New York City Public Schools, District 15 Leadership, and the NYCPS Office of District Planning

Our Request
We, the families, educators, students, staff, and community members of Red Hook, are asking NYC Public Schools to work with the PS 15 School Leadership Team and the Red Hook community to explore and develop a Bridges Community School model using the PS 15 and PS 27 buildings as a connected community resource.
Rather than viewing these buildings only through the lens of school space and enrollment, we ask NYCPS to engage the community in planning for how this campus can support children and families both during and beyond the traditional school day.

Why This Matters
PS 15 is more than a school building. It is part of the fabric of Red Hook—a place where children learn, families connect, educators work alongside parents, and community organizations provide support and opportunities. The PS 15 School Leadership Team has developed a vision for a Bridges Community School for Red Hook: a connected campus where families can access educational opportunities, family support, health and wellness resources, early childhood programming, enrichment, and trusted community services.

The goal is simple:
Families should not have to search from door to door to find the support they need.
A Bridges model could bring existing community strengths together in one connected space while creating additional opportunities for children and families.

What Could a Bridges Community School Provide?
The vision developed by the PS 15 SLT includes opportunities such as:
 - A Family Access Response team to help families navigate public benefits, services, and support.
 - A community coordinator and social work support connecting families with appropriate resources.
 - Connections to health, dental, mental health, and wellness services.
 - Birth-to-three and early childhood programming.
 - Extended learning, enrichment, arts, and community programming.
 - Family leadership and advocacy opportunities.
 - Stronger coordination among neighborhood organizations and public agencies.
 - Opportunities for families and community partners to help shape the future of the campus.

Our Vision for Red Hook
Red Hook already has many of the ingredients needed for a strong community school: dedicated educators, families, neighborhood organizations, community partners, and people invested in local children. The opportunity is to bring those strengths together.
With thoughtful planning and meaningful community engagement, the PS 15 and PS 27 buildings could become a connected hub that expands access to programs, services, enrichment, and support for Red Hook families.

What We Are Asking NYC Public Schools to Do!
We ask NYCPS to:
1. Engage the PS 15 School Leadership Team and Red Hook community in a formal planning process for a Bridges Community School model.
2. Consider the PS 15 and PS 27 buildings as potential community infrastructure—not solely as traditional school space.
3. Conduct meaningful community engagement with families, educators, students, and neighborhood organizations before decisions are made about the future use of the campus.
4. Explore partnerships that could bring early childhood, health and wellness, family support, enrichment, and community services together on the campus.
5. Work collaboratively with the PS 15 SLT to develop a detailed feasibility and implementation plan for the Bridges Community School vision.

This Is About Building on What Red Hook Already Has!  This petition is not about asking the community to choose between education and community services. It is about asking what is possible when we connect them. We believe public school buildings can be places where children learn, families feel welcomed, educators are supported, and community organizations have meaningful opportunities to contribute. Red Hook has the community, the relationships, the vision.

Together, we can build a stronger public school community where every child and family has the support they need to thrive. Red Hook has always been a vibrant and tightly-knit community, These schools are not just educational institutions; they are the heart of our community, bringing together families, educators, and children from all walks of life.

We propose working collaboratively with the NYC Public Schools, District 15 Leadership, and the NYCPS Office of District Planning to establish a Bridges Community School model, utilizing both PS 15 and PS 27 buildings. This model would ensure a connected community that leverages these shared spaces for educational innovation, community engagement, and resource sharing.

The Bridges Community School initiative would transform these school groups into hubs of learning and community unity, encouraging involvement from parents, local businesses, and organizations. This approach would safeguard the future of our community schools and enhance educational outcomes for our children.

Research shows that schools deeply embedded in their communities see improved student performance and higher parent satisfaction. According to the National Education Association, schools that engage and integrate with their local communities often see better student attendance, greater long-term success, and more robust community bonds. By adopting the Bridges model, we can ensure that PS 15 and PS 27 building serve as pillars of learning and community support.

We implore you to consider the profound impact such a plan could have on both the educational landscape and the broader Red Hook community. By investing in this innovative approach, we can foster a nurturing environment where our children and community can thrive together.

Join us in our effort to preserve and strengthen the place of PS 15 and PS 27 building in Red Hook by signing this petition. Together, we can shape a future that honors our community's heritage while embracing innovation and inclusion.

Now we are asking NYC Public Schools to work with us to build the bridge,  please sign this petition and share it with your neighbors, families, educators, community organizations, and partners.