please let your School Leader know if you have any questions or concerns about assessments and campuses will share more information as it becomes available. 

Thank you for your ongoing support of CICS and our students. We look forward to finishing this remarkable school year strong, in partnership with you. 

Stay safe and have a wonderful return from Spring Break!

Thank you, 

Christine Leung

Interim CEO

Chicago International Charter School 

[Spanish Translation]

Estimadas familias de CICS,

¡Bienvenidos de regreso de las vacaciones de primavera! Sii se quedó cerca de casa durante la semana libre, espero que haya encontrado momentos para descansar, relajarse y prepararse para los últimos meses del año escolar.

Queremos recordar a nuestras familias que cada escuela de CICS ofrecerá a las familias diferentes oportunidades de aprendizaje, según la necesidad y la opinión de los padres / tutores, durante el resto del año escolar. Todos nuestras escuelas continuarán ofreciendo aprendizaje remoto para las familias que lo deseen, y su escuela y los equipos de SMO compartirán más detalles sobre varias opciones en persona en cada escuela.

Cada escuela de CICS está finalizando su plan para que las evaluaciones de la administración hechos en persona comienzan en las próximas semanas. Es importante que los estudiantes participen en estas evaluaciones para que podamos entender cómo apoyar mejor a nuestros estudiantes cuando regresemos en el otoño. Informe a su líder escolar si tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud sobre las evaluaciones y los campus compartirán más información a medida que esté disponible.

Gracias por su continuo apoyo a CICS y nuestros estudiantes. Esperamos terminar este año escolar extraordinario con fuerza, en sociedad con usted.

¡Manténgase a salvo y tenga un maravilloso regreso de las vacaciones de primavera!

Gracias,

Christine Leung

CEO interino

Escuela Charter Internacional de Chicago

Meals Fuel Students’ Bodies and Minds

It is important that CICS students maintain a healthy body and mind during the school year. CICS recognizes that meals contribute to our physical, social and mental well-being. 

Our Food Services team plays an essential role to all our CICS schools. They are an important part of improving the health and well-being of our students.  We would like to share the story of what our food service program does every school day in order to keep students healthy and fed. 

A Change in Meals 

CICS knows that what a child eats plays a role in their level of creativity, engagement and academic performance. Our food program ensures that students and families have nutritious meal options. Due to the pandemic, the last in-school meals were served to CICS students on Friday, March 13.

With only the weekend to plan, CICS began to offer meals for pickup to our students and their families on the following Monday, March 16.  While those first few meals consisted of sandwiches and wraps, CICS quickly realized that families needed items that could be heated at home.

What’s for Lunch?

All fourteen CICS school campuses have on-site prep kitchens where food can be prepared and served to students from steam table serving lines, as well as self-serve salad bars. The current curbside pick-up breakfast menu offers shelf stable items along with occasional fresh fruit or juice. Lunch and supper options include ready-to-heat items such as hamburgers, chicken and burritos and there are new items such as chicken legs and other plated entrees being added. Pizza and chicken tenders/nuggets are still a favorite, just as they were when meals were served on campuses. The menus also acknowledge that families may have dietary restrictions so there are always no-meat protein items available. Milk is included with every meal and healthy snacks such as granola bars and raisins are also provided.

Changes to Food Service Distribution 

Curbside food pickup has been important while students are remote learning. CICS has accommodated most families who drive up to one the campuses; some families walk up to the table if they live close by. Every day, our families have been grateful for their childrens’ meals and for the opportunity to see the food staff, even if they are socially distanced or in their cars. Students are always excited to see  their “lunch lady” from the car.  

Recognizing CICS Food Service Staff 

The CICS food service staff are rarely recognized for the important role they play in the lives of our students. At one campus, a mother occasionally cooks lunch for the food service staff and brings it to them on Fridays. This is just an example of how close this community is. They have served 500,000 meals since the middle of March. It is their mission, especially during remote learning, to create high quality meals that students want to eat and to get those meals to every family. Many parents realize that, without food service staff, their children would not have the meals they usually receive while in school. It shows how important they are! 

As a school community, our priority is to keep every student fed. Even when school schedules change or holidays come and go, distribution times are adjusted. CICS has also added an additional morning pick-up time to accommodate family schedules.      

Based on the evolving nature of protest activity across the city, CICS will be suspending meal pickup today, 6/1. We will provide an update for Wednesday’s (6/3) scheduled meal pickup.

Dear CICS families, 

With just a few more weeks of remote learning until summer break, I hope that you and your children have taken the opportunity to engage with the teachers and staff at your school so that our students can finish the school year strong. While this isn’t the end of the year we envisioned, we want to be sure we’re doing everything we can for our families as we head into summer. If you need additional support, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your student’s teacher or your school director. We will do everything we can to support your family during this time. 

