August 28, 2025 Update: Today we learned that the DOE will not be funding our fourth PK classroom for 2025-26. While this is disappointing and short-sighted, we are very glad to learn that all families who wanted to return for PK were able to get a seat with us for the coming year. We look forward to picking back up the cause for our preschool in anticipation of SY 2026-27, as next year's families will confront the same terrible quandary if nothing changes. We are so grateful to all signees thus far -- your signature mattered this year and will matter to our work for next year, too!

To Deputy Chancellor Simone C. Hawkins:

We, the parents and supporters of the Locke School of Arts & Engineering (P.S. 185) in Harlem, urge the NYC Department of Education to release funding for an additional Pre-K classroom at our school.

The Locke School currently has four classrooms for 3-K students, but only three classrooms for Pre-K. This gap means that some of our children—who are already a part of our community—will be forced to leave the school simply because there aren't enough seats, seats that common sense says should be available. 

Once you're a part of the Locke School family, you should never be pushed out. We believe deeply in inclusion, continuity, and belonging—and the structure of our school should reflect those values. The families who start with us in 3-K are not just numbers, but become part of OUR family, and no child should have to leave the friends and teachers they’ve come to love. 

We know that our Acting Principal Jill Sinnott and District 3 Superintendent Kamar Samuels already see the importance of this additional classroom.  We seek to demonstrate broad parent and community support and to strengthen their advocacy with our collective voice.

There is clear and urgent need for another Pre-K classroom:

• Some families currently enrolled in 3-K will lose their spot and be forced to find another school -- not only for their rising preschooler, but likely for their older Locke students as well.
• There is a long waitlist for Pre-K at Locke that could easily fill this classroom, well beyond its 18 seats.
• Prospective 3-K families will be deterred by the idea that they could get a spot for 3-K and then lose it for Pre-K. They'll prioritize other schools where they're more guaranteed to stay.
• Our strong preschool program is fueling positive growth throughout K–5th grade, with families staying at Locke beyond preschool thanks to the early connection to our community. 
• In a time when many public schools, especially in Harlem, are struggling with enrollment, the Locke School is thriving and engaged. DOE investment here and now is the flywheel that will continue our growth. 

We call on the NYC Department of Education and Deputy Chancellor Hawkins to act with urgency to support our community by funding an additional Pre-K classroom at Locke.

Our children deserve a seat.

Our families deserve stability.

Our school community deserves the chance to grow together.

Please stand with us—sign below and support our kids, our school, and our neighborhood.

The Locke School PTA Executive Board