Archive - NYC Public Schools Plus You, 2023-2024

Summer Learning and Fun

Dear New Yorkers,

Summer is a time for relaxation—and thanks to Summer Rising, it’s also a time for learning and fun. Across the city, students are building social connections, growing academically, and exploring their city all at once. I can attest to this firsthand after visiting MS 210 in Queens the first day of the program—the energy was electric.

Summer Rising, which we run in partnership with the Department of Youth and Community Development, is a far cry from traditional summer school. In a typical week of Summer Rising, students experience:

• Rigorous academics: In the mornings, students are brushing up on their math and literacy skills, receiving direct, high-quality instruction from our NYCPS teachers. This is critical to reduce “summer slide” (learning loss that often occurs over the summer months) and ensure our students are ready to dive back into school in September. (Relatedly, New York City’s library systems have a robust set of summer offerings for students and families—I encourage you to check them out!)
  
  
• Hands-on enrichment and exploration: In the afternoons and on Fridays, students participate in activities ranging from sports to arts to community service, led by community-based organizations. This year, field trips have included college visits, museum trips, sporting events (including a trip to MLB headquarters), and industry deep-dives (from a behind-the-scenes look at Central Park’s SummerStage to learning about immunology at Pfizer). We’ve also added a new focus on career exploration and STEM fields for our middle school participants, called Exploring Futures.
  
  
• Social-emotional learning: This summer, we’re increasing our focus on mindfulness; Summer Rising sites received a yoga and mindfulness guide to use throughout the summer, and over 300 classrooms joined a livestreamed yoga and mindful breathing session earlier this month (with another opportunity to do so on August 5). CBOs also lead social-emotional learning as part of their enrichment activities.
  
  
• Physical health and nutrition: Not only do students engage in physical movement through sports and games, but they also receive a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack each day. Additionally, students not participating in Summer Rising can still access our summer meals program and, if eligible, Summer EBT.
  

We’re about halfway through Summer Rising, and I want to acknowledge everyone who has made it a success so far: our dedicated staff, for their hard work in making the program run smoothly, and our families, for entrusting us with your children during these summer months. Thank you all, and enjoy the rest of your summer!

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Looking Back and Looking Ahead

Dear New Yorkers,

It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the end of another school year! This is always an important time to pause and reflect, and we have made so much progress.

Just this week, we announced NYC Solves, our initiative to reimagine math education, which will reach 93 middle schools in eight districts and 420 high schools this fall. We also announced our newly created Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning (DIAL), which will support students with disabilities and multilingual learners under the leadership of Deputy Chancellor Christina Foti.

These announcements build on an entire year of progress, starting with NYC Reads. In the 2023-2024 school year, literacy took center stage. We rolled out evidence-based curricula, grounded in the science of reading, to elementary schools in nearly half of our districts and across over 90% of our early childhood portfolio. I’m thrilled that our reading initiative will be active in all elementary schools and early childhood classrooms by this fall.

We also made significant strides in our college and career pathways work. Since the start of this administration, our students have earned $8.2M through paid work experiences at top companies like Northwell Health and Google. This year, through our FutureReadyNYC program, we started preparing over 10,000 students for careers in business, technology, education, and healthcare, and for the first time, every high school senior received letters from both SUNY and CUNY confirming there is a place for them at their universities.

But the accomplishments don’t end there. We also:

• Saw our first enrollment increase in eight years, along with a 12% increase in math proficiency and a 3% increase in ELA, outpacing the rest of the state.
• Completed a total of 487 Safer Access door locking installations.
• Announced nine new schools to open this September, including Motion Picture Tech High School in Queens and Bard High School Early College in Brooklyn.
• Launched our first Climate Action Days and scaled curbside composting to 100% of our K-12 schools.
• Grew Project PIVOT to 257 schools.
• Expanded specialized programming for students with disabilities by over 1,000 seats and created over 800 special education Pre-K seats.
• Shifted over 7,000 infant, toddler, 3K and Pre-K early childhood seats across the five boroughs to meet family need.
• Continued to expand our Hidden Voices series to expose students to the diverse perspectives represented in our city, publishing Hidden Voices on the Global African Diaspora and announcing plans to create Hidden Voices on the Muslim and Jewish American communities.
• Offered seats to over 110,000 students for our Summer Rising program, which begins July 2.
• Welcomed approximately 40,000 migrant students into our schools with open arms.

Reflecting on this school year, I'm immensely grateful to our teachers, school leaders, and staff—your commitment and hard work are unmatched. You’ve played a critical role in these accomplishments, not to mention countless other milestones across our 1,600 schools, from teaching a Kindergartener to read their first sentence to guiding a high schooler toward their diploma.

To our families: Thank you for your partnership and for choosing NYC Public Schools for your children. We thank you for your trust in us.

I'm also grateful to our Parent Associations and Parent Teacher Associations, School Leadership Teams, Community and Citywide Education Councils, Title I School and District Parent Advisory Councils, Panel for Educational Policy, and all our parent and community leaders. Please know how much I appreciate the extra time and effort you have dedicated to serving our school communities.

Together, you all build bright starts and bold futures for our students. I hope you enjoy a restful summer. I’m already looking forward to September—the best is yet to come!

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Free Summer Meals

The school year may be about to end, but at New York City Public Schools, we serve delicious food year-round. Our summer meals program is free and available to all New Yorkers ages 18 and under. There’s no paperwork, sign-up, or ID required. Students can enjoy tasty and nutritious breakfast and lunch options such as cinnamon burst pancakes, white bean and pasta primavera, soft turkey tacos, and summer squash.

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Mentoring Matters

Dear New Yorkers,

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Building Pathways to College And Careers

Dear New Yorkers,

As we enter graduation season, I want to share a reminder about college and career pathways: it’s never too early, and it’s never too late. 

