Q&A
DOE actions following reversal of center closure decision
1:07:55
ยท
96 sec
Council Member Rita Joseph inquires about the actions taken by the Department of Education after reversing their decision on center closures and reopening the application website. Deputy Chancellor Simone Hawkins outlines the steps taken to ensure affected centers don't lose the chance for filled seats.
- The DOE reopened the portal for applications as quickly as possible
- Staff personally called every enrolled family to inform them about the schools being accessible in the system
- A mass communication was sent to all My Schools registrants in the respective districts
- Providers were invited to participate in enrollment fairs in each borough
- Translations of information are being finalized for broader communication
Rita Joseph
1:07:55
Not right before.
1:07:57
See when we talked about communication, that should be happening, ongoing, alerting them.
1:08:03
Since reversing your decision and opening the website to allow families to apply, what can you tell us about what you've seen?
1:08:09
Have you engaged every tool on your disposal to ensure that these centers aren't losing the chance for a filled seat since they're not getting an extension?
Simone Hawkins
1:08:18
Yes.
1:08:19
And so in addition to opening up the portal as quickly as possible, we actually, my team specifically called every enrolled family to have conversations and let them know that the schools were now accessible in the system, walked them through the three ks and pre k application process through my schools and those parents who are matriculating to kindergarten in the fall, sometimes they stay with our providers over the summer and so letting them know that they should reach out to the provider kind of talk through that process.
1:08:49
And then with the thanks to my colleagues in the office of student enrollment, they also did a mass blast to all of the my school's registrants within the respective districts letting them know that the schools are accessible in the system and this week after we finalize the translations we'll be sending out a letter to families letting them know as well.
1:09:10
Okay.
1:09:10
I'm sorry chair, failed to note that we also invited the providers to the enrollment fairs that are open in each of the boroughs.
1:09:19
Brooklyn occurred last Saturday at the Brooklyn Children's Museum, I was personally there and saw many of our Brooklyn based providers there specifically those who are involved in this situation and so that is another option extended to them.
Rita Joseph
1:09:32
Through the enrollment and outreach program.