Memorial Day Week of 5/25 Meal Pickup Schedule Change – With Memorial Day this Monday, May 25, next week’s meal pickups will occur on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at all CICS elementary schools. We will resume our regular Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule during the week of June 1.

Grocery Assistance for ALL CICS Families – All CICS Families qualify to receive Pandemic EBT assistance to help buy food for school-age children. To date, the Illinois Department of Human Services has provided benefits for over 642,000 children in the state and applications are still being accepted and processed, so we expect the numbers to increase. Families who currently receive SNAP benefits do not need to apply and will automatically receive an additional amount on their LINK card. Families who aren’t currently receiving SNAP benefits can sign up by completing the online application for P-EBT (Click “Apply for Benefits”).  A paper application in English or Spanish is also available and can be submitted by email to DHS.FCS.PEBT@illinois.gov. Please see this flyer for information to help with the application process.

CICS Parent and Student Surveys During School Closure – As we continue with remote learning for the remainder of the school year, it is important that we collect information about our students’ and families’ experiences so that we continue to improve our delivery of remote learning and best address your child’s needs. Please complete these quick surveys by May 31 to share feedback. 

• Click here to take the parent/guardian survey in English.
• Haga clic aquí para completar la encuesta de padres/tutores en Español.  
• Please encourage your elementary student(s) to take the K-8 survey here.
• Please encourage your high school student(s) to take the 9-12 survey here.

Thank you, and stay safe. 

Elizabeth Shaw

CEO

Chicago International Charter School

Dear CICS families, 

Hopefully, the recent warm weather has allowed many of us to spend more time outdoors. Even while social distancing and wearing a mask, being out in the sunshine does great things for my mood – and I hope it does the same for you. 

The weather is a reminder that summer is right around the corner. With less than three more weeks of school, I hope our students are finishing the year strong and celebrating their successes. It may look different than in years past, but ensuring that our students feel recognized for all of their hard work this school year is an important way to help them stay motivated and energized as they head into the summer break. 

Meal Pickup Schedule Resumes – Starting next Monday 6/1, we will resume our regular Monday, Wednesday, Friday meal pickup schedule at all CICS elementary schools.

Resource for Summer Activities – Camp Kinda, a free virtual summer experience for kids in grades K-8, will launch on June 1. Each weekday in the summer, families will get 3-4 hours’ worth of daily activities for kids in grades K-8, connected to a weekly theme and curated by experts. Visit their website to sign up to receive free activities. 

Planning for School Year 2020-2021 – CICS has convened a working group to research and plan for the beginning of the next school year. While we await guidance from public health officials, CICS is developing a variety of scenarios by which our students are able to return to our buildings for in-person learning. The safety of our educators, students and staff will remain paramount in how we make decisions and set policies for our campuses and we will follow the guidance of the Mayor, the Governor, CPS, the Centers for Disease Control and the Illinois Department of Public Health. We look forward to updating you as our preparations progress. 

Thank you, and stay safe. 

Elizabeth Shaw

CEO

Chicago International Charter School

Dear CICS families, 

In alignment with Governor Pritzker’s announcement earlier today, CICS will continue with remote learning for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year and school buildings will remain closed. In agreement with the Governor and public health officials, we believe this is in the best interest of the overall health and safety of our students, families, staff and the communities in which we serve and live.

The entire CICS team remains committed to supporting our students and their families in any way we can, and closure of buildings in no way affects that commitment. We will continue to distribute meals through the school year and devices to those who need them. We have been so proud of how our students and teachers have worked together to completely reimagine the learning experience and I look forward to seeing everything we can accomplish together over the additional weeks of remote learning.

If you still do not have a device and/or internet access for remote learning, or you have other support needs, please reach out to your school leader, school management organization or email covid19response@chicagointl.org with your student’s name, CICS school attended and the type of assistance you require. 

We recognize that this is a difficult time for all of us, so thank you for your continued commitment to your student’s learning under these extraordinary circumstances. We will continue to be in touch to share available local resources and keep you up to date on the latest developments. 

Warmly,

Elizabeth

CEO

Chicago International Charter School

_____________________________

[SPANISH TRANSLATION] 

Estimadas familias de CICS:
 
En alineación con el anuncio del gobernador Pritzker hoy, CICS continuará con el aprendizaje remoto durante el resto del año escolar 2019-2020 y los edificios escolares permanecerán cerrados. De acuerdo con el Gobernador y los funcionarios de salud pública, creemos que esto es lo mejor para la salud y la seguridad general de nuestros estudiantes, familias, personal y las comunidades en las que servimos y vivimos.

