What it's like to be a student during Chicago's tough times

When Danely Quiroz started her senior year at Roosevelt High School this fall, a familiar face was missing. One of her favorite teachers had been laid off, along with other staff members and the school’s only librarian – part of more than 1,000 employees in Chicago Public Schools who lost their jobs in August's round of cuts.

The news hit Danely hard. While her 94-year-old high school has a storied history, with notable alumni including writers Nelson Algren and Shel Silverstein, Roosevelt has suffered from regular budget cuts during her time as a student. The school, which serves just under 1,200 students, has lost $2.5 million in funding over the past two years...