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Advocates for Children of New York

@afcnewyork.bsky.social

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NYC non-profit dedicated to protecting every child's right to learn. For 50+ years, we've worked with students at greatest risk for school-based discrimination. www.advocatesforchildren.org

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Advocates for Children of New York @afcnewyork.bsky.social · Jan 22

Need help with an education-related issue in New York City? Our Education Helpline provides free, individualized guidance & information on topics like special education, school suspensions, transportation, immigrant students' rights, enrollment, and more. We can speak to you in YOUR language.

Image of a red telephone with the phone number and operating hours of AFC's education helpline, available Monday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm at (866) 427-6033.

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Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 5d

New York City has one of the highest rates of student homelessness among large U.S. school districts. The mayoral race has been dominated by debate about the effects of the housing crisis. But the youngest victims have received far less attention.

140,000 N.Y.C. Students Are Homeless. Can the Next Mayor Change That?

The city’s housing crisis has contributed to an education crisis, with more children than ever living in temporary housing. They face dismal outcomes.

nyti.ms

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Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York

The 74 @the74.bsky.social · 5d

30 years without a real raise: New York's early intervention pay crisis

30 Years Without a Real Raise: New York’s Early Intervention Pay Crisis

New York’s early intervention providers haven’t seen a substantive raise in three decades — and vulnerable young children are losing out.

www.the74million.org

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Advocates for Children of New York @afcnewyork.bsky.social · 5d

The next Mayor has an opportunity to make real change by launching an interagency initiative to tackle the interrelated challenges of shelter placement, attendance, busing and more. Learn more in our Recommendations for the Next Administration:

Leading the Way for NYC Schools: Recommendations for the Next Administration - Advocates for Children of New York

Based on our experience helping thousands of New York City families each year, we urge the next Mayoral Administration to take on big challenges with bold ideas and stand firm in the face of threats t...

advocatesforchildren.org

Advocates for Children of New York @afcnewyork.bsky.social · 5d

Schools can play a critical role in supporting students who are homeless. But “to move the needle” and create lasting, systemic change, we need a multi-agency approach that works to address their unique educational barriers.

140,000 N.Y.C. Students Are Homeless. Can the Next Mayor Change That?

www.nytimes.com

Advocates for Children of New York @afcnewyork.bsky.social · 6d

"Over the last year, scores of New York providers have faced delayed or missed payments because of glitches with the state’s new data & payment portal... Meanwhile, across New York state, countless families no longer have access to critical therapies because of the steady attrition from the field."

30 Years Without a Real Raise: New York’s Early Intervention Pay Crisis

New York’s early intervention providers haven’t seen a substantive raise in three decades — and vulnerable young children are losing out.

www.the74million.org

Advocates for Children of New York @afcnewyork.bsky.social · 8d

We'll be testifying at this @council.nyc.gov hearing on language access this afternoon, sharing recommendations for how NYCPS can improve communication with families who speak languages other than English. Our testimony:

Advocates for Children of New York @afcnewyork.bsky.social · 8d

Proud to join elected leaders, parents, students, and advocates in standing up for transgender students. Equity for ALL students!

Photos from rally at the steps of Tweed Courthouse. Sign reads: Equity for all students!

Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York

BronxWorks @bronxworks.bsky.social · 12d

Megan Wendt, Program Coordinator for BronxWorks Transform Shelter Aftercare & NYC MOMS Partnership programs (at podium), joined Advocates for Children of New York at City Hall to advocate for improved school bus routes and service. TY Megan and AFC for bringing attention to this important matter!

Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York

Office of the Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams @advocate.nyc.gov · 13d

Hear from the Road to Better Busing Coalition on why New York City must fix its broken yellow bus system, now.

It's not just about a late bus. It's about the dignity of our children and families, and students deserve safe, reliable busing that supports learning and enrichment.

No more delays!

Fix the Broken Yellow Bus System Now!

YouTube video by New York City Public Advocate

youtube.com

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Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York

Office of the Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams @advocate.nyc.gov · 16d

New York City's broken yellow bus system must be fixed.

We'll continue to demand better, reliable busing until our students get the busing they need.

In order for them to get the most out of their education, we need to make sure they safely get to the classroom on time.

@afcnewyork.bsky.social

The Public Advocate speaks with a concerned expression, next to an ASL interpreter and behind a poster reading "Improve Routes 4 All. Advocates listen on City Hall steps holding signs

Council Member Restler speaks as advocates and elected officials listen

Two advocates smile and pose together, holding posters that read "Safety 4 the children, justice 4 the workers" and "buses for children, not for profit"

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Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York

Education Week @edweek.org · 16d

There are many sounds in English that don’t exist in Spanish, and vice versa.

In this district, teachers highlight these differences, as part of the school system’s approach to the “science of reading.”

How the 'Science of Reading' Can Support English Learners

English learners are sometimes an afterthought in 'science of reading' policies. Some educators want to change that.

www.edweek.org

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Advocates for Children of New York @afcnewyork.bsky.social · 16d

Transportation is not a side issue — it’s an equity issue. If a child can’t get to the classroom, nothing that happens in the school matters. We need new bus contracts that work for 2025! @childrensaidnyc.bsky.social @cpcnyc.bsky.social @cidnyinc.bsky.social @includenyc.bsky.social

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Advocates for Children of New York @afcnewyork.bsky.social · 16d

“For students in shelter, delays in routing and problems with bus service too often result in chronic absenteeism, disruptive and unnecessary school transfers, and added stress on already systemically disadvantaged families.” — @bronxworks.bsky.social social worker Megan Wendt

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Advocates for Children of New York @afcnewyork.bsky.social · 16d

This crisis hits hardest for students with disabilities, students who are homeless, and students in foster care—students who are more likely to live far from school, more likely to depend on school bus service—and who have a *legal right* to receive it.

