Watch video here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N6b1_HAJVQ Over 490,000 Students Will Benefit From NYC Reads and NYC Solves By 2025-2026 School Year NYC Reads Will Be Implemented in Middle Schools for First Time New York – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos today expanded NYC Reads and NYC Solves to 186 additional schools across 14 districts evidence-based foundational reading and math curricula to middle school students across the five boroughs over 490,000 students will benefit from NYC Reads and NYC Solves by the 2025-2026 school year NYC Reads – already implemented at all K-5 schools and early childhood education programs – will be expanded starting with 102 middle schools in eight school districts NYC Solves will also expand to an additional six middle school districts supporting 84 additional schools and 32,000 additional students Mayor Adams announced that NYC Reads and NYC Solves will be fully implemented in middle schools across all districts by the 2027-2028 school year "As mayor and a proud product of New York City public schools I know firsthand the impact of not receiving the vital foundational support needed to thrive I prayed my teacher wouldn't call on me because our public school system didn't provide the opportunities needed to improve educational outcomes for students at every level But through the implementation of NYC Reads and NYC Solves we have brought evidence-based curricula to our public schools as we zero in on what's needed to teach our students how to read and do math," said Mayor Adams we are expanding these opportunities to now support a total of nearly 500,000 students across the city to make an impact that will last a lifetime By broadening these initiatives to reach more students we are continuing our track record of improving math and English language arts scores in New York City and helping ensure kids don't have to worry about being called on in class going forward." "Literacy and math skills form the foundation for bold futures our Black and Brown students were left behind," said Public Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos "We launched NYC Reads and NYC Solves – grounded in high-quality evidence-based instructional materials and strategies – to support all of our students as they build these critical We are thrilled to be able to expand these transformative initiatives to reach even more students in even more grade bands." and 13 will be using middle school curriculum from EL Education while schools in District 19 will use middle school curriculum from Wit & Wisdom NYC Solves is expanding to middle schools in districts 5 and schools will have the option to choose between Illustrative Mathematics Districts that are already participating in NYC Solves will continue to use Illustrative Mathematics all public high schools and 101 middle schools use high-quality curriculum for math instruction as announced under the first phase of NYC Solves teachers will begin professional development for NYC Reads and NYC Solves there will be 12 days of job-embedded coaching in the fall with the opportunity for additional training as requested The Adams administration has long prioritized literacy and mathematics instruction championing the standardized use of high-quality research-backed curricula options across districts NYC Reads and NYC Solves are the largest and most ambitious districtwide efforts in the country ensuring that all students are benefiting from high-quality curricula educators are receiving an unprecedented level of intensive training and coaching and visits to over 9,000 classrooms reveal that the curricula are being consistently used surveys have shown that more than 75 percent of leaders and teachers believe the support they're receiving is effective over 1,200 families have signed on as NYC Reads Ambassadors to support readers in their community giving away over 10,000 books to 1,600 families Over 57 percent of families have also reported an immediate positive impact in their child's reading Twenty-one literacy hubs were also established in nine districts adding books and other learning materials to public spaces "Our latest survey of educators is clear: confidence in NYC Reads and Solves is rising and the momentum is real," said Marielys Divanne "This expansion reflects what educators have been calling for – and it's a powerful sign that city leadership is listening Now we must get implementation right by investing in high-quality professional learning inclusive of peer-led training that helps educators meet the needs of all learners." pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov(212) 788-2958 who surged into the lead heading into the final turn a thrilling duel unfolded between Aviles and Charles Anderson Despite already having one race under his belt that day Aviles fought off fatigue and held off the challenge from the Dallas Carter sophomore Anderson gave chase valiantly but had to settle for second in 1:54.79 showing tremendous poise for a 10th grader Daniel Anderson claimed third with 1:56.12 rounding out a podium full of underclassman potential and senior redemption In a final that tested both tactics and toughness Victor Aviles reminded everyone why he's been one of the most reliable middle-distance runners in Texas over the past two years-and this time NYC Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Avilés-Ramos and BIHS students “The students at Brooklyn International High School are a testament to what can be achieved when you bring together the nation’s largest public school system and largest urban university,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V “We are thrilled to be able to partner with New York City Public Schools to empower students on their journey towards higher education and prepare them for successful careers as educators.” “This visit is a powerful reminder of how partnerships can expand opportunity for our students,” said NYC Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Avilés-Ramos “Through initiatives like College Now and FutureReadyNYC we are providing access to college and career pathways for more students we are investing in the next generation of educators and building an inclusive New York City economy We want to ensure all students see themselves in the future of our city.” Students at Brooklyn International High School who are predominantly English Language Learners are part of FutureReadyNYC’s education pathway industry-aligned career pathways offered by the program The other industries are business and finance human and social services and HVAC and other green careers FutureReadyNYC offers students opportunities to explore a range of careers and access paid work experience along with personalized career advising The initiative builds on the success of College Now a CUNY dual enrollment program that enables more than 28,000 high school students to earn up to 15 college credits at CUNY colleges each year Colleges participating in these programs work with high schools to offer courses often giving students the opportunity to earn dual high school and college credits Partnership between these programs ensures students receive comprehensive industry-specific experiences throughout all four years of high school CUNY supplies one-third of new teachers entering the NYCPS system each year BIHS student Arika Ather presents one of the college-level courses to CUNY Chancellor Félix V Arika Ather completed college courses and earned work and internship experiences at New York Presbyterian Hospital and as a school-based tech assistant Through FutureReadyNYC and College Now Arika has earned 12 college credits at Medgar Evers and LaGuardia Community College “I explored different pedagogies and thought about the possibilities in education,” said Arika about her experience Arika will be studying psychology at Hunter Brooklyn International has offered College Now courses for two decades through a partnership with two CUNY colleges: LaGuardia in Queens and New York City College of Technology in Brooklyn Brooklyn International allows students to work collaboratively on projects they present to community members and complete internships in 11th grade to gain real-world work experience and insight into career paths like education For Brooklyn International senior Mushtariy Abdualimova “FutureReadyNYC is all about communication and growth.” Through her participation in both programs Mushtariy has been able to complete internships at the Council of Peoples Organization and Henry Street Settlement and will earn 16 CUNY credits by the time she graduates Mushtariy is interested in business and science and will be attending Brooklyn College in the fall The chancellors’ visit also follows on the heels of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proclamation declaring April as Financial Aid Awareness Month in New York State dedicated to providing students and families with the information and resources they need to make higher education accessible and affordable Last year’s Financial Aid Awareness Month saw more than 390,000 FAFSA forms and over 23,000 TAP applications submitted ensuring more students received the financial assistance they needed New York City Public Schools is a testament to the history and impact of urban education in the United States With over 1,600 schools spread across five boroughs the system is made up of approximately 1.1 million students and staff making it the largest public school system in the nation These schools employ more than 75,000 teachers who deliver a rich tapestry of educational experiences to a student body that reflects the city’s vibrant and diverse cultural heritage This network of educational institutions represents not just the scale of New York City’s commitment to public education but also its dedication to fostering a learning environment that is as dynamic and diverse as the city itself 10 CUNY Colleges Designated as Leading Research Institutions by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education CUNY to Centralize Discrimination and Harassment Policies and Processes Across the University’s 25 Colleges Emergency lawsuit filed in federal court to again halt removals under the Alien Enemies Act for people within that court’s judicial district Supreme Court decision on April 7 lifting a nationwide temporary restraining order in a challenge to President Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act a 1798 wartime act the administration is trying to use to bypass immigration law the Supreme Court also ordered that people targeted for removal under the act are entitled to challenge their removals and must have meaningful notice and opportunity to do so Court: District Court (District of Nevada) Find sanctuary city resources from the City of Portland's Immigrant & Refugee Program including free legal services and state resources for reporting hate crimes Urban Forestry Tree Planting Coordinator Mari Aviles has been selected to receive an Individual Award from Oregon Community Trees and the Oregon Department of Forestry.  This award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to urban forestry in Oregon and protecting the state’s urban forests.  Mari is being recognized for her leadership in recruiting and supporting minority- and woman-owned tree planting and establishment firms Her work has helped Urban Forestry move closer to its goal of planting 10,000 trees each year.  