Page 20 - The Indian EYE 092024

COMMUNITY OP-ED SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 | The Indian Eye 20

Starting the new school year in

New York City with new buildings,

new curricula, and more

For the upcoming school year, we have opened 24 new school buildings across the five boroughs, which
will add 11,000 new student seats — the most K-12 seats we have added in a single year since 2003.

This is in addition to the 23,000 seats already added during our administration. And it means that we

can close all but 24 outdated trailer classrooms from our schools

ERIC ADAMS
e came into office with a
clear mission: to build a
Wsafer, more affordable city.
And our initiatives for our students
continue to deliver on that promise.
As the administration running
the largest school district in the na-
tion, we are committed to giving our
children a first-class education. And
a crucial part of a great education is
having access to excellent facilities,
thoughtful curricula, and equitable In NYC school, we are re-envisioning how our children are being taught by implementing a new phonics-based curriculum to improve reading
early childhood education.
We want our students to learn skills, and a new math curriculum (Photo: NYC.gov)
in modern and flexible spaces, with
state-of-the-art technology and New York City history, we have pro- cess in school, college, and life. My implementing a new phonics-based
healthy, green construction, and we vided offers to 100 percent of fami- own mother struggled balancing curriculum to improve reading skills,
want them to have access to science lies who wanted an early childhood work and taking care of me and my and a new math curriculum to make
labs, music rooms, gyms, auditori- education seat and applied on time, siblings. Too many mothers across mathematics more accessible for all.
ums, libraries, and all the services and provided seats to thousands of the city still face similar challenges. Being at school is a 360-degree
they need. additional students whose families I know that access to affordable experience. It is where our children
That is why, for the upcoming did not apply for a seat. That brings child care is one of the major driv- learn, play, eat two meals a day, and
school year, we have opened 24 new the total number of students who ers of economic mobility, especial- learn life skills. Schools should be
school buildings across the five bor- received an early childhood offer ly for women. In fact, leaving the places where children feel excited
oughs, which will add 11,000 new to over 53,000 — more than three workforce to care for a child can to go, where they feel safe and com-
student seats — the most K-12 seats times the number who received an cost mothers up to $145,000 over fortable, and places that challenge
we have added in a single year since offer just five years ago. And over their lifetime. That is unacceptable. their imaginations. This school year,
2003. This is in addition to the 23,000 the past school year, we had 150,000 And it is why our administration has we hope to deliver that experience
seats already added during our ad- students enrolled in early childhood made access to early childhood edu- to all our students and their dedicat-
ministration. And it means that we education across our system — a re- cation seats across all five boroughs ed teachers and staff.
can close all but 24 outdated trailer cord high. a priority.
classrooms from our schools. I understand the importance of In school, we are re-envisioning Eric Adams is the Mayor of
Additionally, for the first time in early childhood education for suc- how our children are being taught by New York City, NY

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