Todo el equipo de CICS sigue comprometido a apoyar a nuestros estudiantes y sus familias de cualquier manera que podamos, y el cierre de edificios de ninguna manera afecta ese compromiso. Continuaremos distribuyendo comidas durante el año escolar y dispositivos a quienes los necesiten. Estamos muy orgullosos de cómo nuestros estudiantes y maestros han trabajado juntos para reimaginar por completo la experiencia de aprendizaje y espero ver todo lo que podemos lograr juntos durante las semanas adicionales de aprendizaje remoto.

Si aún no tiene un dispositivo y / o acceso a Internet para el aprendizaje remoto, o si tiene otras necesidades de soporte, comuníquese con su líder escolar, organización de gestión escolar o envíe un correo electrónico a covid19response@chicagointl.org con el nombre de su estudiante, la escuela CICS a la que asistió y el tipo de asistencia que necesita.

Reconocemos que este es un momento difícil para todos nosotros, así que gracias por su continuo compromiso con el aprendizaje de su estudiante en estas circunstancias extraordinarias. Seguiremos en contacto para compartir los recursos locales disponibles y mantenerlo actualizado sobre los últimos desarrollos.

Sinceramente, 

Elizabeth 

CEO

Chicago International Charter School

Dear CICS families, 

Last week, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that the statewide stay-at-home order is extended through the end of May. As we process what this news means for our lives and daily routines, please know that we are in this together. As educators, we know that our students’ academics are important, but in a time that is filled with uncertainty, their social and emotional needs take priority. 

Please continue to stay connected to your teachers and your school. Whether through virtual coffee talks, Zoom parent groups or Tik Tok challenges, our teachers and team are here to support you and your family. Just because we can’t be in our school buildings right now doesn’t mean we can’t stay closely connected. If you aren’t already engaged, contact your School Leader and follow your school on social media.

We also want to reassure you that there will be no change to CICS’ food service. Drive-through meal pickup will continue to be available throughout the school closure at all CICS elementary schools on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Alternatively, meals can be picked up at most CPS schools from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily or for CPS delivery call (773) 553-5437 or contact familyservices@cps.edu.

I continue to be filled with pride as I watch our families giving it their all. With your support, we are lucky to stay connected with students and continue learning. Together, we will come out of this crisis stronger. And if there’s any additional support or assistance you need, please reach out to us at covid19response@chicagointl.org. 

Warmly, 

Elizabeth

CEO, Chicago International Charter Schools

_____________

[Spanish translation] 

Estimada familias de CICS 

La semana pasada, el gobernador de Illinois J.B. Pritzker anunció que la orden de quedarse en casa a nivel estatal se extenderá hasta finales de mayo. Mientras procesamos lo que esta noticia significa para nuestras vidas y rutinas diarias, sepa que estamos juntos en esto. Como educadores, sabemos que lo académico de nuestros alumnos es importante, pero en un momento lleno de incertidumbre, sus necesidades sociales y emocionales tienen prioridad.

Por favor, manténgase conectado con sus maestros y su escuela. Ya sea a través de charlas virtuales de café, grupos de padres de Zoom o desafíos de Tik Tok, nuestros maestros y equipo están aquí para apoyarlo a usted y a su familia. El hecho de que no podamos estar en los edificios de nuestra escuela en este momento no significa que no podamos permanecer estrechamente conectados. Si aún no está comprometido, comuníquese con su líder escolar y siga a su escuela en las redes sociales. 

También queremos asegurarle que no habrá cambios en el servicio de alimentos de CICS. La recolección de comida para conducir continuará estando disponible durante el cierre de la escuela en todas las escuelas primarias de CICS los lunes, miércoles y viernes de 11 a.m. a 1 p.m. Alternativamente, las comidas se pueden recoger en la mayoría de las escuelas de CPS de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. diariamente o para la entrega de CPS, llame al (773) 553-5437 o comuníquese con familyservices@cps.edu. Y si necesita asistencia o asistencia adicional, comuníquese con nosotros a covid19response@chicagointl.org.

Sigo lleno de orgullo mientras veo que estoy orgulloso de nuestros estudiantes y familias por darlo todo. Con su apoyo, tenemos la suerte de estar conectados con los estudiantes y continuar aprendiendo. Juntos, saldremos de esta crisis más fuerte que antes.

Sinceramente, 

Elizabeth

CEO, Chicago International Charter Schools

Dear CICS families, 

As we settle into our fourth week of remote learning, my hope is that you have found a routine that works for your family. I recognize that every family’s needs and circumstances are different, but the CICS team across our 14 campuses is here to support our students. While we may not be together in person for a while, the CICS family remains strong and we will be here for each other throughout these trying times. Please do not hesitate to reach out for support — academically or otherwise. Together, we will be stronger on the other end of the current crisis. 

