New Chicago Public Schools "May Day" Opt Out Forms
- Awake IL
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
Chicago parents — the clock is ticking.
CPS and the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU Local 1) have officially turned May 1, 2026 into a district-wide “Day of Civic Action.” CPS buses are rolling kids straight from class to Union Park for a protest against the White House. This isn’t education — it’s indoctrination.
Parents, wake up!
SEE OPT OUT INFORMATION BELOW
Schools stay open, but your child’s day now includes teacher-directed “civic lessons,” optional (but heavily encouraged) field trips, and CPS-provided buses straight to the 1 p.m. Union Park rally/march. This is the same May Day CTU calls part of a “global day of action” — no school, no work, no shopping — focused on their political agenda.
Participation is supposed to be voluntary. But we all know how these things work in practice: pressure, peer influence, and zero transparency unless parents push back hard.
That’s why Awake Illinois has just published ready-to-use, ironclad K-12 Opt-Out Forms-available right now on our site. One simple form covers every child in your family, every grade from kindergarten through high school.
Why This Matters
CPS is supplying the buses and bagged lunches for up to 100 schools.
Morning “civic lessons” run 9 a.m.–12 p.m. to prep students.
The union brags about it on their own website — and major outlets (NBC Chicago, ABC7, WGN, Sun-Times) have confirmed every detail.
Your child does not have to go. You have the legal right to keep them in regular class or a neutral setting with zero exposure to the political content.
Click here to download the printable PDF that would be turned into the school Principal.
Or copy and use the full template below to paste into an email.
Submit no later than Wed. April 29th.
CC your assistant principal and counselor for extra accountability.
EMAIL VERSION (copy/paste below letter into email, update yellow text, and add child names)
Email Subject Line: Parental Opt-Out: May 1, 2026 “Day of Civic Action”
Dear Principal [Last Name],
I am writing as the parent/guardian of the child(ren) listed below, all currently enrolled in [Grade] / [various grades] at [School Name]. I hereby formally and unconditionally opt my child(ren) out of all activities associated with the Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Teachers Union (CTU Local 1) “Day of Civic Action” scheduled for May 1, 2026.
Child’s Full Name | Grade |
______________________________________ | _____ |
______________________________________ | _____ |
______________________________________ | _____ |
______________________________________ | _____ |
______________________________________ | _____ |
Pursuant to the district-wide CPS-CTU agreement (publicly announced April 17, 2026), this day includes:
Teacher-directed “civic lessons” and regional actions (approximately 9 a.m.–12 p.m.)
Transportation via CPS-provided buses to the 1 p.m. rally/march at Union Park
Any participation in protests, demonstrations, marches, or political advocacy related to “International Workers’ Day” / “global day of action”
My child(ren) will NOT participate in any of the above. I direct that each child remain at school for regular academic instruction only. If the school cannot provide standard classroom instruction during these periods, I request a supervised, non-participatory alternative setting with no exposure to May Day-related materials, discussions, or activities.
Participation in any field trip, civic event, or political activity during school hours is voluntary and requires explicit parental consent under CPS policy and Illinois law. I do not consent. No retaliation, pressure, or academic penalty shall occur.
Please confirm in writing within 24 hours that this opt-out has been received and will be honored for each listed child. Confirmation must include:
The specific schedule/plan for each child on May 1
Assurance that no May Day materials or content will be provided or discussed
I have attached for your reference:
CTU’s official announcement: https://www.ctulocal1.org/posts/breaking-cps-declares-may-1-a-day-of-civic-action/
CTU’s “Here’s the Plan”: https://www.ctulocal1.org/posts/may-day-heres-the-plan/
Thank you for respecting parental rights and prioritizing academic instruction over political activism. I look forward to your prompt written confirmation.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
Parent/Guardian of the above-listed child(ren)
FOR BACKGROUND ON "MAY DAY" ACTIVISM:
1. Official CTU Breaking Announcement (primary source)
Link: https://www.ctulocal1.org/posts/breaking-cps-declares-may-1-a-day-of-civic-action/
What it proves: Full joint agreement with CPS — May 1 declared “Day of Civic Action,” CPS providing buses for students/educators to the 1 p.m. Union Park rally, no retaliation for participants, teacher-directed civic lessons, and future May Days as PD days. Direct quote: “CPS providing buses for field trips of students and educators to attend the 1pm rally in Union Park.”
2. CTU’s Detailed “May Day: Here’s the Plan”
Link: https://www.ctulocal1.org/posts/may-day-heres-the-plan/
What it proves: They bargained for this in the contract last year. Schedule: 8 a.m. at school → 9 a.m.–12 p.m. “regional civics lessons and actions” → 1 p.m. Union Park rally/march. Explicitly frames May 1 as part of “no school, no work, no shopping” global action against “authoritarianism.”
3. NBC Chicago – CTU Says CPS Agreed to Bus Students to Rallies
What it proves: District-wide civic engagement with buses to May Day rallies, up to 100 schools involved.
4. ABC7 Chicago – Full Agreement Details
What it proves: Schools stay in session full day, but CPS buses to 1 p.m. Union Park rally, no retaliation, civic action focus.
5. Block Club Chicago – CPS & CTU Reach May Day Agreement
What it proves: Compromise after CTU pushed for full cancellation — now it’s in-school civic lessons + optional field-trip buses to the rally.
6. Chicago Sun-Times – Encourages Students to Attend Afternoon Rally
What it proves: CTU wanted no school; CPS pushed back, but agreement still funnels kids to the protest via buses and lessons.
7. WGN TV – Field Trips to Union Park Rally Provided
What it proves: Buses, bagged lunches for up to 100 schools, and explicit rally at Union Park.
Bonus: ChicagoMayDay.org (the rally hub CTU promotes)
Linked directly from CTU posts — coalition site for the “global day of action” against the White House/Trump agenda.