Superintendent’s Message

Superintendent Meghan K. Dunn
mdunn6@schools.nyc.gov

To the District 13 Community,

As community leaders - District Leaders, Principals, and Parent Leaders - committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and supportive environment for all students, we are writing to reaffirm our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our schools. These values are central to who we are, guiding our work and shaping the spaces where our children learn, grow, and thrive.

Over the past five years, we have taken significant steps to ensure that every student, regardless of their background, identity, or life experience, has the support and resources they need to succeed. We recognize that our collective efforts will continue to evolve, and we are committed to actively listening to families, educators, and students as we work together toward our shared vision.

Here are a few of the key actions we have taken over the past few years -

➢ Middle School Admissions
In alignment with our commitment to creating more equitable opportunities for all students, we have removed screens from the middle school admissions process. This change ensures that every student has an equal opportunity to access quality education, regardless of their test scores, grades, or other exclusionary criteria. By doing so, we aim to create a more inclusive environment where all students can thrive, reflecting the true diversity of our community.

➢ Black Studies Curriculum Implementation
In an effort to celebrate and uplift the voices of Black students and educators, we were district wide early adopters of a newly published Black Studies curriculum. This curriculum provides students with an in-depth understanding of Black history, culture, and contributions, fostering a more inclusive and well-rounded education. It is a vital step toward dismantling the systemic inequities that have long persisted in education and providing all students with the opportunity to learn from diverse perspectives.

➢ Equity Fellows Leadership Development Program
To support and amplify educator leadership in the pursuit of equity, we have developed an Equity Fellows Program, a unique initiative that trains educators to become champions of diversity and inclusion. Fellows receive the tools and resources needed to lead efforts within their schools to address disparities and promote an environment where all students feel valued and supported. This program is designed to create lasting, systemic change within our classrooms and ensure that every student is met with high expectations, respect, and care.

➢ To further strengthen our commitment to building an inclusive community, we hold Monthly Anti-Racist Town Hall meetings where district leaders, educators, families, and community members come together to guide practices and policies that support an anti-racist and inclusive environment. This group has been instrumental in developing our district's Statement on Restorative Justice Practices, ensuring that our approach to discipline is rooted in respect, accountability, and healing. We invite you to join us for the next meeting on February 11th at PS 56 / Unison as we continue our work to guide our schools toward greater equity and inclusion.

These are just some of our actions that reflect our ongoing commitment to creating welcoming and affirming spaces for every student and family. We also recognize that we are not alone in this work. The New York City Public Schools has several key policies and resources available that help guide and support these initiatives. For example:

● The Student Bill of Rights serves as a guide for students as they strive to become productive citizens in a diverse society.

● NYCPS’s Guidelines to Support Transgender and Gender Expansive Students outlines protocols and offer best practices for supporting transgender and gender expansive students. These guidelines apply to all NYCDOE school-based, central, and field support staff.

● The Equity and Excellence for All initiative is a comprehensive effort aimed at ensuring all students—regardless of background—have access to high-quality, rigorous education. This includes the development of specialized programs, curriculum frameworks, and professional development opportunities that promote equity in the classroom.

● The Hidden Voices curriculum initiative which provides curricular resources that celebrate the lives of individuals who are often “hidden” from traditional historical records. Current Hidden Voices collections include, LGBTQ+ Stories, Asian American and Pacific Islanders, Global African Diaspora, and Americans with Disabilities.

As we continue to build on these efforts, we remain committed to listening to the voices of our families and engaging with the broader community to ensure that every student has the opportunity to excel, feel supported, and be seen for who they are.

We are grateful for your continued partnership in this work, and we look forward to the ongoing dialogue that will help us create a stronger, more inclusive school community for all.