Chicago Teachers Union to Negotiate with CPS Over Remote Learning Options Amid Rising Immigration Enforcement
The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is planning to take its concerns about working conditions and remote learning options directly to the bargaining table with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), ahead of a potential resurgence in federal immigration enforcement operations in the city later this year.
According to union leaders, including Vice President Jackson Potter, the CTU will make a formal demand for remote learning options soon. The move comes as concerns over the impact of immigration enforcement on students and families continue to escalate.
Potter warned that if something isn't done to address these issues, "the situation will only worsen." He cited the recent deployment of federal agents in Minnesota, where two US citizens were shot and killed by immigration officers earlier this month. Potter expressed his concern that the CTU's systems need to adapt to this new terrain.
However, CPS officials say that state law does not allow them to implement remote or hybrid learning on their own without a declaration of disaster due to public health emergency. Acting Chief Education Officer Alfonso Carmona acknowledged that providing "interventions needed for students who have fear coming to school or are missing too many days" is essential, but emphasized the need for clear guidance and criteria.
The CTU's call for remote learning options comes amid a backdrop of rising federal immigration enforcement operations in Chicago. In October, federal agents deployed tear gas near Funston Elementary in Logan Square when students were outside during recess, leading to significant drops in attendance at primarily Latino schools.
Parent and school staff have been working together to ensure student safety, but many are saying that it's not enough. Caty Bautista, a parent of two children at Chase Elementary in Logan Square, expressed her concerns: "No parent or student should fear stepping out of their home."
State Representative Lilian Jiménez echoed these sentiments, stating that parents in her Northwest and West Side communities are being forced to navigate the uncertainty every morning. She emphasized the need for a plan B – remote learning options – to alleviate this chaos.
The CTU's push for remote learning options highlights the growing concern over federal immigration enforcement operations' impact on schools and families. As Minneapolis school districts have temporarily implemented remote learning for students whose families are fearful of being detained, concerns over quality of virtual instruction remain a major issue.
With an estimated 10,000 undocumented immigrants in Chicago, the situation is particularly dire. The CTU's efforts to negotiate with CPS will be crucial in addressing these concerns and ensuring that students can learn without fear of immigration enforcement.
The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is planning to take its concerns about working conditions and remote learning options directly to the bargaining table with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), ahead of a potential resurgence in federal immigration enforcement operations in the city later this year.
According to union leaders, including Vice President Jackson Potter, the CTU will make a formal demand for remote learning options soon. The move comes as concerns over the impact of immigration enforcement on students and families continue to escalate.
Potter warned that if something isn't done to address these issues, "the situation will only worsen." He cited the recent deployment of federal agents in Minnesota, where two US citizens were shot and killed by immigration officers earlier this month. Potter expressed his concern that the CTU's systems need to adapt to this new terrain.
However, CPS officials say that state law does not allow them to implement remote or hybrid learning on their own without a declaration of disaster due to public health emergency. Acting Chief Education Officer Alfonso Carmona acknowledged that providing "interventions needed for students who have fear coming to school or are missing too many days" is essential, but emphasized the need for clear guidance and criteria.
The CTU's call for remote learning options comes amid a backdrop of rising federal immigration enforcement operations in Chicago. In October, federal agents deployed tear gas near Funston Elementary in Logan Square when students were outside during recess, leading to significant drops in attendance at primarily Latino schools.
Parent and school staff have been working together to ensure student safety, but many are saying that it's not enough. Caty Bautista, a parent of two children at Chase Elementary in Logan Square, expressed her concerns: "No parent or student should fear stepping out of their home."
State Representative Lilian Jiménez echoed these sentiments, stating that parents in her Northwest and West Side communities are being forced to navigate the uncertainty every morning. She emphasized the need for a plan B – remote learning options – to alleviate this chaos.
The CTU's push for remote learning options highlights the growing concern over federal immigration enforcement operations' impact on schools and families. As Minneapolis school districts have temporarily implemented remote learning for students whose families are fearful of being detained, concerns over quality of virtual instruction remain a major issue.
With an estimated 10,000 undocumented immigrants in Chicago, the situation is particularly dire. The CTU's efforts to negotiate with CPS will be crucial in addressing these concerns and ensuring that students can learn without fear of immigration enforcement.
... but I gotta say, I think the CTU has every right to demand remote learning options. I mean, who wouldn't want to feel safe when it comes to their kid's education? 
It's not like CPS is doing them any favors by being all inflexible about it.
. And the fact that some schools are still having attendance issues after the whole tear gas incident in October? That's just crazy 
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seems like they're making it up as they go along, which is super concerning. what's the plan B that Rep Jiménez keeps talking about, exactly? how are they gonna make sure virtual instruction doesn't suffer if we're basically forced to abandon in-person learning because of immigration enforcement? 
. Can't even send their kids to school without being terrified 
. What kind of system are we living in where parents have to navigate uncertainty every morning just to make sure their kids can get an education? 
It's not fair at all 
. The CTU is doing the right thing by pushing for remote learning options, that's what our kids need now 
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the union is totally right tho, remote learning options should def be a thing ASAP! whats the point of even having a public school system if ppl are gonna be too scared to show up? 
lilian jimenez is totally speaking truth here, we need a plan b like remote learning options stat! 
and can we pls talk about the quality of virtual instruction tho? its gonna be hard to replicate the same level of engagement & support in an online setting... 
let's hope cps listens up and makes some changes soon! 
I think it's time CPS starts listening to parents and teachers on this one! 
All this back-and-forth about remote learning options is just a Band-Aid solution, you know? What they really need to do is have a serious conversation with the city about creating safe spaces for students and families. And let's be real, those federal agents showing up at schools unannounced? That's not exactly reassuring! 
Remote learning isn't going away anyway, so why not just offer it as an option from the start? It's not like CPS is gonna make some super radical change without pressure... 
. I mean, 10k undocumented immigrants in Chicago is a big deal 
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. The statistics also show that schools in predominantly Latino neighborhoods like Logan Square have seen a significant drop in attendance since the deployment of federal agents near Funston Elementary 
. The CTU needs to push for more funding and resources to make this work.
. If Chicago can learn from their experiences, they might be able to create a better system 
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cant the gov do something about this? its not fair to these ppl who are already living in fear 10k undocumented immigrants in chicago is like, a huge deal 
and cps needs to step up their game too 
cant have students missing out on education cuz of immigration enforcement lol what if they dont know how to make remote learning work tho? do we need more money or resources? idk but someone pls do something about this ASAP 
remote learning is the only way to go imo, it's not that hard to set up and would make so much difference in ppl's lives. CPS needs to get its act together and stop prioritizing politics over kids' well-being 
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It's like the love and care that goes into making it makes all the difference. And I was thinking, if we could apply that same principle to education, maybe we could make learning feel less like something you have to do and more like something you actually want to do. 
. Can't wait to see what the CTU comes up with 
my friend's cousin has a kid who lives in one of those Latino schools and she's having major anxiety about it. The teachers are doing their best but I think the CTU is right on track wanting remote learning options ASAP