Blog

Why Illinois Must Fully Fund Education Now

By Claiborne Wade | January 13, 2025

Claiborne Wade, chair of Kids First Chicago’s Equitable Funding Task Force, CPS parent, and staff member at DePriest Elementary, presses the state board and state legislators to guarantee more adequate education funding in the FY2026 budget.

Our Voices, Policy Priorities

Katrina Adams Reacts to CPS Special Board Meeting and CEO Sacking, on Eve of Winter Break

By Katrina Adams | December 21, 2024

Parent leader Katrina Adams reflects on what the special December 20 Board of Education meeting and the Board’s decision to fire CEO Martinez means about the city, the mayor, and who gets prioritized by politicians.

Our Voices

Statements from Kids First Chicago & Kids First Chicago Parent Advisory Board on Special CPS Board Meeting

By K1C Parent Advisory Board, Kids First Chicago Team | December 19, 2024

Kids First Chicago and its Parent Advisory Board offer statements on the Board of Education's special session, called with just two days' notice on the brink of the CPS Winter Break.

Our Voices, K1C Perspectives

Letter to Mayor Johnson: Parent Representation on the Chicago Board of Education Matters

By Chicago Parents & Residents | December 13, 2024

Kids First Chicago and 200 signers call on the Mayor to use his remaining appointments to the Board of Education to balance out the representation of current CPS parents of color on the school board.

Our Voices

Statement from the Kids First Chicago Parent Advisory Board Calling on CPS to Refocus on Students

By K1C Parent Advisory Board | December 2, 2024

The Parent Advisory Board of Kids First Chicago issued a statement today expressing concern over the ongoing turmoil within Chicago Public Schools (CPS). The PAB demands an immediate, refocused commitment on putting kids first.

Our Voices

Kids First Chicago Reacts to November Election Results

By Kids First Chicago Team | November 8, 2024

Kids First Chicago team issues statement in response to the November Elections, offering solidarity to families scared by the outcome and pushing for a more inclusive democracy locally.

K1C Perspectives

Lilia Guevara responds to the news about Acero's school closures

By Lilia Guevara | October 10, 2024

Acero Parent and Kids First Chicago Parent Advisory Board member Lilia Guevara expresses her feelings about the sudden news about Acero school closures, planned for June 2025.

Our Voices

Chicago Schools CEO Pedro Martinez deserves board's support

By Denise Dyer | September 25, 2024

Published originally in the Chicago Sun-Times Letters to the Editor on September 25, 2024.

Our Voices

CPS board can quash mayor's September coup attempt

By Hal Woods | September 23, 2024

Published originally in Crain's Chicago Business Opinion section on September 23, 2024.

K1C Perspectives

School board fell short on real community engagement for CPS strategic plan

By Dr. Byron T. Brazier, Grace Chan McKibben, Daniel Anello | September 22, 2024

Published originally in the Chicago Sun-Times Letters to the Editor on September 22, 2024.

Our Voices

Statement from Kids First Chicago Parent Advisory Board Executive Committee members on Potential Dismissal of CPS CEO Martinez

By Lilia Guevara, Maria Owens, Alma Sigala, Andrea Zayas | September 19, 2024

Members of the Executive Committee of Kids First Chicago’s Parent Advisory Board comment on the potential dismissal of Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez.

Our Voices

Property Tax Circuit Breakers Work

By Hal Woods, Tierra Pearson | September 9, 2024

Published originally in the Chicago Sun-Times Letters to the Editor on September 7, 2024.

K1C Perspectives