Members of the City Council urged Karen Lewis and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) to work together with Chicago Public Schools CPS) to choose the next 25 schools that will begin the longer school day program this January. To date, 13 schools have signed on to longer school days recognizing that more classroom time is in the best interest of the students. City Council members not only support this decision but are calling on CTU to adopt the Pioneer Program and work with Chicago Public Schools to implement the additional schools in January 2012.

“I applaud the schools that have already implemented a longer school day. I would like to see longer and better school days in every CPS school. Our children and our city deserve the best. I hope that we can all come to the table and make the changes that are necessary in the best interest of the students,” said Alderman Danny Solis, chairman of the Latino Caucus. CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard sent a letter on September 30, asking the Chicago Teachers Union to engage in the process of selecting the next 25 schools to move to a longer school day. Aldermen who have signed their support onto the Longer School Day Pioneer Program include: Ald. Michelle Harris (8th Ward), Ald. Anthony Beale (9th Ward), Ald George Cardenas (12th Ward), Ald. Latasha Thomas (17th Ward), Ald. Danny Solis (25th ward), Ald. Dick Mell (33rd Ward), and Ald. Patrick O’Connor (40th Ward).