Dear Tubman Families, 

We have an exciting week ahead as we count down to our 20th Annual Tubman Fun Run this Friday, October 2! We are currently 25% of the way to our $60,000 goal. Every registration, donation, and share makes a big difference.

More than a fundraiser, the Fun Run is a celebration of our wonderful school community. We would love for you to join us on Friday to cheer on our students! Weather permitting, activities will take place outside on the North Turf and Seminary Avenue. All parents and caregivers are welcome to come watch from outside the fence for everyone's safety. 

Fun Run Schedule (Friday, Oct 2):

• 8:15 – 8:50 AM: Pre-K & Kindergarten
• 8:55 – 9:30 AM: 1st & 2nd Grade
• 9:35 – 10:10 AM: 3rd & 4th Grade
• 10:15 – 10:50 AM: 5th Grade
• 1:30 – 2:15 PM: 6th–8th Grade (Color Run)

World Day of Bullying Prevention: Wear Blue on Monday, Oct 5

On Monday, October 5, we invite students and families to wear a blue shirt for World Day of Bullying Prevention. This global initiative promotes kindness, inclusion, and safety. Wearing blue is a simple, powerful way for our community to stand together against bullying and cyberbullying.

Traffic Safety Update

We hear your concerns regarding traffic and drivers rolling through stop signs near Tubman, and student safety is always our top priority.

Here is what we are doing to address this:

• CPS Safety Assessment: CPS Safety and Security assessed our intersection and informed us that it does not currently meet CDOT's score threshold for an assigned crossing guard. They advise families and staff to report speeding and stop-sign violations directly to CPD and request "special attention" for the area.

• Parent Patrol: We are exploring launching a Parent Patrol during morning arrival. If you are interested in leading or volunteering with this effort, please contact Assistant Principal Plunkett at teplunkett@cps.edu.



• Safety Signage: We are actively working with Alderman Lawson’s office and Senator Feigenholtz to install additional safety signage around the school.

Weather Reminder

As the weather turns cooler and rainier, please make sure your child brings a rain jacket and boots to school. We plan to head outside for recess and activities most days!

Progress Reports & ASPEN Notifications

Please continue checking your child’s grades regularly in ASPEN and feel free to reach out to their teachers with any questions.

To set up grade alerts in ASPEN:

1. Log in on a desktop computer (full website view, do not use your phone).
2. Select the Family tab at the top.
3. Click Notifications on the left menu.
4. Check the box next to your email address.
5. Select "Email Grades Below" or "SMS Grades Below" and set your preferred grade threshold.

For additional portal support, visit the CPS Parent & Student Portal Page.

Volunteering at Tubman

To volunteer with us this school year, you must register through CPS Family and Community Engagement (FACE):

• Level 1 (Higher Level): Coaches, unsupervised field trip chaperones, tutors, and overnight chaperones.
• Level 2 (Basic Level): Supervised field trip chaperones, event helpers, and classroom celebration volunteers.

To get started: Complete the online application through CPS FACE, then bring your photo ID to the main office so our team can process your request.

I hope to see many of you cheering on our runners this Friday at the Fun Run! Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Warmly,

Principal Hammaker

Network 4 High School Fair will be on October 20th from 4pm-6pm at Lakeview High school. Current 7th and 8th grade students are encouraged to attend. 

The GoCPS High School application 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 into the GoCPS Portal to complete and submit a High School Application.

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.

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). 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.

Please take a moment to become familiar with the HS Research Virtual Bulletin Board Padlet. The HS Research Virtual Bulletin Board contains open house flyers, brochures, and videos.

GoCPS Parent Resources

GoCPS Applications Process Overview Family Facing Deck 

GoCPS High School Resource Video

High School Eligibility and Selection Criteria

HS Research Bulletin Board Padlet

Public View Open Houses 2026-2027

Sign up for Go CPS Mailing List

PreACT Secure 9 Practice Test

Best Regards,

Heather Beeker

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

Professional School Counselor 

SPORTS

Cross Country (Grades 5–8)

Practices: Mondays & Wednesdays from 3pm to 4pm

Practice Location: Jonquil Park

Boys 5th/6th Grade Soccer

Practices: Mondays & Wednesdays from 3pm to 4pm

First Game: Saturday, October 3rd at RIIS Park. (Players arrive at 8:45am with cleats, shin guards and a water bottle.)

Please reach out to Coach Grant with any questions or concerns at ogrant2@cps.edu

Girls 5th/6th Grade Volleyball

Practice: Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:15pm tp 5pm

Girls 7th/8th Grade Volleyball

Practices: Tuesday and Thursday from 3:15pm to 5pm

Next Match: Saturday, October 3rd at Kelvyn Park HS (players arrive at 3:15pm as the match starts 30 minutes later)

NOTE: JV has their first match right after the Varsity match so stay to cheer them on!

OST

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.

There are many ways, large and small, to get involved and volunteer with Tubman. All volunteers must complete the CPS Volunteer Application each school year. There are two levels of volunteers.

Level 1 Examples: Coaches, tutors, non-supervised day field trip chaperone, overnight field trip chaperone

Level 2 Examples: Halloween classroom celebration guest, reading a book to a class, supervised day field trip chaperone

Click here to complete your application. Upon completion of the online application, all volunteers must bring their ID to Ms. Martinez at the main office to have their application approved for processing.

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