CHICAGO (WLS) — It’s hard to believe, but the summer is just about over for Chicago Public Schools students. Classes start Monday.

On Saturday, the Chicago Teachers Union helped CPS families get ready.

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Students, teachers and parents alike were jamming in the street outside the CTU HQ on the Near West Side ahead of the first day of school on Monday.

“We are really excited to be out here today,” said Dr. Diane Castro, CTU’s newly-elected financial secretary. “It’s a joyful, gorgeous day to be out in Chicago. Really welcoming them back to a wonderful new school year.”

The CTU hosted its third annual Back-To-School Summer Jam, giving back to the community as families gear up to start the new school year.

“We’re going to continue fighting, fighting for the rights of every student in this district, so we’re really excited to be here,” Dr. Castro said.

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“There’s a part of me that’s of course excited but you know kids have been idle,” CTU member and parent Ashley Harris said. “But there’s a part of me that’s pretty nervous or whatever because as an educator I understand what the classrooms are looking like.”

Harris says she wants her students to know they are being taken care of.

“More than ever we need parents, communities and all stakeholders to come together to make sure our students have access to an equitable education,” Harris said.

Families at the Back-to-School Summer Jam were treated to books, haircuts, physicals, vaccinations and more.

“It’s great but sad. She’s my last child that’s going into seventh grade,” parent Antoinette Palmer said.

Palmer is feeling bittersweet about the start of the new school year, but says she grateful the CTU is helping off on a positive note.

“I feel like it gives them a happy mindset,” Palmer said. “Like, it gets them in the mindset that this school year is going to be great and have fun right before. These are the teachers that are going to be teaching you and they are providing this so it helps them understand they are dedicated to them learning.”

The CTU and CPS families are getting the school year started on the right foot.

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