She also provides contractor trainings in the field in both Spanish and English Mari values the role of field crews in planting success and gives them the guidance and tools they need to do their jobs well Her approach has led to a reduction in issues found during inspections.  Mari has expanded the Free Street Tree program from a one-person project managing a few hundred trees to a nine-person team that now oversees thousands of trees The team currently works with eight contractors See something we could improve on this page? Give website feedback The City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services. Request an ADA accommodation or call 503-823-4000, Relay Service: 711 503-823-4000  Traducción e Interpretación | Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch | 口笔译服务 | Устный и письменный перевод | Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad | Письмовий і усний переклад | Traducere și interpretariat | Chiaku me Awewen Kapas | अनुवादन तथा व्याख्या New York City’s Education Department plans to train hundreds of new parent volunteers to help families overcome challenges affecting school attendance Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said Thursday The department will also launch new student-led anti-vaping and anti-bullying campaigns These programs are the first steps in a plan called NYCPS Cares, created in response to the problems Aviles-Ramos heard during a five-borough listening tour she held in recent months. Among the issues that came up at these sessions: youth struggles with mental health students feeling unsafe commuting to school and the need for expanded access to sports and other extracurriculars “We cannot punish parents when kids cannot get to school what is keeping your children from getting to school and how can we help you?‘” Aviles-Ramos said Thursday in East Harlem kicking off the initiative “Our parent leaders are our best partners to make sure we give our parents everything they need so our babies can get to school every single day.” The “family connectors” program will train participants on how to help families in their schools access such city resources as housing support Officials will begin rolling the program out in 12 of the city’s 32 community school districts that have higher levels of poverty but said people from other districts can also apply The city ultimately plans to have a family connector in each of the city’s 1,600 public schools The program is unpaid for parent volunteers, unlike a previous COVID-era initiative that paid parents $500 stipends to become “wellness ambassadors.” Chalkbeat New York is bringing thousands of subscribers the news on public schools and education policy that they need to start their day Sign up for our free newsletter to join them By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice and European users agree to the data transfer policy. You may also receive occasional messages from sponsors joked that he was looking forward to “another unpaid job.” Many of the primary roles for parent leaders — including serving on Community Education Councils and the Panel for Educational Policy — are uncompensated But McLean said the effort could still be a “gamechanger” by “codifying” and offering additional support for the kinds of work that many involved parent leaders already perform The advantage of keeping the position unpaid is that parent volunteers may feel less beholden to the Education Department then you are limited to what you can say or do,” McLean said Aviles-Ramos echoed that the initiative is largely about “formalizing the work [parent leaders] are already doing organically.” The anti-bullying and anti-vaping initiative is expected to tap students to deliver the message to their peers rather than adults Annual student surveys show that bullying, particularly online, is a rising concern for city students Roughly 43% of students in the most recent survey reported seeing regular bullying and harassment online “These campaigns will tell you more than ‘don’t vape’ and ‘don’t bully’ because we know how effective that is,” Aviles-Ramos said a middle school student wearing an “Escape the Vape” shirt at Thursday’s event said he’s been part of a group brainstorming effective messages to steer peers away from vaping telling athletes “they won’t be able to continue what they’re doing” if they vape It wasn’t immediately clear whether the campaigns would require additional funding State Attorney General Letitia James announced last year she was sending $27 million to New York City for anti-vaping campaigns The money came from a settlement in a successful lawsuit against the e-cigarette giant Juul which was accused of illegally marketing its products to youth including literacy and math curriculum overhauls Michael Elsen-Rooney is a reporter for Chalkbeat New York, covering NYC public schools. Contact Michael at melsen-rooney@chalkbeat.org The seven new schools are part of a multiyear flurry of openings that city officials hope will reinvigorate the system at a time of faltering enrollment and New Jersey have in-state tuition programs for undocumented students the Trump administration plans to take action against those programs A funding shortfall in the state budget forced New York City to freeze enrollment for a popular child care voucher program for low-income families Superintendent Aleesia Johnson said that while she’s deeply concerned about the changes brought by a new property tax law the district will strive to engage the community Here’s what I wish I could say when someone asks President Donald Trump’s proposed federal budget would cut nearly $6 billion from K-12 education the proposal offers insight into Trump’s plans Thousands of New Yorkers are getting a 3-minute rundown of the city's big education stories and statewide policy changes every weekday morning Sign up for Chalkbeat New York's free newsletter to join them today By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice and European users agree to the data transfer policy. You may also receive occasional messages from sponsors CHALKBEAT IS A CIVIC NEWS COMPANY NEWSROOM ©2025 Summer camps, local vendors, and job opportunities – the Local Showcase & Spring Show has it all! Looking for a fun spring event for the whole family? Don’t miss the free-to-attend Local Showcase & Spring Show from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center, 1525 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb. With more than 100 vendors attending, this is your chance to discover and connect with local businesses and organizations in a fun way! Vendors will be on site to engage the community with interactive displays, live demonstrations, giveaways, raffles, games, swag, and more. Concessions will also be available for purchase during the event. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to connect with our vibrant community! Every member of the family has something to look forward to at the Local Showcase & Spring Show with a Kid’s Campground featuring activities and information about local summer camps. Summer camps will include NIU’s Athletics for youth through high school, STEAM for youth through middle school, and Visual and Performing Arts for youth through high school. Job seekers can explore employment opportunities and resources offered by local businesses and organizations. Whether you’re looking for a full-time position, part-time work, or a summer job, this event is a great opportunity to connect face-to-face with potential employers, ask questions, and learn more about openings in a variety of industries. Bring your resume and get ready to make meaningful connections! Whether you’re a family looking for a fun afternoon, a job seeker exploring new opportunities, or a community member wanting to connect with local businesses, the Local Showcase & Spring Show has something for you. Kids will love the interactive activities in the Kid’s Campground, while adults can enjoy discovering new products and services, and networking with area professionals. It’s a celebration of all the exciting things our community has to offer this spring! The Local Showcase & Spring Show is the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce’s biggest event of the year and is presented by XCEL Orthopedics Clinic. To learn more visit dekalb.org, follow along on social media @dekalbilchamber, or contact the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce at 815-756-6306. Copyright © 2023 Shaw Local News Network Watch video here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkmC2IyNPdY Announcement Builds on Mayor Adams' Record of Investments in New York City Public Schools Including Additional Funds for Implementation of Class Size Law New York – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos today announced that nearly 750 schools as part of Mayor Adams' Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget will be given the authority to support the hiring of over 3,700 teachers across the public school system to reduce class sizes Following a careful joint review of hundreds of schools' proposed plans by New York City Public Schools and the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA) this investment supports increased compliance with the class size law for the 2025-2026 school year utilizing a school-driven framework for class size reduction "A reduced class size is one of the best ways to help our students learn and for young people to thrive we are taking yet another step toward making New York City the best place on the globe to raise a family," said Mayor Adams "By investing in the hiring of 3,700 additional teachers at 750 public schools across the five boroughs for the 2025-2026 school year we will help give our schools the ability to create smaller more nurturing classrooms where all our students can excel and be provided more individualized care Let me do the math: we have 750 schools over five boroughs with 3,700 additional teachers – equaling incredible benefits for New York City public school students We look forward to continuing to work with our union partners to implement our plan maintain compliance with class size regulations and further enhance learning environments across the city." "Today's announcement is a demonstration of genuine collaboration with our union partners and represents a commitment to listening to our schools," said Public Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos "We are so proud to be making this new investment in our schools supporting 750 of them to lower their class sizes for their students all done in a way that's driven by our school leaders and school communities." "What seemed impossible has become possible because of the sheer determination of educators and parents," said UFT President Michael Mulgrew "We are taking a huge step towards lowering class sizes for all our students." "School leaders deeply understand the impact that smaller class sizes can have on student learning and engagement We applaud our principals and their school leadership teams for the diligent work that will allow our system to meet the new class size thresholds by September," said CSA President Henry D "We commend and thank Mayor Adams for this meaningful investment and their teams have supported school leaders with the resources they need – whether replacing expiring federal funds holding schools harmless for enrollment losses or negotiating a fair contract that honors the vital