Get ready, NYC parents! The time has come to make a real difference in your kids' education. This week, Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos kicked off a unique opportunity for you to join local and citywide education councils. These panels play a major role in deciding school zoning, advising superintendents, and holding public meetings. If you're new to this, don't worry – Aviles-Ramos promises it's a great time to start.

Last year's education debates got pretty intense, particularly around issues like the Israel-Hamas conflict and transgender girls in sports. Former Chancellor David Banks even removed some parents from councils, claiming they weren't fit to serve. But that hasn't stopped parents like Maud Maron and Tajh Sutton from throwing their hats back in the ring.

If you're concerned about last year's events, Aviles-Ramos wants you to know that it's okay to disagree, but it's crucial to still move forward together. She emphasized the importance of supporting families who volunteer their time.

The upcoming elections come as there's growing criticism about low voter turnout and increasing contention. Only 28, 000 public school students' families voted in the last cycle. Comptroller Brad Lander even called for better complaint handling and clearer guidelines to prevent outside influence.

So, what's next? Applications are open online from early February through mid-March. There's plenty of time for candidate forums and campaigning. Voting happens from late April to mid-May, with results announced in June.

NYC Parents: Your Chance to Shape School Policy is Here!

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