The Nation's Voice for Urban Education
September 2021 • Vol. 30, No. 6
Urban Schools Welcome Students Back to Full-Time In-Person Learning This Fall
The nation’s urban schools began the 2021-2022 school year with students returning to in-person learning and with extensive health and safety measures put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Who’s Driving the Bus? Urban Districts Work to Combat Bus Driver Shortage 
Mark Bedell has worn many hats over the course of his career – teacher, assistant principal, principal, school improvement officer, assistant superintendent, and superintendent of Missouri’s Kansas City Public Schools since 2016
Chicago Names New CEO, Tenure Extended for Guilford Superintendent
San Antonio school chief Pedro Martinez is returning to Chicago – his hometown – as chief executive officer.
Historian Henry Louis Gates to Speak at Council Virtual Fall Conference
Historian, filmmaker, PBS host and Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. will be the keynote speaker at the Council of the Great City Schools’ Virtual 65th Annual Fall Conference, which takes place October 19-23. 
Nominations Sought for 2021 Urban Educator of the Year
In the continued efforts of the Council of the Great City Schools to highlight and elevate urban educators, the Council is now seeking nominations for the 32nd Annual Green-Garner Award.

Back-to-School Message from the Chair of the Council, Barbara Jenkins
It is hard to believe that we are celebrating the start of another school year! As this year’s chair of the board, I am honored to address the school boards and superintendents of our GREAT CITY SCHOOLS.
Council Tracker Provides Info on Masks, Vaccines & Testing
The 2021-2022 school year is poised to be as challenging as the previous year for urban school leaders who must make high-stakes decisions about student and employee health and safety as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Legislative Column

New Federal Stimulus Funding at a Critical Juncture
With the beginning of the new school year and the spike in COVID-19 delta infections, a hopeful return to normal remains elusive.
Read more stories here
Upcoming Events
65th Virtual Fall Conference
The Council of the Great City Schools is holding its 65th Annual Fall Conference virtually.

When:
October 19 - October 23, 2021
Executive Director
Ray Hart
Editor
Tonya Harris
Staff Writer
Joanne Coley
Chair
Barbara Jenkins
Superintendent, Orange County
(Orlando)
Chair-elect
Kelly Gonez
Board Member, Los Angeles
Secretary-Treasurer
William Hite
Superintendent, Philadelphia
A newsletter published by the Council of the Great City Schools, representing 75 of the nation’s largest urban public school districts. Click here to learn more. All news items should be submitted to Tonya Harris (tharris@cgcs.org).