role of school leaders Our principals are committed to implementing these plans with care and integrity in service of students and we look forward to our continuing collaboration to meet class size targets next year and beyond." This notification to principals comes in advance of distribution of Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget allocations to allow additional time to support principals in hiring teachers and appropriately planning for the 2025-2026 school year including dollars for class size reduction will be shared with schools later in the spring as is standard process and today's announcement builds on that investment and shows Mayor Adams' commitment to investing in New York City families X"She fought tenaciously for my future, and thanks to her love and support, I became the first in my family to graduate from both high school and college," writes New York City schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos of her mother. Above, Mayor Eric Adams announces Aviles-Ramos as the new public schools’ chancellor. (Michael Appleton / Mayoral Photography Office) I was the third child of a single mother from Puerto Rico my family experienced what so many families in our city have gone through: unstable housing schools that were chronically failing their students my mother watched as her first two children attended public schools that seemed more like places to babysit young people than places that develop future leaders taking on extra jobs and sacrificing in ways large and small to be able to send me to a private Catholic school I became the first in my family to graduate from both high school and college Not long after, as a new alumna of Fordham University, I was riding the subway one day when I saw an ad for the New York City Teaching Fellows program That subway ride marked the start of my teaching career and my life’s work – to ensure no parent has to make the impossible choices my mom did to ensure that any mother can confidently enroll her daughter in the local public school and she will be prepared to take on the world I am that mother; I’m the proud parent of a New York City public school student and I’ve witnessed and helped drive these changes firsthand — as a teacher Earlier this month, I became chancellor and my work is focused on making sure every New York City parent’s first choice is a public school To do that, I will double down on the initiatives started under Mayor Adams and Chancellor David Banks. I believe deeply in the work we’ve begun — from NYC Reads and NYC Solves to our reimagined Student Pathways — and I plan to see these priorities through Our schools must provide every student with a solid foundation in reading and math and prepare them for well-paying jobs The values my mother instilled in me — and her support and persistence — got me where I am today And while our schools’ focus will not change I also want to uplift three more priority areas based on my lived experiences as someone whose entire life and career has been shaped by this school system I plan to extend and expand our work in this area so that every school is the safe and nurturing environment it must be for every child I will strengthen our support for teachers and I know that our teachers can only do their best work if they receive the resources and training they deserve we have cemented new labor contracts for teachers and our literacy and math initiatives NYC Reads and NYC Solves are providing unprecedented levels of on-the-job coaching But I think there is even more we can do to solicit teacher feedback and continuously push professional development providers to meet the unique needs of our schools The training we provide today will benefit students for decades as our educators embrace proven approaches to reading and math and grow in their skills and I am eager to continue connecting with our families and centering their voices in meaningful and innovative ways Sitting on that subway all those years ago staring up at the ad for New York City Teaching Fellows I could never have imagined that I’d one day be chancellor of the largest school district in the nation But the values my mother instilled in me — and her support and persistence — got me where I am today I pledge to channel that same persistence to advocate not just for my own daughter Our public schools are and must be places where every one of our children can reach their full potential Melissa Aviles-Ramos is chancellor of New York City Public Schools Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8TfzIcmjcU Lifelong Educator Aviles-Ramos Has Been with New York City Public Schools for Nearly Two Decades Has Proven Record of Drastically Increasing Graduation Rates Announcement Builds on Nearly Three-Years of Signature Education Accomplishments That Transformed How Students Learn to Read and Do Math; Expanded Access to Early Childhood Education New York – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced Melissa Aviles-Ramos a veteran of New York City Public Schools and a lifelong educator Aviles-Ramos is the highest-ranking Latina and Spanish-speaking leader in New York City Public Schools and currently serves as deputy chancellor for family and community engagement and external affairs She brings a wealth of experience fostering community engagement and supporting families to her new role having joined New York City Public Schools in 2007 as an English teacher and then went on to serve as an assistant principal principal (where she brought up graduation rates by 60 percent in just two years) Her efforts have included creating advisory councils and spearheading initiatives that address critical issues affecting students and their families I could not be prouder to announce somebody who possesses a fierce commitment to public education as our next public schools chancellor "Melissa is a veteran of New York City Public Schools and a lifelong educator serving in numerous roles in our public school system and I believe she is the right woman for the moment I thank Chancellor Banks for his tireless dedication to New York City families and what we have accomplished together over the last nearly three years instituting nation-leading universal dyslexia screenings and dramatically expanding access to early childhood education we have delivered for New York City families under Chancellor Banks and we look forward to that continued leadership under Chancellor Aviles-Ramos." "Becoming the chancellor for nation's largest school district is the ultimate job for a lifelong educator," said incoming Public Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos "As a former teacher and a mom of a public-school student I believe strongly in our work and in maintaining stability through this transition we will continue to strengthen our supports for students with disabilities and multilingual learners improve our city's literacy and math proficiency rates help our older students forge pathways to a bright future I am so grateful for Chancellor Banks' leadership and I thank Mayor Adams for entrusting me with continuing the work that began under his tenure." from record graduation rates to expanding opportunities through our Career Pathways initiative I'm proud to welcome Melissa Avilés-Ramos as our new chancellor whose deep commitment to family and community engagement will build on this success Her leadership and experience will further strengthen our schools ensuring that every student has the support they need to thrive," said Public Schools Chancellor Banks we'll continue our mission of delivering a world-class education for every child in New York City." "Chancellor Banks has been a passionate advocate for New York City Public Schools since his appointment and we are deeply grateful for his steadfast service From his days as a school safety officer to his role as chancellor he has been unwavering in his dedication to one critical mission: educating and empowering the next generation of New Yorkers New York City Public Schools has made tremendous strides in serving the nearly 1 million students across our city and excellence," said City Hall Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack "I have every confidence that our incoming chancellor Melissa is not only a product of New York City Public Schools but is also a first-generation high school and college graduate — a lifelong educator who truly understands the transformative power of education Her journey from the classroom to Tweed exemplifies her deep commitment to making our schools more accessible and effective for all students and families I am certain that New York City Public Schools is in excellent hands." "New York City Public Schools made tremendous strides under Chancellor Banks' visionary leadership and will continue to do so under the steadfast direction of Melissa Aviles-Ramos" said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright "With student possibility as the North Star New York City Public Schools has been reimagined: establishing 'NYCReads' for revolutionary student and teacher support enrolling 114,000 more children in early childhood programs and seeing significant gains in math scores for Black and Latino students — these are the accomplishments that Chancellor Aviles-Ramos will build from I am thrilled to welcome her as our next leader of New York City Public Schools." "New York City Public Schools has made significant strides in recent years," said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne William-Isom "From enhanced literacy programs to partnering with NYC Health + Hospitals the Administration for Children's Services the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and others to provide young people not just a quality education but resources for mental health and parent supports Thank you to Chancellor Banks for his leadership over this period and congratulations to incoming Chancellor Aviles-Ramos I've worked closely with incoming Chancellor Aviles-Ramos to help more than 40,000 young people from families seeking asylum integrate into our public school system and advocacy for children and families firsthand and I look forward to continuing to work with her in her new role as we work to give every young person the chance to thrive." "Chancellor Banks' leadership has been a remarkable catalyst for progress in New York City Public Schools I extend my heartfelt gratitude for his unwavering commitment to our students and families," said Deputy Mayor of Strategic Initiatives Ana J I am thrilled to welcome incoming Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos the highest-ranking Latina and Spanish-speaking leader of New York City Public Schools I look forward to collaborating with Chancellor Aviles-Ramos to address the needs of our youngest learners Her leadership will leave a profound impact on New York City." Mayor Adams also today celebrated the highly successful tenure of New York City Public Schools over the last three years where signature Adams administration initiatives were ushered in and students saw increased access and equity to the largest school system in the nation Aviles-Ramos started her career as an English teacher at Truman High School in 2007 before moving on to become the principal at Schuylerville Preparatory High School where she increased the graduation rate from 23 percent to 68 percent in her first year and from 68 percent to 83 percent in her second year with approximately 71 percent of English language learner students being deemed as college ready She went on to serve as a senior executive director of program implementation in the Office of the First Deputy Chancellor before transitioning to chief of staff to Chancellor Banks then ascending to her current role of deputy chancellor of family and community engagement and external affairs Aviles-Ramos holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fordham University and a Master of Arts degree from CUNY City College “Congratulations to Melissa Aviles-Ramos on her appointment as incoming New York City’s Public Schools Chancellor,” said New York State Senator Jamaal T A proud Bronxite who never forgot about her roots beginning her educational leadership journey as an English teacher in her home borough incoming Chancellor Aviles-Ramos knows all about bringing things full circle particularly in raising graduation rates by 60 percent during her years as principal and dedication to community engagement and student success make her an inspiring choice for this role She has an unwavering commitment to the families of New York City and is well-positioned to continue fostering positive change in our public schools and I look forward to the impactful work she will accomplish in her new position .Her appointment as Chancellor is a well-deserved recognition of her career contributions in education and I am confident that she will continue to strengthen the bond between our schools and the communities- the families- that they serve She will continue to build bridges and strengthen the greatest public school system in the nation to even higher heights.”  “Congratulations to Melissa Aviles-Ramos on her appointment as the new Chancellor of New York City Public Schools,” said New York State Senator Luis R “Incoming Chancellor Aviles-Ramos has an impressive resume From her early days as an English teacher to becoming the highest-ranking Puerto Rican and Spanish-speaking Latina leader in our schools Melissa has consistently demonstrated her commitment to the education of our children and families I am excited to work closely with her to enhance the educational experience in the Bronx and throughout the city and ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive.”    “I congratulate our incoming Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar “A veteran of our public school system for almost two decades Aviles-Ramos boasts experience as a teacher Her distinguished accomplishments include managing Project Open Arms to integrate thousands of new migrant students into our school system and increasing graduation rates in her school by 60 percent After teaming up with Chancellor Banks to win the Diwali school holiday fight I look forward to partnering with our next chancellor to continue improving educational outcomes and advancing inclusivity for all 1.1 million students in the nation’s largest school system.”  “We are excited to welcome Melissa Aviles-Ramos as the new Chancellor of New York City Schools,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L “She is a leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as an educator and education administrator with a record of equipping our scholars with the tools they need to succeed We look forward to collaborating with our new chancellor to increase access and opportunities for youth in the Bronx and across the city I also want to express our deepfelt gratitude and appreciation to her predecessor for his dedicated leadership and partnership for many years supporting our scholars in the Bronx We wish him and our new chancellor the very best as they both prepare for their new chapters.”  “The needs of our hundreds of thousands of public school students here in Queens are as great as they are diverse,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr “But I have the utmost confidence in incoming New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos a skilled educator and trailblazer with a proven track record of success as she steps into that critical leadership role in 2025 I congratulate her on her historic appointment and I thank outgoing Public Schools Chancellor David Banks for his decades of service and advocacy on behalf of our students across New York City.”  "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Melissa Ramos on her appointment as the new incoming Chancellor of New York City Public Schools," said New York City Councilmember Rita Joseph "I look forward to continuing the strong partnership between our schools and the City Council's education committee as we work together to provide the best possible education for all students Her leadership will be instrumental in shaping a brighter future for our schools and I look forward to collaborating with her to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive in our classrooms."  "Deputy Chancellor Aviles-Ramos brings invaluable leadership experience to this role having served in nearly every capacity within our schools — from teacher to principal to superintendent," said Keri Alfano I'm inspired by her passion for community engagement and her relentless focus on student success Her leadership is the kind we need to continue transforming our education system." "Deputy Chancellor Aviles-Ramos has already shown what a true advocate for families looks like through her work with Project Open Arms and other community-driven initiatives," said Grace Bonilla United Way of New York City." As someone who is deeply invested in the wellbeing of our children and families Her dedication to ensuring that every child and family is supported is exactly what our schools and city need." "Deputy Chancellor Aviles-Ramos has been a steadfast partner to me at every level," said Yvette Rivera "I can say that her ability to unite educators Her leadership in addressing critical issues like language access and the needs of migrant students has been extraordinary she will undoubtedly build an even more inclusive and equitable education system for all." I have seen the incredible work that Deputy Chancellor Aviles-Ramos has done in our schools and I am truly excited about her stepping into the role of chancellor," said Veronica Piedra Leon "Her deep commitment to family engagement and her hands-on experience in supporting our diverse communities make her the leader our children need I'm confident our schools will continue to be a safe and supportive place for every student I want to extend my gratitude to Chancellor Banks for being a champion for all of our students and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed." "Deputy Chancellor Aviles-Ramos' journey from classroom teacher to chancellor is inspiring for all of us who want the best for our children," said NeQuan C "Her understanding of the challenges faced by families reassures me that she will be a leader who listens and acts We are fortunate to have someone with such vision and compassion." Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TNCNFMn_SU Students Have Earned Over $18 Million Through Paid Apprenticeships and Work-Based Learning Experiences Adams Administration Has Broken All-Time Jobs Record Eight Times Since Start of Administration Unemployment Down Across All Demographic Groups as well as drop in unemployment across all demographic groups since the start of the Adams administration "Public education is one of the most important ways we can support our New York City families and paid work experience is an important part of that education," said Mayor Adams "Our administration is focused on giving our students the real-world experience they need to succeed when they enter the workforce that's why over the course of our administration we have helped young people earn a record total of over $18 million in paid apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities As we celebrate 120 years of providing career and technical education at our city's public schools we commit to ensuring our leaders of tomorrow have what they need to achieve economic opportunity Our mission is to keep New York City the greatest city in the world and the best place to raise a family we are delivering on building family-sustaining careers today and for future generations to come." New York City Public Schools' Career and Technical Education programs have opened doors to economic mobility and experience they need to thrive," said Public Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos we remain committed to strengthening these programs and ensuring all students have access to career-connected learning." The Adams administration continues to deliver on its commitment preparing students for success in high-demand industries with over 290 CTE programs in fields including fashion design students gain real-world experience through internships and mentorships that prepare them for the competitive job market A total of 60 FutureReadyNYC schools offer CTE programs side-by-side with their FutureReadyNYC programming with support from the New York City Jobs Council and CareerWise New York the city has placed over 500 New York City Public School students in apprenticeships over the last three years To further support students in foster care, Mayor Adams and the New York City Administration for Children's Services launched "College Choice," a program designed to provide college students in foster care with stronger support networks so they can attend the college of their dreams without having to worry about the hefty price tag "CTE is a vital tool to uplift our fellow New Yorkers giving them the freedom to stand on their own two feet," said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar "Through the dedication of New York City Public Schools our young people have earned over $18 million from apprenticeships and work-based learning putting money in their pockets for food on the table and a roof over their heads CTE provides thousands of future leaders with the skills needed for in-demand and rewarding careers At a time when our city boasts a record number of jobs we will ensure all New Yorkers reap the benefits of our red hot job market." This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page but he has not lost the support of his incoming schools chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos was announced Wednesday as David Banks’ successor and is expected to officially assume the role after he retires on Dec She reiterated her support for Adams during a Thursday interview with Chalkbeat and she emphasized her commitment to continuing his education agenda including an overhaul of literacy teaching in elementary schools “I share their vision … That’s why I agreed to be chancellor,” she said of Adams and Banks but I have to make sure that I keep the train moving.” The past few days have been a whirlwind for the nation’s largest school system. Banks, whose phones were seized by federal agents nearly three weeks ago along with those of other top officials, abruptly announced his retirement Tuesday Adams and Banks announced that Aviles-Ramos would become the city’s next schools chancellor Hours later, news broke of Adams’ indictment Adams strenuously denied the charges Thursday at a press conference in front of Gracie Mansion where he was flanked by supporters and heckled by protesters chanting … Our focus must remain the same: continuing to deliver for our fellow New Yorkers.” It’s unclear how long Aviles-Ramos could stay in her role especially if Adams is