Mayor Daley, Chicago Public Schools Officials Kick-Off Annual Back-to-School Campaign

For the first time, CPS will use social networking media to get out its message

Mayor Richard M. Daley and Chicago Public Schools officials today joined with corporate and community partners in kicking off the city’s annual Back-to-School campaign and emphasizing the assistance that is available to CPS families during this difficult economic time.

“When school begins, it’s vitally important that every student shows up on time and ready to learn. The first day of school sets the tone for the entire year,” the Mayor said in a news conference held at Robeson High School, 6835 S. Normal Blvd.

“It’s important for the students, because they have to be in class every day in order to keep up. Any child who misses the first day of school has already fallen behind,” he said. For most CPS students, the first day of school is Tuesday, September 8. But for the increasing number of young people who attend the school system’s our year-round schools – 20 percent of total enrollment – classes begin next Tuesday, August 10.

CPS officials also unveiled their intent to use social networking tools in their back-to-school campaign this year. CPS will ask various celebrities and many of their back-to-school partners to help spread the “first day” word through use of such media as Twitter and Facebook.

“We’re excited about moving our message into the realm of these social networking media, and we believe this initiative could have implications on how school districts throughout the country increasingly will communicate with their various constituencies,” said Ron Huberman, CPS Chief Executive Officer.

Daley, together with Chicago Board of Education President Michael Scott, Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Ron Huberman and representatives from the business, cultural and philanthropic communities, pointed out that CPS has established a network of partnerships that can serve as a helping hand for parents.

“We know that the bad economy will make it more difficult for many of our parents to afford the needed supplies, uniforms, health exams and other back to school necessities. We want to do all we can to lighten their burden, and thanks to many generous partners, we will,” the Mayor said.

Key partnerships and upcoming activities include:

• Walgreen’s will sponsor health fairs at Clemente High School on August 15 and at Manley High School on August 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. At these events, students can receive free immunizations, physical and dental exams. Additionally at the health fairs, students that receive services will receive gift bags with health information and school supplies. Walgreen’s is also paying for the production and printing of the district’s 2009-10 calendars, which have become a popular source of information for CPS families and which also will include savings coupons on various items.
• Target, which is entering the second year as the official provider of elementary school uniforms for CPS students, will offer families at schools with a uniform policy a coupon worth $5 off on a uniform purchase of $30 or more. Target is further offering coupons for $1 off a $5 purchase of
• Hanes’ kids’ apparel, and $5 off a school supply purchase of $25 or more. Target’s partnership with CPS also includes the donation of 14,000 uniform pieces (shirts and slacks) for homeless district students.
• Kmart will donate 1,000 book bags and discount coupons totaling about $12,000 in value.
• The Kits for Kidz program, run by SchoolKids Incorporated, will provide school supplies for the school system’s neediest students. By visiting the organization’s Website at www.kitsforkidz.org/cps, donors can purchase grade-specific school supply kits for either $11 or $18 each.
• Feed the Children will donate 3,600 backpacks and school supplies. Chartwell Thompson will donate some $30,000 toward the purchase of almost 1,700 backpacks and school supplies.
• Bank of America will donate $25,000 for the CPS school supply drive, along with matching any employee monetary donations. Bank of America is also using its downtown corporate locations as a school supply drop-off point for its employees.
• Office Depot will donate 500 backpacks and school supplies.
• Harris Bank will donate $10,000 for the CPS school supply drive
• The Museum of Science and Industry will present every student who comes to school on the first day with a one-day pass for a family of four.

Media partners who will help get out the “back to school” message are: Channel 5, Fox 32, Radio Disney, Clear Channel, Power 92/Crawford Communications, Univision, La Ley and WVON.

“Anyone who wants to assist in this important effort can find out how to donate to the school supply drive at www.helpcps.org,” Huberman said. “This Web site contains links to purchase backpacks and supplies, and lists drop-off locations for donations. It also provides information for companies that want to do an employee drive of their own.”

Daley urged parents to take advantage of back-to-school and community festivals taking place over the next few weeks. He noted that CPS will have a presence at many events in neighborhoods throughout the city. “I am determined to make Chicago’s the best education system in the nation,” the Mayor said.

“We won’t be the best unless we raise the bar, set higher expectations and demand more from every student. It’s up to all of us – students, parents, teachers and principals – to take our schools to the next level,” he said.

About Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Public Schools serves approximately 407,000 students in 666 schools. It is the nation’s third-largest school district.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Monique Bond, 773-553-1620
Communications Officer