This week's Community Connect has resources and information to get our kids to school for their first day of class.
Chicago Public Schools are opening their doors to students on Monday but getting them there is a major issue. Like many school districts across the country, CPS only has about half of the bus drivers needed to transport around 17,000 students who are eligible for rides. At this point, less than half of them will get on school buses Monday.
That means many parents are scrambling to make arrangements to get their kids safely to and from school. Some help is available for many students who may be eligible for stipends or free CTA Ventra cards. CTA buses and trains are all free for CPS students all day Monday.
Families with students with disabilities, are diverse learners, or in temporary living situations can get $25 per school day if they haven’t been routed yet or stipends of up to $500 a month for alternate transportation. About 3,000 families have taken advantage of the stipends already.
Students in magnet or selective enrollment programs without bus service will be able to get free CTA Ventra cards for the upcoming school year beginning Monday, including a weekly companion pass. Apply for the cards & companion passes at this link.
And to get answers to your questions about transportation, please contact the CPS Department of Transportation at 773-553-2850 or email them at transoptions@cps.edu.
If you have time and the heart to help, please consider ways you might be able to help students and families by volunteering or carpooling.
Remember, our community moves forward in the best way possible when we all get the help we need and give the help we can!