Page 16 - The Indian EYE 091523

COMMUNITY OP-ED SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 | The Indian Eye 16

New York City is well prepared

this year as our little children go

back to school

This school year, we will introduce our students to mindful breathing techniques. A few simple

breathing exercises can help calm our minds, deal with stressful situations, and improve focus

ERIC ADAMS

ater this week, our children
will head back to school for School is like life — but with constant guidance and guard rails (File photo)
Lthe first day of the new school
year. School supplies have been end, this will lead to a brighter future school, we learn how to make friends, upcoming year, and now we have a
gathered, backpacks are being filled, for the entire city. manage our emotions, and grow as few requests of you and our students
and alarms will soon be set for the Being able to read confidently is human beings. This school year, we as well. Please attend your child’s
early mornings once again. Whether personal to me. I have dyslexia, and will introduce our students to mind- Parent-Teacher meeting, or a PTA
you’re new to New York City public even today, when I enter a classroom ful breathing techniques. A few meeting, ask your child’s teacher
schools or a returning student and as mayor, I remember how I was simple breathing exercises can help or the school’s parent coordinator
family, there’s always going to be laughed at and humiliated for not be- calm our minds, deal with stressful questions, and try to join your child
some amount of nervousness mixed ing able to read properly as a student. situations, and improve focus. The when they read or do their home-
in with the excitement. Not long ago, when a young student techniques that our students will work whenever possible. The more
We want to reassure all our heard that I had dyslexia, he came learn can be used anytime, anywhere, effort you put into learning about
students that we have a great year to visit me at City Hall. He has ben- and at any age. Mindful breathing is your child’s school experience, the
planned ahead. We are making a efitted tremendously from the help a lifelong lesson: I wish I had been more you and they will get out of it.
historic shift in the way we teach our he received through our programs, taught it when I was in school, but But in the end, the final responsibil-
young people reading through NYC and now he is recommending books now I practice it regularly. Just a few ity for learning and growing lies with
Reads — an initiative that brings to his friends, and his nickname is minutes a day makes a big difference. our young people themselves.
proven, evidence-based English “College.” We want all our students We’re also improving the dining School is like life — but with
Language Arts curricula into class- to benefit the way this young man experience for our students, with constant guidance and guard rails.
rooms. We will teach students how did. We want college to be a goal for over 80 enhanced cafeterias that We want our young people to think
to decode words so that even when all our children. Our screenings for make socializing with friends easier critically, to ask questions, to be-
the reading level becomes more chal- dyslexia and other learning disabili- and lunchtime more pleasant. We are come better human beings and citi-
lenging, they will have the skills and ties will ensure that no young person offering more plant-based, as well as zens, and, sometimes, even to learn
foundation to be able to sound out suffers unnecessarily the way I did, halal meal options, so all our stu- how to fail. School is where you
new words and understand new ma- and that all our students receive the dents can eat healthy and according can raise your hand, take risks, and
terial. Reading is a fundamental skill, support they need to fulfill their po- to their culture and faith. New York try new things. School prepares our
it is necessary academically, profes- tential. City is a city for everyone — and our young people for the future. Wel-
sionally, and personally, and we will But school is about more than school cafeterias should reflect that. come to the 2023-2024 school year!
make sure that all of our students just academics; it also involves learn- These are just some of the initia- Eric Adams is
graduate as confident readers. In the ing social and emotional skills. At tives that we have prepared for the the Mayor of New York City, NY

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