“Why not leave this world a little better than you found it?” ~ Why Not? By Kobi Yamada

January 7, 2026

Dear District 26 Community,

Welcome back and Happy New Year! I want to take a moment to reflect on what makes District 26 such a special place and to share our priorities, our progress, and the remarkable work happening every day across our schools. Serving this community continues to be an honor, and I am consistently inspired by our students, families, educators, and partners who show up with commitment, creativity, and care.

Across our 28 schools, the energy this Fall and Winter has been awesome. From the first days of school through September, October, November, and December, our schools have been alive with learning, joy, and connection. Family engagement has been front and center, with schools hosting events that welcome parents, grandparents, and caregivers into classrooms and school communities. Initiatives such as Dad and Father Figure engagement days, family literacy and math experiences, open houses, concerts, and cultural celebrations reinforced a simple but powerful truth, that when families and schools work together, students thrive.

Beyond the walls of our individual classrooms, we also sought to expand these connections on a larger scale. The district team organized a series of community-wide gatherings, ranging from Literacy Night and Math Routines to critical discussions on Project Soapbox and Bullying and Incident Reporting. In January, the district members will host creative experiences like “Let It Snowglobe” workshop and “Literacy at the Library.” These events will give parents opportunities to learn, connect, and create alongside their children. These successes highlight our commitment to fostering strong family partnerships and making learning a shared experience.

Reflecting on a productive fall semester, it is clear that our continued progress toward the District 26 literacy vision is a direct result of the collective work of our district team, our partner organizations, and the dedicated school staff and school communities who invest so much into this mission. Through this unified approach to literacy and MTSS, we remain firmly on track with our NYC Reads ultimate goal of ensuring that each and every student graduates District 26 as a proficient or above-proficient reader. By grounding our instruction in the Science of Reading, we’ve created a cohesive experience across all classrooms, from the phonemic awareness instruction through Heggerty and Fundations to the rich, complex texts explored through HMH. We are especially proud of the ongoing growth within our MTSS structures, a continued evolution that ensures our support systems are just as dynamic and dedicated as the students they serve. We have refined our tiered structures, allowing for more precise identification of student needs and more effective small-group interventions. This growth ensures that our instructional priorities aren't just goals, but lived experiences for our students.

Simultaneously, our work in mathematics continues to gain momentum through NYC Solves, with a sharp focus on problem-based learning and fostering positive math identities. Walking through our classrooms, we see students actively thinking, explaining, questioning, and making meaning, a testament to the expertise and dedication of our educators. By balancing rigorous content with the right level of support, we are ensuring students reach their full mathematical potential. This approach builds a durable understanding of the world, contributing to success in the classroom today while paving the way for our students to become the transformative leaders of tomorrow.

Equally important is our commitment to the well being of every child. Social emotional learning is woven into the fabric of our schools through MindUP, Respect for All, and ongoing professional learning for staff including monthly meetings and district-wide school intervisitations. Through the MindUp program, students are learning how their brains work, how to regulate emotions, and how to build empathy and resilience. Families are being invited into this work through workshops and shared resources, reinforcing consistency between home and school. Alongside this, the implementation of the citywide cell phone policy has already had a positive impact on focus, engagement, and social interactions during the school day.

District 26 continues to prioritize student voice and civic engagement as a central part of our mission. Through Civics for All initiatives such as Soapbox speeches, debate, participatory budgeting, student councils, Take Action Projects, and Press Corps, students are learning that their voices matter and that they can make a meaningful difference in their schools and communities. This work is intentionally aligned with our Student Leadership Program, which provides students with structured, authentic opportunities to lead, serve, and advocate on behalf of their peers. From elementary classrooms through middle and high school partnerships, students build confidence, strengthen leadership skills, and develop a strong sense of responsibility to their school communities and to the world around them. In partnership with the American Debate League, District 26 has formed the first ever Middle School Debate League to strive for this mission. To further develop youth voice and enhance action civics with our students, the Middle School Press Corp and Junior Reporters program have expanded in the District.

In keeping with our commitment to civic responsibility and shared values, this year District 26 launched a districtwide classroom flag initiative. Over 500 American flags and brackets were purchased to ensure that every classroom and office that did not already have a flag was included. I want to especially recognize our awesome custodial staff, who took great pride in installing each flag across all 28 schools, ensuring consistency, care, and respect in every space. This initiative was designed to honor the veterans in our community and the many veterans who serve our students each day as educators, staff members, and school leaders. It also serves as a meaningful way to begin recognizing and celebrating America’s 250th birthday, a milestone that invites reflection on our nation’s history, democratic ideals, and the responsibilities we share as citizens. The presence of the American flag in our schools stands as a daily reminder of service, sacrifice, unity, and the freedoms that shape both our classrooms and our community.

We are also proud of the breadth of opportunities available to our students beyond the classroom, as these experiences are an essential extension of teaching and learning in District 26. Our athletics programs foster teamwork, discipline, confidence, and school pride while providing students with meaningful opportunities to compete, lead, and represent their schools with integrity. Across the district, participation in soccer, basketball, bocce, cheer and volleyball continues to grow, strengthening school communities and supporting students’ physical, social, and emotional development.

The arts continue to thrive across the district, with students engaging in music, theater, dance, and visual arts that encourage creativity, self expression, and cultural awareness, while strengthening confidence and collaboration.

Our continued investment in computer science and STEM reflects our commitment to preparing students for an ever changing world. Students are coding, designing, problem solving, and engaging in hands-on learning experiences that build critical thinking, perseverance, and innovation. Through robotics, hackathons, engineering challenges, and classroom integrated computer science, students are learning to apply academic skills in meaningful and authentic ways.

These opportunities are strengthened through partnerships with high schools, cultural institutions, community based organizations, and citywide initiatives, all of which expand access and enhance student experiences. Enrichment programs before, during, and after the school day further support curiosity, leadership, and personal growth. Whether students are coding a program, performing on stage, competing on the field, or presenting their ideas publicly, they are developing confidence, voice, and transferable skills that prepare them not only for college and careers, but for active, engaged participation in their communities and in civic life.

None of this work happens in isolation. Our collaboration with students, the Community Education Council, Presidents’ Council, District Leadership Team, PTAs, school leaders, teachers, staff and families advisory groups ensures that parent voice and community input remain integral to our decision making. Together, we continue to focus on attendance, inclusion, communication, and equitable access to opportunities for every child.

The Team and I are incredibly proud of what District 26 has accomplished and even more excited about where we are headed. The work highlighted over these past months reflects a district that is focused, compassionate, and forward looking. Thank you for your partnership, your trust, and your shared belief in the potential of our children. I look forward to continuing this work together as we build on our successes and keep students at the center of everything we do.

With gratitude and appreciation,

Anthony M. Inzerillo
Community Superintendent District 26