It’s never too early to start preparing our young people for their futures, as last week’s 529 Day reminded us. That’s why we have NYC Scholarship Accounts available for every New York City Public Schools student in Kindergarten through second grade. Funding from the City, the Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice, and NYC Kids RISE allows us to invest an initial $100 in each child’s account. Communities, organizations, businesses, and alumni can raise money for these accounts as well.  As soon as a parent or guardian activates their child’s account, we allocate an additional $25—and parents can open and connect their own personal accounts to save as a family, too.  

It’s also never too late for our students to forge new paths. Sometimes the journey through high school can take a detour, and our Transfer High Schools and Young Adult Borough Centers are here to help when that happens. I'm proud that we've secured continued funding for the Learning to Work initiative that ensures students receive additional support to both catch up on credits and Regents and experience paid work-based learning with our employer partners.

And as a reminder for our Class of 2024: it's also not too late to complete your FAFSA and TAP for financial aid! You can contact an NYCPS advisor after school on Tuesdays through Fridays for virtual support, and CUNY is also hosting in-person support on several campuses this spring.

Every child deserves to grow into a career they enjoy that provides financial stability. At NYCPS, we are reimagining the school experience and prioritizing career-connected learning to help our students discover—or rediscover—their passion and purpose. I want to congratulate the thousands of students in our schools who are preparing to take their next steps, including the 10,000-plus high schoolers who participated in our signature FutureReadyNYC career pathways program this year, as they launch bold futures in the world of work.

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Exciting News About Hidden Voices

Dear New Yorkers,

Our Hidden Voices series is expanding! This past winter, we announced our newest edition, Stories of the Global African Diaspora. Since then, I’m proud to say, the reach of Hidden Voices has only continued to grow. 

Not only do we have two more Hidden Voices—on the Latino and the Americans with Disabilities communities—that will be in our classrooms this fall, but we are also creating two additional series focused on the Jewish and Muslim American communities. 

This builds upon our existing Hidden Voices curricular resources about the LGBTQ+ and Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) communities. In fact, we recently released two new Hidden Voices-themed comics, both focused on the AAPI experience, and celebrated a unique milestone: the printing of our 2 millionth Civics for All comic book, making New York City Public Schools one of the top 10 comic book distributors in the nation!

Hidden Voices curricular resources take a unique approach to teaching history and culture. Unlike your typical textbook, they are structured around profiles of important individuals in each specific community. This approach both uplifts unheard voices (hence the name of the series) and teaches history in an engaging way, centered on compelling changemakers—politicians, athletes, scholars, musicians, and more—who have left a mark on our city, country, and world.

These resources from our Social Studies and Civics team are critical tools in building acceptance and understanding in our multicultural society. I truly believe that if we expose our students to the rich diversity of New York City, none of our children will grow up to view anyone as “the other.”

This exposure matters for our adults, too. That’s why we host frequent heritage month celebrations at our central offices featuring guest speakers, student performances, music, food, and more. This month, we celebrated both AAPI and Jewish American Heritage Months, and we have a celebration for Haitian Heritage Month coming up next week. 

I invite you to visit our website to learn more about Hidden Voices and our heritage month resources for schools and families. I’m always amazed by the beautiful diversity of our city. I hope you are as well.

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Curbside Composting in Every K-12 School

May 17, 2024

Dear New Yorkers,

The subject line says it all: we now have curbside composting in every New York City Public School! As of this spring, the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is conducting compost pickup five days a week from every K-12 building across our city. And, for the first time ever, composting will continue throughout Summer Rising as well.

Composting is a simple yet important strategy for reducing waste and fighting climate change. Last school year alone, our schools used composting to divert over 13,000 tons of material—from pizza crusts to orange peels to eggshells—that would have otherwise gone to a landfill.

Here’s how composting works: Students and staff place food scraps, napkins and compostable trays and utensils into DSNY brown bins. Food needs to be sorted correctly, and many schools have created Green Teams, led by students, who monitor waste disposal in our cafeterias and teach their peers about composting. Our Office of Energy & Sustainability also provides composting training and ongoing support to our educators, custodian engineers, and school food staff.

Then, after DSNY collects these food scraps, they are turned into fertilizer, which our schools can request to use in their school gardens, or biogas, a renewable alternative to fossil fuels that can help power our city.

I want to thank our partners at DSNY for making this large-scale effort possible; I’m proud to say that we have the largest school composting program in the nation. And I’m hopeful that as students practice composting at school, they will bring that knowledge home—families can learn about composting in their neighborhood here.

Green, sustainable schools contribute to a green, sustainable city. At New York City Public Schools, we are doing our part to fight climate change and create a healthier environment for us all.

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Stepping Up When It Matters Most

May 3, 2024

Last month, in the span of mere days, we experienced two events that reminded us of the power of nature. First, we were shaken—literally—by an earthquake. A few days later, a solar eclipse passed through the five boroughs.

In both these cases, keeping students safe was a systemwide effort; our school leaders, custodial engineers, facilities staff, bus drivers, teachers, and more all chipped in. I’m grateful for their immediate and tireless response. 

We’ve had many reminders of the power of nature this year, and we’ve seen our school communities jump into action each time. In January, a heavy wind and rain storm forced newly arrived New Yorkers to evacuate from their shelter. The students and staff at James Madison High School pivoted quickly and selflessly to ensure these families had somewhere safe to be until the skies cleared, our bus drivers drove the families to the school and then back to their shelter, and our custodial and school safety staff supported the building and community. 

In Sunnyside, Queens, when a horrible apartment fire in December displaced dozens of families overnight, The Children's Lab School opened up to provide emergency shelter, and Aviation High School also jumped in to support with resource distribution the next day.

