FSCAC October Meeting Recap

[Marcus Flenaugh]

Far South CAC  October Meeting  Dear Far South CAC Members, Thank you to everyone who joined us at our October meeting. If you weren't able to join us, we hope you can be there in person next month. Your presence and perspective make a difference. Your voices, ideas, and commitment remind us why collective action matters. Today, as we honor Chicago’s 1963 Freedom Day, we remember the more than 200,000 students, parents, and community members who boycotted schools to protest segregation and unequal educational conditions. Their courage wasn’t just about one day of protest, it was a demand for dignity, opportunity, and justice in education. Sixty-two years later, the Far South Community Action Council (CAC) continues that fight, working to build power, equity, and excellence across all our Far South schools. This year, our goals reflect that same spirit of action and advocacy: Parent Power: By June 2026, increase parent participation by 40%, bringing at least 10 new active parent members into our meetings and subcommittees. Community Voice in Governance: By March 2026, boost Local School Council (LSC) nominees by 25% through workshops and targeted outreach that highlight leadership and representation. Stronger Together: By June 2026, establish at least 10 partnerships with local faith-based organizations, community groups, and small businesses to strengthen family engagement and shared resources. Each of these goals builds upon the foundation laid by those who led Freedom Day — a vision of schools that reflect the strength, talent, and potential of our communities. What’s Next This is not just another school year, it is a critical moment for our community to come together in visible and meaningful ways to support every one of our local schools. The stakes are high, and so is the opportunity. In the months ahead, we’ll be revisiting our Strategic Education Plan to ensure it reflects the bold, community-driven change we believe in. That means focusing on: Supporting families: Equipping parents with the tools and knowledge to champion their children’s learning. Centering student voices: Ensuring young people are not just included, but integral to shaping our educational vision. Focusing on what matters: Identifying key initiatives that improve both in-school learning and out-of-school conditions. Our framework is focused on creating the conditions that help children thrive in and beyond the classroom. But good plans don’t implement themselves. This is where we all come in. If you are not a member, please click here. Also, we are updating our partner database, update your info here. We’re asking each of you to stay engaged, stay informed, and most of all, take ownership of where this plan goes next. Your participation isn’t just appreciated — it’s essential. In solidarity and service,  Donna Jones- Chair Marcus Flenaugh- Co-Chair Far South Community Action Council  2025/26 Applications are now open! We look forward to working with you! Please complete this application by October 31st.  School Governance During the October meeting, we engaged in an interactive School Governance Activity designed to deepen our understanding of the different layers of educational leadership from Local School Councils (LSCs) to Parent Advisory Councils (PACs), Community Action Councils (CACs), and the Chicago School Board. Members worked in small groups to review real-world scenarios that illustrated how each body plays a role in improving our schools and where collaboration is essential. After that, members brainstorm actionable ways to move our CAC goals from ideas to measurable impact and shared practical, community-driven suggestions for how we can reach them.  Here is a summary of key takeaways from our discussion: Shared Responsibility: Real progress happens when governance bodies communicate and align around student needs. Community Voice Matters: Parents, students, and community partners must have meaningful influence — not just a seat at the table. Collaboration Over Competition: Each structure (LSC, CAC, PAC, School Board) plays a unique but interconnected role in shaping school improvement, budget priorities, and accountability. Increasing Parent Participation: Members emphasized that authentic parent engagement starts with relationship-building and visibility. Increasing LSC Nominees and Engagement: Members shared that while many parents care deeply, there are barriers to LSC participation. Their ideas focused on removing those barriers and demystifying the process. Strengthening Partnerships: Members expressed strong interest in building relationships that bring tangible resources into schools and communities.  These ideas are the blueprint for our next phase of action. Each suggestion shared last night reflects the collective wisdom of our community. This activity was an intentional step in advancing the Far South CAC’s 2025–2026 strategic goals. By engaging in discussion, collaboration, and problem-solving around real-world school governance scenarios, the activity helped us align our collective understanding and clarify where our advocacy and organizing efforts can have the greatest impact.  To View the School Governance Cheat Sheet, click here. Spotlight on CPS Join Dr  Title I PAC/PLN Meeting! Your voice matters! The Title I Parent Advisory Council (PAC) and Parent Leadership Network (PLN) are spaces where parents, families, and caregivers come together to share ideas, learn about school programs, and strengthen the home–school connection. This is an opportunity to find ways to use Title I funds to support students, review upcoming parent workshops, and explore ways families can help shape the school’s priorities for the year. Whether you’re a returning member or new to the table, your input helps ensure that every child has the resources and support they need to succeed. LSC Election Season Is Here! Local School Council (LSC) election season is in full swing, and this year the Far South CAC is taking recruitment to the next level! One of our key goals for 2025–2026 is to increase the number of parents and community members serving on Local School Councils across the Far South Side. LSCs are where real decisions about our schools happen — from budgets and principal evaluations to setting priorities that impact every student. We’re challenging our members to help us recruit more LSC candidates and election judges than ever before. Every school deserves a full, diverse, and engaged council that reflects the community it serves. Judges also play a critical role in ensuring fair and transparent elections — and they receive paid training and a stipend for their service. This is our moment to make sure our voices are heard and our schools are led by people who know and love our communities. 👉 Step up. Spread the word. Let’s fill every seat! Learn more about LSC Elections → Need help with your application? Parents and community members are invited to attend an application workshop for assistance with completing the nomination forms. View CPS Final Approved Budget for FY 2026  The CPS Board of Education approved the 2025-26 SY budget. View the approved budget book to learn more.  Spotlight on Board of Education Upcoming Dates Board Meeting- Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 10:30 AM Public Hearing on Waiver Application-Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 9:00 AM Other News & Events Today in Chicago History: Half of CPS students boycott school during ‘Freedom Day’ protest  Almost half of all Chicago Public Schools students — roughly 200,000 — boycotted during a “Freedom Day” protest. The boycott stemmed in part from anger over Chicago Public Schools’ policies that included the use of portable classrooms that came to be known as Willis wagons. Exploring pathways from high school to career and their payoffs in Illinois Join us to discuss the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative (IWERC) and the UChicago Consortium for School Research’s new reports from their Illinois High School to Career Series: Precarious Prospects (Part One) and Promising Pathways (Part Two, release forthcoming) Spotlight on Community Check out these upcoming events for Far South Community Send your event flyers, Community resources and program information to In...@farsouthcac.org Follow us on our Socials  Unsubscribe