Charter Students Go On Field Trips With School Under Construction

CHICAGO (CBS) -- They're not in a classroom learning each day. Instead, they're taking field trips.

That's the reality for some students from Learn Charter School and CBS 2 cameras captured it all. Why is this happening? CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot went to the school to get some answers.

CBS 2 cameras rolled as sixth and seventh graders from Learn Charter School left on five buses in front of a closed CPS school, where they meet each morning. CBS 2 also followed them down 290 onto Congress Parkway until their arrival at the Field Museum.

School started on Monday, September 9. So what are the students doing on these field trips? CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot spoke to two of them, with their parents' permission and agreed to conceal their identities.

"We learn about the dinosaurs and things like that," said one student.

"Tuesday we went to the Science and Industry Museum and today, we went to the Field Museum," said another student. "While we're in the museum, touring, we're just filling out the packets."

Parent Amera Williams says her daughter brings home a permission slip for a field trip everyday.

"They have no plan for them," said Williams.

Learn Charter School CEO Greg White CEO told Suzanne Le Mignot, "It was a contingency plan because the new space was not open."

The new space White is referring to is the new home of the Learn Charter School on the 3000 block of W. Carroll. It's still under construction.

"We're working really hard, working with the city, to finish construction and secure the right to open our building," said White.

"We need some help. We need our kids to be educated," said parent Amera Williams.

Learn Charter School issued a statement saying, ""We understand why our parents are disappointment at the delayed opening of our new campus. We are also disappointed. In the meantime, we moved our students to another LEARN location and are providing a learning experience and safe environment until our new campus is completely ready. LEARN and all our other partners want the building to be perfect for our students. We have opened 5 new schools in the past 5 years and they have all opened on time."

CPS also released a statement saying, "Since recently learning that the building to be occupied by Learn Charter School Network (LCSN) would not be ready for the start of their school year, Chicago Public Schools has been in close contact with LCSN and continues to monitor this situation. It is our understanding that Learn is working quickly to complete the renovation of their new building so students can return to the classroom and teachers can begin formal instruction."