Let’s FACE It Together

Pre-K Applications Open April 7, 2026 w/ Chief Leslie McKinily

Think Pre-K is just playtime and naps? Think again!
Welcome to the Season 2 premiere of Let's Face It Together, the podcast from the FACE team at Chicago Public Schools! Today, host Sarahi Garcia is live from the CPS Coleman Office Building sitting down with Early Childhood Education Chief, Leslie McKinily.
 
Chief McKinily shares her "why" as both a mother and an educator, opening up about the emotional transition of sending her own child to school and busting the common misconception that early childhood education is just "daycare." Whether your child is discovering that a crayon isn't just pink—it's magenta—or learning how to regulate their emotions, this episode highlights exactly why those first eight years are critical for setting a lifelong foundation.
 
We also cover everything you need to know about navigating the upcoming 2027-2028 school year Pre-K registration process!

Meet FACE Specialist Adrienne Garner with Chron Cross

Building Community and Filling Local School Council Vacancies with Myra Winding and Principal Juwana Wells

#LSC #BuildingCommunity Listen for a conversation between OLSCR Asst. Director Myra Winding and Carroll-Rosenwald Elementary School Principal Juwana Wells about Principal Wells's creative strategies for building community, filling LSC vacancies, and leading between two campuses. 

Parent Advisory Council Spending with Chron Cross and Jacoby Warren

#TitleI #PAC #PBG This episode features Chicago Public Schools Title I Manager Chron Cross in conversation with Parent Board of Governors (PBG) Chair Jacoby Warren. They discuss Warren's long commitment to being involved in her children's education and the work she did last school year to ensure her school's Parent Advisory Council (PAC) spent over 99% of their Title I funds. 

The North Lawndale STEAM Program with Carl Hurdlik, Dr. Betty Green & Dr. Leonard Moore

#CAC #CommunityPartners Community Action Council (CAC) Specialist for Chicago Public Schools Carl Hurdlik hosts North Lawndale CAC Co-Chairs Dr. Betty Green and Dr. Leonard Moore discussing the new STEAM partnership between three North Lawndale neighborhood schools and their persistence in seeing the project realized. 

The Title I Parent Board of Governors with Chron Cross and Venezia Gonzalez-Sarmiento

#TitleI #PBG #PAC CPS Title I Manager Chron Cross interviews the Title I Parent Board of Governors Secretary Venezia Gonzalez-Sarmiento. They discuss Venezia's involvement in her daughter's education, her CPS experience as a parent, and her time serving on the PBG.
 

Black Student Success Plan with Kyrah Davis & Monica Jones

#CommunityEngagement Chicago Public Schools' Kyrah Davis disccuses the Black Student Success Plan process with Title I Parent Board of Governors co-chair Monica Jones. 

Safe Haven at New Life Humboldt Park with Jessica Quigley & Cameron Barnes

#SafeHaven #CommunityPartners Jessica Quigley, Site Director at New Life Centers Humboldt Park, joins CPS Faith Based Initiatives Community Coordinator, Cameron Barnes to discuss the partnership that is the Safe Haven program, bringing out-of-school enrichment to Chicago's kids. 

Father Engagement in Education with Maurice Miles & Felipe Perez

#CommunityEngagement Norma Seledon leads a conversation with two CPS fathers, Maurice Miles and Felipe Perez, about male parent engagement in education.

Student Leadership and Local School Councils with Catlyn Savado & Clarke Burnett

#LSC #CommunityEngagement Discussing student leadership and how students can interact with their schools' LSC. Discussions led by Myra Winding, Office of Local School Council Relations Assistant Director.