Good News from the Chicago Poetry Center!
Just one week after CPS official remote learning days began, we were able to transition our school-based poetry residencies to virtual programs. That means we’re still reaching our students, in a time when support is needed most. 

Our amazing teaching artists converted our creative literacy programs to videos, for students who have the technology, and packets, for those who need non-digital support. Students continue to be greeted by their school’s resident poet, who is able to support them at home, during a collective crisis, when creative literacy, innovative education, and self-expression are needed most.
CPC Poets plan strategy for continuing school residencies during shelter-at-home.
Click the image to read one of our publications of student work from home. In this post, Swift Elementary students envision our future world as they would have it.
We’re currently working in 8 schools with 24 virtual classrooms, from Hegewisch to Jefferson Park, from Englewood to Avondale, from Hyde Park to Rogers Park —the Chicago Poetry Center continues its mission and its support of Chicago students, teachers, poets, and communities.

Ready for the best news?
 Our students are writing back! We have “Shelter in Poetry” blog posts up from Swift Elementary, Peterson Elementary, and Taft Freshman Academy.
Thank you to our teaching artists, classroom teachers, students and schools for growing together in a moment of change.

Thank you to our generous supporters: individuals, foundations, and organizations, without whom this could not happen.
Poet Leslie Reese sets up a "board" and young readers library behind her for her poetry sessions for Swift School. Click on the video above to hear "Ms. Leslie" introduce the "My World" lesson to her students.
Stay awhile and enjoy some snapshots of our new virtual programs, our amazing poets, and student work:
Poet in Residence Davon Clark teaching students at Washington Elementary School.
Recent student publication from Taft Freshman Campus Poet in Residence Timothy David Rey.
Recent student publication from Peterson Elementary School by Poet in Residence Joy Young.
Poet in Residence Kristen Jeré leads a lesson for Peterson 6th graders on Brooks', "We Real Cool."
Poet in Residence Joy Young screen-shares a workbook during a lesson for Shoesmith Elementary School, where her goal was to get students laughing in their poems.
Supporters, Poets, Teachers, Students: Thank you.
Together we'll create our way through this.
Chicago Poetry Center