From the Desk of Principal Amy

Dear UA Maker Families, 

 

We at UA Maker are working as a community to reflect on the events occurring in the Middle East. We want to reach out to assure that we are aware of the significance of the events taking place and committed to the safety and well-being of every student and staff member. As the conflict continues to escalate and we are seeing increased news coverage of social media posts promoting violence, we want to provide you with information on how we are monitoring the events and to share some resources. 

 

First, please be reassured that the NYCPS (New York City Public Schools) and law enforcement are actively monitoring social media sites for any threats of violence. At this time, there is no specific threat against our school.  

 

In addition to our heightened awareness in service of safety, we as educators are also well-aware that in times of great upheaval and uncertainty, it is important as ever that students are equipped with the tools they need to distinguish fact from fiction. The NYCPS also encourages you to visit schools.nyc.gov/digitalcitizenship for more information on how to support your child in building their skills in media literacy and safe online behaviors. Additional resources supporting thoughtful instruction and students’ mental health in the face of disturbing current events can be found at schools.nyc.gov/currentevents.  In particular, the NYCPS has also created and shared this guide about the Israel-Hamas War.


In the coming days, we will make spaces available for students to learn more about and process these events.  We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive learning environment for our students at all times. As is the UA Maker time-honored tradition, we encourage our school community to lean on one another and continue to engage in open dialogue. Should the situation develop further in terms of safety, we will keep you posted with any relevant updates that we receive. Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.  

 

In partnership, 

 

Amy and The Leadership Team 

The Urban Assembly Maker Academy