CPS students walk out of school over COVID concerns, demand remote learning
CHICAGO - Chicago Public Schools students walked out of classes on Friday to protest the return of in-person learning — joining peers from New York and Boston who did the same.
CPS students who participated in the walkout expressed safety concerns over COVID-19 amid the omicron surge, and said they want their voices heard.
"We don’t feel safe in the school environment," said one CPS student.
About 200 students from across the district rallied outside Chicago Public Schools headquarters Friday afternoon to call for a transition to remote learning.
"Our cause is important to us, for our safety, for our schools’ safety, and for our teachers – and it needs to be valued," another CPS student said.
This comes just a few days after the Chicago Teachers Union narrowly approved a deal with the district to return to the classroom after disagreements over a school safety plan.
"There is absolutely no social distancing happening," said Jairo Villalobos-Hernandez, Solorio Academy High School student.
Students who walked out of Solorio Academy High School near 55th and St. Louis Avenue said they feel their classrooms are too crowded – and want to have say in the decisions.
"If we’re old enough to choose what we want to do for the rest of our lives when we’re 18, I think we’re old enough to choose what we want in our schools," said Lux De La Garza, Solorio Academy High School student.
Students ended their calls for remote learning by marching downtown.
In response to the walkout, a statement from CPS said in part: "Chicago Public Schools makes the health and safety of its students and staff its top priority."
It also stated, "CPS remains committed to fostering learning environments that allow students to respectfully deliberate issues with evidence and an open mind" and that "as a District, we want to ensure that we always listen to the opinions and feedback of our future leaders and will continue to work with students on this very important matter."
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While the CTU did not release an official statement in response to the student-led walkout, a spokesperson said the union stands in solidarity with students’ demands for safety.