Open Letter to Mayor Bloomberg

June 11, 2007

Dear Mayor Bloomberg: I write this letter to express my strong opposition to the New York City Department of Education’s plans to shut down the Martha Neilson School which is part of the New York City’s LYFE/Living for the Young Family through Education Program for Pregnant and Parenting Students. I remained deeply committed to my support for New York City’s high schools for pregnant girls, alternative high school programs, and GED programs which have saved many Bronx students from becoming drop-outs.

Upon learning about the New York City Department of Educations’ plans to close these programs, I remain appalled that New York City would consider removing a pregnant teenager’s choice of obtaining a high school diploma by shutting down successful programs that help them to succeed. It is our responsibility to build upon these alternative education programs and GED programs which offer hope to our youth instead of ending them and offering our youth no way forward.