CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel talked to students on the first day of school about all the things he's done to improve their education — but he stayed away from the possibility that teachers may go out on strike next Monday.

Emanuel spoke Tuesday to fifth graders at Marquez Charter School on the city's Southwest Side. The mayor spoke about how a longer school day and "more rigorous academic standards" will help students. He appeared to be talking both to the students and their parents, who will read about the mayor's comments in newspapers or hear them on the TV news.

Outside the schools, parents said they were worried about a possible strike but voiced their support for the teachers.