Image courtesy Chicago Children's Theatre.
As Chicagoans brace for a potential strike by teachers and support staff, the Chicago Children’s Theatre announced it plans to offer limited day camps for affected students from grades K-5.
While negotiations between the Chicago Teachers Union and the Chicago Public Schools will continue Wednesday, union officials said Tuesday evening that a strike is nearly inevitable.
“Tonight I have to tell the people in Chicago, the members of the Chicago Teachers Union, and all the people who support public schools in the city that we have not achieved enough in these negotiations to say that we are done fighting,” said CTU President Jesse Sharkey on Tuesday evening, according to CBS2. “This is not something we do lightly. This is something we do with heaviness in our heart.”
The Chicago Public Schools announced Wednesday morning it would cancel classes on Thursday ahead of the strike. Some 300,000 students will be affected.
If there is a strike, the Chicago Children's Theatre, 100 S. Racine Ave., will offer day camps with a safe and creative place for a limited number of CPS students in grades K-5. During camp, students will take classes in acting, singing, puppet making and performance, choreography, design and collaborative storytelling. Each day will be different to keep children engaged.
Camp hours will be daily M-F 9:30am to 4pm with before care available starting at 8am and after care from 4-6pm. Both before and after care are included in the tuition of $75 per day. Financial aid is available.
To register, call 312-374-8835 between 9am and 1pm or email Dexter Ellis, director of education and community programs, dexter@chicagochildrenstheatre.org. Visit the website for more info about the theater.
Chicago Children’s Theatre offers easy pick-up and drop-off with free onsite parking on the south side of the building, enter from Racine Avenue.
Today editor Aaron Cynic also contributed to this post.