CICS Bucktown Parent Shares Why She Has Been A Part of the Bucktown Community for 17 Years

Written by Chicago International Charter School
11 January 2023
Posted in Parent Spotlight

Meet CICS Bucktown Paraprofessional and parent, Cibelen Smiguel! 

As a parent, Cibelen has enjoyed being a part of the Bucktown community for the past 17 years. She has two children, one who is an alumnus and the other who is currently enrolled at CICS Bucktown. Her daughter attended Bucktown several years ago, where she was the Salutatorian for her 8th-grade class.  Cibelen has a son currently attending Bucktown and where he enjoys being a student because of its campus culture and academic setting. Cibelen’s decision to join the Bucktown community came at the advice of her sister based on her own kid's student experience. She would always talk about Bucktown’s amazing teachers and reflect on how engaged parents are involved in their child’s education. 

When Cibelen enrolled her daughter at Bucktown,  she became involved by volunteering her time by reading to her daughter’s classroom and participating in their small group instruction time.  She continues to do the same with her son’s classroom. 

Besides volunteering in the classroom, Cibelen helps with field trips, holiday activities, and classroom activities. It is important for Cibelen to be helpful and present with her children's teachers but involved with their academics. 

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Teachers matter! Cibelen considers the teachers at CICS Bucktown the most rewarding aspects because of their willingness and intentionality to build relationships with her and her children.  Because of this, she believes the teachers and staff go above and beyond for all students to succeed academically and thrive beyond the Bucktown campus. 

"My children’s superpower has always been DRIVE! They want to learn and succeed! Families should come to CICS Bucktown because they want their children to learn, succeed, and be involved in their child’s academic journey!"

Cibelen’s family has always felt a sense of community since joining CICS Bucktown!  Cibelen urges other families who are in search of a school home to check out CICS Bucktown if they want to see their children soar, “We have teachers and families looking out for each other! My children’s superpower has always been DRIVE! They want to learn and succeed! Families should come to CICS Bucktown because they want their children to learn, succeed, and be involved in their child’s academic journey! It really takes a village to teach, care and want the BEST for your child! “

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