The Office of Family and Community Engagement at Chicago Public Schools works to build and strengthen relationships with our parents and community partners to deepen engagement across the district. Spread across the city, our FACE team works hands-on with our district’s communities, hearing stories of our families and their schools. These diverse perspectives weave together to create a rich tapestry of Chicago families’ shared experiences. The Let’s FACE it Together podcast elevates these stories and uplifts the voices that CPS serves.
Financial Aid, FAFSA, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission w/ Caludia Aly
Welcome to another episode of Let's FACE it Together! This week, host Sarahi Garcia sits down with Claudia Aly, Parent Outreach Coordinator at the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). Navigating the college application and financial aid process can be overwhelming, especially for first-generation families, but you don't have to do it alone. In this episode, we discuss exactly how and when parents can step in to support their students' higher education goals.
6 Aug 2026
All-City Performing Arts Applications Open August 7, 2026 w/ Danielle Holtz
Welcome to Let's Face It Together, the podcast from the FACE team at Chicago Public Schools! Host Sarahi Garcia sits down with Danielle Holtz, Program Director for Citywide Student Art Programs, to explore the district's legacy All City Performing Arts (ACPA) program.
Running since 1963, ACPA offers free Saturday ensembles in music, dance, and theater for elementary through high school students across Chicago. Danielle shares how the program builds artistic skills and community, plus details on a new 5-year partnership with Lollapalooza (C3 Presents) that fully funds ensemble supplies and launches a CPS instrument lending library.
Tune in for details on the August 7th application launch!
6 Apr 2026
Pre-K Applications Open April 7, 2026 w/ Chief Leslie McKinily
Think Pre-K is just playtime and naps? Think again!
Welcome to the Season 2 premiere of Let's Face It Together, the podcast from the FACE team at Chicago Public Schools! Today, host Sarahi Garcia is live from the CPS Coleman Office Building sitting down with Early Childhood Education Chief, Leslie McKinily.
Chief McKinily shares her "why" as both a mother and an educator, opening up about the emotional transition of sending her own child to school and busting the common misconception that early childhood education is just "daycare." Whether your child is discovering that a crayon isn't just pink—it's magenta—or learning how to regulate their emotions, this episode highlights exactly why those first eight years are critical for setting a lifelong foundation.
We also cover everything you need to know about navigating the upcoming 2027-2028 school year Pre-K registration process!
28 Feb 2025
Meet FACE Specialist Adrienne Garner with Chron Cross
Title I District Manager Chron Cross chats with Network 11 FACE Specialist Adrienne Garner about her professional background, strategies to engage with CPS families, and Black History. The Network 11 Parent University is located at Parker Community Academy, 6800 S Stewart Ave.
20 Jan 2025
Building Community and Filling Local School Council Vacancies with Myra Winding and Principal Juwana Wells
#LSC #BuildingCommunity Listen for a conversation between OLSCR Asst. Director Myra Winding and Carroll-Rosenwald Elementary School Principal Juwana Wells about Principal Wells's creative strategies for building community, filling LSC vacancies, and leading between two campuses.
31 Oct 2024
Parent Advisory Council Spending with Chron Cross and Jacoby Warren
This episode features Chicago Public Schools Title I Manager Chron Cross in conversation with Parent Board of Governors (PBG) Chair Jacoby Warren. They discuss Warren's long commitment to being involved in her children's education and the work she did last school year to ensure her school's Parent Advisory Council (PAC) spent over 99% of their Title I funds.
26 Sept 2024
The North Lawndale STEAM Program with Carl Hurdlik, Dr. Betty Green & Dr. Leonard Moore
Community Action Council (CAC) Specialist for Chicago Public Schools Carl Hurdlik hosts North Lawndale CAC Co-Chairs Dr. Betty Green and Dr. Leonard Moore discussing the new STEAM partnership between three North Lawndale neighborhood schools and their persistence in seeing the project realized.
31 Jul 2024
The Title I Parent Board of Governors with Chron Cross and Venezia Gonzalez-Sarmiento
CPS Title I Manager Chron Cross interviews the Title I Parent Board of Governors Secretary Venezia Gonzalez-Sarmiento. They discuss Venezia's involvement in her daughter's education, her CPS experience as a parent, and her time serving on the PBG.
19 Jun 2024
Black Student Success Plan with Kyrah Davis & Monica Jones
Chicago Public Schools' Kyrah Davis disccuses the Black Student Success Plan process with Title I Parent Board of Governors co-chair Monica Jones.
1 Jun 2024
Safe Haven at New Life Humboldt Park
Jessica Quigley, Site Director at New Life Centers Humboldt Park, joins CPS Faith Based Initiatives Community Coordinator, Cameron Barnes to discuss the partnership that is the Safe Haven program, bringing out-of-school enrichment to Chicago's kids.
8 Mar 2024
FACE it with Maurice Miles and Felipe Perez
Norma Seledon leads a conversation with two CPS fathers, Maurice Miles and Felipe Perez, about male parent engagement in education.
5 Feb 2024
FACE it with Catlyn Savado & Clarke Burnett
DEADLINE EXTENDED: LSC candidate applications open until 3:00pm, February 14, 2024. Visit cps.edu/lsc to download an application today.
Discussing student leadership and how students can interact with their schools' LSC. Discussions led by Myra Winding, Office of Local School Council Relations Assistant Director.
5 Jan 2024
FACE it with Myra Winding & Ileana Inserni
This month’s episode features a discussion between Tubman Elementary LSC Chair Ileana Inserni and LSC Relations Assistant Director Myra Winding about the upcoming LSC elections and the process of running for a seat.
9 Nov 2023
FACE it with Kyrah Davis & Dr. Jessica Johnson
CPS FACE Senior Communications Specialist Kyrah Davis discusses supporting newcomer students and families with Perez Elementary's Principal Dr. Jessica Johnson.
6 Oct 2023
FACE it with Sarahi Garcia & Herlinda Gamez
FACE staff member Sarahi Garcia sits down with CPS parent Herlinda Gamez to discuss her Parent University experiences and parent involvement.
18 Sept 2023
Welcome to Let’s FACE it Together!
The Office of Family and Community Engagement at Chicago Public Schools is launching a new podcast to elevate our parents and community partners. Episodes begin October 6th, 2023. Thanks for subscribing!
Be sure to follow us @cps__face on X/Twitter and Instagram and @cpsparentu on Facebook!
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 7 / 100
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Quality
3
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YouTube
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Engagement
27
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