As the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate and we are seeing increased news coverage of social media posts promoting violence, I am writing to provide information on how we are monitoring events, remind you of existing protocols, and share guidance and resources.
Our top priority is to ensure the safety of every student and staff member in our school system. As a reminder, NYPD actively monitors social media sites for threats of violence. We remain in constant communication with NYPD, and at this time, there are no specific threats against our schools. We are committed to remaining in constant communication and will continue to update you.
Safety Reminders
- Remain in communication with your School Safety Agents and your partners in your local precinct. Always adhere to NYPD guidance: If you see something, say something. Immediately call 911.
- It's crucial to maintain a heightened sense of situational awareness.
- Please review these resources for Promoting Respect and Addressing Hate Crimes
- In case of an emergency, activate your Building Response Team and initiate the appropriate General Response Protocol action:
NYC PS Threat Response Protocol Guidance Document
General Response Protocol One Pager (in English)
General Response Protocol One Pager (translated versions)
Digital Literacy and Media Literacy
It's imperative that our students, staff, and broader community have the tools to discern fact from fiction, and can promote digital and media literacy in an uncertain information environment. We recommend guiding educators to our Digital Citizenship webpage and the attached resources to equip students with skills in media literacy and safe online behaviors.
Principals, please continue to contact your Superintendents for more detailed support. Superintendents, please continue to escalate concerns that cannot be addressed at the local level to your Chief of School Support and Senior Field Counsel.
I urge each of you to use these resources, lean on one another, and engage our communities in open dialogue. Our focus remains on the safety, well-being, and education of our students. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to the NYCPS community. Together, we can navigate these challenging times.
In partnership,
David C. Banks
Chancellor