CICS Meal Pickup Moving to Monday, Wednesday, Friday Next Week

Beginning Monday, April 20th, CICS drive-through meal pickup will change from daily availability to Monday, Wednesday and Friday at all CICS elementary schools. Pickup times will remain 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We will continue to offer an expanded menu, including warm-at-home options and multiple days of meals will be provided for greater flexibility. Meals can also be picked up at most CPS schools from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. daily. If you are unable to travel to these sites, CPS also offers home delivery for families. Contact (773) 553-5437 or familyservices@cps.edu for additional information. 

Internet Access and Devices for Remote Learning

For families without existing Internet access, please see below for free or low-cost access options available. Your school director or SMO may have reached out with a survey to inquire about access to devices for remote learning. Please complete those surveys or contact covid19response@chicagointl.org if you are in need of a device for your student. Please be sure to include student name(s), CICS school(s) attended, and the type of assistance you require.  

Dear CICS families, 

 Minutes ago, Mayor Lightfoot announced that all CPS schools will remain closed through April 20. Given the necessity of this action to protect the health and well-being of our students, families and communities, CICS will follow suit. Please note that our previously scheduled Spring Break from April 6 through April 10 will continue as planned and we will not provide teacher-directed instruction during that week. We will follow up with more details and guidance as we learn more, but please know that we are committed to supporting our students throughout this extended closure.

These are unprecedented times and I urge you to please stay informed and take care of yourselves, as we will all be in this for what feels like a very long haul. 

Take care, 

Elizabeth

__________________

[Spanish Translation]

Asunto:  Cierre de la escuela extendido hasta el 20 de abril.

Estimadas familias de CICS:

Hace solo unos minutos, el alcalde Lightfoot anuncio que todas las escuelas de CPS permanecerán cerradas hasta el 20 de abril. Dada la necesidad de esta acción para proteger la salud y el bienestar de nuestros estudiantes, familias y comunidades, CICS hará lo mismo. Tenga en cuenta que nuestras vacaciones de primavera programadas previamente del 6 al 10 de abril continuarán según lo planeado y no proporcionaremos instrucción durante esa semana. Seguiremos con más detalles y orientación a medida que aprendamos más, pero tenga en cuenta que estamos comprometidos a apoyar a nuestros estudiantes durante este cierre prolongado.

Estos son tiempos sin precedentes y les insto a que se mantengan informados y se cuiden, ya que todos estaremos en esto por lo que parece ser un viaje muy largo.

Cuídanse, 

Elizabeth

Dear CICS families, 

As you’ve likely heard, Governor Pritzker has extended Illinois’ Stay-at-Home Order through April 30, which also means that schools will continue with remote learning through at least the end of this month. If you haven't responded already, please complete your school’s device needs survey. The entire CICS team remains committed to our students and our families throughout this time so please contact us at covid19response@chicagointl.org and let us know if there is any additional support we can provide.

Housing Resources for Families - Apply by TONIGHT
If you are experiencing temporary financial hardships due to COVID-19, financial help is available, but you need to apply by TONIGHT. Last week, the City of Chicago Department of Housing announced the creation of the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Grant program to support Chicagoans experiencing housing instability. The fund will award 2,000 grants of $1,000 each to Chicagoans. Chicago residents experiencing temporary financial hardships due to COVID-19 can apply online or over the phone through community-based organizations before TONIGHT, Wednesday, April 1, at 11:59 p.m. Applicants will be required to demonstrate their economic challenges by showing a recent unemployment insurance claim or notification of employment status change (i.e. hour or pay reduction) as well as proof of household income at or below 60% of the area median income prior to employment changes.

CICS Now Offering Hot Meals for Pickup
We are pleased to share that CICS continues to provide breakfasts and lunches for pickup at all CICS elementary schools and will continue to do so throughout school closure, including during Spring Break. To increase variety, meal offerings have now been expanded to feature pre-cooked, warm-at-home hot options. Drive-through pickup is available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday at all CICS elementary schools or at most CPS schools from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you are unable to travel to these sites, CPS also offers home delivery for families. Contact (773) 553-5437 or familyservices@cps.edu for additional info.

CICS Family Relief Fund
In response to COVID-19, we have launched the CICS Family Relief Fund to provide resources for students and families across our 14 campuses.  These resources range from basic family needs to technology and art supplies. Please encourage interested families to request relief here. 

CICS Spring Break -- April 6 through April 10
A reminder that next week is CICS’ Spring Break for both students and teachers, which means that schools will not be offering remote distance learning. Need help thinking of something to do? Here are 250 activity ideas for kids of all ages!

I am wishing safety and good health to each of you. 

