Dear PS 217 Parents,

In our mission and vision statement, the PS 217 Parents Association vows to promote fairness and equity in our school community. We also advocate for practices and policies that treat families of all racial, cultural and religious backgrounds equitably, and make the school an anti-racist institution. Especially now, this work extends outside the boundaries of the school building. We need to raise our voices against racism and racial violence in our society.

We condemn police violence and racism in all its forms.

We stand with all who are speaking out and acting against injustice.

Additionally, you may have heard that the Mayor is making billion dollar cuts to the school budget for next year – in addition to cuts to youth jobs, afterschool programs, housing, healthcare, programs for elders and other essential services. We believe the mayor should redirect a portion of the NYPD budget toward schools and youth services. Without this crucial funding NYC schoolchildren will lose out even more than they already have.

Please insist on change by contacting your elected officials (contact list below). Here is a link to a letter writing campaign from Alliance For Quality Education that lets you send a message directly to Mayor de Blasio telling him to invest in our schools!

Here also is a resource list we’ve pulled together that we hope is helpful as you decide how to discuss these issues with your kids.

Also, we hope you will join us for a gathering in support of fully funding NYC schools this Thursday at 3pm in front of PS 217 at the corner of Newkirk Ave and Coney Island Ave. Please wear masks and practice social distancing. Bring your signs, drums, noisemakers so that we can chant and be visible! Hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

PS 217 Parents Association

 

Contact Info for Elected Officials

Assembly Member Robert C. Carroll, Assembly District 44

District Office

416 Seventh Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11215

Phone: 718-788-7221

Fax: 718-965-9378

Website and Online Contact Form: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Robert-C-Carroll/contact/

Council Member Mathieu Eugene, New York City Council District 40
District Office
900 Rogers Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11226

Phone: 718-287-8762

Fax: 718-287-8917

Website: https://council.nyc.gov/district-40/

Council Speaker Corey Johnson

224 West 30th St, Suite 1206

New York, NY 10001

212-564-7757 phone

212-564-7347 fax
SpeakerJohnson@council.nyc.gov

Education Chair Mark Treyger

Coney Island:

445 Neptune Avenue

Community Room 2C

Brooklyn, NY 11224

718-373-9673 phone

718-373-0195 fax
MTreyger@council.nyc.gov