Women's History Month is More Than A Month
In culturally responsive classrooms, teachers and students learn together to affirm and elevate varied perspectives - and through the study of our complex past and present take action for a better future for all. Women’s History Month is a reminder that inclusive curriculum includes the contributions and perspectives of women all year long.

This year, we organized our Women’s History Month guidance around themes of education, history, contemporary issues, and intersectionality.

Also, we are kicking off a call to action with #HERstoryCPS! Asking you and your students to share a story about a woman that has impacted you or your community. Learn more below!

Finally, don't miss our upcoming PL section. This month is our fourth annual PowerPalooza! A student-led conference for educators - don't miss out!
Women’s History Month Essential Questions

How have women contributed to our democracy and the world? How can women’s stories continue to be elevated and centered in the story of our country?

Answer these essential questions through a mini-inquiry unit, one for students and one for educators.
#HERStoryCPS - Uplifting Women Who Inspire Us!
This month we are sharing a call to action to our CPS community - and ask you to take some time to share a story about a woman that impacted you or your community, past or present.

You can share your story with us and we will promote by emailing ssce@cps.edu, or you can tag us @CPSCivicLife #HERStoryCPS on Instagram or Twitter!

To get started, we are shouting out two CPS educators that have inspired us this year - and check back often because we will be doing so every week this month!.
Jenna Fisher at Skinner West Elementary

Jenna is a part of the Transformative Teaching Cohort, where she began her passion project to Empowering Students to Shape Culture by initiating Skinner’s first Student Voice Committee (SVC)!

Students have led various culture building initiatives including planning celebrations for upper grade students, grant writing to support school fundraisers and designing and moderating a Student Forum for the next new principal. Learn more about the SVC's work here!
Kelly Flowers at DuBois Elementary

Kelly is the Curriculum and Instructional Coach as well as middle school teacher at DuBois Elementary, and a teacher leader in the 6th and 7th Grade Skyline Social Science PLC. She has been an amazing member of our PLC, her energy and support to everyone is a breath of fresh air. Not to mention, she is so incredibly helpful in supporting PLC teachers in learning all the features embedded in Safari Montage, including modifying a playlist. 
Partner Resources
Voices to Celebrate Women’s History Month with StoryCorps

Listen to the stories here to hear the voices and memories of women who have loved hard, worked hard, broken down barriers, and left long-lasting legacies for generations of women and girls to come. 
National Women’s History Museum

Explore their collection of virtual exhibits and learn about trailblazing women, past and present. Exhibits topics ranging from women in activism, STEM, civil rights movement, sports, politics, war, and more!  
Chicago History Museum

Discover the ways women organized to challenge the status quo and how these different paths led to a mass movement for suffrage. Connect themes of the past with the present, which remind us that while injustice and inequality persist, so do activist women.

Also check out the supplementary classroom resources that include curriculum resources, videos/article artifacts, websites, and more.
Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities
POWERPALOOZA! Student-led Conference for Educators!

Are you a 4th-12th grade educator looking to build authentic youth-adult partnerships in your school community? Join the CPS Student Voice and Activism Fellows (SVAF) as they host a unique and powerful student-led professional learning workshop! 

This event aims to gather high school students and educators in order to build community, discuss critical topics, and work together to continue building inclusive partnerships in our schools.
8th Grade Participate Civics Q3 Professional Learning Workshop

This virtual workshop is designed for all 8th grade Social Science teachers teaching Civics in the 2nd semester to support the implementation of the Participate Civics curriculum. Skyline and non-Skyline adoptees are welcome.
  • Tuesday, March 8th from 9am - 3pm
  • Sign up via Learning Hub - Course Code: 58896 Class Code: 109286
  • Substitute coverage will be provided
Reparations Won Sessions for 8th & 10th Grade Teachers

Reparations Won is a required unit of study, to be taught in both 8th Grade Social Science and 10th grade U.S. History. Within the recommended Social Science Scope and Sequence, the Reparations Won unit falls in Quarter 3 or Quarter 4.

We are offering a session for teachers who are not new to the curriculum to learn more about supplemental and enriching materials for the unit. Please complete this registration form to sign up either of the following remaining training sessions: 
  • March 23rd: For teachers NOT new to the curriculum
  • March 24th: For teachers NEW to the curriculum
Department Office Hours
8th Grade Civics Office Hours

Please stop by to connect, collaborate, or with any questions. Join here!
  • March 4th from 2-3 pm 
  • March 8th from 3-4 pm
  • March 14th from 2-3 pm
Reparations Won Office Hours

Please stop by to connect, collaborate, or with any questions.
  • April 27th from 4-5 pm - Join Here!
  • May 4th from 4-5 pm - Join Here!
Service Learning Coaches Office Hours

Please stop by to connect, collaborate, or with any questions.
Culturally Responsive PLC Wednesday Workshops

  • March 16th from 4-5 pm
  • April 6th from 4-5 pm
  • April 20th from 4-5 pm

Register through Learning Hub: Course Code: 58949, Class Code: 109380
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