September 4, 2014
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the 2014-15 school year! I’m starting my first full school year as Chancellor full of energy and excitement. We’ve got so many wonderful, new programs to improve teaching and learning—and more ways than ever for you to connect with your child’s teachers and school.
As a grandmother of three young boys, I am especially delighted to start the year with the launch of Pre-K for All. Through this groundbreaking program, more than 50,000 four-year-olds are attending free, full-day pre-kindergarten, and laying a foundation for a lifetime of joyful learning. It’s not too late to enroll: visit schools.nyc.gov/prek.
I’m also thrilled to announce that in neighborhoods across the City, elementary and middle schools are offering expanded educational, after-school programs—at no cost to you. Activities range from volleyball, hip-hop dance, and graphic design to science and math instruction. Engaging in enriching, extra-curricular activities five days a week (from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) will help your child socially, emotionally, and academically. To apply for an after-school program, visit nyc.gov/afterschool.
If you’re the parent of a high school student, look for a renewed focus on college and workforce readiness, including more mentoring and academic support. To learn more, speak with your child’s guidance counselor.
Because your involvement is crucial to the success of our schools, we are offering more ways for you to connect with your child’s teacher, including parent-teacher conferences by appointment, extra parent-teacher time each week, and two new parent-teacher conferences. The first, Family Night, takes place September 16 (elementary schools), September 17 (high schools), and September 18 (middle schools).
I am also delighted that we will again open the doors of Tweed for my Chancellor’s Parent Conferences, a great opportunity to learn what’s going on in your child’s classroom and how you can take a leadership role in your school community. Conferences take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on November 1 (elementary school), November 15 (high school), and December 6 (middle school). I look forward to meeting you at Tweed and at our Community Education Council and Town Hall meetings across the City. Stay tuned for more information.
Finally, please visit our new webpage —One-Stop Shop for Back to School NYC— at schools.nyc.gov/backtoschool for information on the 2014-15 school year, including confirming your child’s school-day start and end times, and transportation information.
I have very high hopes for our 1.1 million students. Thank you for sharing this journey with me, and for doing your part to ensure that every child’s dream comes true.
Warmly,
Carmen Fariña
Chancellor
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the 2014-15 school year! I’m starting my first full school year as Chancellor full of energy and excitement. We’ve got so many wonderful, new programs to improve teaching and learning—and more ways than ever for you to connect with your child’s teachers and school.
As a grandmother of three young boys, I am especially delighted to start the year with the launch of Pre-K for All. Through this groundbreaking program, more than 50,000 four-year-olds are attending free, full-day pre-kindergarten, and laying a foundation for a lifetime of joyful learning. It’s not too late to enroll: visit schools.nyc.gov/prek.
I’m also thrilled to announce that in neighborhoods across the City, elementary and middle schools are offering expanded educational, after-school programs—at no cost to you. Activities range from volleyball, hip-hop dance, and graphic design to science and math instruction. Engaging in enriching, extra-curricular activities five days a week (from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) will help your child socially, emotionally, and academically. To apply for an after-school program, visit nyc.gov/afterschool.
If you’re the parent of a high school student, look for a renewed focus on college and workforce readiness, including more mentoring and academic support. To learn more, speak with your child’s guidance counselor.
Because your involvement is crucial to the success of our schools, we are offering more ways for you to connect with your child’s teacher, including parent-teacher conferences by appointment, extra parent-teacher time each week, and two new parent-teacher conferences. The first, Family Night, takes place September 16 (elementary schools), September 17 (high schools), and September 18 (middle schools).
I am also delighted that we will again open the doors of Tweed for my Chancellor’s Parent Conferences, a great opportunity to learn what’s going on in your child’s classroom and how you can take a leadership role in your school community. Conferences take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on November 1 (elementary school), November 15 (high school), and December 6 (middle school). I look forward to meeting you at Tweed and at our Community Education Council and Town Hall meetings across the City. Stay tuned for more information.
Finally, please visit our new webpage —One-Stop Shop for Back to School NYC— at schools.nyc.gov/backtoschool for information on the 2014-15 school year, including confirming your child’s school-day start and end times, and transportation information.
I have very high hopes for our 1.1 million students. Thank you for sharing this journey with me, and for doing your part to ensure that every child’s dream comes true.
Warmly,
Carmen Fariña
Chancellor