February 2, 2026

Dear Families,                               

When I entered Andrea and Grace’s class on Wednesday morning, students sat in the meeting area, asking questions about ICE, the killing of Alex Pretti, and upheaval on the streets of Minneapolis.  Then, I walked into Cecilia’s class, where a student raised his hand and asked, “Did anyone hear what happened in Minnesota?”

CPE1 does not show children graphic images or violent footage.  But children see and hear violent news streams across phones and computers, many children come to school, looking for answers. 

Events in Minnesota are especially difficult to explain.  Children’s questions included why the police don’t stop ICE, why one part of the government opposes another, and how agents assigned to immigration enforcement could shoot U.S. citizens. 

Later, a fifth grader asked me if the school has a copy of her birth certificate.  She wanted proof of her citizenship in case ICE saw her dark skin and pulled her off the street.  I said that, so far, ICE has not been detaining children at random.  But, she knew, children have been detained.

For many, the news is personal.  About 40% of our students have at least one parent born outside the United States.  One-in-five CPE1 students have two parents born in another country.  Some children are worried that their family, friends, and teachers are vulnerable, regardless of citizenship status.

Project Open Arms is a New York City program created to support families in our public schools.   Project Open Arms connects families, including those seeking asylum, with effective legal support, often within just two or three days.  They can accompany families to immigration hearings and check-ins.  They can assist if a family member is detained.

Project Open Arms serves all New York City public schools.  If you have a hearing or other immigration event coming up, I can link your family to Project Open Arms.  Please reach out if you need help.

Upcoming Lockdown Drills

We have two more required practices for lockdown drills this year.  One will happen on February 12, and the other on April 27.

Several days before these drills occur, teachers remind students what to expect.  These practices are not meant to surprise or alarm anyone.  We encourage families to talk about lockdown drills before and after they occur.

Cold Temperatures and Happy Children

Weather has changed since I was a kid in the 1970s.  I grew up with blizzards dropping twenty or more inches of snow.  It's been years since heavy snow piled over New York City. 

Finally, kids are discovering what they missed.  Our school yard now has the deepest, whitest, longest-lasting powder many of our students have seen. 

Kids have treated all this snow as they might sand on the beach.  They’re digging holes, sculpting, calling out to one other about where to build the next pile.   

Fresh air should be basic right.  Sadly, too many schools keep children inside on cold days.  Is it healthier for kids to watch videos in the auditorium than to make memories in the snow?

I appreciate the good spirit of our staff, who feel the cold more than most kids, but keep taking the kids outside.  I also appreciate how consistently families have been dressing children for this weather.  Snowpants, boots, and cooperative adults create joyous time outdoors.