Over the past several days, parents have been meeting with elected officials in Albany and across New York City, speaking out in support of Governor Cuomo's Opportunity Agenda to ensure every child has access to a quality education.

Testimony of AU Hogan Delivered on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at the Elementary & Secondary Education Budget Hearing

Testimony of Tenicka Boyd Delivered on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at the Elementary & Secondary Education Budget Hearing

MEMORANDUM

TO:  All Interested Parties 

FROM:  Jenny Sedlis, Executive Director, StudentsFirstNY

DATE: January 21st, 2015

RE:  Governor Cuomo’s Promise to Put New York Students First in 2015

My name is Harold, and I am the parent of sixth grader named Tanaisia. Over the years, Tanaisia has attended both public charter and traditional district schools, which has allowed me to fully see the differences in opportunities that are presented at each type of school.

I am a single parent. My eight-year-old daughter Lashae has special needs, giving me firsthand experience of what it is like to have a student in the public school system who requires special attention. 

As the father to Danielle and Diamond, and president of the Brownsville chapter of StudentsFirstNY, I understand how failing schools in our neighborhood are a detriment to our students’ safety and potential for success.

My name is Joanna and I am the parent of third grader Oumar, a student at a public elementary school in Canarsie. I have seen firsthand how the quality of my son’s teachers directly impacts his chances at success.

I am the mother of four kids, including two who are currently in NYC public schools. My son, Barkhem, is 10 years old, but has not yet received the quality education he deserves. 

Imposing a three-year moratorium on closures and adding social services to 5% of schools will not bring about the kind of scalable, system-wide changes parents and advocates are desperately hoping for.