Leaving No One Behind: Mansueto Family Leads Healthy Change in Their Community

By Francisco Huerta  for The Noble Schools

“Hi, Coach! How are you feeling?”  I looked to my right and running next to me was Mia Corral – keeping the pace as my wife and I approached mile 24 of the 2022 Chicago Marathon. Mia Corral is currently a junior at Mansueto High School and one of my students on the cross country team that I have the pleasure of coaching. When Mia found me, somehow spotting me amongst the 40,000+ runners, I was feeling tired, hungry, and in some pain. Mia provided my wife and I with an essential morale boost as we pushed to finish the 26.2 miles. But what was Mia doing on the course in the first place?”

2 local teachers honored with Distinguished Teacher Award 

By CBS Chicago 

“Two Chicago educators started the work week off with big a surprise. Noble Charter Schools presented Curtis Henry and Emmanuel Jackson from Muchin College Prep with their Distinguished Teacher Award.” 

Chipping Away at Walls: Showing Up for Our Students’ Mental Health

By Emmanuel Jackson for The Noble Schools

“Black people don’t go to therapy.” “You don’t need therapy, you need Jesus.” “Stop crying and suck it up.” “Therapy is for crazy people.” Throughout my life, these are phrases I’ve heard from my students and peers that sought to justify why people of color, and specifically Black people, should not seek out therapy or support. Nevertheless, support and therapy are exactly what is needed, arguably now more than ever.”

Full-day kindergarten will be required in Illinois public schools by 2027 under bill headed to governor’s desk

By Samantha Smylie for Chalkbeat

“Every public school in Illinois could have full-day kindergarten by 2027, thanks to a bill passed on Friday. The bill passed 84-24 in a final house vote and is heading to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk.  Under HB 2396, school districts around the state will have to offer full-day kindergarten to families with children between 4- and 6-years-old by the 2027-28 school year. School districts can continue to offer half-day kindergarten classes for families that want the option. The bill also creates a task force that will look into how school districts should implement full-day kindergarten.”

Illinois has a budget deal. Here’s what we know about proposed education funding for 2024.

By Samantha Smylie for Chalkbeat

“With the Illinois legislature in overtime to pass the state’s fiscal year 2024 budget, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, along with leadership from the general assembly, announced Wednesday that a deal had been made.  Pritzker, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, and Senate President Don Harmon said a budget will be filed in the Senate Wednesday, and once voted on in that chamber, will be sent to the House with the hopes of passing by Friday. The state’s fiscal year starts July 1.”

Dozens of new immigrants joining Chicago Public Schools as school year nears end

By  Michael Loria for The Sun-Times

“A number of elementary school-age children who recently arrived in Chicago from Central and South America and are staying at a temporary shelter in Little Village won’t get much of a reprieve from cracking the books. With summer for CPS students just a couple weeks away, dozens of immigrant children staying at a temporary shelter in Little Village joined a nearby elementary school on Monday, 22nd Ward Ald. Mike Rodriguez said. “Even if it’s just two weeks, it’s two weeks,” he told the Sun-Times at an event near the school last week. “Kids should be in school.”