Warmly, 

Elizabeth

At CICS, we believe kindergarten is more than a starting point—it’s the foundation for everything that follows. Kindergarten is where children begin developing the skills, confidence, and curiosity they’ll carry with them throughout their academic journey. Research shows that what happens in kindergarten doesn’t just impact the next grade, it shapes a child’s long-term success in school, college, and life. That’s why we’re committed to providing a kindergarten experience that nurtures the whole child academically, emotionally, and socially.

In the shift to personalized learning, schools and districts often chart distinctly different ways.

The entire CICS network came together for a fantastic kickoff as we celebrated the our 20th anniversary!

For students to have a truly personalized learning experience, the philosophy has to become a part of the non-academic parts of their learning as well. Based on this, our schools have shifted to adopt a restorative justice model. Here's how we did it--and the positive results we're already seeing.

“We started this about four years ago to start off the school year,” explains Kevin Ryan, CICS Northtown Dean of Students. The CICS Northtown high schoolers are invited to bring extra school supplies to the Dean’s office, and have the chance to enter a raffle sponsored by the school.

Last week, Chicago Public Schools released school performance results – School Quality Rating Policy (SQRP) – from the 2015-2016 school year. CICS has a lot to celebrate and more work to do. We are proud to announce our third consecutive year of improvement across the network, with six of our campuses rated in the top two performance categories of SQRP. These achievements are the results of the talented and committed teachers, leaders, and operators working tirelessly for our students.

As part of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) Illinois Charter Excellence Awards, CICS Longwood student Anthony R. has been given the "Outstanding Illinois Charter School Senior" award! CICS Longwood staff said that, "Anthony immediately stood out from his peers because of his motivation and interest in excelling beyond what was expected of him.”

Congratulations to Anthony and to the CICS Longwood team for building a strong community of excellent students!

On Monday, Nov 28, the CICS Northtown campus welcomed award-winning author Laura Ruby to its monthly student book club. Ms. Ruby's most recent novel, Bone Gap, won the 2016 Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, given annually by the American Library Association. The book was also a National Book Award finalist. "The Printz is the equivalent to the Newbery or Caldecott awards, but for older readers," explained CICS Northtown's librarian Jim Klise. "It's the most important award for young adult literature, so having her with us was a truly exciting opportunity for the students. The students were thrilled and honored to meet her."

Since 2010, CICS has partnered with Cushman & Wakefield, a leading global real estate firm with headquarters in Chicago. The C&W partnership educates and exposes CICS students to the city of Chicago and its many resources and attractions. Additionally, the partnership provides CICS students the opportunity to speak with employees and tour C&W's downtown office. 

CICS is proud to share that three students have been accepted as Posse Scholars! Katlyn, Rebecca, and Darriana will join a network of what the Posse Foundation describes as "positive, motivated, talented, ambitious young people" who are "committed to their education and demonstrate academic potential." All three students will receive a full, four-year scholarship to the college they will attend next year.

Our staff connected with Katlyn, Rebecca, and Darriana to learn more about what motivates them and find out their plans for after graduation.

At CICS Northtown Academy, all students have an advisory period to catch up on homework and listen to school announcements. Jeremiah P., now a senior, started reading the announcements his sophomore year—and people took notice. In this article, Jeremiah shares his experience building confidence, discusses the power of networking, and gives a few examples of his work!

CICS Longwood Senior, James J. shares his experience.

Anthony R. Shares his experience at CICS Longwood, and what led him to be named Outstanding Charter School Senior.

Last year, CICS Ralph Ellison teacher Jon Gibfried took a professional development course through the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. He never thought that this simple course would open the door for he and fellow teacher Aaron Marshall to implement a Hamilton themed program and join 40 CICS Ralph Ellison students for a special performance of Hamilton! An American Musical.

On February 27, 2017 CICS parents and staff helped launch Charters for Change—a new coalition of a growing coalition of students, teachers, parents, families, and organizations who believe every child in Chicago deserves a great public school, no matter what neighborhood they live in.

At Ralph Ellison, Mr. Woghiren believes that the athletic side of education is just as important as academics.

"Changing lives, changing students, it's changing families..."

According to a 2015 report from the tech nonprofit CompTIA, students and educators alike believe access to technology in classrooms is beneficial to getting ahead in the increasingly digital workforce.

To help schools ensure access to learning technologies, Relativity, a provider of cloud-based data management and analytics tools for companies in the legal industry, has established a Wired to Learn technology grant for local schools.

On Thursday, August 16th, 2018, Chicago International Charter School (CICS)  celebrated the beginning of a new school year at the UIC Pavillion. On that day, staff of fourteen unique CICS campuses and one microlab came together, united by a shared vision: to create a hub of innovation where every student will flourish, every school will meet the unique needs of its community, and every success will improve our city and our world.

