Announcements

On Oct. 23 & 24, 2024, the New York Charter Schools Association (NYCSA) hosted its annual New York Charter Schools Conference in the heart of New York City at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. The annual convening brought together nearly 600 attendees involved in the charter sector from across New York State and the country.

The New York Charter Schools Conference aims to connect professionals across industries for networking and to educate attendees on current issues affecting the charter school landscape. The conference also serves as a place for attendees to network with other charter leaders, teachers, industry experts and elected officials.

The conference welcomed a number of local elected officials to the event, including New York State Assemblymember Landon C. Dais, who spoke during the event kickoff. During his address to the crowd, he spoke about the importance of communities working together to create a better future for children and asked audience members to reflect on how they are going to challenge their own leadership to make tomorrow better for their own communities.

Other notable elected officials who attended the conference include charter advocates State Senator Luis Sepulveda and Assemblymembers Amanda Septimo and Brian Cunningham.

During the conference’s opening ceremony, NYCSA’s Executive Director Fatimah Barker presented Michelle Haynes, the leader of New York’s very first public charter school to open, the Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem, an award from The Association in celebration of the school’s 25th anniversary, which took place this past September. Barker also presented proclamations to the school from New York State Senator Cordell Cleare and Assemblymember Inez. E Dickens.

“This conference is more than just an annual get-together for members of the charter sector in New York,” said Fatimah Barker, executive director of the New York Charter Schools Association. “This conference is a melting pot of ideas for advancement from leaders throughout the entire sector, and its purpose is to make each member stronger, so that the sector can continue to progress.”

Some highlights of the conference included sessions on the ever-growing enrollment crisis public schools across the country have been facing, how to incorporate AI into classrooms in an effective way and an outstanding closing keynote panel with New York City charter school alumni who shared their perspectives and experiences.

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s event. We look forward to seeing you all again next year in Rochester, NY!