Local CPS students celebrate summer with cheers, ice cream

staff writer

Rhonda Jackson and her son, soon-to-be second-grader Bryce Jackson, celebrate the first day of summer vacation outside of Bret Harte Elementary, 1556 E. 56th St., on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

On the last day of school at Ray Elementary, 5631 S. Kimbark Ave., dozens of kids streamed out of the school's front doors yelling in celebration; some ran to their parents while others made a beeline for the playground.

Aliyah Robles was more than prepared for the first day of summer break on Wednesday afternoon, June 7. On the sidewalk outside of Ray, she proclaimed, "Goodbye third grade and hello fourth grade."

"My favorite parts of the year were having friends and going on the (Chicago History Museum) field trip together," she said. Her favorite subject is art. "I like painting, drawing and coloring — all that stuff."

Her mother, Ruth Robles, told the Herald that Aliyah began elementary school elsewhere, but is grateful to have ended up at Ray: "We actually love it here — it's very diverse." Three years out from the start of the pandemic, Robles said Ray feels relatively "back to normal … Kids feel like they’re even allowed to hug and everything, and be more social."

Fourth-grader Aliyah Robles and mom Ruth Robles bid goodbye to the school year outside of Ray Elementary, 5631 S. Kimbark Ave., on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

Walter Gorges just finished sixth grade at Ray and is headed to Kenwood Academy, 5015 S. Blackstone Ave., in the fall. Asked what he's looking forward to about the transition, he replied, "Well, there are vending machines."

During his last year in elementary school, Walter, a young pianist, said he enjoyed learning the ukulele with music teacher Ms. Walker.

"It feels like things have, for the first time since the pandemic, really started to come together," said Boone Gorges, his father. "There were some problems at Ray earlier in the year, but the second half of the year it's really been a nice year, and I feel like the community has come together."

Part of this shift, he noted, came from the introduction of community events like a spring rock music festival and talent show.

The Gorges family, (left to right) second-grader Wilhelmina, dad Boone, mother Rebecca, seventh-grader Walter and (in foreground) baby Albert close out the school year at Ray Elementary, 5631 S. Kimbark Ave. on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

Just northeast at Bret Harte Elementary, 1556 E. 56th St., Milton Brawler was stationed with his ice cream cart on the sidewalk.

He said that business was typical for Chicago Public Schools’ last day — "It's always crazy." A fleet of carts selling Steve's 77 Ice Cream are on duty outside of Bret Harte, Ray Elementary, the Lab School and Kenwood Academy through Friday.

Milton Brawler mans his ice cream cart in front of Bret Harte Elementary, 1556 E. 56th St., on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

Fresh out of first grade at Bret Harte, Bryce Jackson said that he enjoyed all the crafts his class made and field trips to the Chicago Lyric Opera and Lincoln Park Zoo. A student at Bret Harte since preschool, Bryce said he's looking forward to "spending time with my cousins and my family" this summer.

His mother, Rhonda Jackson, who works for CPS as an interventionist at a Calumet Heights school, praised his teacher Paige Richardson as "phenomenal."

Jackson said she's seen tremendous growth in her son this school year. "He scored in the 99th percentile for reading on the standardized test … He got three certificates yesterday, one for perfect attendance, and then honor roll for reading and math. He's incredibly smart," she said beaming at Bryce.

An educator herself, Jackson added, "I’m looking forward to taking the summer off and having some time to myself."

Rhonda Jackson and her son, soon-to-be second-grader Bryce Jackson, celebrate the first day of summer vacation outside of Bret Harte Elementary, 1556 E. 56th St., on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

staff writer

Zoe Pharo is a graduate of Carleton College. She was recently an editorial intern for In These Times, and has also written for Little Village and Chapel Hill Magazine.

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Clear skies. Low 54F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Clear skies. Low 54F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.

Updated: June 8, 2023 @ 8:27 pm

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