Think Pre-K is just playtime and naps? Think again!

Welcome to the Season 2 premiere of Let's Face It Together, the podcast from the FACE team at Chicago Public Schools! Today, host Sarahi Garcia is live from the CPS Coleman Office Building sitting down with Early Childhood Education Chief, Leslie McKinily.

Chief McKinily shares her "why" as both a mother and an educator, opening up about the emotional transition of sending her own child to school and busting the common misconception that early childhood education is just "daycare." Whether your child is discovering that a crayon isn't just pink—it's magenta—or learning how to regulate their emotions, this episode highlights exactly why those first eight years are critical for setting a lifelong foundation.

We also cover everything you need to know about navigating the upcoming 2027-2028 school year Pre-K registration process!

#LSC #BuildingCommunity Listen for a conversation between OLSCR Asst. Director Myra Winding and Carroll-Rosenwald Elementary School Principal Juwana Wells about Principal Wells's creative strategies for building community, filling LSC vacancies, and leading between two campuses.

#TitleI #PAC #PBG This episode features Chicago Public Schools Title I Manager Chron Cross in conversation with Parent Board of Governors (PBG) Chair Jacoby Warren. They discuss Warren's long commitment to being involved in her children's education and the work she did last school year to ensure her school's Parent Advisory Council (PAC) spent over 99% of their Title I funds.

#CommunityEngagement Chicago Public Schools' Kyrah Davis disccuses the Black Student Success Plan process with Title I Parent Board of Governors co-chair Monica Jones.

#SafeHaven #CommunityPartners Jessica Quigley, Site Director at New Life Centers Humboldt Park, joins CPS Faith Based Initiatives Community Coordinator, Cameron Barnes to discuss the partnership that is the Safe Haven program, bringing out-of-school enrichment to Chicago's kids.