Many CPS Teachers Miss Class On First Of Five Make-Up Days; 'If The Teachers Show Up, They Show Up'
CHICAGO (CBS)-- Today normally would be the start of Thanksgiving break for Chicago Public Schools, but instead students are in class for the first of five makeup days after the teachers' strike.
CBS 2 has learned many teachers didn't show up for school. The issue is proving to be a bigger problem at some school than others.
At Finkl Elementary School in the Little Village neighborhood, only two teachers were out on Wednesday, but in other parts of the district, far more teachers were taking the day off.
CPS wouldn't say how many teachers overall missed class on Wednesday, but some administrators said their schools spent the morning scrambling to find substitutes.
At Jones College Prep High School, 19 teachers and staff were out with pre-approved absences ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
At Lane Tech, the city's largest high school, 40 instructors were out. With students still required to show up, some parents were left less than excited.
"It's stressful, it's a little difficult; just nothing much that we can do. The kids have to go to school. It's important, but it's a little strain on the parents," parent Teresa Fernandez said.
"We just have to work around their schedules, and make it happen. You know, we've got to bring them to school, and if the teachers show up, they show up," parent Raul Zamora said.
As classes continue, some administrators said they're worried the four future makeup dates might cause more problems for attendance.
CPS has scheduled two more makeup days on Jan. 2 and Jan. 3, cutting short winter break by two days; and two more on June 17 and June 18, extending the end of the school year by two days.
