Are you ready to start the school year? 🎒✏️
Dear neighbor,
This year, Chicago Public Schools students will be returning to class for a new school year on August 22nd, marking the district's earliest start in recent memory. As I’m sure many of you and your families will be busy preparing over the next few weeks, I want to encourage you to take advantage of a new tax holiday that will make your back-to-school shopping more affordable.
Earlier this year, the state legislature passed a budget that allows for a “sales tax holiday” for school supplies. The holiday will reduce the state’s portion of sales tax on certain supplies (listed below) and will be in effect from August 5th through August 14th. This means that if you go shopping this week, your sales taxes for school-related items and qualified clothing items will be reduced from 6.25% to 1.25%.
Here’s a full list of qualifying items from the Illinois Department of Revenue:
Another important way you can prepare for the new school year is by making sure your family is up to date with their Covid-19 vaccinations. Make sure your child is protected before the school year starts by getting them vaccinated for FREE at our Back to School Fair this Saturday, August 13th (details below!). Covid-19 vaccines will be available for everyone 6 months and up at our clinic and you can come in for your 1st, 2nd, or booster shot.
Our students and families have been through a lot in the past few years due to pandemic-related disruptions. Findings from a new report by After School Matters demonstrate that high school students continue to face serious challenges, including stress, ongoing food insecurity, financial hardship, and more. At the same time, teens are demonstrating impressive strength, adaptability, and leadership, and report feeling hopeful about the future. As we approach the start of this new school year, let’s make sure we’re all doing our part to keep ourselves, our families, and our communities healthy.
Thanks, be well, and stay safe —
Will
BACK TO SCHOOL FAIR THIS FRIDAY
You won't want to miss our Annual Back to School Fair & Community Mercado at Kelvyn Park this Saturday, August 13!
Stop by our fair on Saturday 8/13 from 10am - 2pm for FREE:
Backpacks
School Supplies
Dental exams
COVID-19 Vaccinations
Local vendors
Food, music & activities for kids!
*Back packs and school supplies will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis
FREE MEDICAID ENROLLMENT EVENT
Join us for an in-person workshop to learn about newly expanded healthcare coverage in Illinois - which now includes eligibility for immigrants age 42 and above, regardless of immigration status.
Enrollment specialists will be available to help you enroll on-site!
To register for the event, please call 312-620-7592 and leave a voicemail with your name and phone number.
MOODS AND FOODS
Moods and Foods is a FREE Avondale performance series in Solidarity Triangle (2819 N Milwaukee).
Check out the lineup of talented musicians and storytellers, doing their thing under Chicago's summer sunsets .
Happening every Thursday evening through August!
AVONDALE BAR CRAWL
Are you interested in getting to know some of our Avondale Bars? Want an excuse to be social on a summer Saturday afternoon? Like to support local nonprofit work in your neighborhood? Then we have an event for you!
Please Join Avondale Neighborhood Association on Saturday, August 13th for the 2022 for the first ever Avondale Bar crawl featuring some of our favorite West Avondale Bars. All Proceeds will fund the matching grant provided by CMAP to create a neighbor led Community Plan!