Dear Families,
As a lifelong educator who has served our system as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, and as the parent of two New York City Public Schools students, I know firsthand that our schools are the heart of our communities. At their best, schools are places where our children are cherished, supported, and encouraged to grow. They are places where you, our families, are welcomed and valued, and where opportunity and possibility are made real every day.
I also know that as a school system, we still have work to do to ensure our schools live up to that promise for every child in every classroom. I step into this role with humility, urgency, and a clear understanding of that responsibility, and I am deeply honored to serve as your New York City Public Schools Chancellor.
I believe that our students—from early childhood through graduation—deserve schools that are safe, academically rigorous, and truly integrated. Families should feel confident that their children are safe and cared for, both in and beyond the school building. They should know that their children are learning the fundamentals—starting with reading—and are being challenged academically, guided by high expectations, strong instruction, and teachers who believe in them. And they should be able to expect that their children’s schools reflect what makes New York City so special, embracing our city’s rich diversity through learning experiences grounded in cultural understanding and respect. This is what we mean by true integration.
Achieving this vision requires deep partnership with families. Too often, our system has made it harder than it should be for families to engage meaningfully in their children’s education. I believe that parent voice and family participation are essential, not optional. While we have made some progress in recent years, we need to accelerate this work and find new, more effective ways to empower families and strengthen our school communities.
So, as we begin this new chapter, I want to hear from you, and I invite you to join me as partners. I’ll have more to share soon about opportunities to convey your insights, experiences, and perspectives. We have important work ahead, and the strongest schools are built when families and educators work together in trust and collaboration.
In partnership,
Kamar H. Samuels
Chancellor