October 4, 2023

Dear Families,

On Monday after school, CPE1 staff worked for the first time with Ackerman Family Institute’s Gender and Family Project.  We came away with useful information and more ideas to consider.  I encourage you to participate, too.

On November 16 at 6:00, Ackerman Family Institute will offer the same workshop families.  I hope many families come to CPE1 that evening.

I spoke at last week’s curriculum night about why I think this is important work for families.  (You can read what I said at www.cpe1.nyc/letters.) 

Please put the night of Thursday, November 16 into your calendar.  We will offer childcare for CPE1 kids. 

Community Coffee – This Friday Morning

Our first community coffee this year happens this Friday morning at 8:30. Please come to the second-floor library for coffee and conversation.

Picture Days – October 10 and October 11

School picture days will be next week.  On October 10, pre-K, kindergarteners, and first graders have their photos taken.  On October 11, grades 2-5, as well as siblings, have their pictures taken.

The photography company, Streetfly Studio, takes beautiful photos.  If you want school pictures this year, please return your photo form by Friday.  Please reach out to stephanie@cpe1.nyc if you have any questions.

Music and PE Workshop – January 11 at 6:00

Please save January 11, also at 6:00, for family workshop.  Find out more about your child’s work in the music room and the movement room.

Learn more about what children experience when they are in class with Mingie and Jazmine.  This workshop is like a hands-on curriculum night for those classes that are such a big part of children’s work in school. 

We will not have a family workshop in October but will have this event on January 11.

Paperwork in Your Child’s Backpack

Your child’s backpack has one or two pieces of paperwork.  Please return these confidential forms.

Everyone is receiving the annual New York City Public Schools housing survey.  This form takes about a minute to complete.  The results are private.

Some families also will receive the annual meal code form.  We are sending this form only to families who don’t have meal code information on file.  You also can complete the form online.

These forms matter for several reasons.  First, they can bring more funding to schools.  School meals are free for all students no matter what, but the federal government uses the forms to give New York City the money to buy the food.  Also, individual school budgets can increase based on the family income surveys can increase a school’s budget.  Schools also get more money to support children in temporary housing, which includes when two families are ‘doubled up’ together in one apartment.  Our city has not done enough to support affordable housing; schools, at least, should have more resources to support families.

The information you share will stay confidential.  You do not have to be a citizen.  You just need to be counted.  Thank you for making time for this.