forced to step down and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams takes over But Aviles-Ramos said the uncertainty isn’t changing her approach Beyond reiterating her support for Adams on Thursday Aviles-Ramos – who has worked as a principal and led the city’s efforts to incorporate migrant students – laid out her alignment with Banks on a number of policy issues ranging from lowering class sizes to a citywide policy to integrate schools She also clarified that during the next three months she and Banks will jointly make policy decisions This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity The projected graduation rate was only 23% and a lot of that was due to poor programming So we had to sprint and figure out how to get those students those classes [they needed] What I learned from that is no one person has all the answers And so I spent a lot of time with my programmer I spent a lot of time with my students and with my teachers we had to really think about how do we design a program that doesn’t punish kids who thought that they were on track and also embraces the things that they like to do So it was a real lesson in leadership and how you have to listen to your community I actually was supposed to work with Monroe College back in 2022 And then [First Deputy Chancellor] Dan Weisberg said because I hear that you’d be really good to have on my team.” Dan and I just hit it off And he offered me the job [as senior executive director of his office] … which was how I inherited Project Open Arms [the city Education Department’s effort to incorporate migrant students] There was definitely a transparent conversation about a succession plan that occurred amongst the chancellor and the mayor and myself though definitely not the way that we do now Working closely with enrollment was how we were able to accommodate a lot of the families what I will say is that this was the last resort This is not something that anyone wants to do We had 45,000 students … My job is to operationalize it in a way that is going to make sense for families as best as possible and to make sure that there’s as little disruption to learning and what we have been working on is really empowering our superintendents and principals to build that ecosystem within their community Making sure that you’re not just a principal who is in your building and taking care of the programming and the curriculum but how are you interacting with the community people start entrusting you with their kids People move to neighborhoods because they want really good schools But in order for them to know what a school is like especially if there are four or five of them in one neighborhood and they need to know the school community The priorities that we have already set forth in this administration and have access to amazing careers after they graduate I see my role as making sure we get all of those things over the finish line so it’s incredibly important to me the work that’s happening in Future Ready But I also have a background in adolescent literacy I also know what it feels like when a 14-year-old young person doesn’t want to engage with their peers because they don’t want people to know that they are reading on a first- or second-grade reading level I don’t have to worry about competing priorities I believe in the role that I have currently and I’m going to stick to the task in front of me which is making sure that our kids and our families have everything they need Our plan is to continue working with the unions and with our internal folks to look at this on a case by case basis so I can’t sit here and say anything other than we have an amazing group of people and a strong partnership with the union and see where there are issues and how we can solve for them I do what is needed in communities and what the families are asking for Something that I want to drive is bilingual education I want to make sure that we prioritize support for those young people and that we do provide the support for the teachers We know that New York City Reads has been successful in bilingual classes I’ve spoken to a couple of teachers in schools who have said that this has been very helpful I am confident that any person who is involved in education would want to see children learning to read We’ve also been very transparent that this is a long road But we have done so much important foundational work with professional development This wasn’t just unboxing a curriculum and giving it to teachers There was a very strategic partnership with the [United Federation of Teachers] and with other organizations to provide that shoulder to shoulder We’ve worked really closely together in the last couple of years And one thing about the chancellor is that he makes decisions with his cabinet and I’m actually looking forward to the next three months Michael Elsen-Rooney is a reporter for Chalkbeat New York, covering NYC public schools. Contact Michael at melsen-rooney@chalkbeat.org Melissa Aviles Ramos’s new initiative neglects the city’s major education crises: rampant learning loss Last week, New York City Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles Ramos announced her first major initiative: NYCPS Cares which will train parent volunteers to offer support to families and students through city agencies as well as launch student-led campaigns addressing mental health issues One would hope that Ramos would attend first to these pressing issues she is prioritizing feel-good initiatives and union interests Ramos barely mentioned academic priorities “We have enough going on instructionally in our schools,” she said listing initiatives already in place but showing no concrete results Ramos will focus on “a student-led anti-bullying and anti-vaping campaign” and on the Family Connectors initiative which will link families with city agencies that offer housing Ramos and colleagues also heaped praise on teachers’ unions “Great things happen when we work with our unions,” the chancellor enthused the controversial president of the American Federation of Teachers community superintendent of District 4 (which covers East Harlem) encouraged the audience to “make a lot of noise” to welcome Michael Mulgrew president of the United Federation of Teachers And they need a chancellor with an agenda grounded in research and proven strategies—not In this year’s mayoral elections, New Yorkers have a chance to make changes Let’s hope the next mayor selects a schools chancellor who puts students first Danyela Souza Egorov is the founder of Families for NY and the 2025 William E Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images City Journal is a publication of the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research (MI) Are you interested in supporting the magazine donations in support of MI and City Journal are fully tax-deductible as provided by law (EIN #13-2912529) Copyright © 2025 Manhattan Institute for Policy Research Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More Veralyn Aviles is in the zone on the basketball court.  everything that I'm going through goes away A co-captain of the Murry Bergtraum Lady Blazers Aviles has been a trailblazer since day one She scored the most points in the Public School Athletic League her freshman year she notched the most assists in the P.S.A.L "I've liked seeing all my hard work pay off," she said for the work and focus that she put in into our craft,” Jeffrey Noel the head coach of the Lady Blazers basketball team the Williamsburg athlete surpassed her school's all time points record She scored more than 2,000 points with the Lady Blazers Her accomplishments have come with some devastating losses "There was nights I was going to school showering and staying up all night with my mother," she said.  during her sophomore year after a long battle with cancer just keep going and keep pushing," she said she continues to earn top grades at The Urban Assembly Maker Academy "I want to be able to go far in life and be successful,” Aviles said “So making sure my books are up to par with everything is one of my main priorities as well." but she's just one of those special kids that inspires her teachers," Daniel McQuillan Aviles’ social studies teacher and advisor In perhaps one of the sweetest wins of all the Lady Blazers took home the City Championship a couple of weeks ago "It was a surreal moment,” Aviles said it was something I've been wanting to do in my whole entire high school career." With the clock running down on her senior year Aviles hopes to play college ball at a Division I school in the fall She also wants to pursue a career in healthcare And she’ll do it all with the help of her heavenly cheering section And she's smiling down right now."   who helmed New York City’s efforts to incorporate thousands of migrant students into city schools will take over as schools chancellor following the departure of David Banks according to sources familiar with the situation Mayor Eric Adams was expected to announce Aviles-Ramos’ appointment Wednesday afternoon in the Bronx The succession plan follows Tuesday’s stunning news that Banks – a longtime friend of Adams who has served as schools chief since Adams took office in 2022 – was stepping down amid widening federal investigations into the Adams administration Banks will leave his post on Dec. 31, he said in a letter Tuesday. The announcement came three weeks after federal agents seized Banks’ phones Banks was the latest in a string of high-ranking city officials to announce their resignations in recent weeks throwing the Adams administration into chaos The quick naming of a successor to lead the Education Department is likely an effort to inject some stability into the operations of the largest city agency which oversees 1,600 schools and more than 900,000 students Aviles-Ramos, who currently serves as a deputy chancellor overseeing family engagement, took on the high-profile task of steering the Education Department’s efforts to incorporate the wave of migrant students who began arriving in Summer 2022 – an initiative the city dubbed Project Open Arms Adams has cited that effort as a major success of his administration “When you do an analysis of the last two years we incorporated over 40,000 students,” Adams said at a recent press conference “It’s clear the Project Open Arms … has really met the mark.” Aviles-Ramos began working in the city Education Department in 2007 as a teacher She left the city Education Department in February to take a job as a college administrator, only to come back several months later in the new role as deputy chancellor for family and community engagement and external affairs. She replaced longtime Banks ally Kenita Lloyd who took Aviles-Ramos’ old job as chief of staff Adams is expected to announce Aviles-Ramos’ appointment on Wednesday at the Bronx School for Law Government and Justice — a school Banks helped launch as its founding principal in 1997 Julian Shen-Berro is a reporter covering New York City. Contact him at jshen-berro@chalkbeat.org Alex Zimmerman is a reporter for Chalkbeat New York, covering NYC public schools. Contact Alex at azimmerman@chalkbeat.org Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos insists she’s working to make sure migrant families feel safe sending their children to school Advocates and principals say they’ve seen students stay home due to fears of increased immigration enforcement under the Trump administration “We are absolutely committed to making sure that every single student in New York City remembers that this is a safe and inclusive space for them,” Aviles-Ramos told NY1 after an event marking World Read Aloud Day in the Bronx “We are doing multiple trainings on our policy to make sure that families and principals know that schools are safe spaces,” she continued “And in the event that someone does come to the school But that messaging needs to be clear not only to the school district the school leaders and the district leaders she acknowledged to lawmakers there that attendance had dipped in the weeks following the inauguration has argued attendance should be compared month over month Aviles-Ramos was asked about the disconnect “There are a number of things that contribute to attendance dips from weather to the fear of parents sending their children to school during these times variables — there are a number of factors that contribute to a dip in attendance,” she said at his weekly City Hall press availability Mayor Adams was again asked about attendance “You don’t measure attendance week by week There was a lot of things that was happening that week I think the Regents was happening that week That’s why you don’t do week to week,” he said Critics have argued the mayor has been too deferential to the Trump administration “There is this desire that people seem to have of The president is proposing to disband the federal Department of Education and its potential impact on the city “There would be a potential for about $2 billion of federal funding to be cut from our budget And so that would mean cutbacks to certain programs and supports for our schools,” Aviles-Ramos said There have been no reports of federal immigration authorities trying to enter any city schools Newly minted New York City schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos stopped by the nation’s largest high school on Tuesday to continue a push started by her predecessor: to encourage more students to apply to the City University of New York who took the helm of the nation’s largest school system last week visited Brooklyn Technical High School to assure students they would have a spot at CUNY if they wanted one you have a place at CUNY,” Aviles-Ramos told a group of seniors gathered in the school’s library before she and CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez handed out “welcome” letters to the students laying out the fine print regarding CUNY admissions CUNY’s four-year colleges are selective and require applications while two-year programs guarantee admission to all high school graduates The 6,000-student Brooklyn Tech — one of the city’s eight specialized high schools that admit students on the basis of a single test — is among the largest school feeders to the CUNY system and sent some 400 students last year The letter distribution campaign is the continuation of an effort launched last year by Matos Rodríguez and former schools Chancellor David Banks, who recently departed amid a swirl of federal investigations into Mayor Eric Adams’ administration It’s part of a larger initiative to boost applications from city public school students to CUNY, which, like many colleges, has been affected by a pandemic enrollment slump and shifting norms around higher education. Along with waiving application fees for a larger percentage of city students, the letters helped spur a dramatic spike in CUNY applications which multiplied nearly fivefold last fall compared to the year before More than 80% of CUNY freshmen come from the city’s public high schools Schools are distributing an estimated 65,000 CUNY welcome letters again this year to all high school seniors. CUNY is waiving application fees for all city public school students from Oct with the steepest drops coming in the community colleges Overall college enrollment among New York City public school students has also started to rebound. Around 73% of 2022 high school graduates enrolled in higher education within six months. That was down from a peak of 81% in 2018 but up from 71% in 2021, according to the most recently available city data A spike in applications doesn’t always translate to increased enrollment, some experts have cautioned. Students also faced stronger-than-normal headwinds last year after the botched rollout of a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form disrupted the financial aid process for students across the country CUNY was able to weather those issues better than some CUNY has also been trying to position itself as an antidote to one of a number of factors that drove down college enrollment including mounting concerns about debt and shifting perceptions of whether college is a worthwhile investment Roughly three-quarters of students at CUNY which costs roughly $3,500 a semester at its four-year colleges for New York residents The same percentage graduates with no debt Brooklyn Tech Assistant Principal Lourdes Cuesta said CUNY is a critical option for students who want or need to stay close to home “Where is a decent education that my parents know that is affordable About 19% of 2023 Brooklyn Tech graduates enrolled in a CUNY four-year college and another 3% went to a CUNY community college Aviles-Ramos offered a personal plug for CUNY citing her positive experience as a graduate student at City College after struggling as an undergraduate at Fordham University “I was working three jobs … and I was lacking a lot of the soft skills” like study strategies and time management really bad when I graduated,” leaving her concerned she wouldn’t get a job as a teacher But staffers at City College’s teaching masters program saw her potential and helped her earn the degree that launched her career in education That message resonated with 17-year-old Armani Maharjan a Brooklyn Tech senior who attended Tuesday’s event “I know we’re supposed to be a specialized high school but there’s still so many kids here that struggle,” she said “The fact that they’re saying that we’re all welcome at CUNY is really nice And how the chancellor was talking about how she had a low GPA but still got to finish as a teacher Michael Elsen-Rooney is a reporter for Chalkbeat New York, covering NYC public schools. Contact Michael at melsen-rooney@chalkbeat.org Video available at: https://youtu.be/Z8NmgFaZga4 NYC Health + Hospitals-Staffed School-Based Clinics Serve More Than 6,000 New York City Public Schools Students Across Bronx and Central Brooklyn  Builds on Adams Administration’s $5 Million Mental Health Continuum Partnership Which Serves More Than 20,000 Students   Part of Adams Administration’s “Mental Health Week,” Highlighting City’s Multi-Agency Efforts to Connect New Yorkers with Mental Health Services   we hear from New Yorkers that mental health is a major issue which is why our administration continues to gather the resources that our young people need As we mark ‘Mental Health Week’ and highlight the city’s multi-agency efforts to support New Yorkers,’ we’re celebrating the opening of our 16th school-based mental health clinic which will bring in-person services to more than 6,000 students at public schools in the South Bronx and Brooklyn,” said Mayor Adams and will enable teachers to get training to ensure students are fully supported These are places where our children know they have a support system they can rely on “We know that improving access to care means we must go beyond our hospital walls and offer innovative mental health programs in our schools and in the community to effectively meet the mental health needs of our young people,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Dr “We are proud of opening all 16 satellite clinics which provide our students with timely access to clinical mental health services both inside of schools and at outpatient clinics Our goal is to provide youth with mental health services where they need them the most and today’s announcement celebrates our progress as we continue to increase access to care.”  “I am so honored to join the Bronx community as we celebrate the opening of our 16th school-based mental health clinic a crucial step in expanding access to vital support for our students Through this longstanding partnership with DOHMH and NYC Health + Hospitals we are ensuring every that student has the resources they need to succeed,” said Public Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos “This clinic adds to our growing network of over 200 mental health clinics and partnerships with more than 130 community organizations all backed by our dedicated team of guidance counselors and social workers We are committed to fostering an environment where mental health is truly prioritized alongside academic achievement and as a core pillar of student safety and wellbeing.”  In addition to the 16 new school-based satellite clinics an additional 34 schools have access to rapid referrals for evaluation and treatment directly into NYC Health + Hospitals’ outpatient mental health clinics this program serves over 20,000 students across 50 schools in the South Bronx and Central Brooklyn.  New York City Public Schools prioritizes its mental health resources through a wide breadth of initiatives hosting 215 school-based mental health clinics access to care through school-based primary care clinics partnerships with more than 130 community-based organizations and thousands of guidance counselors and social workers based in schools across the city.  The 16 schools that now host mental health clinics were identified through an ongoing collaborative and data-driven effort to identify schools with the highest needs across the city particularly schools without on-site mental health services or community partnerships with mental health clinics This model aims to meet the needs of students with significant mental health needs in the schools and neighborhoods with the highest rates of school interventions NYC Health + Hospitals opened mental health satellite clinics in the following schools:  and developing curricula about the effects of social media and how to stay safe online.  that outlined New York City's commitment to protecting the mental health of young New Yorkers and empowered them to use these technologies in ways that are less harmful The launch and early success of NYC Teenspace delivers on a key commitment from Care identifying unfettered access to and use of social media as a public health hazard surgeons general have done with tobacco and firearms and recommended parents delay initiation of social media for their child until at least age 14.  Alongside the Adams administration’s focus on mental health, Mayor Adams also launched “HealthyNYC,” an ambitious plan to extend the average lifespan of all New Yorkers HealthyNYC addresses the greatest drivers of premature death and sets bold targets to extend the average life expectancy of New Yorkers to 83 years by 2030 with gains across racial and ethnic groups expanding access to culturally-responsive mental health care and social support services including early intervention for communities of color and LGBTQIA+ youth as well as addressing the impact of social media on youth mental health and suicidal ideation to reduce suicide deaths.  