And up in the Bronx, also in December, we saw the MS 390 community rally around all those impacted by a building collapse. Thanks to the quick response from school leaders, the school served as temporary shelter for those displaced and a hub for the Red Cross to administer relief efforts.

No one knows when or where the next emergency will take place, but our operations teams and school leaders stand ready and prepared. Our schools are pillars of our neighborhoods, and that is never truer than in a moment of crisis.

I want to thank those who keep our schools running safely every day. When our families and communities are in need, our schools are there to help.

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Thank You to Our Teachers

May 10, 2024

Dear New Yorkers,

• Our teachers are role models. They are often among the most trusted adults in our students’ lives. Students seek their teachers’ help on problems big and small. If students are stressed, if they are upset, if they are confused, they often turn to their teachers.

• Our teachers are focused on excellence. They push every student to give their best. They teach our children the essential skills for success in life, and they inspire in our students a love of learning and discovery.

• Our teachers are engaged. Teachers collaborate with students’ families and communities, because they know we’re all a team. They also find ways to get to know students outside the classroom, whether by coaching sports or running extracurricular clubs.

• Our teachers help students become leaders. Our world faces many challenges, and our teachers prepare our students to solve them. Teachers unlock the potential that lies within each and every one of our students.

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Stepping Up When It Matters Most

May 3, 2024

Last month, in the span of mere days, we experienced two events that reminded us of the power of nature. First, we were shaken—literally—by an earthquake. A few days later, a solar eclipse passed through the five boroughs.

In both these cases, keeping students safe was a systemwide effort; our school leaders, custodial engineers, facilities staff, bus drivers, teachers, and more all chipped in. I’m grateful for their immediate and tireless response. 

We’ve had many reminders of the power of nature this year, and we’ve seen our school communities jump into action each time. In January, a heavy wind and rain storm forced newly arrived New Yorkers to evacuate from their shelter. The students and staff at James Madison High School pivoted quickly and selflessly to ensure these families had somewhere safe to be until the skies cleared, our bus drivers drove the families to the school and then back to their shelter, and our custodial and school safety staff supported the building and community. 

In Sunnyside, Queens, when a horrible apartment fire in December displaced dozens of families overnight, The Children's Lab School opened up to provide emergency shelter, and Aviation High School also jumped in to support with resource distribution the next day.

And up in the Bronx, also in December, we saw the MS 390 community rally around all those impacted by a building collapse. Thanks to the quick response from school leaders, the school served as temporary shelter for those displaced and a hub for the Red Cross to administer relief efforts.

No one knows when or where the next emergency will take place, but our operations teams and school leaders stand ready and prepared. Our schools are pillars of our neighborhoods, and that is never truer than in a moment of crisis.

I want to thank those who keep our schools running safely every day. When our families and communities are in need, our schools are there to help.

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Resources to Engage with NYC Public Schools

April 19, 2024

This May, I’ll be marking a special milestone in my time as Chancellor: I will have attended town hall meetings for all 36 Community and Citywide Education Councils (CECs). These meetings, which are open to the entire community, have been a highlight for me over the past two-plus years. I've seen incredible student performances, answered thoughtful questions from parents and staff, and shared details about key initiatives like NYC Reads.

CEC meetings are a terrific way to learn more about what’s going on in your district, but they are not the only way. In this week’s PS + You, I want to share a few additional resources to engage with our city’s schools:

• The Morning Bell is a new blog on our NYC Public Schools (NYCPS) website, updated weekly with important information and stories about what is happening right now in our schools, as well as resources to support your child's learning journey. Each month, you will find book recommendations for all grades, a preview of key dates and deadlines in the month ahead, and a comprehensive list of student opportunities. The Morning Bell also gets you inside the classroom with stories and profiles about our schools, staff members, and students that you won't find anywhere else.
  
  
• Parent University, or Parent U, is an online course management platform and resource system where NYC families can register for free training on topics ranging from college preparation to special education to mental health. Content is available on-demand, 24 hours a day, so families have flexibility to participate any time they’d like. If there’s a course you can’t find on Parent U that you’d like to see, we encourage you to send us your recommendations at ParentU@schools.nyc.gov.
  
  
• Finally, our social media pages are another great way to stay in the loop. For the latest NYCPS news, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and X.  
  
  

On the theme of getting involved, I also want to express my appreciation to the many parent and family volunteers who support our schools every day. April 21-27 is National Volunteer Week, so when we return from Spring Break, make sure to thank the volunteers who lend a helping hand at your school.

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Nine New Schools, Endless Possibilities

April 15, 2024

Dear New Yorkers,

We have about 1,600 district schools across our city, and they offer countless opportunities to our students and families. We have schools where students spend half their day studying in another language. We have schools where students intern (and get paid) at top companies. We have schools where students earn real-world industry credentials across a wide range of fields.

And I’m proud to share that we are also opening nine brand new schools this fall. These schools are innovative and unique, and they are the direct result of deep community engagement. Our families shared what they were looking for in their schools, and we responded. The new schools include:

• World language enrichment programs in Mandarin, Arabic, and Spanish;
• NYC’s first-ever district Montessori elementary program;
• An inquiry-based school inspired by the popular Brooklyn New School;
• Schools that will cultivate a love of debate, STEAM, and entrepreneurship;  
• And Motion Picture Technical High School, which will prepare students for well-paying jobs in the TV and film industries.

Additionally, as part of my commitment to open three accelerated high schools in underserved neighborhoods, we are launching a Bard High School Early College in East New York, Brooklyn, where students can earn an associate’s degree—for free—while still in high school. At least 80% of seats will be designated for students from the community and other central Brooklyn neighborhoods.

