Classes canceled Wednesday for CPS students following Teachers Union vote for remote learning
Chicago Public Schools cancels class after CTU votes to go remote
Wednesday was a challenging morning for parents of Chicago Public School students.
CHICAGO - Wednesday was a challenging morning for parents of Chicago Public School students.
Many woke up to learn they would not be dropping off their children at school after all.
Abraham Lincoln Elementary in Lincoln Park was empty today except for the principal and assistant principal, after teachers voted for a return to remote learning, and classes for today were canceled.
Parents of CPS students across the city got the news at 11 p.m. Tuesday, and scrambled to find a Plan B for their children.
The Chicago Teachers Union tweeted early Wednesday, "We are being inundated with calls and emails this morning from educators who attempted to log onto their platforms to connect with their students and teach remotely, and safely, but are being locked out by Mayor Lightfoot. #LoriLockout"
School CEO Pedro Martinez had hoped to reach an agreement with the CTU but said in a statement Tuesday night, "To be clear, what CTU is seeking cannot be counted as an instructional day under state law and guidance. This is a work stoppage. Any CTU member who does not report to their school tomorrow will not be compensated. We will move forward to share a new plan to continue student learning with parents by the end of day tomorrow."
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Mayor Lori Lightfoot blasted the walkout, calling it an illegal stoppage.
Union President Jessie Sharky responded this morning saying, "What the mayor fails to understand is that it has failed to meet the demands… failed to provide adequate staffing …adequate cleaning in the schools, provide adequate testing... Has failed to address our concerns."
Principals said they were to meet via Zoom with Martinez Wednesday at 11 a.m., and we're hoping to have the issues resolved as soon as possible.
At Hartzell Memorial United Methodist Church in Bronzeville, harried parents dropped off their children Friday morning hoping it will be for the last time.
The church is one of the city's 29 designated "Safe Havens" caring for children whose parents have to go to work.
One mom of 6-year-old twins said she is under great stress and facing difficult decisions.
"It's unfortunately making me have to decide, do I want to support my children financially or do I want to support them emotionally and with safety?" said Blair Ware.
"Because I'm a single parent and I either have to take a day off of work to be at home with them, or just drop them off at a place that I don't really know anybody or anything about, so I can be able to make money for them."
Ware said her other concern about leaving Aiden and Aaron today, is safety from COVID.
"At school teachers are implementing the distancing, the hand washing, the sanitizing. It would be the safest place, because like today, my kids are with me, they're on a crowded CTA bus, they're around other people. It's not really as safe as if they were at CPS," Ware said.
Parents dropping off children at the sites said they are grateful to the volunteers who are providing them this temporary option for childcare, but they said what they really want is for classes to resume at CPS.