Chicago International Charter School (CICS) has launched an Open Call for applications for the next cohort of its Education Entrepreneur Fellowship program. CICS' flagship innovation and incubation program, the Fellowship, supports education innovators by providing them with the tools, networks, and resources necessary to bring their innovative classroom and school model concepts from ideation to transformational impact.

Chicago International Charter School (CICS) Northtown Academy hosted acclaimed novelist and poet Rachel DeWoskin for a reading conversation with the school's Book and Literary Journal club. Ms. DeWoskin read her latest novel, "Someday We Will Fly", to Northtown Academy students.  Students had the opportunity to ask questions about writing, revision, book publications and received copies of Ms. DeWoskin's latest book. The event was part of Northtown's ongoing commitment to support the arts, cultivate the love of reading and empower young authors on our campus. Rachel's novel won the 2020 Sydney Taylor Book Award from the American Library Association.  #WeAreCICS #CICS Northtown Academy #Civitas Education Partners

March 13, 2020

Dear CICS Families: 

I want to thank each of you for your attention to the developing situation regarding COVID-19, or coronavirus, in Chicago and nationally. As of now, we are not aware of any confirmed cases of or concerning exposure to COVID-19 at any of our campuses. I want to assure you that CICS is closely monitoring the situation and working with CPS and local public health officials to offer guidance to our staff, students and families. As always, the health and safety of our students and teammates are our highest priorities.  

Over the last week, CICS has put together a COVID-19 Response Team to stay up-to-date on the latest local developments and recommendations from CPS, the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control, as well as to field questions from our staff and families and develop and communicate guidance as CICS responds to the evolving COVID-19 situation. While it is our hope that our schools will remain open and operating on their regular schedules in the weeks and months ahead, we are also working on contingency plans for remote learning and for access to the school food program in the event of a prolonged closure. Please complete this two-minute survey so that we can properly prepare for support should we need to close one or more campuses. 

We’re also taking reasonable precautions to limit the exposure to and prevent the spread of COVID-19 within our schools and the surrounding communities. While we are still permitting local travel within the Chicago city limits, we have made the difficult decision to cancel or postpone all staff and student non-local domestic and international travel on behalf of CICS from now through April 10, 2020, the last day of Spring Break. This includes CICS-sponsored and coordinated student spring break trips and college tours. We recognize how disappointing this decision may be, especially for trips that our students have been anticipating for some time, but this month-long pause will allow us to focus on limiting potential exposure and managing risks, while we monitor the latest developments. 

We will also be canceling or postponing student gatherings and events outside of the regular school day. After-school programs will continue at our campuses as scheduled. Cancelled or postponed events may include concerts, parent events and dances, and your school director will follow up with more details about plans for scheduled events. 

Please remember to continue practicing reasonable precautionary measures to keep yourself healthy and prevent the spread of the virus, which include regularly disinfecting frequently touched objects, frequently washing your hands, avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth, and staying home if you are feeling ill or exhibiting symptoms such as fever, coughing and/or shortness of breath. If you are known to have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19, or if you have any other concerns of exposure in general or at the campus, please contact covid19response@chicagointl.org and your school director immediately. 

For the most reliable and up-to-date information, please visit www.chicago.gov/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the CDPH Coronavirus hotline at 312-746-4835 or email coronavirus@chicago.gov. You may also reach out to the CICS’ COVID-19 response team line at covid19response@chicagointl.org or CICS Main Office by phone at 312-651-5000.  

While the current situation is concerning, there is quite a bit that we can do to limit exposure to and prevent the spread of the virus. I assure you that our team is continuing to follow the latest developments and we will continue to update our families as the situation evolves. Thank you for your continued trust in CICS and for allowing us to continue to be a resource for you and your family. 

Warmly, 

Elizabeth Shaw

CEO 

Chicago International Charter Schools

FAMILY UPDATE: CICS RESPONSE TO COVID-19

March 13, 2020

Dear CICS Families, 

We have appreciated your support, feedback and patience over the last two weeks as we have worked together to navigate the uncertainty and disruption caused by COVID-19. In alignment with Governor Pritzker’s mandate to close all Illinois schools and under the guidance of public health officials, CICS will close all of our schools beginning on March 16 through at least March 30, with the possibility of a longer closure, depending on the circumstances at the end of the month. 

Please know that this is not a decision that we have taken lightly, but one that we have made to put the health and well-being of our students, families, staff and communities at the forefront. We understand that the next two weeks, and possibly longer, will be difficult and, in partnership with Distinctive Schools, Civitas Education Partners and ReGeneration Schools, CICS plans to support our students and families in every way that we can. We recognize the incredible burden this puts on our families, and that, while it helps us mitigate the spread of the virus, it creates other significant challenges. Thank you for understanding that this decision was made to support the well-being of our community. 

