Kindergarten teacher Meghan Meyrer greets students with two thumbs up as they wait to enter Sutherland Elementary School in Chicago on Sept. 19, 2012. This was the first day back to school after the teachers were on strike. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Music teacher Mary Lynch greets students as they return to classes at Mount Greenwood Elementary following the end of the teachers strike in Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, September 19, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun Times Media

Third-grade teachers aide Juliana Cunningham greets students with a thumbs up as they wait to enter Sutherland Elementary School in Chicago on Sept. 19, 2012, the first day back to school after the teachers were on strike. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Teachers welcome back students at Mount Greenwood Elementary following the end of the teachers strike in Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, September 19, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun Times Media

The electronic sign scrolls across a back-to-school message as students return to classes at Mount Greenwood Elementary following the end of the teachers strike in Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, September 19, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun Times Media

Students line up for the opening of school at Mount Greenwood Elementary following the end of the teachers strike in Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, September 19, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun Times Media

Music teacher Mary Lynch (left) and Principal Catherine Reidy (right) welcome back students at Mount Greenwood Elementary following the end of the teachers strike in Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday, September 19, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun Times Media

Students walk to Sutherland Elementary School, 10015 S. Leavitt Ave., Chicago, on Sept. 19, 2012, the first day back to school after the teachers were on strike. These ribbons were placed there during the strike. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

A student runs to Sutherland Elementary School, 10015 S. Leavitt Ave., Chicago, on Wednesday September 19, 2012. This was the first day back to school after the teachers were on strike. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Kindergarten teacher Meghan Meyrer leads students into Sutherland Elementary School, 10015 S. Leavitt Ave., Chicago, on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, the first day back to school after the teachers were on strike. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Deavay Tyler hugs his daughter Madison Tyler as she waits to enter Sutherland Elementary School, 10015 S. Leavitt Ave., Chicago, on Sept. 19, 2012, the first day back to school after the teachers were on strike. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

Third-grade teachers aide Juliana Cunningham talks with a student as he waits to enter Sutherland Elementary School, 10015 S. Leavitt Ave., Chicago, on Sept. 19, 2012, the first day back to school after the teachers were on strike. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times

Students enter Sutherland Elementary School, 10015 S. Leavitt Ave., Chicago, on Wednesday, September 19, 2012. This was the first day back to school after the teachers were on strike. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

First-grade teacher Michele Carberry works with students at Sutherland Elementary School, 10015 S. Leavitt Ave., Chicago, on Sept. 19, 2012. This was the first day back to school after the teachers were on strike. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media

First-grade teacher Michele Carberry works with students at Sutherland Elementary School, 10015 S. Leavitt Ave., Chicago. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media