One day after schools Chancellor David Banks abruptly announced that he will retire at the end of the year he and Mayor Eric Adams tried to project an air of calm as they formally introduced the woman who will lead the Education Department “I want you to see me as a symbol of stability,” said Aviles-Ramos, who was quick to cement herself as an ally to Adams as he faces growing pressure from some local and state officials to step down “Mayor Adams is New York City,” she said at a press conference you would look at mayors and you would see someone cold and inaccessible and on the news Adams and Banks publicly announced the succession plan at the Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice, where Banks was founding principal in 1997 31 retirement plans — and their choice to tap Aviles-Ramos — predated the current swirl of federal investigations started in the system as a high school English teacher in 2007 and then rose to being a principal She was responsible for overseeing the Education Department’s effort two years ago to help the thousands of migrant students coming into the school system She left the department in February to work at a college only to return this summer to assume a role as deputy chancellor for family and community engagement and external affairs Aviles-Ramos’ return was part of a handoff plan that had long been in the works The mayor tied conversations about Banks’ retirement to January while Banks said those conversations “intensified” in the early months of the summer Though running the nation’s largest school system is considered one of the most prestigious — and difficult — education jobs in the country multiple observers said it would be next to impossible to attract a talented leader outside the city The next schools chief may only be in the role for a year if Adams does not win re-election — or less if he is forced to resign “It’s hard to imagine who would want to work under Eric Adams right now given the cloud and chaos surrounding his mayoral administration,” said Aaron Pallas a professor at Columbia University’s Teachers College and longtime observer of the city’s school system Asked about his decision to step down in the middle of the school year Banks said remaining in his role until June was “a romantic notion.” Banks departs at a pivotal time for some of his key initiatives — including a literacy curriculum overhaul — but he said Wednesday that he will leave in December with “no regrets.” “I gave it everything that I had,” he said city officials portrayed Aviles-Ramos as a talented manager who impressed City Hall by coordinating across multiple agencies to support migrant students as part of Project Open Arms Banks described her as hard-working and single-minded but also called her “side-cracking funny.” Aviles-Ramos has also won fierce loyalty from some principals she worked with both as a colleague and a superintendent overseeing Bronx high schools “She’s the kind of person you would follow into the gates of hell and back,” said Ron Link principal of the Theatre Arts Production Company School in the Bronx who got to know Aviles-Ramos when she oversaw his school as a deputy and acting superintendent Other education leaders who have worked with Aviles-Ramos pointed to her experience up and down the Education Department’s organizational chart “She is one of these people that is able to take the experiences she’s had as a teacher and speak with authority on what those roles entail and the challenges that folks in those roles face — but can think at a big systems level,” said Mark Dunetz president of New Visions for Public Schools an organization that supports a network of city schools Aviles-Ramos leaned heavily on her Bronx roots She noted her family had struggled with the city’s schools in the 1980′s “The Bronx was a forgotten place,” she said “Public schools did not work out so well for my two siblings … They had to fend for themselves and find their way after school.” worked hard cooking and cleaning in order to pay tuition at a Catholic school But Aviles-Ramos said that if families leave the system it shouldn’t be because they don’t have good public options “We shouldn’t have to move to different districts,” she said who retired as principal of Herbert Lehman High School in 2023 got to know Aviles-Ramos well when she took over in 2016 as principal of Schuylerville Preparatory High School The school was in rough shape when she came in and just 26% of students graduated within four years the year she started Aviles-Ramos helped push that number to 67% the next year whom he described as a “very thoughtful planner,” to make good use of the coming months to map out a smoother transition He said he thinks she will focus on supporting teachers, a key task as educators adapt to sweeping curriculum mandates Some caregivers said they were glad the next chancellor already has relationships with parent leaders as Aviles-Ramos served for the past three months as the deputy chancellor overseeing family and community engagement Though some education leaders treat soliciting input from parents as a box-checking exercise “it’s definitely going to go beyond [that] with her,” said Shirley Aubin the co-chair of the Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Council “She respects and appreciates the parents and families and community voice.” a vast bureaucracy with roughly 130,000 staffers and 900,000 students is a tall order under normal circumstances The situation Aviles-Ramos is stepping into is hardly normal Her predecessor is leaving amid several federal investigations of the mayor’s administration which could cut short the mayoralty of Adams leaving the length of Aviles-Ramos’ tenure uncertain Aviles-Ramos will face a range of thorny policy questions on class sizes, cell phone bans and other issues that will likely require buy-in from the Adams administration which will be harder if officials are preoccupied with the investigations said one Education Department official who spoke on the condition of anonymity “I think the bigger question is … how do you make sure the distractions don’t stop work from happening,” the official said Aviles-Ramos is also in the unusual position of having been named chancellor months before she is expected to assume the role “This is the most responsible way that you can do this,” Banks said Banks said Aviles-Ramos would be joining him at “all of the chancellor’s meetings” over the remainder of his tenure And Aviles-Ramos told Adams she was committed to continuing the mayor’s education initiatives Julian Shen-Berro is a reporter covering New York City. Contact him at jshen-berro@chalkbeat.org Michael Elsen-Rooney is a reporter for Chalkbeat New York, covering NYC public schools. Contact Michael at melsen-rooney@chalkbeat.org Amy Zimmer is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat New York. Contact Amy at azimmer@chalkbeat.org Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker The headlines about city schools for the last few weeks have been centered on investigations into adults new Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos spent some time talking with kids And that’s where I feel most at home,” she said Aviles-Ramos takes on the job at a time of instability announced his retirement after the FBI seized his phone He planned to serve through the end of the year until the mayor changed his mind Aviles-Ramos wants families to know she’s ready to serve “I’m committed to stability and making sure that their children have everything that they need to have a quality education I also want them to know that we are doubling down on family empowerment and overall wellness and safety for our children,” she said Aviles-Ramos most recently served as deputy chancellor for family engagement — and before that She wants to make the system easier to navigate “When I got to the superintendency and central I was the mom of a school-age child in New York City public schools And some things were a little hard for me to navigate,” she said then what does that look like for our other families?” She aims to continue implementing the policies put in place by Banks and doesn’t expect to shake up the leadership around her “I definitely have the people I expect to have around me moving forward,” she said But that doesn’t mean there won’t be changes or adjustments The city is rolling out a new high school math curriculum which has been criticized by some teachers and their union who say it assumes prior knowledge children don’t have Maintaining fidelity to a curriculum does not mean that there can’t be modifications to make it work in the classroom What we won’t do is have teachers trying to figure out what works in a classroom by themselves,” she said the buck ultimately stops with Mayor Adams son of Felix Aviles Jr and Nancy Sue Masias Aviles of Clarksburg Anthony graduated from Gilmer County High School Class of 2013 where he was recipient of the Damon West Award from Gilmer County High School He broke the High Jump State Record for a Single A School in the State of WV at 6 foot and 9 inches.  Anthony graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Glenville State College/University in 2017 Anthony was employed with Southwest Airlines in Austin  Anthony loved being an Uncle (Tio Ant) Anthony was extremely humble and loved to travel leaving behind his dog Maisey and Opal his cat.  “There are not words that can describe the emotions he brought to this world”.  Family will receive friends at Davis Funeral Home 124 Olen Thomas Drive Clarksburg WV on Friday A Catholic Funeral Rite and Celebration of Anthony’s Life will be held on Friday 2023 at 1:00 PM with Father Akila Rodrigo.  Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery Online condolences can be made at www.davisfuneralhomewv.com donations can be made to The Humane Society of Harrison County PO Box 4397 Clarksburg WV 26302 or Paypal to director@hshcwv.org or Venmo(Pin 1600) Davis Funeral Home is honored to serve the Aviles family Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application Mexico where he lived all of his life until moving to Moss bluff 8 years ago He was a hardworking and dedicated construction manager for Big City Builders  Omar found joy in watching and playing football and soccer He loved spending time with friends and family His infectious smile brightened the lives of everyone he met Those left to cherish his memory are his son Lucas Martinez Peralta and Gloria Aviles Aviles; and his siblings A celebration of Omar’s life will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Sunday Omar will return to Mexico for burial under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors One of the greatest capabilities that exist within the U.S military is the global logistics system that allows everything from large military transport vehicles to personal hygiene items to move around the world in a timely manner even to some of the most austere and remote environments on the planet once served as a critical component in that global supply chain before coming to Syracuse University to pursue higher education “I joined in 2017, right after high school. Two weeks after I graduated, I headed to boot camp,” says Aviles, an undergraduate student studying at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies Aviles served as a warehouse specialist in the Marines spending his first two years of service at the Marine Corps Air and Ground Training Center in 29 Palms one of the Marine Corps’ most remote bases in the continental United States he supported the Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School which trains Marines in various ground electronic