Filtered Our Voices

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

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

Creativity, Migration, Dedication: Parents reflect on Chicago's history

By Jasmin Pizano Luna | July 10, 2024

Parent leaders visited Chicago’s History Museum, reflecting on the dynamic history that shapes today’s Chicago.

Our Voices

LSC Members Request Transparency and Engagement in Critical School Funding Decisions

By Local School Council Members | July 9, 2024

Members of more than 30 Local School Councils send urgent letter to Chicago Board of Education asking for engagement around school budgets for SY2024-25.

Our Voices, Policy Priorities

Inclusive Negotiations Benefit Chicago Kids

By K1C Parent Advisory Board Executive Committee | June 4, 2024

Kids First Chicago Parent Advisory Board’s Executive Committee enthusiastically accepts CTU's invitation to participate in Collective Bargaining talks this summer.

Our Voices, K1C Perspectives

CPS Shifts School Funding Model: Local School Council Members Weigh In

By Kids First Chicago Team | May 23, 2024

Kids First Chicago hosted a forum with over 30 Local School Council members to dissect CPS’s new funding approach and weighed in on WTTW's Chicago Tonight.

Our Voices, Policy Priorities

Kids First Chicago’s Parent Advisory Board on Illinois House Bill 303

By K1C Parent Advisory Board Executive Committee | May 13, 2024

Kids First Chicago's Parent Advisory Board weighs in on Illinois House Bill 303, indicating its support to extend the moratorium on school closures until a fully-elected school board takes office in 2027.

Our Voices, K1C Perspectives

A Day of Advocacy: EBF Funding Rally in Springfield

By Claiborne Wade | May 6, 2024

Over 150 advocates from across Illinois–including more than 40 dedicated parents and students from Kids First Chicago–converged on Springfield to champion an increase in the Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) formula to at least $550 million.

Our Voices, Policy Priorities

The Case for Compensating Chicago School Board Members

By Consuelo Martinez, Lorena Lopez | April 1, 2024

Lorena Lopez and Consuelo Martinez, both members of Kids First Chicago’s Parent Advisory Board and Elected School Board Task Force who also serve on Local School Councils, share a compelling argument to compensate Chicago's elected school board members.

Our Voices

Funding Illinois' Future Responds to Governor's Budget Proposal, Claiborne Wade Weighs In

By Claiborne Wade, Funding Illinois' Future Coalition | February 23, 2024

Published originally by Funding Illinois' Future coalition on Feb. 23, 2024.

Our Voices, Policy Priorities