December 11, 2024

Dear Families,                                           

We have winter concert this Thursday, December 12.  Children should arrive fully dressed, ready to perform, in the courtyard by 5:30. 

Students will enter first.  At about 5:50, adults to take their seats. As always, we expect everyone to stay until the end of the concert, around 7:00.

Concerts are so much fun, and children have rehearsed for weeks.  They are excited to show their work Thursday evening.  We are glad to have you in the audience.

Festival of Lights – December 19

Festival of Lights will happen on Thursday, December 19, at 5:45.  This lovely celebration is for children and their grown-ups together.

At Festival of Lights, families share their traditions with the community.   First, at the potluck dinner, share a dish that has meaning to your culture and family.  Then, offer a story, share a song, or teach the rest of the community something more about your family’s traditions.    

If you would like to share a story, song, or tradition that is important to your family, please email anika@cpe1.nyc. 

Community Coffee – December 20 – 8:30

Our December community coffee will happen on our final day of school this year, December 20. 

Please come upstairs for coffee and conversation at 8:30.

Migrants Inside Schools

New York City is planning to respond to possible mass deportations.  More information about supports will be coming soon. 

We know this already: deportations will not begin in schools.  No federal immigration agents are allowed inside school buildings.

School safety agents, who are employees of NYPD, are supposed to stop immigration agents in the lobby.  School staff are prohibited from identifying students or helping agents find them.  We are never allowed even to ask anyone’s immigration status.

If immigration agents cannot enter, then no deportation or investigation can happen inside a school.  This policy covers students and adults.  Immigration agents are blocked at the door, which means adults who walk into a school will remain in the school.

Personal Appreciation

Mostly, I avoid writing personally, but I owe many personal thanks.  Most families know that my father died one week ago.  Many of you have been checking on me.

I realize that many of you are offering similar wishes to me that I have wished for you.  Some of you have lost family member while your child has attended CPE1.  Others are taking care of young children and older parents – the most taxing work I know.

About 28 hours after I left the my father’s hospital room, I double-knotted some kindergarteners’ skates, laced up my own, and stepped onto the ice at Riverbank State Park.    I helped young skaters practice their balance, raced to keep up with fifth graders, and felt cold air on my face.  Gliding around with our students, I knew I had not rushed back to work.  I simply went back to somewhere happy.    

I am fortunate that my father lived long, lived healthfully, and died peacefully.  I am thankful to all of you who keep offering kindness.  I am grateful to work with adults who just take care of whatever needs to be done, especially if I’m absent.   Being busy with CPE1 children is the best comfort of all.