A new school year. A new plan. A bright future.
Hello families and students, it's Superintendent Anibal Soler, and I'm proud to welcome you to the first day of the 2025-26 school year. It is not only the start of a new year, it is the start of a new plan. Our 2030 Strategic Plan is community-driven, data-informed, and excellence-defined.
This plan belongs to all of us, and together we will bring it to life. For the first time in our history, every student in Yonkers will have a personal device. One student, one device, equal access for every child, in every school and in every neighborhood.
This is how we prepare for the future. At the same time, New York State has passed an internet-enabled device ban, and once again, Yonkers is leading the way. We are one of the largest districts to act with balance and responsibility.
Through our partnership with Yonder, high school students will carry their phones with them, but secured in a pouch throughout the day. Classrooms stay focused, students stay ready to learn, and teachers can teach. We're also introducing a new letter day schedule, A through F, across the entire district.
No matter where you go to school, the schedule will be the same. That means more time for teachers to plan, more structure for students to learn. We've also refreshed our code of character, conduct and support.
It sets clear expectations. It strengthens the support our students deserve, respect, responsibility, growth. And this is only the beginning.
Over the next five years, we will prepare our students not only for graduation, but for college, careers, and the world beyond our schools. We will build schools that are safe, schools that are strong, schools that reflect the hopes of this city. So let us begin this year with focus, let us begin with purpose, and let us begin with pride in what we can achieve together.
Let's be community-driven, data-informed, and excellence-defined. That is our commitment, and that is our future.
Thank you, and welcome back!