November 6, 2024: Reflecting on This Election
Dear New York City Public Schools Community,
As a public school system, I believe we have a set of core responsibilities to our students and families. We must, first and foremost, keep students safe. We must also prepare them to become leaders of the next generation. For these reasons, a presidential election represents an especially important moment in our school communities.
As I highlighted in last week’s PS + You newsletter, our Civics team has done tremendous work to civically engage our students throughout this election. We are instilling in our children a deep appreciation for and understanding of democracy.
As we prepare for the presidential transition in January, our children may be wondering what these election results mean for them. First, I want to reassure you that we remain steadfast in our commitment to maintain safe and supportive environments for our students, staff, and families. That is our top priority and our first responsibility as a school system.
Additionally, I encourage us all—educators, school leaders, families, and community members—to discuss this election with our students and to model thoughtful civil discourse in doing so. We must support our students to ask questions, learn the facts, and express their perspectives respectfully. Please visit schools.nyc.gov/currentevents for resources that will be helpful in creating space for discussion.
Finally, as community members, we will continue to take care of our students and each other. Every school has on-site mental health support (see schools.nyc.gov/mentalhealth), and if you need assistance yourself, you can call or text 988. If you have questions or concerns about student safety and support, please contact your principal or district superintendent.
As we look ahead to the future of our country and our democracy, I want to thank you for being part of the New York City Public Schools community. Public education is a cornerstone of our society, and we are working every day to prepare the next generation of leaders. Thank you for guiding, nurturing, and supporting all our children and for upholding our New York City values each and every day.
In partnership,
Melissa Aviles-Ramos
Chancellor