Chicago Public Schools Parent Portal

I agree with the other reviewer. I am a parent and when I realized that most of the teachers not only do not use the website, but the e-​mails provided by CPS are not used either so it makes it difficult for parents to keep up with what is going on in their childrens room. My children have autism and they not only need an aide in the classroom, but they need one on the school bus as well. Sometimes I just want to check in with the autism teachers or the administrative staff at the school and not having any way to contact them cause me a lot of unnecessary emotional stress. So, I made up my own protocol and will use it again come the first day of school or the «Welcome to the School» celebrations that most CPS schools have to let folks know in the neighborhood who and what is going on at the neighborhood schools. For those that need a plan, if you have a disk or flash drive, type up your own personal emergency contact form. Take it to each new teachers room and ask them for their home, cell or e-​mail address… whichever they are more comfortable giving.
What you will find out from this little excercise is a couple of things… the ones who have no problem offering contact information up will probably in my experience be the teachers or staff who will be the most comfortable with communicating with you about your children. The ones who give you «that look» and you know the look I am talking about that says «why you all up in my business like that»?
Make note of these teachers and staff. They will more likely in my experience be the teachers or staff who will never tell you anything, hide information and issues about your child from you and it will be like pulling teeth getting anything out of them. But do not get stressed even if you run into these types. One thing I have found being and advocate is this: when there is an issue with my little ones, I sit, think and then I write. I proof read all that I write and then I network and find contacts at CPS that I can send this information to concerning my complaint about the teacher or the staff members. And one more important thing: even if they don’t like the fact that you reported their unprofessional behavior, what can they do about it… nothing. Because in the end, they have to work and get a pay check and if they do anything to your children that you don’t like after you report unprofessional or inappropriate behavior, report their ass again and always keep supportive documentation of anything you are uncomfortable with. If you see something, say something.

The CPS Parent Portal, designed for communication between teachers and parents. Great concept. The portal is meant for teachers to keep their students assignments, grades, exams, etc., all at the ready so parents can also see what is going on in the classroom. Unfortunately, it seems (from experience) that all teachers are not using this system consistently, and therefore parents cannot be well informed, nor better assist their child student with homework assignments, and at home discussions about grades, and other matters regarding their child’s school life.
CPS leadership needs to get teachers on board with their systems and there needs to be accountability here; if the system doesn’t work well for the teachers, then put in place a system that does, or train them to use it.
Chicago kids need parent/​family support of their education, and this tool is essential to their success.
Bring it Mr. Vitale. We’ve been waiting too long for broken things to get fixed.
This seems like an easy one to head up & offer change.