We are also looking ahead to the fall of 2025, when we’ll open a new health sciences high school in collaboration with Northwell Health and supported by a nearly $25M investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Simultaneously, we’ll launch the Bronx STEAM Center with Montefiore Medical Center and the Bronx Community Foundation. For our students passionate about healthcare and technology, these will be game-changing opportunities.

While our new schools will be spread across multiple districts and grade levels, they all have one thing in common: they reimagine the student experience. I can’t wait to see their collective impact when they open their doors to our children. The possibilities are endless.

David C. Banks

Chancellor

A Chance to Show What You Know

Dear New Yorkers,

This spring, students in grades 3-8 will take the New York State exams in English Language Arts and math. Fifth and eighth graders will also take their state science exams. We all know that “testing season” brings a wide range of emotions for our students, staff, and families. It can be a stressful time!

But there's another way to think about these exams—as an opportunity for our kids to show what they know. Day after day, they have been working hard at their learning. They have practiced decoding and developed phonemic awareness through NYC Reads. They have built problem-solving skills in math class and experimented in science class. They have tackled real-world issues in Social Studies. They are ready! Last year, our results showed promising growth, and I’m excited to see that trend continue in 2024.

Families and staff, how can you support our students this spring? Here are few ideas:

• Set them up for success. Ensure students get a good night’s sleep and eat breakfast, either at home or at school, leading up to the tests. Emphasize that this is their time to shine. Give them lots of encouragement before the exams—a post-it note on their desk, a reassuring high-five, or a quick pep talk can go a long way.
  
  
• Remind them what the tests are meant to do, and what they’re not meant to do. These tests provide our schools with critical information about students’ progress and how we can support them, but they’re not the only measure. Grades, classwork, writing samples, and other assignments are just as important.
  
  
• Prepare fifth and eighth graders for computer-based testing. This shift to computer-based testing is a requirement from the State, as the first leg in a three-year transition to online testing statewide. Schools can also choose to administer online tests for other grades. Either way, our students are prepared; all participating grades and schools administered practice tests as part of a statewide simulation in January. Students can also practice on their own if they’d like.

For more information on this year’s exams, check out our student participation guide and the State’s parent resources. And remember, these exams are in service of something greater than a score. They’re an opportunity for students to show what they know and a call to action for us, as adults, to ensure we are guiding our kids toward bright starts and bold futures.

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Fostering Acceptance

Dear New Yorkers,

Words matter. They have power. It’s an idea we emphasize often as educators and parents, whether we are teaching our students to read or fostering their civic engagement.

I want to highlight a recent choice of words that caught my attention. In a few days, it will be April, which is Autism Acceptance Month. The purpose of this month is not to simply to acknowledge autistic people. As its name makes clear, the goal is acceptance.

One way we foster acceptance is through building understanding. I’d like to highlight one particular example from our Special Education Office, which hosts terrific webinars in their Beyond Access Series. These webinars share information on supporting students with disabilities, and while they’re designed for families, they are an excellent resource for staff and community members as well.

Last week, we had over 5,000 participants register for a session about becoming a certified IEP Parent Member, a role in which parents support and advocate for other parents in students’ IEP meetings. This is an innovative opportunity for families to develop their own expertise and understanding while also helping fellow parents—what a way to build a welcoming and inclusive culture!

We have another webinar approaching soon, on April 8. This one is focused on related services recommendations, and I encourage interested families and staff to register today. And of course, you can always visit our website to learn more about our work to reimagine special education, such as adopting more inclusive language and expanding our Nest, Horizon and AIMS programs, which teach autistic students in their neighborhood schools.

This month, let’s focus on acceptance. It’s how we want all our children to feel, no matter their identity or background. Follow us on social media @nycschools to learn more about how we’re promoting belonging – from celebrating Women’s History Month in March to honoring Arab American Heritage Month, also this April – and how we’re ensuring everyone is seen, heard, and uplifted.

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Learning Beyond the Classroom Walls

Dear New Yorkers,

In my three-plus decades in education, I’ve developed some core beliefs about the ways students grow, including that the most meaningful learning often happens outside the four walls of the classroom. For education to feel relevant and exciting, students need opportunities to engage with the world around them.

This belief comes to mind as I reflect on our sixth annual Civics Week, which took place March 11-15. After kicking off the week at P721K, the Brooklyn Occupational Training Center, I continued to hear updates of the incredible civic engagement happening across our city, from student meetings with local elected officials to letter writing campaigns on important issues. These experiences prepare the next generation for lifelong civic leadership, and for that reason, 25 districts have signed up for year-round resources and training through our Civics for All Partner District program.

At NYC Public Schools, hands-on learning takes place in the summer, too. We recently launched our Summer Rising application (over a month earlier than usual, to give families extra time to plan). This will be our fourth consecutive year of the program, which offers free, safe summer learning and fun to 110,000 students currently in grades K-8. Students in Summer Rising take advantage of all this city has to offer, visiting museums, parks, sporting events, and cultural institutions. The application window closes on March 25—so learn more and apply today!

Whether your student registered to vote during Civics Week or is counting down the days to Summer Rising, I invite you to ask them about all they are learning—both at their desks and beyond the classroom walls.

Soaring high,

David C. Banks

Chancellor

What Are You Reading?

Dear New Yorkers,

Since we announced NYC Reads last spring, I’ve thought a lot about building a culture of reading in our schools and across the five boroughs. How do we make literacy a citywide, all-hands-on-deck effort?

The answer, I believe, is to engage as many families and community members as possible. So last month, we co-hosted a screening of The Right to Read, a moving documentary highlighting the national literacy crisis, with our partners at the NAACP. Afterward, multiple scholars and literacy leaders, including our very own Deputy Chancellor Carolyne Quintana, reflected on the film in an engaging panel discussion.

