Stronger Senn

Contact:

Suzy Donnelly

info@strongersenn.org

www.strongersenn.org 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 20, 2024

Stronger Senn encouraged in efforts to preserve Senn Arts program for current students, vows to ensure Senn Arts prevails for future students

Chicago, IL— After weeks of emailing and calling Chicago Public Schools officials, parents and students working to save Senn High School’s unique Senn Arts program claimed an important victory yesterday.

On Thursday, December 19, Senn High School principal Holly Dacres announced via a letter on CPS letterhead emailed to all Senn parents that “all of our current Senn Arts students (grades 9–12) will now be grandfathered into the current Senn Arts program.”

Dacres’ announcement came after she closed the Senn Arts coordinator and arts teacher positions last summer and announced in November that after the current school year, the Senn Arts program will no longer offer its distinguishing feature: A double-block of arts courses to every Senn Arts student.

Yesterday’s change in previously announced policy will preserve the Senn Arts program for currently enrolled students, but Stronger Senn parents remain concerned about Senn Arts’ long-term vitality.

Although yesterday’s announcement means the school can begin programming current students for SY25/26 on schedule, Senn Arts parents and students still have serious concerns about the implications of these changes for all Senn students.

“This isn’t the end of the work to make Senn stronger,” Senn Arts parent Sarah Weisz proclaimed. She pointed out that the Arts program is still slated to be modified, starting with next year’s freshman class.

The proposed changes will limit future students' options for college credit coursework, reduce their potential to get into colleges and qualify for scholarships, and jeopardize Senn Arts’ current professional partnerships with arts organizations and universities. The cumulative effects will be detrimental to both Senn Arts and IB programs, adversely affect school enrollment, and potentially jeopardize school funding for years to come.

Senn Arts senior Leo Spiegel says the combination of strong Senn Arts and IB courses helped get him an offer from New York University.

“It’s important for Arts students to be able to take IB science and math classes, which are helpful for our future college careers,” he explained.

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About Stronger Senn:

Stronger Senn (www.strongersenn.org ) is committed to ensuring that the Senn Arts program ensures graduation compliance while maintaining the program’s unique and successful model, which benefits the entire Senn Community.