Happy New Year! We want to thank everyone who has generously donated to our "Give 10 to Power Our Next 10" fundraiser and supported our vision of an equitable, inclusive New York City. We’ve raised more this year than ever before- nearly $75,000, which is double what we raised last year! Your generosity helps turn hope into action and ensures that we can begin the new year with strength and purpose. Thank you for believing in our advocacy over the past 10 years—and for helping ensure the next 10 are filled with progress and possibility.

With sincere gratitude and best wishes for the new year,

New York Appleseed

Join NY Appleseed, Abolition & Education Justice Collective, and The Circle Keepers for a high school student gathering to amplify youth voices on school segregation, explore its history and present-day impact within NYC public schools, and foster integration and communal belonging. Students will reflect on their own educational experiences and learn ways to address segregation and promote integration in their schools and communities. FREE breakfast and lunch will be provided, to all they need to do is show up! 

Date: Saturday, January 31st

Time: 10am-2pm

Location: 135 West 36th Street PH, New York NY 10018

For meaningful discussions and good vibes, please RSVP no later than Wednesday, January 28th. We're excited to see you at the event :) 

A belated but well deserved congratulations to Kamar Samuels, the new NYC Schools Chancellor! A veteran educator with more than two decades of experience and a NYCPS parent himself, Chancellor Samuels has devoted his career to advancing student achievement, strengthening instructional practice, and building schools that are safe, academically rigorous, and truly integrated.

New York Appleseed's Priorities for Real Integration: First 100 Days Document outlines ten clear, actionable, and feasible steps the Chancellor and Mayor can take within their first three months to fulfill long-standing promises for progress on integrating schools across NYC. The document emphasizes the need to reinvest in forgotten goals, policies, and local laws that would further NYC’s school system into one that is truly integrated, equitable, and inclusive. We look forward to working with Chancellor Samuels and Mayor Mamdani.

Queens Parent Empowerment Conference

PTAlink was thrilled to join Madeline Hernandez and Patricia Levy from Queen High School Presidents’ Council and hundreds of Queens North parent leaders and educators who attended the Queens Parent Empowerment Conference on Saturday, January 10th at Queens Borough Hall. PTAlink was one of a broad array of partners, such as the Center for Family Representation and the NYCPS Division of Family and Community Empowerment, just to name two, who provided information and resources to families across Queens.

Cleaning House: PA/PTA Finances

Do you have questions about PA/PTA taxes and audits? What about opening a bank account or working with an accountant? If you are doing PA/PTA financial clean up, you will want to register for this webinar. Guest Speakers will include: Tax Specialist (Enrolled Agent) Ami Hassler, who has worked directly with many NYC PA/PTAs, Shardée Grey from Brooklyn Coop Bank, and Rachel Baltodano, President of the D25 Presidents' Council.

Please send us your financial questions in advance so that our great guest speakers can prepare great answers. Email questions to info@ptalink.org with the header "PA/PTA Financials." If you require interpretation, click here.