CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — With just over one week until Chicago Public Schools return to session, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) held their annual Back-to-School Summer Jam Saturday afternoon.
The parking lot at CTU headquarters was transformed to feature a basketball court, several bouncy houses and with a booth filled with video games. Carroll Avenue was lined with food trucks and a stage as organizers engaged hundreds of people between Wolcott and Damen Avenues.
“Got to bring my grandson down to get books, food, to meet the mayor, to do the bouncy house,” said Vicki Willis, who was with her 6-year-old grandson. “We got his teeth cleaned, and he got his haircut.”
Willis’ grandson will be starting at Bouchet Elementary this school year, and she told WBBM that other parents need to take advantage of the remaining back-to-school giveaways taking place across the city — or show up to this one in 2025.
“There are 40,000 books, all of which were donated by the [American Federation of Teachers],” she said. You can come down here and get books for your children, from little infants all the way through high school. They have lots of organizations that are out here giving out free food. They’re doing … everything.”
The back-to-school jam was all fun and games, until someone reminded the students that the school year starts back up on Monday, Aug. 26.
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