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Advocates for Children of New York @afcnewyork.bsky.social · 16d

📢 We need the State to step up and pass legislation that allows NYC to rebid the decades-old bus contracts without stripping away current protections for bus workers. Contact your reps in Albany:

Help Improve Bus Service for NYC Students

Year after year, families face problems with school bus service. For example, buses show up late or not at all, take far too long to get children to school, provide inconsistent service, and do not pr...

actionnetwork.org

Advocates for Children of New York @afcnewyork.bsky.social · 16d

“The bus service Zayan has had so far this year has gotten in the way of his education, not supported it. His current bus route has him travelling nearly *three hours* each way to his school that is less than 3 miles away from our home.” — Taslima, parent of a kindergartener with an IEP

Parent speaking at a podium in front a large group of people on the steps of City Hall.

Advocates for Children of New York @afcnewyork.bsky.social · 16d

🚍 With parents, advocates, electeds, and @newyorkappleseed.bsky.social at City Hall calling for better busing now! We need service that gets students to school on time, every time. Thank you @advocate.nyc.gov @nyccomptroller.bsky.social @cmrestler.bsky.social for standing with us!

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams speaking in front of a crowd of people on the steps of City Hall. Hand drawn sign at the front of the podium reads “Improve Routes 4 All!”

Senator Robert Jackson speaking at the rally.

Council Member Rita Joseph, Chair of the Education Committee, speaking at the rally.

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Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York

Advocates for Children of New York @afcnewyork.bsky.social · 23d

Join The Road to Better Busing Coalition, parents, students, educators, and advocates, as we call on NYC leaders to fix our broken yellow bus system.

Date: Monday, September 22nd
Time: 12-1PM
Location: City Hall steps

Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Flyer with yellow school bus and person speaking through bullhorn. The flyer reads:
The Road to Better Busing Rally
Join the Road to Better Busing Coalition, parents, students, and advocates as we call on NYC leaders to fix our broken yellow bus system.
We demand:
Yellow bus service that works - every day, on time
Access to after-school, summer, and weekend busing
A modernized system that puts students and families first
Monday, September 22nd
12:00 to 1:00 pm
In front of City Hall Steps
Manhattan
To attend, go to this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf8tUyWI2LI13T2aZGCaUn1s9FsxzoZMdihckfB5WnxwnVwrg/viewform

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Advocates for Children of New York @afcnewyork.bsky.social · 19d

📣 A reminder that in NYC, students have the right to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity. @nycschools.bsky.social policy, State Education Department policy *and* NYS Human Rights Law all protect that right. Learn more about your rights as an LGBTQ+ student in NYC in our guide:

LGBTQ+ Education Guide: Your Rights as an LGBTQ+ Student - Advocates for Children of New York

This is a guide for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) students and allies in New York City Public Schools. It lays out LGBTQ+ students’ rights and explains what to...

advocatesforchildren.org

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Advocates for Children of New York @afcnewyork.bsky.social · 20d

Today we're testifying before @council.nyc.gov about the need to ensure after-school programs can meet the needs of all students—including students with disabilities—and to provide bus service home from after-school programs so that students who rely on busing are able to participate.

AFC Testifies on Access to After-School Programs - Advocates for Children of New York

AFC is testifying before the City Council Committee on Children and Youth about the need for the City to ensure after-school programs are equipped to meet the needs of all students, including students...

advocatesforchildren.org

Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York

Council Member Shahana Hanif @cmshahanahanif.bsky.social · 20d

Advocates for Children of New York's Back to School Resource Hub has deadlines, helpful links, and more need-to-know information for students, families, and professionals as the school year gets started! advocatesforchildren.org/back-to-scho...

@afcnewyork.bsky.social

Back to School Updates & Resources - Advocates for Children of New York

Our back to school resource hub has helpful links, resources, and need-to-know information for NYC students, families, and professionals as the school year gets started

advocatesforchildren.org

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Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York

Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY) @cidnyinc.bsky.social · 20d

Join us on Monday, September 22, for The Road to Better Busing Rally in front of City Hall steps. Let's make sure that these children can get to and from school and related activities safely and with all their needs met.

RSVP:

The Road to Better Busing: Rally Sign Up

Please join parents, educators, and advocates to demand better busing for NYC students! We are urging the City not to extend the current, outdated school bus contracts for more than one year. The…

bit.ly

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Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York

DAVID C. BLOOMFIELD @dcbloomfield.bsky.social · 20d

So important: “This is a huge win for students with disabilities and a huge win for our students with dyslexia, who have been trying to find a place where they belong. Now they belong in every school, every, every classroom,” Foti said.

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Advocates for Children of New York @afcnewyork.bsky.social · 20d

“Whichever school, whichever classroom you're in, as a parent, you should expect that your child is getting the support if they need it,” [Chancellor] Aviles-Ramos said in an interview with NY1.

Public schools will standardize literacy interventions as part of NYC Reads

schools can choose from three to five supplemental programs.

ny1.com

Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York

Chalkbeat @chalkbeat.org · 21d

“What I haven’t seen is a citywide campaign on the importance of being in school,” one advocate said.

1 in 3 NYC public school students chronically absent last school year, new data show

“What I haven’t seen is a citywide campaign on the importance of being in school,” one advocate said.

bit.ly

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