We also celebrated World Read Aloud Day, where Mayor Adams and I, along with approximately 40 readers from NYCPS leadership and partner organizations, read to over 1,200 students from 3-K to grade 5. I particularly enjoyed meeting the students and teachers at PS 123 in Harlem, where I read I Am Golden by Eva Chen.

To encourage families to practice reading skills at home, we’ve partnered with PBS to create dozens of short videos that feature NYCPS educators modeling science of reading strategies, such as how to blend letter sounds. Parents, I encourage you to check out these videos—and if you want to take it one step further, sign up to become a reading ambassador in your school community. We already have 1,200 parents participating! As an ambassador, you’ll learn the fundamentals of the science of reading through virtual trainings offered in multiple languages. Interested parent coordinators and other family-facing staff can enroll as well.

And finally, coming soon: NYC Reads Hubs! These Hubs will be hosted in local businesses in Districts 5, 6, 12, and 23 to give families additional access to books and literacy activities.

Families and staff, I want to leave you with one simple but powerful idea to foster a culture of reading across our city. The next time you say hello to a friend, neighbor, student, or any New Yorker, switch up your typical greeting. Don’t ask, “How are you doing?”

Instead, try, “What are you reading?” 

Soaring high,

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Recruiting Our Newest Teachers

March 8, 2024

Dear New Yorkers,

Today we are wrapping up Career Discovery Week, when 3,000-plus high school students visit dozens of employers to learn firsthand about the world of work. On Monday, alongside our co-organizers at the Partnership for New York City, I spoke with students from Aviation High School and MESA Charter High School, who toured a JetBlue airplane at JFK Airport—and met Aviation alumni who now work at JetBlue!

As employers across the city connect with our talented NYCPS students, it feels like the perfect time to do some recruiting of my own. I’m excited to let you know that our New Teacher Application for the 2024–25 school year is now live, open to anyone who currently holds New York State teacher certification or is on track to be certified by September. (To our current high school students, especially those in our FutureReadyNYC education pathway, please keep us in mind a few years down the road!)

Here's how you can help us spread the word about this opportunity:

• Refer a NY State-certified teacher (and for aspiring teachers, share this flyer and sign-up link so they can learn more about pathways to certification)
• Post this image and flyer on your social media
• Follow our teacher recruitment team on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
  

Candidates should check our website for a range of helpful resources, including an application guide, info sessions, and our online support center. Plus, they can learn more about our $1,000 early commitment stipend, available to eligible candidates in key certification areas (like math, science, bilingual education, special education, career and technical education, and more) who accept a position in specific districts by June 15.

We’re eager to welcome our newest teachers to the NYCPS community—a community that is over 75,000 educators strong. So I'm asking you to take a moment and brainstorm. Do you know any seasoned or soon-to-be teachers? Are they passionate and committed? Could they make an impact in our classrooms?

If so, please pass along this message. We’re building bright starts and bold futures at NYCPS—and we’re hiring!

Soaring high,

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Looking Back at Black History Month

March 1, 2024

Dear New Yorkers,

Looking back at the past few weeks, I couldn’t be prouder of how we commemorated Black History Month here at NYC Public Schools.

First, we held a deeply moving Black History Month celebration at our central office at Tweed Courthouse, featuring performances by student musicians and writers from the Channel View School for Research, Frederick Douglass Academy II, and Transit Tech CTE High School.  

Then, this week, we launched the newest edition in our Hidden Voices series: Stories of the Global African Diaspora, Volume 1. Developed over the last three years with extensive input from leading scholars and community partners, the series profiles changemakers of African descent, many overlooked in traditional historical narratives, to highlight their immense impact on the United States and the world.

And finally, I was thrilled to support our partners at the Education Equity Action Plan Coalition (EEAPC), who recently announced they are moving into the second phase of their Black Studies Curriculum pilot. We’re honored to work with the EEAPC as this curriculum takes shape. 

I believe all our students deserve to see their histories and backgrounds reflected in their classrooms, a belief grounded in my own childhood. When I was in elementary school, an amazing educator named Ms. Mildred Scott taught me about the rich history of Africa and of African Americans. She instilled in me a strong sense of pride in my heritage—and at the Hidden Voices event, I even read a poem about Africa that I wrote in her class!

Through Hidden Voices and the Black Studies Curriculum, students across our city will also have access to classroom materials that inspire and empower them. And it goes beyond New York. Hidden Voices is available to teachers, families, and districts across the nation. Anyone can download these resources for free at weteachnyc.org.

Black History Month is wrapping up, but the learning is just beginning. To our staff and families, thank you for all you do, both to commemorate the past and to shape our collective future.

Soaring high,

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Listening to Our Students, Staff, and Families

February 16, 2024

Dear New Yorkers,

People often ask me to describe the day-to-day experiences of being Chancellor of NYC Public Schools. While my schedule certainly varies, one aspect stays constant: every day, I listen. Whether on a school visit or in a meeting or at a CEC Town Hall, I cannot do my job well without truly listening to our NYCPS community.

That’s why I believe the NYC School Survey is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal. It ensures that every leader in our system hears directly from students, families, and staff.

These surveys are bursting with incredibly valuable information. Are students feeling challenged academically? Are staff feeling supported? Do families feel welcome? At both the local and central level, we use the answers to these questions to make smart and meaningful changes that improve our schools.

So I’m thrilled to share that the 2024 NYC School Survey just opened this week, and teachers, families, and students in grades 6-12 can complete it at NYCSchoolSurvey.org until April 5. Families will also receive a paper copy, which is available in 10 different languages.

Now here are some important logistics: To take the survey, students will need their nine-digit student identification (OSIS) number, which can be found on their report card, student ID card, or by requesting it from their school. Families can take the survey by entering “f” followed by their child’s OSIS, or by logging into NYCSA. And teachers and eligible support staff can take the survey online after entering the randomly generated access code provided by their school's survey coordinator.