CICS and our SMO partners are committed to supporting our students’ continued learning throughout the closure. On Monday, school leadership teams and office staff will be at each CICS campus to distribute virtual learning materials to families that did not receive them on Friday. Individual campuses will communicate instructions for the distribution of these materials to their families no later than Sunday at noon. We are actively working with CPS and our food service provider to determine the method for the distribution of meals for our students throughout the closure. Where possible, we sent students home today with breakfast items for Monday morning in case of a potential closure. We are also working with CPS to create a list of community supports for child care, as we know this closure creates a burden on our families. We will follow up no later than the end of day on Monday with more information about these resources. 

Throughout the closure, we will communicate with our parents and guardians via email on a weekly basis, or more frequently as needed and we will share updates via the CICS website, www.chicagointl.org. 

For the most reliable and up-to-date information, please visit www.chicago.gov/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the CDPH Coronavirus hotline at 312-746-4835 or email coronavirus@chicago.gov. You may also reach out to the CICS COVID-19 Response Team at covid19response@chicagointl.org or CICS Main Office by phone at 312-651-5000.  

Please know that our CICS team is here to provide resources and support to you and your child throughout this challenging situation. During times like these, we commit to coming together to take care of every member of the CICS community.

Warmly, 

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Shaw

CEO 

Chicago International Charter School

Closing All CICS Schools: March 16 through March 30_pdf

Closing All CICS Schools: March 16 through March 30_Spanish_pdf

If you are a parent/guardian who has a question about your child during remote learning, please click on this link.

Chicago International Charter School selects seasoned education leader as next chief executive

Kris Cheung selected for his collaborative leadership style and ability turn challenges into opportunities

October 18, 2021 

Contact: Angela Montagna, (312) 343-2515

CHICAGO – Chicago International Charter School (CICS), a network of 13 public charter schools serving 7,400 students, is excited to announce that Kris Cheung will begin as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, effective November 1, 2021. Following an extensive national search, Cheung was selected due to his deep experience as a leader in education, his relational leadership style and ability to drive student outcomes while maintaining a well-run organization. 

“Kris is a seasoned leader who we are confident has the experience and capabilities to lead CICS into our next phase,” said Evan Sharp, member of CICS’ Board of Directors and chair of the CEO Search Committee. “What stood out to us about Kris was his ability to ask thoughtful questions and listen intently, surround himself with experts, and galvanize people around a common goal. Our Board is deeply grateful to the entire CICS team for providing stability and continuity for our students, families and staff while we found the right person for the role.”

Cheung comes to CICS with more than a decade of leadership at two of the nation’s highly regarded charter networks: Success Academy in New York and KIPP Texas. As the Chief Operating Officer at Success Academy, he helped the organization grow from seven schools serving 2,400 students to 46 schools serving more than 16,000 students. At KIPP Texas, he led the consolidation of four KIPP regions across Texas, now serving 34,000 students at 59 schools statewide. In both roles, Kris brought stakeholders together across departments and regions, while navigating significant complexity, to create more high-quality opportunities for students. 

“CICS has been an education leader in Chicago for more than 24 years and I’m eager to build upon the amazing work of our students, families and staff in the years to come,” said Cheung. “I know the last 18 months have been challenging for everyone and I’m excited to lead a team that has demonstrated resilience, perseverance and a relentless focus on students in the face of significant obstacles. I look forward to building relationships with everyone who is committed to the success of Chicago’s children.” 

 About Chicago International Charter School

Chicago International Charter School is a vibrant network of diverse Chicago charter schools that enable students to thrive every day, put them on a path to success in college and life, and empower entrepreneurial educators to pursue excellence through innovation. CICS is serving more than 7,400 students at 13 campuses across Chicago. To learn more, visit  www.chicagointl.org.

Press Release_Chicago International Charter School selects seasoned education leader as next chief executive

For 25 years, CICS has always been committed to launching and operating schools with diverse academic models throughout the different neighborhoods we serve, while providing support and resources to help our students achieve strong academic outcomes. 

In 2019, CICS made the decision to directly operate CICS Loomis-Longwood and CICS Lloyd Bond and is extremely proud of the progress made during that time in improving staff culture, increasing academic outcomes and addressing campus safety, especially during a pandemic.  

As CICS looks into the future, the focus has been on continuing to provide sustainable growth and improvement for the CICS Loomis-Longwood and CICS Lloyd Bond communities. Our focus has been on continuing to ensure sustainable improvement and support for the CICS Loomis-Longwood and CICS Lloyd Bond communities. We believe that this next phase for the CICS Loomis-Longwood and CICS Lloyd Bond communities is best led by an operator other than CICS.

 We released a Request For Proposal (RFP) publicly on December 23, 2022 for School Management Organizations (SMO) to submit their proposal to directly operate CICS Loomis-Longwood and CICS Lloyd Bond, beginning July 1, 2023. Our selection team, which consisted of members of the network and your school leadership, carefully reviewed operator applications and made a selection using a robust and transparent rubric. 

