OLD TOWN — As parents in Old Town prepare for the proposed closing of George Manierre Elementary School, some say they are worried about the safety of their children who are slated to attend Jenner Elementary Academy of the Arts in River North.
Dozens of CPS students from schools around the city held a march Downtown Monday to protest the announcement of 54 schools that will close.
Protestors argued that the closings would put students more at risk of violence as students as they cross gang boundaries on the way to and from school.
Some parents of students at Manierre, 1420 N. Hudson Ave., said they won't send their kids to Jenner, 1119 N. Cleveland Ave., out of fear for their safety.
Chicago Public Schools will host two community meetings on the proposed Manierre closing at Lincoln Park High School before the public hearing regarding the closings on April 30.
Interested in attending a meeting?
Manierre Elementary — Slated to close
Community Meetings: from 5-7 p.m. April 10 and 5-7 p.m. April 15 at Lincoln Park High School, 2001 N. Orchard St.
Public Hearing: from 5:30-7:30 p.m. April 30 at the CPS Central Office, 125 S. Clark St.
For more information on the meetings, click here.
A letter sent to parents from CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett outlined the rules for the meetings.
Anyone wanting to comment at the meetings can sign up starting one hour before the start of the event. Speakers will be given two minutes to talk, unless the hearing officer or meeting organizer grants an extension.