It’s our 18th administration of this survey, one of the largest annual surveys in the country. And while participation dipped during the pandemic, we are on the upswing and hope to collect more responses than ever before. I challenge each of our school communities to reach 100% participation—as IS 141 in Queens did last spring!

Between now and April 5, complete the NYC School Survey and make your voice heard. At NYCPS, we are here and ready to listen.

Soaring high,

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Promoting Respect in NYCPS

February 9, 2024

Dear New Yorkers,

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about respect. It’s a value I’ve always tried to both model and instill in those around me—as a father, teacher, principal, and now as Chancellor. Respect is at the foundation of all strong communities, including our schools. And it’s needed now perhaps more than ever.

As the crisis in the Middle East continues, and many students, staff, and families are experiencing deep pain and fear, respect for our shared humanity is critical, a message I emphasized in recent remarks as we announced our plan to combat hate in NYCPS.

I also highlighted respect at the recent Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Summit, hosted at Midwood High School, where approximately 1,300 students and staff representing GSA clubs from across the city joined together to support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

And now we have another opportunity to discuss, emphasize and demonstrate respect at our annual Respect for All (RFA) Week. During RFA Week, which takes place February 12-16, schools lead programming that promotes belonging, honors diversity, and fights bullying and harassment. Schools have planned a wide range of creative activities this year, from no bullying pledges to a diversity celebration parade, from student-moderated panels to pronoun button workshops. PS 305 in Queens is even planning a wax museum, where some students dress as historical figures representing a wide range of identities, and other students visit the “museum” to learn about them!

I encourage families and staff to explore the Respect for All resources on our website, including information on how to report bullying if it does occur and instructions for identifying your school’s RFA liaison, who is the point person for any bullying or harassment concerns. And next week, as we celebrate and uplift respect, use the #RespectForAllWeek and #RespectForAll hashtags to share photos and videos of the great work you are doing.

We speak over 180 languages in NYC Public Schools. We have students and staff of every identity and background. Let’s celebrate that beautiful tapestry—during RFA Week and year-round.

Soaring high,

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Reimagining Special Education

February 2, 2024 

Dear New Yorkers,

A little over a year ago, I sent a PS + You newsletter with this same subject line. I was announcing a historic expansion of our specialized programming for students with disabilities, along with the launch of our Special Education Advisory Council.

Now, I’m glad to be sharing an exciting update: the Advisory Council has compiled its final report. After many hours of deep discussion and analysis, the Council’s 52 members—representing families, community leaders, advocates, students, educators, and more—have put forth recommendations that include:

• Strengthening trust between schools and families
• Prioritizing investments in special education programs close to students’ homes
• Shifting mindsets and further incorporating the lived experiences of people with disabilities into our work

A prominent theme across these recommendations is inclusivity, and while there is much work ahead, I’m proud of the steps we are already taking.

This fall we will be expanding our highly popular Nest, Horizon, and AIMS programs in Districts 5, 12, and 14, to better support our autistic students entering kindergarten. Both Nest and Horizon, which serve students through 12th grade, post impressive results (they average a 95% high school graduation rate!), and more and more families are seeking to enroll. You can learn about Nest, Horizon, and AIMS on our website.

We also created our new Inclusive and Interdependent Language Initiative, a glossary of terms that promotes inclusion and fights ableism. I encourage you to review this resource and incorporate its guidance into your interactions with students, whether you are an educator, parent, or community member.

Finally, I want to thank the Council members for their terrific work. I’m grateful for your dedication, partnership, and expertise as we boldly reimagine special education in our schools.

Soaring high,

David C. Banks

Chancellor

$30M — And Counting — Saved For College and Career

Dear New Yorkers,

When I talk about reimagining education, I often think of the real-world skills our children need to thrive in today’s society. One practical skill that is critically important—and too often overlooked—is financial literacy, which ranges from how to create a budget to how to invest in the stock market.

We teach our high schoolers personal finance in a number of ways. Our career connected learning programs, such as FutureReady, Modern Youth Apprenticeship, and CTE, all incorporate financial literacy, as do many other schools, whether during advisory, via themed workshops, or using innovative online platforms.

But we know these skills are not just for high schoolers. That’s why, in NYC Public Schools, financial literacy begins as early as kindergarten. Two years ago, we expanded the Save For College Program citywide in partnership with NYC Kids RISE and the City. Today, over 200,000 elementary students have NYC Scholarship Accounts with nearly $30 million (and counting!) for college and career training. This means nearly every kindergarten, first, and second grader in NYCPS has a free account, with an initial $100 investment from the City.

It is never too soon to start saving, and I encourage all our families with students in grades K-2: activate your child’s account today. To learn more, check out these family resources, watch this welcome video, or attend a Zoom information session with live interpretation in your language.

Now for our high schoolers, saving for college or career training can feel even more pressing. But we are here to support. NYCPS offers free, one-on-one virtual advising sessions for high school families, led by trained, multilingual educators, on Tuesdays through Fridays, from 5-8pm. These advisors can also help students complete the FAFSA® form and apply for New York State’s Tuition Assistance Program.

Families and NYCPS staff, I urge you to talk to your students about these critical action steps, especially as the season for college and career decision-making approaches. And know that whether your student is a kindergartener or a 12th grader, we are here to help them save for their futures—and to bring those financial literacy skills wherever life takes them.

Soaring high,

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Introducing the NYC School Bus App

Dear New Yorkers,

Approximately 150,000 students in grades K-12 ride our yellow school buses each day. Getting students to and from school safely is a major undertaking—we operate the largest bus fleet in the Western Hemisphere! So I’m especially proud to announce the NYC School Bus App, an innovation that makes school transportation smoother, safer, and easier for our families.  

