Dear Colleagues and Families,

Last weeks killings of two black men by police in Louisiana and Minnesota, and the tragic shooting deaths of five police officers in
Dallas, have shaken the nation. We are all still hurting over these and other recent heinous acts.
As painful as these events are, I strongly believe that as New York City educators and parents, we have a moral obligation to address
the difficult questions about race, violence, and guns, and to engage students in the critical work of healing our country. We must not
avoid these tough conversationsthey are necessary if we hope to build a just society for all.
I am writing to ask you to partner with us on this important work. I encourage you to come together in our offices, classrooms,
teacher prep rooms, principals offices, cafeterias, playgrounds, and auditoriumsand start a conversation. Discuss the recent
events, and help each other process the anger that is gripping our communities. Listen to and support one another. The goal should
be to open up lines of communication, build bridges, and foster respect.
Educators and parents should also raise these issues with children, taking care to have thoughtful conversations. Create a safe space
for students to talk about their concerns and ask questions. Listen to their fears, share as much information as children are able to
handle, and answer their questions with honesty, sensitivity, and empathy.
If children are having a difficult time, limiting exposure to television and the news may reduce their stress. Parents should try to keep
routines as normal as possible; children flourish and feel most secure with predictability. Reassure children that although there are
people who do bad things, the world is a good place, and that their families will do everything possible to keep their children safe.
There are helpful resources for talking to children about violence on our Crisis Support webpage.
However, as educators we must go beyond talking. To support informed action, the Department of Education will implement a new
social studies curriculum, which includes robust lessons integrating themes of tolerance, civil rights, and equity. Perspectives for a
Diverse America, a literacy-based curriculum developed by the Southern Poverty Law Centers Teaching Tolerance project, is another
useful resource.
Most importantly, I ask that you share any ideas that support uniting our communities. For our teachers: Do you have a lesson plan
that sensitively addresses these issues that your colleagues across the City could benefit from seeing? For our principals: Has your
school developed a meaningful relationship with your local police precinct? Our recent Team Up! Tuesday event, which hosted police
officers at more than 300 elementary schools to cement bonds, was a tremendous success with students. As we consider expanding
this program to other grades, I would appreciate hearing what events you think would be most meaningful in bringing our
communities together. Please also let me know about other programs or partnerships that are fostering teamwork and inclusion.
Thank you for beginning these important conversations with our students, families, teachers, and school staff. Only by working
together can we create safe, equitable, vibrant spaces in which our children can learn and thrive.
Sincerely,

Carmen