Attendee Fern Fox McCain said she fears her kids, twins Rebecca and Sam, 11, won’t be able to have the kind of resume top colleges want if they have to give up their extracurriculars.
Rebecca has studied ballet for eight years, but a later start time at Ogden International will give her less time to prepare and get to class, making it nearly impossible for her to continue dancing, Fox McCain said. Sam said he is worried he’ll have less time to participate in after-school sports, do homework and relax.
The students ended the protest by calling on CPS to listen to their concerns and reverse the starting time change. Organizers said they do not plan to hold another event if CPS listens to them.
“We sympathize with the families who are impacted by the change to staggered bell times, but our priority is to keep cuts away from the classrooms wherever possible,” said CPS spokeswoman Emily Bittner in a statement. “With safety at top of mind, we will continue to work with school leaders and families to ensure a smooth transition to the upcoming school year while protecting in-class instruction time and extra-curricular activities.
“We will also continue to focus on preventing deeper cuts and more unsustainable borrowing by working with our partners in Springfield on a comprehensive solution.”
CPS has also cut $60 million from neighborhood school budgets and will get rid of 270 bus stops.
In a news release announcing the new bell schedules, CPS CEO Forrest Claypool said, “Every dollar we save by staggering school bell times and streamlining transportation services next school year is one more dollar we don’t have to cut from our classrooms. … We will continue to work with principals and parents to minimize disruptions and protect in-school time, as well as develop a comprehensive plan to address after-school activities.”
CPS did not immediately return a request for comment on Wednesday’s rally.
Article Appeared @http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150805/loop/student-led-rally-opposes-delayed-cps-school-start-times-daley-plaza