February 25, 2026

Dear Families,

This Wednesday evening at 6:00 is our annual meeting for families about state exams.  These state tests are designed for third, fourth, and fifth graders, but our meeting is open to all families.

Our testing meeting will be on Zoom.  Please click here join at 6:00.

Savings Accounts for Students

My grandfather lived long enough to meet my children.  After each child was born, my grandfather set them up for a 529 college savings account.  These special accounts are invested automatically in the stock market and grow, tax-free. 

My youngest child barely remembers my grandfather, but knows my grandparents’ stories.  As teenagers during the Great Depression, my grandparents had to earn money to support their immigrant families; they went to work, not college.  But, they wanted more choices for my generation, and for my children. 

This June, my youngest child will graduate high school.  That 529 account my grandfather set up has been growing her whole life.  The savings will help with college tuition in September.  The account is worth more than money.  My kids have always known someone, somewhere, was planning for them.

New York City is saving for your kids, too.  If your child is grades K-4, there’s money waiting in a 529 account with your child’s name on it. 

NYCKids Rise is a program for every public elementary school citywide.  After high school, you can withdraw money from your child’s NYCKids Rise 529 account to help pay for college or career training.

All accounts start with $100 dollars.  They grow automatically every year.  They grow when families make tax-free contributions.  And, in our school, they have grown because CPE1 alumni have donated to NYCKids Rise.  Kids Rise deposited those alumni donations right to our students’ accounts.

If you have not activated your child’s KidsRise account, please reach out to Yamilka for help.

If you already activated your child’s account, please remember to add a little more.  You don’t have to add much money.  You just have to tell your child.

NYCKids Rise tells our kids that we are thinking of their future.  Having just a little saved for college or career training helps kids think about that future, too.

If your child is in grades K-4, talk about this special savings account.  And, each time you add even a little bit, encourage your child to dream of the future.   

Summer Rising Coming Soon

The window to apply for Summer Rising opens soon. 

Summer Rising is the city’s free summer program.  There is academic learning from 8:00 to 12:00, followed by camp-style activities from 12:00 until 6:00. 

You can apply to Summer Rising sites all around the city.  This year, CPE1 will be affiliated again with PS 72, nearby on Lexington Avenue and East 104 Street.

Summer Rising applications will be open from March 3 to March 27.  Apply at www.myschools.nyc.  If you need help applying, please reach out to Yamilka.

I hope you are able to join our testing meeting Wednesday evening.