 The goal was to select an SMO that will collaborate with CICS to ensure a smooth transition for its school communities and one that gives its staff and students the support and resources required to exceed academic outcomes. CICS believes that through a partnership with the right SMO, it can accomplish these goals for its staff, students and their families. 

CICS leadership presented its recommendations to the CICS Board of Directors on February 16, 2023, and the Board selected Distinctive Schools as the next School Management Organization to directly-operate CICS Loomis-Longwood and CICS Lloyd Bond beginning school year 2023-2024 (July 1, 2023). This change will ensure that as these schools head into a new chapter, their students and families have comprehensive support that aligns with CICS’ organizational values of transformational academic outcomes for our students and strong support for all staff. CICS is confident that partnering with Distinctive Schools will build on the momentum we’ve established while setting up CICS Loomis-Longwood and CICS Lloyd Bond to thrive into the future. 

 CICS’ partnership and history with Distinctive Schools started in 2011. Distinctive Schools currently manages four CICS campuses, CICS Bucktown, CICS Irving Park, CICS Prairie and CICS West Belden. Their mission is to create diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. They support all learners to be engaged, curious and to achieve their full potential. Their academic outcomes are for students to become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers and collaborative leaders. Distinctive Schools leads a collaborative and innovative public education transformation that elevates access, achievement, and belonging for every student so they may thrive throughout their education, career and life.

 CICS looks forward to its continued partnership with Distinctive Schools and is energized about what’s to come. 

 _______________________________

About Chicago International Charter School 

Chicago International Charter School is a vibrant network of diverse Chicago charter schools that enable students to thrive every day, put them on a path to success in college and life, and empower entrepreneurial educators to pursue excellence through innovation. CICS is serving more than 7,400 students at 13 campuses across Chicago. To learn more, visit  www.chicagointl.org.

About Distinctive Schools 

Distinctive Schools is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and accelerating the work of charter schools serving kids from traditionally underserved backgrounds. The team includes passionate educators and determined leaders who innovate, trailblaze, and collaboratively lead a public education transformation, as well as ensure that each and every one of Distinctive Schools students thrive in college, career, and life.

Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 

To Our CICS Community,

As I reach my first 100 days as CEO of Chicago International Charter School, I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome I’ve received from our community. It has been nearly a decade since I last led CICS, and while many things have changed during that time, one thing has remained constant: the incredible and unwavering commitment of you - our school leaders, teachers, staff, and families - to CICS scholars. It has been a privilege to meet so many of you, to hear your stories, and to witness firsthand the strength, resilience, and diversity that make our CICS family so special.

CICS Northtown Sports Camps 2025 – Register Now!
Get ready for an action-packed summer at CICS Northtown! Our Sports Camps are designed for athletes of all skill levels who want to enhance their game, stay active, and have fun. Whether you’re into basketball, soccer, football, or more, our expert coaches will help you develop your skills. Don’t miss this opportunity—sign up today!

At CICS, we believe that every student deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated from day one. That is why we’re proud to launch the Ellison Excellence Award—a new and unique initiative designed to inspire and reward incoming freshmen at CICS Ralph Ellison Academy. 

Beginning this fall, all 9th grade students at CICS Ralph Ellison—the Class of 2029—will be eligible to earn up to $1,000 in recognition of their academic performance, strong attendance, and positive behavior.

This May, CICS was selected to join the Transformative Leadership Adult Learning Network, a three-year national initiative led by TNTP and supported by the Oak Foundation.

This opportunity brings together school systems from across the country to help leaders strengthen their support for students with learning and thinking differences. It places a particular focus on scholars with IEPs, multilingual learners, and those from historically marginalized backgrounds. Through regular coaching, collaboration, and training, our leadership team will work to remove the barriers that too often stand in the way of student success.

Greetings, CICS Community -

Yesterday was a great day for CICS. I stood alongside CICS families and educators to request that the Chicago Public Schools Board renew our charter, and grant us the opportunity to continue serving our brilliant students in the years to come. The CPS Board voted unanimously to renew CICS. Charter renewal is an important milestone because it means our students will have the opportunity to thrive in CICS schools for years to come.

Greetings, Students, Families, Teachers, and Staff –

Last week I took the helm as CICS’s new CEO, and I am thrilled to be here. I bring to CICS energy, experience, and a deep commitment to ensuring all students have the opportunity to succeed in college, careers, and life. I have spent my career working for students and families as a teacher, instructional coach, district- and state-level leader, and policy leader. A native Chicagoan and former CPS student myself, I am passionate about improving education in our city and providing great schools for Chicago’s students.