Quick update on CEC election process, new video on Talkspace & WBAI radio show

Feb. 15, 2025

1.     Parents: a quick note to let you know that the deadline to run for your District Community Education or Citywide Council is tomorrow, Sunday Feb. 16. With all the chaos and corruption of the Trump administration and apparently the Mayor’s office as well, this is a way you can make a difference. In recent years too many reactionary forces have dominated many of these Councils, so if you are a progressive parent with a child in the public schools, who cares about class size, curriculum, cell phones, data privacy, or any of the issues affecting the quality of education, your input is needed more than ever. Learn more: on.nyc.gov/Elections2025

2.     With the help of AI for Families, we have now posted a short video, showing how the online mental health company Talkspace via its $26M contract with the city has been victimizing teens by sharing their personal information with ad trackers and social media companies. Check it out here, and if your child has visited the Talkspace website or signed up for their services, please contact us by responding to this message.

3.     Tomorrow night Sunday at 7 PM ET on WBAI 99.5 FM or wbai.org, I’ll be interviewing the brilliant ed tech critic Audrey Watters about the growing use of AI in our schools, and what that means for learning, privacy, and human connection. You won’t want to miss it!

Talk to you soon,

Leonie Haimson
Executive Director
Class Size Matters
124 Waverly Pl.
New York, NY 10011
phone: 917-435-9329
[email protected]
http://www.classsizematters.org/

Follow on twitter @leoniehaimson