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SEPTEMBER 2004

Guest Editorial
Open Letter to Friends of New York City Public Schools
by Deputy Chancellor Carmen Fariña

What an exciting time to be part of New York City public education, a time where everything and anything is possible. Our slogan-Children First-is also our mission and vision. The restructuring of New York City public education has focused on creating environments that are student-centered and academically stimulating. Our system is now focused on providing challenging and differentiated professional development, with an infrastructure dedicated to improving student achievement.

As I speak to different audiences throughout this city I have used the four E's as my vision-setting agenda. The four E's relate to all our varied constituencies: parents, educators, community members, and most of all, our students.

Equity: As a student who entered a New York City elementary school not speaking a word of English, I fully expect our students and parents to see our schools as the perfect vehicle to experience the American dream. For parents, this means the best schools and the best teachers regardless of neighborhood. For business and community leaders, it means that all our students will graduate with a meaningful high school diploma, enabling them to continue their education or become productive members of the work force. This diploma will carry equal prestige regardless of which high school granted it.

Excellence: We have implemented a citywide curriculum that requires much more than rote memorization. Our approach to balanced literacy and mathematics encourages critical thinking, applied learning, problem solving and active student engagement. This ensures that all students are expected to have skills for success in the 21st century as well mastery of rigorous state standards. A stimulating academic environment implies that students are engaged rather than disruptive, makers rather than dependent followers, and self-directed active citizens rather than disenfranchised observers.

Energy: A good school "hums." This hum is created by a chorus of people from within and without this school community, based on strong partnerships and collaborations to ensure that learning goes beyond academics. This energy is most clearly felt when all constituents have a role to play and participate productively in a learning, caring community. A clear sign of positive energy is seeing school lights lit way beyond 3:00 p.m.

Entourage: Working with others. Cultural institutions, business partners, local merchants, and after school organizations all offer valuable services and bring the real world experiences into our schools. The bonds formed by an entourage of dedicated individuals sharing a common vision enable the possibilities we want for all our children to become reality. The most important entourage is between parents and educators. Our parent coordinators have been a major contribution to strengthening this link.

I have played almost every role in the field-student, teacher, parent, principal, community activist, superintendent and now leader of Teaching and Learning. In each role, the four E's have focused and sustained my optimism that, together, we can and will do right by every one of our students.

The beauty of our profession is that every September we have a golden opportunity to start anew and rededicate our efforts. It is easy to be a faultfinder...much harder to be a problem-solver and builder. Join me in making this school year the best ever.

I am confident that together, in whatever role we play, we can create one community and use the power of our combined voices to move toward the goal of providing every student in New York City with high quality education. This is a golden moment in reforming public schools, and as the song says, "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere!" We can do this!#

Carmen Fariña is the deputy chancellor of NYC public schools. She welcomes suggestions and feedback via email at cfarina@nycboe.net.

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