Letter from the Executive Director, 2023-2024 School Year

 

Dear Families,

 

We hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits as we gear up for an exciting new school year.

 

Reflecting on the past academic year, we have so much to celebrate at CHSLSJ! With the unwavering support of our incredible community, we achieved remarkable milestones. We proudly witnessed the graduation of 88 talented scholars, with 82 embarking on their college journeys this September, and two bravely choosing to serve in the military. Our graduating class secured an astounding $1,200,000 in scholarships and financial aid, with 52% of our students being the first in their families to achieve this incredible milestone. These accomplishments are a testament to the dedication and resilience of our students, the hard work of our staff, and the unwavering support of our families.

 

These successes would not have been possible without the collective efforts of our dedicated Board of Trustees, our scholars, and the entire Law & Social Justice staff. To our students and their families, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your commitment and partnership in nurturing this thriving learning community. Together, we've set the bar high, and we're excited to continue this journey of excellence in the new school year.

 

As we embark on the 2023-2024 academic year, we have some important news to share. Our Principal, Ms. Runco, has made the difficult decision to step down from her role. This decision arises from her personal aspirations to explore opportunities in elementary education closer to her home. We extend our sincere appreciation to Ms. Runco. 

 

With great enthusiasm, we are delighted to introduce our new Principal, Mr. Jose Ferrer. Mr. Ferrer has been an integral part of our school community since its inception in 2019. His wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to education make him the ideal leader for this new chapter in our school's journey. Mr. Ferrer's dedication to student success and the values of Law & Social Justice have earned him the respect of our entire community. We are confident that under his leadership, we will continue to reach new heights of excellence. The rest of our leadership team remains unchanged, and we are all eagerly looking forward to a fantastic year ahead.

 

As we move forward, it's important to acknowledge that COVID-19 is still part of our lives. We strongly encourage all families to have their children vaccinated and to ensure that they wear masks. While masks are not mandatory, they are highly recommended for the safety of our community. In our commitment to proactive measures, we will continue with random saliva testing for students and staff. 

 

Our dedication to becoming the #1 school in New York City remains steadfast. We deeply care about each of our scholars and their families. Together, we will continue to foster a safe and inclusive environment that respects every member of our community, all while focusing on the principles of law and social justice.

 

Last year the Charter High School for Law & Social Justice was named a "School of Excellence" by the National Education Equity Lab. This prestigious recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional education rooted in equity and justice. It is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire school community.

 

Once again, we extend our sincere gratitude for your unwavering support. Together, we are poised to make the 2023-2024 school year an extraordinary one. If you have any concerns or questions regarding the upcoming year, please do not hesitate to reach out.

 

Warm regards,

 

Richard Burke

Executive Director/Head of School