May 16, 2026

Dear Families,

It’s mid-May, and time to acknowledge two staff members retiring at the end of June: Donna Montaque and Darrell Shoub.

Both Donna and Darrell had long careers before our school system placed them at CPE1.  Their assignment turns out to have been lucky for our school, since we appreciated their contributions.

Over five years at CPE1, Darrell has been versatile and flexible, providing wide-ranging support.  Because Darrell knows a lot about reptiles and amphibians, and taught several classrooms more about caring for their pets.   His sign-making maintained a coherent look around the building.  Even in a school famous for hands-on teaching, his cardboard talents were eye-catching.    Teachers and especially students have relied on Darrell’s knowledge of materials for two- and three-dimensional projects.  He supported worktime, helping to raise the quality of long-term projects and introducing new possibilities.  Usually, when he enters a classroom, children hurry over to ask for his help.

Donna came to our school with years of administrative experience. Some who knew her previously told me to expect the businesslike Assistant Principal Montaque; I guess those people never saw Donna comfort a kindergartener, or imagined that one day a fourth grader would rename her “Mama Donna.” 

Yes, Donna provided the logistical and paperwork support that I was told she would, and no, I do not know yet whether someone else will be assigned to replace her.   Of course, it will be difficult to replace all the times she nudged me to rethink an idea, or the reassurance she gave children when they needed her. 

These are Darrell’s and Donna’s final weeks working in schools.  It’s a moment to recognize.  Our community will be wishing them happiness in all that comes next.

Recognition, Past and Present

Last Saturday, the City College of New York (CCNY) hosted a conference about the future of progressive education.  The conference honored City College’s connection to the fiftieth anniversary of Central Park East.  (CPE’s first six teachers all met when they studied hands-on learning at CCNY’s School of Education.) 

CPE founder Deborah Meier was a featured speaker, along with other former CPE teachers.  Current teachers (Aishah, Grace, and Yasmin) and parents (Aisha, Kaliris, Moji,) presented.

This milestone anniversary year gave CPE deserved attention for its place in the history of public education.  The present is encouraging, too.  At the conference, a principal from the Bronx asked to bring five teachers next week to see work time and project time in our classrooms.

This will be the ninth group of visiting educators observing CPE1 this year.  During a time of growing restrictions on what and how schools teach, how our classrooms function, and the work our children produce, attract attention. 

When CPE was founded fifty years ago, progressive education in public school was revolutionary.  Today, maintaining our progressive ideals makes for good teaching that other teachers want to see.  People who teach draw inspiration from your child’s learning.

Start of the Week without Screens

Last week, I wrote about the school tradition during the week leading up to Family Game Night: no screens for a week.  Years ago, that meant unplugging the television.  Today, shutting down phones, tablets, and Xboxes is harder because those devices are more addictive than TV. 

The longer kids click and stream, the more money most apps and websites make.  Devices have become a health issue that impacts the brains of growing children.

I am re-sending part of a letter from earlier in May because we are beginning the week without screens at home.  It’s a week to reflect on how we are all – yes, grown-ups, all – managing our devices.  If you have not read this already, please read now.

…Marilyn asked her pre-K class how they felt about a week without phones and iPads.  “Don’t worry,” said one four-year-old to her classmates.  The child explained how she tiptoes past her sleeping parents to get an iPhone.  “Just turn down the volume,” she suggested, tapping an imaginary button on the side of an imaginary device, “so they don’t hear.”

Yes, that really happened.  A pre-K student told her classmates how to sneak screentime in the middle of the night.

That story illustrates some themes from our recent meetings for families about children and screens.  Children’s developing brains can get addicted to devices, so they crave more time with games and apps.  Kids are learning to hide their online lives.  And even kids who don’t have devices are hearing about them from those who do.

At school, kids say they are tired from staying up late with phones, worried about a cruel text they received, or troubled after streaming something scary.  One of Anika’s pre-K students drew this:

I bet half the kids at CPE1 know Skibidi Toilet.  If you’ve never seen Skibidi, click here.  Really do it.  Come back to this letter once you have watched six Sibidis in a row….

How did you feel watching just a few minutes of Skibidi Toilet?  How would an hour of Skibidi affect a young child’s developing brain? 

Most apps and websites, including such ‘safe’ sites as YouTube Kids and Roblox, ignore children’s health.  The more that children click, the more money those sites make. 

To protect health and safety, families need such as www.internetmatters.org.  That website shows you how to set up parent controls on everything from Minecraft to texting to Disney Plus.  Also, www.internetmatters.org offers advice about such special topics as talking to older kids about what they show younger siblings, or what to do if your child finds pornography on the internet. 

Teachers are concerned about how distracted, tired kids learn in school.  I’m also worried that devices will change relationships at home.    How often has your child turned off tablet after only thirty minutes and said, “I feel done”?   When was the last time your child handed back a phone and asked, “Can we go outside together”?

Apps and games train kids to stay longer, even if they’re exhausted, bored, or scared.  If a stranger sent your child a creepy message in the middle of an online game, you probably would turn it off.  That’s one reason so many children take their device to a separate room and keep quiet about what they see.   You teach your child about safety; screens teach secrecy.  

Most of us struggle to keep up with kids’ online lives.  So, please check out the resources at www.internetmatters.org.  And, for the no-screens week that begins May 16, please join other CPE1 families in turning off social media, games, and streaming services.  Then, come to Family Game Night at 6:00 on May 22. 

Have a lovely week without so much screen time at home, and see you at Family Game Night.