By Robin Robinson, FOX 32 News at Nine Co-Anchor - bio
CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Official attendance numbers won't be out until Friday, but Chicago Public School classrooms were mighty roomy Thursday.
Even at the academic elites like Whitney Young High School, the number of absent students was three times higher than normal.
One elementary school on the South Side had only 25% of the 850 students show up.
"Five students were present in this class today. They didn't show up, so did they really make it up? They will lose a lot of instruction in two days because we do have bell to bell instruction so two days could be quite a bit of instruction they'll be missing," says Emika Canty, Assistant Principal at Parker Community Academy.
Cutting winter break short by two days is supposed to make up some of the days lost in the teachers strike this fall, but it appears many people did not want to change holiday travel plans—or were confused by the mid-week start time.
"I don't remember receiving an automated call," says Tsokeyah Dixon, the mother of a Paker Community Academy student. "I think there's been some confusion."
"To each their own...and if they figure they need those two extra days, well hey, then go ahead and take it, but we enjoyed our day today and we got some extra work done," says another mother, Sante Street.
On the bright side, class sizes were small and teachers could give individual attention -- because teacher absences were actually down Thursday.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 00:33:23 GMT
A Merrillville police officer shot a man Monday afternoon when the two got into a fight in the parking lot of the Merrillville Planned Parenthood office.
A Merrillville police officer shot a man Monday afternoon when the two got into a fight in the parking lot of the Merrillville Planned Parenthood office.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:52 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:52:14 GMT
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage.
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:39 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:39:06 GMT
Chicago teachers, parents and students are hitting the streets for a third and final day of citywide marches in protest of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to close dozens of schools.
Chicago teachers, parents and students are hitting the streets for a third and final day of citywide marches in protest of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to close dozens of schools.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:37 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:37:06 GMT
On Friday, the current Chicago Teacher's Union President Karen Lewis announced that she has been re-elected and says she won with 80 percent of the vote.
On Friday, the current Chicago Teacher's Union President Karen Lewis announced that she has been re-elected and says she won with 80 percent of the vote.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 4:08 PM EDT2013-05-15 20:08:29 GMT
Attorneys for the Chicago Teachers Union filed several federal lawsuits Wednesday, arguing the closing of 53 elementary schools discriminates against African-American children and those with disabilities.
Attorneys for the Chicago Teachers Union filed several federal lawsuits Wednesday, arguing the closing of 53 elementary schools discriminates against African-American children and those with disabilities.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 3:52 PM EDT2013-05-15 19:52:48 GMT
A 32-year-old bus driver for a far north suburban school district has been charged with sexually assaulting a minor, though the victim was not a student who rode her bus, according to police.
A 32-year-old bus driver for a far north suburban school district has been charged with sexually assaulting a minor, though the victim was not a student who rode her bus, according to police.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 1:15 PM EDT2013-05-15 17:15:01 GMT
A former Maine West High School soccer coach has been charged with multiple misdemeanor counts involving the battery and hazing of players on his team.
A former Maine West High School soccer coach has been charged with multiple misdemeanor counts involving the battery and hazing of players on his team.
Monday, May 13 2013 10:42 PM EDT2013-05-14 02:42:59 GMT
Karen Lewis has been talking for months about defeating Rahm Emanuel at the next mayoral election, but first she's fighting to keep her own job as president of the Chicago Teachers Union.
Karen Lewis has been talking for months about defeating Rahm Emanuel at the next mayoral election, but first she's fighting to keep her own job as president of the Chicago Teachers Union.
It's Teacher Appreciation Week! Lakeshore Learning's Ray Hernandez shared some last minute gifts designed by teachers available in Chicago, Orland Park and Palatine – all less than $20!
It's Teacher Appreciation Week! Lakeshore Learning's Ray Hernandez shared some last minute gifts designed by teachers available in Chicago, Orland Park and Palatine – all less than $20!
Loyola University will open a $60 million energy-efficient complex this summer, to house the "Institute of Environmental Sustainability," run by Nancy Tuchman. Students will train for green jobs of the future.
Loyola University will open a $60 million energy-efficient complex this summer, to house the "Institute of Environmental Sustainability," run by Nancy Tuchman. Students will train for green jobs of the future.
Thursday, February 28 2013 11:17 AM EST2013-02-28 16:17:45 GMT
First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign is making waves on the national level, so Good Day Chicago wanted to showcase a local school that is one of the healthiest in the city.
First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign is making waves on the national level, so Good Day Chicago wanted to showcase a local school that is one of the healthiest in the city.
