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Learning Beyond the Classroom Walls
Dear New Yorkers,
In my three-plus decades in education, I’ve developed some core beliefs about the ways students grow, including that the most meaningful learning often happens outside the four walls of the classroom. For education to feel relevant and exciting, students need opportunities to engage with the world around them.
This belief comes to mind as I reflect on our sixth annual Civics Week, which took place March 11-15. After kicking off the week at P721K, the Brooklyn Occupational Training Center, I continued to hear updates of the incredible civic engagement happening across our city, from student meetings with local elected officials to letter writing campaigns on important issues. These experiences prepare the next generation for lifelong civic leadership, and for that reason, 25 districts have signed up for year-round resources and training through our Civics for All Partner District program.
At NYC Public Schools, hands-on learning takes place in the summer, too. We recently launched our Summer Rising application (over a month earlier than usual, to give families extra time to plan). This will be our fourth consecutive year of the program, which offers free, safe summer learning and fun to 110,000 students currently in grades K-8. Students in Summer Rising take advantage of all this city has to offer, visiting museums, parks, sporting events, and cultural institutions. The application window closes on March 25—so learn more and apply today!
Whether your student registered to vote during Civics Week or is counting down the days to Summer Rising, I invite you to ask them about all they are learning—both at their desks and beyond the classroom walls.
Soaring high,
David C. Banks
Chancellor
Our Spotlight Video:
Last week was #CivicsForAll week and our scholars at Bronx Health Sciences High School delivered amazing soapbox speeches!🏛️ Students did … | Instagram
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