'Sanctuary' mission of Logan Square grade school tested by fed's use of tear gas, teacher says

First grade teacher Maria Heavener describes Funston Elementary School as a “sanctuary” for students in the heavily Latino western part of the Logan Square neighborhood.

That sense of safety was violated last Friday when a federal agent threw a tear gas canister from their vehicle across the street and the gas wafted over the school property.

“Tear gas filled the streets, blowing into the parking lot of Rico Fresh [grocery store] and towards the direction of our playground across the street,” Heavener told reporters Thursday morning outside the school at 2010 N. Central Park Ave., flanked by Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Teacher Union officials.

Heavener had left her windows open that day as she taught addition and subtraction. She then heard the whistling of a colleague who had spo