All students deserve a Culturally Responsive Education.

Monday is Valentine's day and Sunday is black love day, both of these days are not just about romantic love but how we show love to and within our communities, including our schools. When students are fully seen, supported, and affirmed in their unique identities and experiences, they go on and do great things. When students feel loved by their schools, they go on to love to learn

Last spring the Department of Education demonstrated a clear way to show love to our children by announcing they would be developing and releasing a culturally responsive curriculum for grades K-12 called the Universal Mosaic Curriculum. The Mosaic curriculum creates, fosters and shows love to our children and school communities. It is how we show respect and reverence for the cultural contributions marginalized communities have made to our amazing city.

Yet, there has been little to no movement or a clear commitment to the co-creation of the Mosaic curriculum with parents, students and community members under the new administration. Schools that neither value, center, and honor the rich cultures and knowledge of their diverse students, nor foster critical consciousnesses, are depriving students of a true, quality education. With a new Chancellor in place, we must hold the DOE accountable to their commitment to develop and implement the Universal Mosaic Curriculum, and we need your help.

The following is a letter for NYC School's Chancellor, David Banks. Please send and share with your communities!