ReGeneration prepares all students to enter and succeed in college through effort, achievement, and the content of their character. All students demonstrate excellence in reading, writing, math, science and history while consistently exemplifying the virtues of respect, integrity, diligence, responsibility, compassion and perseverance.
We work diligently to create schools that are academically rigorous, build character, and are infused with joy. We aspire to create the best elementary and middle schools in Cincinnati and Chicago, where excellence is the only acceptable standard.
ReGeneration is characterized by a culture that is orderly, supportive, and focused on academic work. The ethos of the community is one of mutual care and respect. Students have the right to a quality education that supports their development into productive and responsible citizens. Since 2012, ReGeneration Schools has been managing six turnaround schools in Chicago and has significantly raised achievement in all of them.
At ReGeneration, college-prep academics begin in Kindergarten. A typical day includes:
Elementary (K-4)
- Extended Learning Time, 7:15 AM – 3:30 PM
- Morning Meeting
- 3 hours of Literacy
- 1 1/2 hours of Math
- 45 minutes of Writing
- 45 minutes of Social Studies or Science
- 45 minutes of Music or Physical Education
- Character development and structured choice time
- Homework EVERY night
Middle School (5-8)
- Extended Learning Time, 7:15 AM – 3:30 PM
- Morning Motivation
- 75 minutes of Reading
- 75 minutes of Writing
- 75 minutes of Math
- 75 minutes of Social Studies or Science
- 75 minutes of Art or Physical Education
- Teacher-led enrichment or tutoring
- Homework EVERY night
Our Leadership
Athena Giddens, K-4 Principal. Mrs. Giddens has her B.A. from Bradley University and her M.A.T. from Concordia University. Prior to working for ReGeneration Schools, she has worked for Chicago Public Schools within the Englewood Community overseeing, planning, and program implementation for student academic and social emotional enrichment. In addition, she is working on her second Masters in School Leadership and is a fellow in the Relay Graduate School of Education’s Instructional Leader Professional Development program.
Ashley Terrell, 5-8 Principal. Prior to joining ReGen, Ashley served as the Principal, Assistant Principal, 9th grade counselor, and BARR coordinator at North Lawndale College Prep. Having earned her B.S. in Child Development, with an emphasis in Leadership at Northern Illinois University, Ashley’s mission is to advocate for educational equity for all scholars. She started her career as a 9th grade English instructor and later transitioned into an 11th grade English instructor and Grade Level Lead at Johnson College Prep. Ashley was recognized as Teacher of the Year twice during her time at Johnson College Prep and was deserving of this award due to her stellar curriculum knowledge and strong classroom culture that resulted in her scholars’ growth – exceeding the Noble Network’s ACT/SAT performance growth. As Ashley embarks on her 2nd year at CICS Washington Park, her team's top focus is ensuring scholars are focused on the following levers to success: behavior, attendance, and grades. Ashley looks forward to working with families, scholars, and the entire Washington Park community to yield extraordinary results and to ensure scholars go to and through college.
Warren Robinson, K-8 Director of Operations. Mr. Robinson attended Northern Illinois University studying Business Management. Before working with ReGeneration Schools, Mr. Robinson partnered with the University of Chicago and worked in the North Lawndale community starting as a Teen Literacy Coach. Eventually, Mr. Robinson worked within the North Lawndale community as paraprofessional, instructional assistant, and 3 years as a first grade teacher. Mr. Robinson began his journey on the operational team at CICS Avalon for 3 years; eventually becoming the Director of Operations at CICS Washington Park. In addition, Mr. Robinson is in pursuit of obtaining both a BA and Master's Degree in Public Administration.
School Schedule
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Monday - Thursday: 7:15 am - 3:30 pm
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Friday: 7:15 am - 1:45 pm
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Students must arrive BEFORE 7:45 am or will be marked tardy.
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Early dismissals are not allowed after 3:00 pm Monday - Thursday and 1:15 pm on Fridays.
Family Resources & Policies
Uniforms
At ReGeneration, students take pride in their appearance. Except on designated days, students are required to wear the regulation school uniform. Uniforms are to be clean, well fitted, and presentable. All uniforms can be viewed and purchased at the following store:
Martinelli Children's Wear
3517 W. 95th St.
Evergreen Park, IL 60805
Elementary (K-4)
- Navy blue polo shirt or collared shirt with CICS - Washington Park logo
- Navy blue sweater with embroidered CICS - Washington Park logo (Hoodies NOT allowed)
- Plain khaki slacks
- Belts (solid black, brown or navy) must be worn with any piece of uniform that has belt loops.
