Committee on Health and Human Relations Chicago City Council Meeting May 25, 2022
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Policy Manual includes a policy on Student
Religious Practices, adopted in 2001, that states:
"It is the policy of the Chicago Public Schools ("CPS") to accommodate student religious practices provided that such practices can be accommodated in a manner which does not violate the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution, and to the extent that the accommodation does not place an undue burden on the school. This policy shall be implemented in a manner that is consistent with: CPS Policy Against Discrimination on the Basis of Race, Color, National Origin, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Age, Religion or Disability: and Board Rule 1-14 which prohibits discrimination or harassment against any employee or student on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion or disability' "and,
WHEREAS, The CPS created the Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE) to empower parents/guardians to be active stewards of their child's educational process and facilitate family and community participation in their school community through outreach events, educational opportunities, and community and faith-based partnerships; and,
WHEREAS, CPS also created Office of Faith-Based Initiatives within FACE that is committed and dedicated to bridging the gaps between Chicago Public Schools and the faith-based communities of Chicago; and,
WHEREAS, Despite these efforts, CPS has failed to adequately meet the religious dietary requirements of Jewish and Muslim students to offer food options that meet Kosher and Halal preparation guidelines; and,
WHEREAS, CPS reported in 2021 that only five schools offer Kosher and Halal food options; and,
WHEREAS, more than 80% of Sullivan High School Muslim students in 2021 said they weren't getting enough, or anything, to eat at the school because the CPS food provider Aramark does...
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