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Mary E. Courtenay Language Arts Center in Uptown offers pre-K through 8th education, including a vibrant Cluster Program with adaptive curriculum. We are also a Child Parent Center. If you've been in or around Courtenay recently, you've seen the abundant community support. Yet like many neighborhood schools, Courtenay is under-resourced. Friends of Courtenay aims to fund programs and materials to help teachers and staff to invest in the rich potential and exuberance in every child.
Friends of Courtenay is a 501(c)(3) organization made up of caregivers, community members, and local partners who invest in the school's academic mission and vision, so every young neighbor in Uptown has a joyful, robust learning experience.
Get in touch! Email us at FriendsofCourtenay1@gmailcom
Friends of Courtenay is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes. Friends of Courtenay is a tax-exempt Code Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (effective Feb. 2026) and your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Zelle
Avoid the fees! Open your bank or Zelle app and use the QR code above. Or find us up by email: friendsofcourtenay1@gmail.com.
Employee Match
Employee Match
Please check to see if your employer offer donation-matching through Benevity. Benevity allows employees to submit charitable gifts to causes of their choice directly through the system via credit card, e-check or payroll deduction.
Artist Mel d'Amato designs the Courtenay sign.
One of many painters.
Hours spent mounting the sign, ironically on Labor Day.
Finally, proclaiming who we are on Montrose!
Program Director Sara coordinated a drive for school supplies among her young adult volunteers. Thank you for hundreds of crayons, markers, highlighters, backpacks, pencil cases, lunch boxes, spiral notebooks, composition books, and more. And we can never have enough wipes, Ziplocks, and paper towels. Much appreciated!
NEW PLAYGROUND GREENERY, THANKS TO TERRACE!
The playground planter BEFORE
Courtenay teachers and staff weeding
Charlie and JT from Terrace planting
The beautiful lush planter now!
Courtenay is now a Sustainable Community School!
Courtenay is now a Sustainable Community School!
SCS transforms neighborhood schools into community hubs by pairing them with nonprofit organizations and providing funds for staffing, programming and community partnerships.
This will help Courtenay offer after-school and summer programs, mental health support, restorative justice programs, parent outreach, adult education, and ways to connect families with food, housing and health resources. We are excited to see where this takes our school community!
WELCOME, Courtenay Teachers and Staff!
And thank you Irene's Bagels for donating just-made bagels and cream cheese!
BABY SHOWER
BABY SHOWER
We had a well-attended Community Baby Shower on April 13 to kick off Pre-K week. Over 30 families loaded up on diapers, hygiene kits, baby furniture, and clothes. We also passed out over $300 of Aldi's cards. Thanks to FACE (Family and Community Engagement), 19 District Mutual Aid, and all the community members who donated.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
Learn how to protect yourself and your community during encounters with immigration or law enforcement. This workshop will cover our fundamental rights, how to assert them safely, and where to find trusted resources and support.
EIGHTH GRADE TRIP!
EIGHTH GRADE TRIP!
FOC is proud to sponsor the annual trip to Springfield for the eighth grade class. Despite the students' creative efforts, they couldn't meet their fundraising goal, and generous donors stepped in to meet the shortfall.
FOC would particularly like to thank Chicago Therapy and Wellness for their generous donation.
GROCERY SUPPORT
GROCERY SUPPORT
Need help with groceries? Please email us.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2026
Courtenay families filled the auditorium at an assembly honoring Black History Month. Every grade sang and danced, capped by a performance by the amazing Courtenay Tigers Cheer Squad.
MATH NIGHT
Courtenay teachers and families turned out for Math Night on Feb. 26. Seventh graders welcomed folks and gave away lottery tickets for toys and games.
Pizza and cookies in the Right at School classroom.
Pizza and cookies in the Right at School classroom.
MEET UP
On Feb. 19, parents, teachers, and neighbors met to celebrate Friends of Courtenay's nonprofit status and plan next steps. We have already raised $2400 in food aid for Courtenay families. We also sponsored a logo contest for the eighth grade graduating class. Congratulations to Yalda Hamidi, who was awarded a $100 gift card by artist Lowell Thompson.
CPS School Board member Karen Zaccor introduces herself.
CPS School Board member Karen Zaccor introduces herself.
POTENTIAL 2026 GOALS
Ongoing food aid
Budding Gardeners program
Baby shower, offering diapers and gently used baby equipment
Know Your Rights training on Zoom
Staff Appreciation -- May 4-8
Chipotle Fundraiser
Walkathon -- annual fundraiser
Curiosity Classroom
Curiosity Classroom
Courtenay now offers a Curiosity Classroom, an innovative learning environment offering pre-k through second-grade students sensory-rich, hands-on learning. Through the support and partnership of Chicago Children’s Museum, Curiosity Classrooms directly enhance the STEAM concepts that students are learning.
Right at School
Right at School
We have a partnership with YMCA for our PreK students & Right at School for our K-8th Grade students for the upcoming school year, which will provide after-school care and programming for students until 5pm daily.
Registration links are below:
Courtenay Tigers Squad
Courtenay Tigers Squad
CHEER TEAM - Advanced to CPS Regionals!
CHEER TEAM - Advanced to CPS Regionals!
Congratulations to Coach Boyd and the Cheer team for advancing to the CPS Regionals!
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