“My Trip to Harvard University” – A Baker College Prep Student’s Story

By Brianna Dekrines for The Noble Schools

“Ever since I was a little girl, I have dreamt of going to college. So, when I was offered the opportunity to visit Harvard University this summer by Miss Gaddis, one of my teachers, I knew I wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass me up. I’m so glad I didn’t.  Going to Harvard opened my eyes to how college courses really are and the endless opportunities that come along with college. It showed me what attending college would be like. It is so much different from high school – from the way classes are structured to the instructors themselves, plus all the freedom you could ask for.”

 

Support & Resources for Undocumented Students at Noble Schools

By The Noble Schools

“Future prospects for undocumented high school students across the nation are more unstable right now than they have been in the past decade. Since a Texas federal court declared the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) unlawful last year, the federal government hasn’t been processing initial applications to DACA, which provides work authorization and protection from deportation for children brought to the U.S. as a child. For many of our undocumented high schoolers who have never applied to DACA before, this means no clear, safe path to higher education or employment. At Noble Schools, we recognize that our undocumented scholars are some of our most vulnerable students. Supporting them is one of our greatest priorities. Our DREAMer Supports team works with DREAMer liaisons, deans, and college counselors across all 18 of our campuses to help students navigate the unique challenges of being undocumented – from college to employment. When it comes to supporting undocumented students with their college dreams, we are among the best in the country.”

 

CPS Unveiled Its New ‘Student-Informed’ Menu Items, and They’re Not What You Ate as a Kid

By NBC 5

“Smoothies, veggie pasta salad and BBQ tofu are among just some of the new items headed to Chicago Public Schools cafeterias this year after engaging with 2,100 students in summer tasting sessions to craft new menu options. The district collaborated with their two vendors, Aramark and Open Kitchens, to showcase new dishes for students and receive feedback from students afterwards, allowing the items to be fine-tuned and adjusted in accordance with students’ palates. With feedback from students, new items such as Asian noodle salad, baked potatoes with chili and cheese, pierogis and a Chicago ham frittata alongside updates to traditional cafeteria options such as pizza and burgers will make their debut in CPS cafeterias this school year. Students voted the cheeseburger pizza as the tastiest option, but encouraged the district to go further by offering additional versions with vegetables and other flavors.”

 

More than 93% of CPS Students Showed Up For First Day of Classes, District Says

By Matt Masterson for WTTW

“More than 93% of Chicago Public Schools students showed up for classes on the first day of classes last week, which marked the district’s earliest start date in recent memory. CPS on Friday announced that 93.4% of its 300,000-plus students were in their classrooms for the start of the new school year on Aug. 22. That’s the highest percentage since the 2019-20 school year, the district said. “Every day in school matters and we are thrilled to see a higher percentage of students were in class as we started the new year,” CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said in a statement. Per the district, the first-day attendance rate reflects the proportion of students who were enrolled for the first day of school and engaged with school on the first day.”