This app, designed in partnership with Via, allows families to track their child’s school bus as it travels to and from school. What does this look like? Let’s say you’re waiting at your child’s bus stop, and it’s 10 minutes past the time they usually arrive. Instead of wondering where they are, you can simply check the app for their real-time location.  

Families with students in grades K-12 who take our yellow bus service can sign up with a few easy steps:  

First, make sure you have activated your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA). You’ll also need your student’s nine-digit ID number on hand. Then, download the NYC School Bus App from your device’s mobile application store. Use your NYCSA information to log in and select the child whose route you’d like to track.  

Please note: if your child's route does not display on the app, it means their bus driver has not yet signed up. So far, about 75% of our bus drivers have enrolled in this program, and we are working to reach full participation in the coming weeks. 

We’ll also be updating and enhancing the NYC School Bus App in response to family feedback, so we encourage you to download the app and test it out soon! We’re excited to embark on this journey with you. 

Soaring high,

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Apply to 3-K, Pre-K, and Kindergarten for the 2024-2025 School Year!

Dear New Yorkers,

It’s only the first month of 2024, but we’re already thinking ahead to September and the start of next school year, when we’ll welcome approximately 150,000 3-K, Pre-K and Kindergarten students into our classrooms. 

For families with students turning three, four, or five this calendar year, you have a wide range of options. Consider Kindergarten as an example. From Gifted and Talented Kindergarten programs in every district to dual language programs in 12 different languages, there are so many opportunities to explore. This September, we are opening new elementary schools with dual language programs in Arabic, Mandarin, and Spanish and our first-ever Montessori district public school. You can learn more about these Kindergarten options on our website.

Our 3-K and Pre-K portfolio is equally rich. We provide programs in district schools, community-based organizations, family childcare centers, and more. Pre-K also offers dual language programs in 12 languages, and eligible families have the option of both extended day and year-round 3-K and Pre-K programming. 

At NYC Public Schools, we value choice—that’s why families can list up to 12 programs on their applications. Since we do our best to match your child to your top preference, it's critical to ensure the order of your program list matches your true preferences. Typically, about 95% of our Kindergarten applicants are placed into one of their three highest-ranked programs! 

Now is the time to start preparing for the upcoming school year. For our families with students entering 3-K, Pre-K, or Kindergarten, I encourage you to review the application process on our website. Kindergarten applications for the 2024-2025 school year are due January 19, and 3-K and Pre-K applications just opened earlier this week. (If you need a seat for your child for the remainder of this school year, visit our website or contact a Family Welcome Center for support.)

We look forward to welcoming your children to our schools this fall!

Soaring high,

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Celebrating the Arts this Holiday Season

December 22, 2023

Dear New Yorkers,

We are in the midst of the holiday season. For many, this is the best month of the year, filled with warmth, happiness, and celebration. For others, it is a particularly difficult time, reminding us of loved ones we’ve lost or other hardships. No matter what this season means to you, I hope you find a sense of community and support here at New York City Public Schools. 

One of the best ways we build community in our schools is through the arts. When students have a chance to perform and create, they become part of something larger than themselves.

These last few weeks, I’ve been fortunate enough to see the arts in action in so many of our schools, from holiday performances to end-of-year celebrations. I recently attended an incredible tribute to Tony Bennett, founder of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, where students and alumni sang, danced, and acted to the legendary singer’s music. I also paid a visit to Radio City Music Hall, where 50 dancers from DeWitt Clinton High School opened for the Rockettes! Our students’ talent is nothing short of showstopping. 

I also have the good fortune of viewing student artwork every day. Our central office at Tweed Courthouse is currently home to 122 paintings and sculptures from students across all five boroughs, selected from over 1,200 submissions to our annual P.S. Art exhibition. Before they moved to Tweed, these winning pieces were displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art! The deadline for next year’s competition is February 2—teachers can submit their students’ artwork here.

I invite you to read our latest Arts in Schools Report and further explore our arts offerings on our website. And while summer is still months away, applications are open for our free, four-week Summer Arts Institute for students entering grades 8-12 next fall. Learn more here and apply by February 11.

As we approach the new year, I want to send my best wishes to all our students, staff, and families. The next PS + You will land in your inboxes in 2024!

Soaring high,

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Nuestras escuelas hablan su idioma/Our Schools Speak Your Language

Estimados neoyorquinos:

David C. Banks

Canciller

NYC Public Schools: The World’s Classroom

December 8, 2023

Dear New Yorkers,

Our school system is the largest in the nation, so it should come as no surprise that educators, families, and leaders across the country are interested in what’s happening in New York City Public Schools (NYCPS). But it's not just the eyes of the nation on us—the international community looks to our schools as well! 

Did you know that in 2023 alone, we’ve had visitors representing over 20 different countries, ranging from Brazil in January to Moldova just last week? These visitors include government officials, education ministers, ambassadors, and educators seeking to learn from what we’re doing here at NYCPS. The visits are also an opportunity for us to share best practices, build connections, and learn from other countries and cultures. 

Our international visitors are interested in a wide variety of topics, such as dual language programs (Italy), career and technical education (Kazakhstan), and education technology (Iceland). In a school system as large as ours, there's no shortage of opportunities to cover all these topics, and more.

For example, last month a delegation from Thailand visited two of our schools that provide instruction in American Sign Language (ASL). At “47” The American Sign Language and English Secondary School, which serves deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing students, the delegation learned about “voice off days,” where communication among all students and staff takes place entirely in ASL.

We also recently hosted a delegation from the Philippines, which visited two of our early childhood programs in the Bronx. The delegation learned about our early childhood model, including our approach to curriculum, assessment, and professional learning, and the Mayor of Biñan described the visit as "life changing." He said the experience would guide his work when he returned home.

