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Expanding Access to Quality
Schools for Every Child
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Together, We Expand Access To Schools
Where Students Thrive.
READY invests in schools, supports educators, and empowers families to increase access to quality schools that deliver strong academic outcomes, supportive learning environments, and pathways to lifelong success.
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Dear Supporters
A New look for READY and the Same Commitment
As READY continues to grow, our brand is growing with us. Our refreshed look reflects the energy, clarity, and urgency behind our work: expanding access to quality schools for every child in Rochester.
But while the look is new, our mission remains the same.
READY is still focused on investing in and expanding high-performing schools, cultivating educator talent, engaging families, and building the conditions that enable more Rochester students to access excellent educational opportunities.
This refresh is not just about how READY shows up. It is about making sure our message is easier to recognize, easier to share, and harder to ignore. New look. Same mission. Stronger voice for Rochester’s students.
This new visual identity is designed to be bold, clear, and community-centered. It helps us tell our story more consistently across newsletters, social media, events, reports, and advocacy efforts.
Quality schools should not be the exception. They should be the expectation.
READY believes transformation is possible when a community chooses to move with courage and clarity.
That means organizing around what students need, listening deeply to families, investing in the
people closest to the work, and building systems that make quality schools accessible to every child.
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Feature Story
READY Joins the PIE Network
Rochester is now at the table in shaping the future of education.
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READY is proud to join the PIE Network, a national consortium of education leaders, researchers, funders, and policy advocates working together to ensure all children have equitable access to high-quality schools.
This membership connects Rochester to national expertise, emerging best practices, and collaborative learning opportunities that can help strengthen our local work on behalf of students and families.
Rochester has a seat at the table — and READY is bringing local voices into national education conversations.
Read the Announcement →
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Why It Matters
Through this network, READY can learn alongside education leaders across the country while continuing to focus on what Rochester students and families need most: access, quality, opportunity, and strong schools.
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Program Spotlight
Introducing the Power Lab
Building informed, empowered leaders who can drive change in Rochester.
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From Parent ACTION Academy to POWER Lab
The Power Lab builds upon READY’s Parent ACTION Academy by taking parents and community members deeper into organizing, advocacy, and issue campaigns.
Explore the Power Lab →
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Lead Facilitator
Maribel Gardea
Led by Maribel Gardea of San Antonio, the Power Lab will support participants as they learn how to organize around shared priorities, build community power, and advocate for policies that expand access to quality schools.
The Power Lab will develop informed, empowered leaders who can drive change in Rochester.
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Civic Learning
Candidate Questionnaire Results
Helping voters understand where candidates stand on education issues.
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READY recently completed its second cycle of candidate questionnaires to help inform voters about where candidates stand on issues related to quality schools and educational opportunity for Rochester’s children.
During the previous school board races, all candidates responded to READY’s questions. This round, not all candidates participated. Still, READY is sharing the responses received and summarizing key findings for families, voters, and community members.
We hope these responses help inform voters about where candidates stand on issues related to expanding access to quality schools and educational opportunity for Rochester’s children.
Note: Please click the buttons below to read candidate responses.
View NY Congressional Questionnaire Results →
View NY Legislative Questionnaire Results →
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Civic information matters.
READY’s role is to help provide information so families and community members can better understand education priorities.
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Resources We Recommend
What We’re Reading This Month
Each month, READY will share resources, reports, and articles that help our community better understand education policy, school quality, family access, and the systems shaping student opportunity.
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What’s Happened to Staffing?
Edunomics Lab’s WANDA resource explores school staffing trends and what the data can tell us.
Read more →
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2
A Call to Action
A historical education resource that offers helpful context for long-standing questions about schools, systems, and change.
Read more →
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3
New K–12 Budget Proposal
Education Week outlines what Congress is proposing for key federal K–12 education programs.
Read more →
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READY Reminders
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Upcoming Event
Early Voting
Primary Election 2026
Monroe County Early Voting will be June 13 - 21, 2026 at the following times:
- Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, & Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Tuesday & Thursday: 12:00 noon - 8:00pm
All early voting sites will have a Spanish language interpreter on site
Learn More →
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Upcoming Event
Juneteenth Festival
READY will be tabling at the Juneteenth Festival to connect with families, students, and community members while sharing more about our work to expand access to quality schools for Rochester students.
Attendees can stop by our table to learn about READY’s mission, ask questions, and discover ways to get involved in advocating for stronger educational opportunities across our city.
Learn More →
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Sincerely,
Shanai Lee
Shanai Lee, MBA, EdD
Founder and Executive Director
READY, Inc.
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Stay Connected
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READY, Inc. | 250 East Main Street, Suite 2500 | Rochester, NY 14604
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