P.S. 52 Family Weekly Newsletter - October 6, 2025

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Sparking Intellectual Curiosity

Dear Families and Colleagues,

On Monday, for our third annual State of Our Schools, we did things a little bit differently.

First, we hosted an onstage panel discussion, so we could hear directly from our students, staff, and families. Chief of Staff Kenita Lloyd moderated the conversation, which covered topics ranging from NYC Solves to family empowerment. As I listened to the panelists’ reflections, I felt so grateful to be in a room of New Yorkers—students, families, staff, community members, and more—whose dedication drives our work every day.

Then I shared my remarks, which centered on a single image: a spark. I spoke about the ways we are sparking intellectual curiosity in our students, focusing on academic rigor and deep learning through NYC Reads, NYC Solves, and Student Pathways. I shared how NYCPS Cares, our newest priority initiative, is lighting a spark through the power of connection and care.

I was also thrilled to make multiple announcements, including an 80-school pilot to support English Language Learners with new NYC Reads curricula; a four-part framework that will guide our efforts on AI; and the expansion of trauma-informed care training to 119 schools in our inaugural NYCPS Cares cohort.

And finally, in another first, we published our NYC Public Schools Accountability Tool—an important step in ensuring transparency and communicating clearly about our progress. I encourage you to explore this tool and check back regularly, as we will update the data throughout the school year.

Monday's event was unique and exciting. I’m immensely proud of how far we’ve come, but I fully appreciate that there is so much work ahead. As I stated at the end of my speech, a spark represents a beginning—and at NYCPS, we are just getting started.

In partnership,

Melissa Aviles-Ramos

Chancellor

The Chancellor’s Spotlight:

Cindy Flores, who participated in the State of Our Schools panel discussion, is an eighth-grade math teacher at The Institute for Environmental Learning in the Bronx. She fell in love with math when she was a middle school student herself at PS 89—and now she’s in her 13th year of teaching! During the panel, Ms. Flores spoke about the positive impact of NYC Solves on her classroom, as did two of her students, Avril and Derek. They are “blossoming mathematicians,” she said of her students. “They energize me to continue to do this work.”

Nominate a person or program for The Chancellor’s Spotlight Nominate.

Our Highlight Video:

For translations, please visit our YouTube page.

NYCPS News and Resources:

• Preview key dates and events for October on The Morning Bell.
• For additional news and resources, follow NYCPS online at Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
• Here’s the weekly video from Mayor Eric Adams. You can sign up to receive updates directly from the Mayor's Office.