September 1, 2023

Dear Families,

Next week, school begins.  Here is an update about our start.

Welcome Potluck – Tuesday, September 5

Our back-to-school gathering happens the Tuesday before the first day of school, September 5, from 5:45 to 7:30.  After dinner, children will play in the school yard while adults connect with other families, new and returning.

Everyone brings food to share.  Sign up to bring a dish.

First-Day Gathering

On Thursday morning, after you drop off your child in the school yard, please stop off for coffee in the courtyard.  Enter on Madison Avenue between East 106 and East 107 Streets.  The parent association is hosting everyone, especially those with young children having their first day in our school.

This is a great way for families to talk about having their kids start the new year. 

Fill Out Your Emergency Contact Card

Schools must know who to reach in case of emergencies.  If you have not filled out your emergency contact form, please that now.  Click here to complete the form before the first day.

Potential Bus Strike

Yellow school bus companies still have not reached an agreement with the union that represents school bus drivers and bus attendants.  The bus companies are privately owned, so public schools cannot negotiate directly.  Right now, we are both hoping for buses and making other plans.

In the event of a strike, the city will give MetroCards to students who usually ride the bus, and ride shares to some students who qualify for specialized transportation.  

A strike could have a big impact on families who depend on yellow school buses.  A MetroCard gets a child on the train, but does not buy more time.  A strike makes it more challenging to get to work in the morning, and to get children home (or to ACT after-school) in the afternoon.  If your child usually takes a school bus, please plan now for how your child would travel to and from school without a bus.

There will be updates on this situation – from the city and all over the news – as we get closer to the first day.  As always, Stephanie (stephanie@cpe1.nyc) coordinates transportation for CPE1.  Please reach out to her if you have questions about busing.

Update on Occupational Therapy

Just last week, Jill Yoo, CPE1’s occupational therapist, transferred to District 75, the citywide special education district.  I’m wishing her well in this new role, but sad to lose Jill’s expertise and presence with children.

Schools cannot hire occupational therapists independently.  Each occupational therapist must be vetted by district-based clinical supervisors.  As of today, our district supervisor has no candidates to work in our school.  For now, the supervisors have requested support from a private agency.  Probably, at least at the start of the year, an occupational therapist from that agency will work with children who require this special education service.

I am still hoping we can find a new occupational therapist to join CPE1’s staff.  I am sorry that there are late changes taking place with this important role in our school.

On the First Day of School

Last night, I led a tour for new CPE1 students visiting their school for the first time.  They walked into classrooms and their eyes opened wide.  The rooms were beautiful.  The children saw plants and pets, ovens and baking supplies, thousands of books, materials organized impeccably.  Imagine how anxious kids feeling moving the middle of elementary school; imagine how they feel when their new classroom invites them in.

 On Thursday morning, all CPE1 children will walk into their classrooms, fully set up.  They will not – and should not – focus on the hundreds of hours teachers spent cleaning, organizing, re-organizing, thinking.  The kids will just see a space made for them. 

We are close to CPE’s 49th first day of school.  There is magic in beginnings here.  To all the teachers who spent their summer vacation preparing that magic, thank you.

See you at the potluck Tuesday, and have a great first day of school.