October 1, 2012

Dear Parent or Guardian:

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 is a federal law designed to improve education for all children.  In September 2011, President Obama invited states to request flexibility regarding specific requirements of NCLB in exchange for state-developed plans to improve educational outcomes, close achievement gaps, and increase equity.  The New York State Education Department (NYSED) received approval from the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) for its flexibility request in May 2012, authorizing New York State to revise its accountability system.  Effective from 2012-13 through 2014-15, the new system puts greater emphasis on student growth and college- and career-readiness.

The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) is committed to helping all schools reach high standards for student achievement and giving every child in every school a quality education.  We are making progress, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done for all our children.

For 2012-2013, NYSED has identified our school 01M509 Marta Valle High School as a Priority School, as required under new state accountability rules.  This means that, (according to NYSED criteria), our school has not performed as well as other schools in the state.

Extraordinary efforts  are  being made to provide the highest quality instructional program to best meet the needs of your adolescent.  I am confident that the extensive interventions, instructional supports, and initiatives that we have implemented will make this school year a successful experience for your adolescent.

Previously, as a Title I School in Need of Improvement, eligible MVHS students were able to take advantage of  Supplemental Educational Services (SES), including tutoring or other remedial services.  While we are no longer required to provide SES under the new system, we will continue to provide focused supports for struggling students and we will have more flexibility to fund those supports.  Specific information regarding supports for struggling students will be provided to the parents/guardians of these students in a separate notification.

In addition, you will have the option of transferring your child to another NYCDOE school in the 2013-14 school year under the Public School Choice program.  However, existing 2012-13 choice assignments are final. 

We warmly invite you to work in partnership with us in supporting your child by making sure that she/he comes to school every day on time, and that all homework assignments and school projects are completed on time.  I also invite you to join us in all School/Home Partnership activities and events such as monthly Parent Association Meetings, Parent Workshops, Family Conferences, and monthly School Leadership Team Meetings.  Please stay in close contact with Dexter Hannibal, our Community Coordinator and your adolescent’s Advisor and your adolescent’s teachers to monitor your adolescent’s social growth and academic progress.  Please let members of our educational team know that you want to hear from them as soon as problems occur so that you can work collaboratively to develop solutions. 

Thank you for your continued support, cooperation, partnership, and trust.  Every member of the MVHS Educational Community is deeply committed to your adolescent’s success and to the continued improvement of our extensive instructional program of supports for students. We are looking forward to a successful year of collaboration and celebration for our students and Educational Community.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 212.473.8152.

Most warmly,