Hammond Elementary School
2819 W. 21st Place
Ms. Orbe Chicago, Illinois 60623 Mr. Siegellak
Principal 773-535-4580 Assistant Principal Every student will be engaged in a rigorous instructional program that encompasses the social emotional development necessary for success in high school, college, career and life.
February 21,2017Dear CPSFamilies,
InthedayssincethePresidentialelection,manymembersofourschoolcommunityhavefeltconcernandanxiety,andwewantyoutoknowthatweareheretosupportyourchildrenandprovidethemwithasafeandwelcomingeducationalenvironment.WeareresoluteinourcommitmentasaWelcomingDistricttoembraceand celebrate all members of our diverse schoolcommunity.
Manyofyouhaveinquiredabouttheprotectionsinplacetosafeguardyourchildrenatschool.WeassureyouthatCPSwillnotpermittheU.S.ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement(ICE)toaccessCPSfacilitiesoruseCPSpersonneltoassistintheenforcementoffederalcivilimmigrationlaw.
Wearealsoprovidingyouwithasetofresourcesthatyoucanreferenceinregardtopotentialimmigrationquestions. Attached to this letter you willfind:
- Multi-‐languageguidancefromtheCityofChicago’sOfficeofNewAmericansonlegalassistance,immigrant rights, mental health care, and public safety
- Multi-‐languagepalmcardsfromtheNationalImmigrantJusticeCenteronimmigrantrightsthatcanbecarried with you at all times
Aswecontinuetoexplorenewopportunitiestobettersupportyouandyourchildren,wewantyoutoknowthatourschoolsaresafeforallstudentsregardlessoftheirrace,ethnicityorcountryoforigin.Weknowthatsomefamiliesareconcernedaboutsendingtheirchildrentoschoolatthistime,butwe firmlybelievethatthesafestandmostbeneficialplaceforyourchildrenisaclassroomalongsidetheirfellowstudentswheretheycanworktoward a brightfuture.
ThestrengthofChicagoPublicSchoolsliesinitsdiversity,andregardlessofwhichCPSschoolyouattend,yourchildrenaresupportedandloved.Wehopethattheattachedresourceswillbeusefulinaddressingsomeoftheconcerns you may have, and we encourage you to reach out to your school’s principal or network officeforadditional information, resources andguidance.
Sincerely,
Dr. Janice K.JacksonChief EducationOfficerChicago PublicSchools