CPS shifts first day of school

In early 2021, JUF’s Government Affairs Committee led a citywide effort asking Chicago Public Schools to not start the 2021-22 school year on the Tuesday after Labor Day, the traditional first day of school, because this year that date is also the first day of Rosh Hashanah.

Conversations with Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Board of Education members, testimony at meetings, and letters from rabbis, parents, teachers, and staff emphasized the need to change the start date so that Jews in CPS would not feel compelled to choose between attending this important first day of school or honoring their religious tradition and celebrating the first day of the Jewish New Year.

Jane Charney, who leads JUF’s engagement with municipal officials in the Chicago area, argued at a Board of Education meeting that “after a year of emotional trauma, physical sickness, distance, and frustration, the first day of school 2021 would be an opportunity to begin anew the work of building relationships with classmates, teachers, and staff. Forcing families to make the choice between religious observance and attending the first day of school would have a severe negative impact on the ability of students, staff, and teachers to set themselves up for success in the school year.”

In the end, considerations including the timing of Rosh Hashanah as well as learning loss during the 2020-21 school year led the Board of Education to adopt a new calendar, and the first day of school for CPS families was changed to Aug. 30 – before Labor Day.

JUF staff have also shared a calendar of Jewish holidays for the next 10 years with CPS and other school officials in the Chicago area.

Other efforts in the education sphere include ensuring that Illinois and federal non-discrimination statutes are followed, providing information on Jewish community concerns, working with district staff to access educational resources, and creating opportunities for engagement with Jewish community organizations.

Community members who are affiliated with CPS or other local school districts are encouraged to be in touch with JUF via Jane Charney, Assistant Vice President for Local Government Affairs, at[email protected]or (312) 357-4766.