Dear Tubman Families, 

We hope your child’s first day back was a great one! We are so happy to be back together again. We are looking forward to a fantastic school year!

Universal Expectations

During the first weeks of school, our teachers and staff will be going into detail with our students about our Universal Expectations, and we ask that you help us to reinforce these core values at home: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe and Be IB! 

Lunch Update

Parents, please note that we no longer have a microwave in the lunch room. Students only have 20 minutes for lunch, and many students could not finish lunch on time due to waiting for the microwave. In addition, there were safety issues with the microwave last year. Please only send lunches that do not require a microwave.  

Standard Response Protocol (SRP)- Emergency Procedures

Chicago Public Schools has adopted a new protocol for emergency procedures. These procedures align with a nationally recognized, plain language protocol used by first responders. This reduces confusion during emergency situations and ensures we are speaking the same language as police and fire departments. 

Teachers were recently trained on SRP and they will present this information to our children during the first week of school. Please review the CPS SRP video here.

Parent informational handout:

• English
• Spanish
• Parent/Guardian FAQ

Attendance Protocol

Instruction begins promptly at 7:45 a.m. It is critical that all students be prepared to begin on time. Students must be present for 300+ instructional minutes (does not include lunch and recess time) to be marked present for a Full Day. 

• Reporting a Student Absence - Please email your child’s teacher and contact the Main Office by 1) E-Absence via Parent Portal 2) Written note OR 3) Phone Call. 
• CPS recognizes six reasons for an absence to be considered excused: 
• Student illness, including mental or behavioral health 
• Observance of a religious holiday (absence note required)
• Death in the immediate family
• Family emergency
• Sounding taps at a military funeral for a deceased veteran
• Parent or legal guardian is an active duty member of the uniformed services and has been called to duty for, is on leave from, or has immediately returned from deployment to a combat zone
• Family vacations and travel cannot be marked as Excused Absences. 

• Tardies - Arriving after 7:52 a.m. is considered tardy. Students arriving late must sign the Student Tardy Log at the security desk when they arrive. You do not need to call ahead or submit an E-Absence if your child is tardy. 

• Early Dismissals - Parents/Guardians must come to the Main Office to complete the Early Dismissal Log. Then the office personnel will call your students down to meet you in the front lobby. Students cannot be called down ahead of time as it is important they do not miss additional instructional time.

We hope your child has a great first week of school!

Warmly,



Principal Hammaker

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