maintenance roles tactical communications and anti-air warfare operations providing all the supply needs for the unit and its personnel and replacement parts of vehicles and equipment When it came time to transition out of the military Aviles sought out opportunities for higher education through the Warrior Scholar Project (WSP) The WSP program prepares transitioning service members to pursue their academic goals after service Aviles says he learned about Syracuse University and its initiatives to support veterans and military-connected students “I was originally planning to go back to my home state of Florida and do community college when I got out and it seemed like a great opportunity,” Aviles says Aviles says he felt he struggled to fit in as a non-traditional student It’s a common experience shared by many student veterans particularly first-generation college students one thing that helped was finding the military-connected community on campus and meeting people who had similar experiences and understood where he was coming from it was a struggle because you’re older and you don’t really fit in everyone’s kind of pushing you and telling you it’s okay But I’ve opened many doors for myself and had some great opportunities,” says Aviles One of those opportunities came through the Student Veterans Organization (SVO) Syracuse University’s local chapter of the National Student Veterans of America military-connected students can find an easier transition to academic life and connect with other students who have experienced the rigors of higher education as well as providing a community for camaraderie and support “I feel like it’s a great organization due to the fact that I was very closed-minded and just stuck to myself The SVO actually opened me up to be more open-minded and feel more comfortable I met great buddies who served in different branches so I got a bunch of different learning perspectives from different people,” Aviles says that support has been a significant source of his success while pursuing an information management technology degree from the School learning about various topics from cybersecurity to data analytics government or working with military-affiliated companies like Booz Allen Aviles has stepped forward to help welcome other student veterans to campus Aviles was elected as the President of the SVO a position that he feels passionate about succeeding in “It’s a great opportunity for other veterans or even military-affiliated students and get together with other like-minded students It’s just a great organization for us to get together and get more comfortable on campus,” Aviles says For those interested in learning more about the SVO or other programs available to military-connected students, please visit the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs website The SVO holds meetings at least one Friday a month in the student veteran lounge at the National Veterans Resource Center and those students interested in learning more about military service or supporting veterans on campus are welcome to attend along with other members of the Student Veterans Organization at the annual Stars and Stripes Tailgate before the military appreciation football game A time-honored celebration of academic achievement leadership and military history was on full display at the JMA Wireless Dome during the 108th Chancellor’s Review and Awards Ceremony on March 28 The annual tradition brought together students Jaime Jacobson G’25 is continuing her commitment to public service through academia Jacobson is currently a pursuing a master’s degree in higher education in the School of Education and draws a… Syracuse University’s commitment to veterans and military-connected communities will take center stage on Wednesday during a pair of events hosted at the National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC) The campus community is invited to attend both gatherings Syracuse University cordially invites the campus community to the 108th Chancellor’s Review and Awards Ceremony a distinguished event honoring our Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets development and evaluation (IDDE) professors Moon-Heum Cho and Rob Pusch visited the latest cohort of students in the IDDE Fellowship Program The program is offered by the School of Education through the Sergeant Majors Academy… If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu Video available at: https://youtu.be/NiiyIlaBHuQ and Labor Partners Collaborated to Expand 2024 Winter Break While Ensuring Mandated 180 Designated School Days Are Still Met This School Year  NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos and United Federation of Teachers (UFT) President Michael Mulgrew today announced that December 23 2024 — previously a school day on the 2024-2025 school year calendar — will now be a non-school day for New York City Public School students This collaborative decision will give staff and their families an extra day to spend together during the winter recess.  The change comes after discussions between teachers and labor partners to find a commonsense solution that meets the needs of the community during the hectic holiday season.  The state’s 180-day school year requirement will still be met ensuring students receive the full instructional time they need This means students will not lose any classroom time despite the extra day off during the winter break This calendar adjustment demonstrates the city's commitment to balancing the social-emotional needs of the school community with the academic requirements set forth by New York state “Winter break this school year will now start one day early so that everyone can enjoy the extra time with family and friends,” said Mayor Adams “We know that a one-day week would not be well attended — so this just makes good sense Our children’s education will not be short-changed so we will still maintain the required 180 days of instruction. I want to thank the teachers and our labor partners at the UFT who helped us make this good sense decision.”  and reflection,” said Public Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos “By giving our students and staff this extra day off we’re not just making the season brighter; we’re ensuring that our young learners have the chance to recharge their batteries before the new year We are excited to give them the gift of time to shine!”   “I am glad we could reach this resolution together It is the right decision to give our students and educators more time with their families,” said Michael Mulgrew “It helps everyone come back from winter recess refreshed and ready for the rest of the school year.”  we are committed to a school calendar that reflects the needs of all New Yorkers I was proud to lead and win the fight for the Diwali school holiday and the New York City Public Schools system,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar and Sikh children will celebrate the day without having to miss school Today we continue our work to shape a responsive school calendar by designating December 23 We are effectively giving hundreds of thousands of students and families an extra three-day weekend to prepare for holiday celebrations and travel to visit loved ones we will ensure that the nation’s largest school system is always centered on the needs of families.”  “The addition of an extra recess day on December 23 will help our city's students and their families get the holiday season off to a great start,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “I'm pleased that the 180-day requirement will still be met even with the addition of this extra recess day I hope all of our city's public-school students teachers and staff enjoy the holidays and will be refreshed and ready to return to school on January 2.”   allowing families to properly start their winter breaks when school lets out on Friday the 20th,” said New York City Councilmember Justin Brannan “I am especially proud and not surprised that this commonsense idea came from a Bay Ridge student We were able to take a constituent’s good point and turn it into a policy decision that will make the holiday season a little bit brighter for families across New York City all without shortening the 180-day school year That’s government working the way it’s supposed to.”  and families will have this added day for rest and connection before the holidays,” said New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N Brooks-Powers. “Thank you to the administration, the United Federation of Teachers and our city's families for their leadership on this initiative which shows the power of collaboration to bring meaningful benefits to our school communities I hope these families and students enjoy a joyous winter recess.”  April has brought the end of Mac & Cheese Madness and the start of spring events The DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau wrapped up its annual March Madness Bracket Challenge Establishments serving Mac & Cheese throughout DeKalb County competed via Facebook polls to find the best Mac & Cheese in the county Voters were encouraged to try all participating establishments and score them using the Mac & Cheese rubric found on the DCCVB website The winner, Bull Moose Bar and Grill, located in Sandwich, was announced after a tight final match against The Roasted Rooster, also in Sandwich Although this friendly competition has come to an end DeKalb County has even more fun to offer with our upcoming spring events NatureFest: Earth Day activities are also happening throughout our county, and NatureFest is one of them! On April 26, NatureFest will feature multiple nature-themed, hands-on learning activities throughout Russell Woods Forest Preserve. Families will receive a map and passport to track their experiences as they explore nature. Market in the Park: Following Easter and Earth Day events, Genoa will host its second annual Market in the Park on May 4 at Chamberlain Park. Genoa’s largest craft & vendor show will feature over 100 unique vendors offering everything from handcrafted artwork to tasty treats. DeKalb Cinco de Mayo: The highly anticipated event, now in its second year, will also take place on May 4 in Frank Van Buer Plaza in Downtown DeKalb. This Cinco de Mayo celebration will include a wagon parade, a variety of vendors, food trucks, fun performances, musical guests, and more! It is family-friendly and free to attend. Visit our website, experiencedekalbcounty.com, for more details about each event and other happenings throughout DeKalb County! Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInEAU CLAIRE (WEAU) - An Eau Claire man is sentenced for trafficking drugs According to a press release from Timothy M United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin to 2 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine That prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release Aviles pleaded guilty to this charge on July 16 An investigation showed that Hector Jimenez-Sosa was the leader of a methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking organization in Eau Claire Aviles was identified as Jimenez-Sosa’s nephew and a member of Jimenez-Sosa’s organization a confidential informant purchased 60 grams of methamphetamine and 20 fentanyl pills from Aviles at Jimenez-Sosa’s shops in Eau Claire the confidential informant purchased an additional 20 fentanyl pills from Aviles at one of Jimenez-Sosa’s shops