- Khaki pleated skirts
- Khaki uniform jumper
- Solid black dress shoes
Middle School (5-8)
- White collared button-up shirt
- Navy solid or plaid tie
- Navy cardigan or blazer with embroidered CICS - Washington Park logo
- Shirts must always be tucked in whenever students are on school grounds.
- Undershirts must be white and short-sleeved.
- Khaki dress pants.
- Khaki plaid skirt, knee-length or longer
- Solid black or brown belts
- Solid black shoes are required.
- On days when students have physical education, they must wear a navy blue CICS Washington Park T-shirt and navy blue sweatpants or shorts.
- On days when students have physical education they must wear athletic shoes. These shoes should be black.
Gym Uniform
- Navy CICS - Washington Park gym shirt
- Navy CICS - Washington Park sweatpants or shorts
- Solid black athletic shoes
- Gym uniform clothing must include the school's name.
- Additional apparel and accessories should NOT be worn to school.
CICS Food Program
CICS Avalon, CICS Basil, and CICS Washington Park Food Program
At CICS, we are committed to our students’ health and wellness. Research shows that healthy students are better able to pay attention in class and better positioned to succeed in school and in life.
The goals of our food program are to:
- Support the academic success and achievement of our students
- Provide nutritious meals at no charge which allow students to maintain focus
- Provide healthy and fresh food offerings along with education on making healthy choices
- Expose our students to new culinary experiences while still offering “kid favorites”
Click here to view the Wellness Policy
All stakeholders are able to participate in the development, review, update, and implementation of the Local School Wellness Policy. Please contact the main office at or info@regenerationschools.org for more details
Student Meals at No Charge
ALL CICS students are provided healthy, nutritious meals at no charge including breakfast and lunch through the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. Encourage your student to start each day with a healthy school breakfast!
At the start of each month, menus are posted in the cafeteria and also online.
Click here for this month’s menu!
NOTE: A student may also choose to bring in his/her own meals; however, all foods must adhere to the Wellness Policy. Students are not permitted to bring in foods that are unhealthy or high in sugar including candy, soda, energy drinks, donuts, cupcakes, chips, salty snacks, candy bars, etc. Additionally, students are not permitted to bring food that requires any preparation, such as heating or cold storage.
Smart Snack Requirements throughout the Day
At CICS, we are committed to health and wellness, not just at meal times, but throughout the day. Children need healthy snacks for energy, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, to help them grow, learn and be active.
ALL treats sent from home for celebrations (e.g., birthdays), snack times, etc. or provided by school staff for class rewards, incentives, etc. MUST meet the USDA Smart Snack requirements or feature non-food items. USDA Smart Snacks do not include cupcakes, ice cream, fast food, outside pizza, Flaming Hot Cheetos, etc.
Click here for a list of Smart Snack and non-food ideas.. As a guideline, allowable snacks meet the following nutritional requirements per serving:
- 150 calories or less
- 35% of total calories from fat or less
- 10% of total calories from saturated fat or less
- 30g of sugars or less
- 230 mg of sodium or less per serving
Please note that the school has a no gum policy. Students are not permitted to bring or chew gum at any time while they are on the premises.
Summer Meals
When school is not in session, the Summer Meals Program (SFSP) provides free meals to kids and teens in low-income areas. Click the link below to quickly and easily find summer meal sites near you.
Click Here: Meals for Kids Site Finder
Allergies
If your student has any food allergies or needs a meal accommodation, families are required to notify the school nurse and provide documentation from a doctor. Click here to download and print the required Diet Prescription for Meals at School . Return completed forms to the school. Diet Prescription forms must be renewed annually.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation*), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
- Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue,
SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or - Fax:(202) 690-7442; or
- Email:program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
CICS Washington Park
110 E. 61st St., Chicago, IL 60637
K-4: (773) 347-0200
5-8: (773) 324-3300
Email: info@cicswashingtonpark.org
7:40 a.m. Classes Begin
3:30 p.m. Dismissal
ReGeneration Schools
Why Choose ReGen?