Blog

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

A New Chapter: Northwest Parents In Action Graduation and Their Paths Forward

By Victory Nwabufo, Maria Maynez | June 27, 2024

Kids First Chicago’s (K1C) Parent Leadership Fellowship (PLF) has officially graduated the Northwest Side Cohort, named “Northwest Side Parents in Action.”

Stories

Reflections on Empowering Parent Leaders in Education

By Sophie A. Nunziati | June 25, 2024

Throughout the last month, I had the opportunity to intern with the Kids First Chicago policy team. I am coming away from this internship with a broader understanding of how a nonprofit organization works to activate families and works directly with them to amplify their power.

Why Juneteenth Matters

By Daniel Anello | June 19, 2024

As we celebrate Juneteenth, I hope you take a moment to reflect on the progress we have made toward a more racially equitable country and Chicago, and the hope we should all have for continuing that progress.

K1C Perspectives

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

Funding Illinois' Future Response to Passage of FY25 State Budget

By Funding Illinois' Future Coalition | May 30, 2024

Published originally by Funding Illinois' Future coalition on May 29, 2024.

Policy Priorities

Highlights from Kids First Chicago's Latest Parent Leadership Fellowship Meeting

By Nayda De La Rosa | May 24, 2024

On Saturday, May 18, Kids First Chicago hosted its second-to-last Northwest Side Parent Leadership Fellowship (PLF) meeting at Roberto Clemente High School's Parent University.

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

The Urgent Need for CPS Funding Transparency

By Stephen Mitchell | May 7, 2024

LSC chair at Bronzeville Classical Elementary Stephen Mitchell calls for CPS budget transparency in a letter to the Chicago Tribune editor.

Policy Priorities

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

Parent Leaders Advise Kids First

By Jasmin Pizano Luna, Zelianel Ferrer Costas | May 1, 2024

On April 30, 2024, Kids First Chicago's Parent Advisory Board (PAB) met for the first time at Kids First’s new offices. More than 30 PAB members from across the city attended.