Dear Tubman Families, 

Welcome back to a wonderful new school year! It was fantastic seeing our students return to the building ready to learn, and we are looking forward to a great week ahead.

During recent classroom visits, I was excited to see students and teachers building community.  In the primary grades, students were working on “All About Me” activities, and in Specials classes students were discussing what our Universal Expectations look like and sound like. In the MYP grades, students were learning new routines and focusing on strengthening their executive functioning skills.

Here are a few important updates and highlights to keep on your radar for the upcoming week:

• Welcome Back, Mr. Gillis: We are happy to announce that Mr. Gillis has returned to Tubman to assist our staff and support student needs for an undetermined amount of time.

• Part-Time Library Schedule: Ms. Leventis is serving as our part-time librarian this year. Students in grades K–2 will participate in weekly book checkouts, while grades 3–8 will engage in library specials classes.

• Back to School Forms: Please return all forms to school this week!

• First Local School Council (LSC) Meeting: Please join us for our first LSC meeting of the year on Wednesday, September 2nd, at 4:00 PM in Room 109. All community members are welcome to attend!

Thank you for your continued partnership, and let's have a fantastic week, Bulldogs!

Warmly,



Principal Hammaker

Each year, our 5th grade students design their own PYP Exhibition project focused on a local or global issue with the goal of taking action. This past spring, three amazing students chose to tackle the issue of lack of healthcare in Chicago and learned about the services that the Ronald McDonald House provides to families. They chose to create Hygiene Care Kits, which were donated to the organization. Thank you to our now 6th grade students Harvey, Brooklyn, and Isnardo for their hard work on this project, and a special thank you to all the families that donated to their project last year! 

The GoCPS High School application window is open from Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM to Friday, November 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM. All families are encouraged to log in and explore the GoCPS Portal to get familiar with the process before the window opens.

The current HSAT test will be replaced by the PreACT 9 Secure. As in previous years, this test will be offered to all 8th-grade students. Click here to learn more about the HSAT.

Starting in late September and early October, the CPS Office of Access and Enrollment is hosting a series of informative sessions to guide families step-by-step through the GoCPS application process for the 2027–28 school year (Click here to register). I will also be hosting an informative session at Tubman to guide families step-by-step through the GoCPS application process for the 2027–28 school year on September 16, 2026, at 1:00 PM.

Please make sure your student's address is correct in ASPEN, as accurate address data is required to calculate Tier status and to populate Neighborhood/Guaranteed Offer programs for students. I am here to help! If you have questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact me. Click here to sign up for my office hours. You can also call me directly at 773-534-5590.

Best Regards

Heather Beeker

Pronouns: She/her/hers (More information on pronouns here)

Professional School Counselor 

SPORTS

Important Student & Parent Reminders:

Please ensure your athlete brings proper athletic wear, sports shoes, and plenty of water to every practice.

Immediately after dismissal, all student-athletes must go directly to the auditorium and remain seated until their coach arrives to pick them up for practice. Students may not leave the building. Students who exit the building will not be allowed to re-enter.

Cross Country (Grades 5–8)

Days: Mondays & Wednesdays (Starting Sept 2)

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Coach: Whitney Masters

Boys 5th/6th Grade Soccer

Days: Mondays & Wednesdays (Starting Sept 14)

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Coach: Olivia Grant

Girls 5th/6th Grade Volleyball

Days: Mondays & Wednesdays (Starting Sept 14)

Time: 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM

Coaches: Lynn Tucker & Andrew Don

Girls 7th/8th Grade Volleyball

Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays (Starting Sept 1)

Time: 3:10 PM – 5:00 PM

Coaches: Jim Maggio & Alexx Torres Gonzalez

-Permission slips must handed in to Mr. Cordova in order to practice

-Bring athletic clothes, gym shoes, kneepads, water bottle and a snack (to be eaten before practice)

-No phones or smart watches allowed during practice 

MUSIC HOUSE

Friends of Tubman is an all-volunteer group of parents and caregivers dedicated to making Tubman a great school for all students through fundraising and community events. Please click here Subscribe to Friends of Tubman to subscribe to FOT emails to receive information on upcoming fundraisers, community events, and learn how to get involved.

Parent Portal Login

Parent Portal Navigation Guide

Parent Portal Setup Process Video

Parent Portal FAQs

Online Payment via Parent Portal Guide

Online Payment via Parent Portal Video

Online Payment via ePay Login

Online Payment via ePay Guide

E-Absence FAQs

E-Absence Guide Video

E-Absence from Mobile Device Instructions

For additional assistance with Parent Portal or ePay, email the School Clerk, Ms. Martinez, at Rmartinez170@cps.edu

Harriet Tubman Elementary School

2851 N Seminary Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Phone: (773) 534 - 5784 | Fax: (773) 534 - 5784

tubmanelementarycps.org