Families

Dear Families,
At New York City Public Schools, our job is to nurture the next generation—
and that includes caring for the environment around us. We are proud to
be part of the citywide commitment to keep our communities clean, green,
and safe for our children. NYCPS will be hosting events throughout April to
celebrate Earth Day, and on Wednesday, April 17, every school will take
part in Climate Action Day, with the theme of “Health, Wellness, and
Green Space.” Schools will plan activities to promote outdoor learning and
care for green spaces.

I want to encourage you to engage with your child about climate change
and how we can all do our part to be part of the solution. Here are a few
ways you can support the work of Climate Action Day:

1 Learn more about Climate Action Days at

on.nyc.gov/psClimateActionDays.

2 Ask your child’s school about their plans for Climate Action Day.
(School-based Sustainability Coordinators organize climate-related
activities; to identify yours, contact your principal.)

3 Reinforce the importance of caring for our planet and our communities.
Here are some ideas:

• Ask your child’s school if they have an indoor or outdoor garden that you can visit
or help maintain.
• Support Plastic Free Lunch Days at your child’s school, which are held once every
three weeks in elementary schools. If your child brings food from home, use
reusable containers, paper bags, or aluminum foil instead of plastic bags or wrap.
• Encourage your child to enjoy our plant-powered meals, offered as a daily choice
on our lunch menus.
• Care for a nearby street tree bed or rain garden. To learn more, visit
nycgovparks.org/trees/tree-care and nyc.gov/raingardens.
• Find Earth Day events at nycgovparks.org/events/earth_and_arbor_days.

By working together, we can build a brighter, more sustainable future. Thank

you for being our partners and for all you do to support our children!

Soaring high,

David C. Banks, Chancellor

NYC Public Schools

Eric Adams David C. Banks on.nyc.gov/psClimateActionDays

Mayor Chancellor