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The New Voices Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Team aims to create a school culture that promotes an inclusive, diverse, and equitable learning environment where all students feel that they belong and that their experiences and perspectives matter.
We aim to cultivate and integrate our students’ diverse identities into every area of our school culture, providing them with opportunity for creative expression and student voice.
“Do work that matters. Vale la pena.”
Gloria AnzaldúA (1942-2004)
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Sept 15 – Oct 15, 2024
In celebration of our diverse community, this year we will highlight Noted Voices: Members of the New Voices community, who have achieved success in their fields. Photos and bios of these community members will be featured on our central hallway bulletin board.
Important Dates:
| Sept 25, 2024 | Youth Equity Congress D15 |
| Sept 25, 2024 | T-shirt Design Contest due |
| Sept 26 , 2024 | New Voices DEI Team meeting |
| Sept 27, 2024 | School Dance |
| Oct 9, 2024 | DEI Needs Assessment Due |
| Oct 24, 2024 | New Voices Family Paint Night* |
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New Voices Celebrates Diversity T-Shirt Contest
Previous Winners
Calling all Artists!
Design our next New Voices Celebrates Diversity Shirt!
Submit your design by Sept 25th to Ms. Kraus or Ms Pignataro!
Student Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Team
Students have the opportunity to participate in furthering the equity work being done at our school and within District 15 by participating in conversations about current events related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, leadership opportunities, as well as help plan community-wide diversity events.
Mr. Pang, an 8th grade math teacher, is the group advisor.
Our Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team for the 2024-2025 will begin meeting this month and meets twice per month.
The team will work in tandem with the District 15 Equity Congress as well as the New Voices adult equity team to celebrate diverse holidays and cultural events, build community, and provide an opportunity for student leadership to elevate the voice of all our students.
For more information on how your child can join the student diversity, equity, and Inclusion team. Anyone interested should speak to Mr Pang in room 311.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Team Updates
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Team is a collaboration between parents, teachers and administrators. We meet monthly to discuss, identify and implement change within our school community as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
If you are interested in joining the New Voices DEI team, please email:
lkraus2@schools.nyc.gov or dpignataro@schools.nyc.gov
As we open the school year, we are administering our collaboratively developed annual needs assessment to caregivers, students, and staff. The results of this survey will inform the work that we do this year, providing us with valuable data which we will develop our team priorities and focus for the year.
Students were given time in class to complete the survey. Parents will find a link in your Jupiter messages, sent out Sept 12th.
The survey will close Sunday Oct 9th at 11:59pm.
Community Building
Bringing together Alumni, Current Students, Family and Staff
Family Paint Night is coming! Oct 24th
The DEI Team will hold our annual family Paint Night on Tuesday Oct 24th. New Voices Family Paint Night features alumni and current students teaching painting to participants. Signups will be sent out via Jupiter, keep an eye out!
We held our first Family Paint Night May of 2021. Over the years we have seen some amazing art from our families!
Alumni High School Nights
Each year we support our current students in the high school admissions process by facilitating various events with New Voices alum. In the fall, we hold high school information sessions giving students and opportunity to ask questions and hear about our Alumni’s experiences at various high schools. In the spring, we hold an event where students get to meet with current students at their future high schools, giving them an opportunity to ask specific questions and go into high school already knowing someone there.
All of our Alumni High School events are are student led discussions, facilitated by Ms. Pignataro and Ms. Kraus.
Photos from our Spring 2024 High School Night
Our first Alumni High School night for Class of 2024 will be held on November 7th @ 6pm
GSA News
The New Voices Gender and Sexuality Alliance has members across all three grades! GSA is a safe space for students to meet, support each other, and talk about school, life, and current events as well as participate in service-learning projects.
The New Voices GSA will begin meeting mid-October. We hope to continue the work we have been doing– service learning, education, and promoting an inclusive environment within our school.
The GSA continues to be an integral part of our community, allowing students to socialize across grades, make new friends, and discover new interests in a safe space for all students.