When I reflect on moments like these, I’m grateful for the dedication of our staff and for the partnership of our families—together, we are making New York City a model of educational excellence and innovation, one that impacts students and communities around the world. 

Soaring high,

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Engaging Families to Be Our True Partners

November 22, 2023

Dear New Yorkers,

I hope this message finds you all surrounded by warmth and community spirit. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to share my gratitude to our families for choosing NYC Public Schools, and to our NYCPS staff for their dedication to our families.

I believe our shared vision for our children—Bright Starts and Bold Futures—is deeply rooted in the collective strength of our families and school communities. That's why engagement is the cornerstone of everything we do. Families: your involvement is not just important; it's essential.

Consider NYC Reads, our initiative to transform the way we teach reading. In our Phase 1 districts, we're excited to partner with families through local literacy events, and in Phase 2 districts, which will implement NYC Reads next school year, family and community voices are shaping critical curriculum decisions. We're also sharing activities and resources with families across the city to bolster reading skills at home. This past summer, over 1,000 families joined us for sessions on our new Early Childhood curriculum, and these sessions are continuing throughout the school year.

I want to again thank each of you—families, staff, and community members—for your deep commitment and partnership. Together we are building bright starts and bold futures for our students, so every child can meet their full potential. I am honored to do this work alongside you.

Soaring high,

David C. Banks

Chancellor

Reflecting on Election Day

November 11, 2023

Celebrating our Student Athletes

November 3, 2023

I recently returned to my alma mater, Hillcrest High School, for a dedication ceremony to rename the school gym in honor of Hillcrest’s longtime basketball coach, Ken Gershon. In his 30 years as head coach at Hillcrest, he never missed a single game.

And while I personally didn’t make the cut for Coach Gershon’s team (a disappointment to this day!), his dedication left a lasting impression. To me, Coach Gershon represents the power of sports – to unite, to motivate, and to inspire us to grow and achieve.

That’s why I’m so proud of our Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) student-athletes and coaches. The pandemic disrupted many of our athletic programs, but our students and staff persisted. Now, with over 46,000 PSAL athletes across 3,400-plus teams, we are on track to meet—and hopefully exceed—pre-pandemic participation.

Not only are our sports teams back and stronger than ever, but we are continuing to expand, improve, and innovate. We want to ensure our students have access to the widest array of sports possible, so in addition to the more typical options such as soccer, track, and volleyball, we offer cricket, bowling, table tennis, rugby, and double dutch, too. We’ve also embarked on several renovations and restorations to our athletic facilities, from the sports fields at the Kennedy and Jefferson High School campuses to the pool at the DeWitt Clinton High School campus. I attended the ribbon cutting for the DeWitt Clinton pool last week along with Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, City Councilmember Eric Dinowitz, and NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue—and the energy was contagious. Our student-athletes are ready to put the pool to good use.

We are also empowering our students to imagine new possibilities and build bold futures through sports. We recently held our annual softball and baseball showcases for PSAL athletes to show off their skills to college coaches and scouts. And last month, the Erasmus Hall Campus football team traveled all the way to London to compete against the NFL Academy of the UK. We hosted a terrific send-off for the team at our central office, where I reminded them: this is not about winning or losing. It’s about showing up, giving your best, and learning from this unique international experience. I think Coach Gershon would’ve agreed.

As we approach our fall sports postseason, I encourage you to join us for an upcoming playoff or championship game. To find the schedule for your favorite team, check out our PSAL website or follow PSAL on X, Instagram, or Threads.

Taking Action on Climate Change

October 30, 2023

I often speak about our mission of preparing students for bright starts and bold futures, and when I do, I consider the world we are preparing them to enter. It is complex and rapidly changing—and it is facing the existential threat of climate change. Our kids did not create this problem, but they will most certainly be critical in solving it.

That’s why I’m thrilled about our first-ever New York City Public Schools Climate Action Days—four days, each with a distinct theme, to highlight the importance of sustainability and encourage climate action in our schools:

• December 6: Energy
• February 7: Waste
• April 17: Health, Wellness, and Green Space
• June 12: Water

On Climate Action Days, our school communities will delve into these topics and learn about sustainability, allowing them to set school-based goals and take action. To prepare, our Office of Energy and Sustainability led three all-day trainings this month for teachers and school staff, with nearly 750 participants in total. These educators planned climate-related activities and programming tailored to their school communities, ranging from “neighborhood energy investigation” field trips to plastic-free lunch days to building rain gardens and water filters.

The possibilities for climate education and action are endless. Did you know that, according to a 2017 study from the City's Sanitation Department, 51% of waste generated in our schools can be composted, and 35% can be recycled? To me, there’s a clear message behind this data: when it comes to the environment and building a greener future, we as a school system have an opportunity—and responsibility—to lead the way.

Already, NYC Public Schools are the largest contributor to the city’s solar energy goals, with 81 solar installations across our schools to-date. We are also connecting our students to green jobs through our Career and Technical Education programs and career-connected learning. And by the end of this school year, we will have curbside composting accessible to every one of our schools—the largest school composting program in the nation. 

As we approach our Climate Action Days, I encourage the entire NYCPS community to get involved! Families, reach out to your children’s schools and ask about their plans for our first Climate Action Day on December 6. You can also visit our webpage for age-appropriate book recommendations for your children, focused on climate and sustainability.

To our school staff, thank you for all of your hard work this fall to make Climate Action Days a success. I see you, and I appreciate you. Your legacy will be the students you inspire to protect our planet.

Exciting News about Test Scores and Clear Paths to College

October 20, 2023

Celebrating the Brilliance of our Students and Schools

October 11, 2023

Welcome to the 2023-24 School Year!

September 19, 2023