OPINION: Building stronger school communities
As chancellor, I love talking to our students and parents at community meetings, forums, town halls and even in the grocery store ā and I hear the same message time and again: every parent wants to see their child graduate ready to conquer the world and every child wants to follow their dreams and achieve. I took this job specifically to make success a reality for every child and every family across New York City.
This summer, superintendents, principals, teachers and central staff have been working tirelessly to ensure that students and families begin the school year with necessary supports and services so parents can help their student both inside and outside the classroom. Iām excited to bring on new leadership to bring my vision to fruition ā a veteran Bronx educator, Yolanda Torres, who will serve as executive superintendent of the Division of Family and Community Engagement (FACE).
As superintendent, Yolanda hosted parent meetings, expanded training opportunities for parent leaders and got parents who hadnāt typically been involved ā involved. As a former public school parent, teacher, principal, I know she gets it. We both agree: an engaged and informed parent community is necessary to improve student outcomes.