August 1, 2025

Dear Families,

I am very glad to share news about hiring.

At long last, CPE1 has a parent coordinator. Yamilka Vásquez is CPE1’s new parent coordinator. Yamilka has worked extensively in school operations and youth programs, most recently for the national offices of Girls, Inc. She describes herself as a “proud parent of two and a long-time East Harlem resident” who first learned about our school community at Fall Festival.

Yamilka says:

As someone who grew up with a parent who didn’t speak English, I know from my own life how hard it can be to understand the school system…. I try my best to get to know families, be kind, clear, and supportive. My goal is for every family to feel welcome, included, and informed. Whether I’m answering a question, sharing a resource, or listening, I want families to know they’re not alone.

Asael Arévalo González will be CPE1’s new music teacher.  After teaching music at an elementary school in Nebraska, Asael has spent the last three years teaching voice, guitar, and uekele to middle and high school students in the Bronx.  Asael is certified in building musicianship through Orff instruments, such as the xylophones and metallophones already in our music room. Asael places and “a big emphasis on multiculturalism and accessibility” in teaching music, and adds:

Beyond music itself, what I love most about teaching is building relationships with students by supporting and challenging them to become confident, capable, and musical young people. Music is an integral part of who we are as humans because of how it builds community and allows us to connect to one another in profound ways.

Those longer quotations suggest that Yamilka and Asael value not just the skills needed for their jobs, but the relationships that matter so much in schools.  It’s good to have them starting at CPE1.

Fill Out Your Emergency Contact Information

Click here to complete or update your child’s 2025-2026 emergency contact form.

By the first day of school, we need emergency contact and health information for every child.  Please take care of this in time for your child’s first day.

Sign Up for After-School

If you will need an after-school program this year, please sign up as soon as possible. After-school programs fill up as it gets closer to September, so please register your child early.

For more on after-school options, please check out https://cpe1.nyc/afterschool.