If strike, CPS officials vow to keep school doors open

If teachers walk off the job next week, Chicago public schools will leave all its buildings open for students and has promised breakfast and lunch for anyone who shows up.

District officials also encouraged parents to keep their children at home if they're able to do so if there is a strike on Oct. 11.

"No CPS students will be turned away from any school, though high-schoolers are required to go to high schools and elementary school students are required to go to elementary schools," school officials said in a news release.

With no teachers present, classes will be canceled, but schools will offer online learning, PE and arts and crafts activities for students who have no other place to go, school officials said.

All non-union members - including central office staffers - will help keep kids engaged at school sites. More information, including specific locations, is available at http://www.cps.edu/strikeplan.

School busing would be cancelled, but the Chicago Transit Authority is offering free transportation to students between 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on any strike days.

Charter school students aren't affected because their teachers aren't part of the union.

For more, check <URL destination="http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/cps-says-schools-will-remain-open-if-teachers-strike/">chicago.suntimes.com.