Amy Zimmer
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amyzimmer.bsky.social
Amy Zimmer
@amyzimmer.bsky.social
310 followers 130 following 28 posts
New York Bureau Chief for Chalkbeat. Drop me a line: azimmer@chalkbeat.org.
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Reposted by Amy Zimmer
michaelelsenroo.bsky.social
A bit of news for NYC schools: schools w/ lower-than-projected enrollment won't have to give back $ midyear. That could be especially beneficial to schools that have enrolled large immigrant populations + have seen big drops under Trump. W/ @amyzimmer.bsky.social: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
It’s a ‘blessing’: NYC schools get to keep their cash, despite lower than projected enrollment
Schools that missed their enrollment targets won’t have to return millions in funding midyear back to the Education Department. Some principals say it’s a ‘blessing.’
www.chalkbeat.org
November 3, 2025 at 5:39 PM
amyzimmer.bsky.social
From a @chalkbeat.org Student Voices Fellow: Online, at school, on the street: Sexual harassment changes how I move through the world www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
Online, at school, on the street: Sexual harassment changes how I move through the world
By the time I was 11, toxic comments and content had begun to feel routine.
www.chalkbeat.org
July 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
amyzimmer.bsky.social
Student sit-ins, teacher departures: What’s happening at Columbia Secondary School? www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
Teachers are leaving, students are protesting: The upheaval at Columbia Secondary School
A wave of teacher departures and curriculum shifts under Columbia Secondary School’s new principal has led to growing discontent erupting this month with student-led protests.
www.chalkbeat.org
July 1, 2025 at 2:37 PM
amyzimmer.bsky.social
Graduation brings hope, fear at a Bronx school touched by immigration politics. @michaelelsenroo.bsky.social's dispatch from ELLIS Prep, Dylan's school: www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
How national immigration politics hung over the graduation ceremony of one Bronx high school.
While ELLIS Prep’s principal celebrated the accomplishments of graduates, she also paused to acknowledge the ongoing ICE detention of ELLIS student Dylan Lopez Contreras.
www.chalkbeat.org
June 26, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Reposted by Amy Zimmer
chalkbeat.org
Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s school plans include advocating for shared governance, addressing issues like homelessness, and examining the specialized high school admissions test.
Zohran Mamdani on education: His vision for NYC schools
Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s school plans include advocating for shared governance, addressing issues like homelessness, and examining the specialized high school admissions test.
bit.ly
June 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
amyzimmer.bsky.social
ICYMI: An inside look at a high school student's experience in NYC's highly touted apprenticeship program. Nearly 400 student apprentices across NYC split their days between school + job sites. A must-read from @alexzimmerman.bsky.social www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
How one NYC student juggles schoolwork and an intensive cybersecurity apprenticeship
Addison Wang was initially skeptical of spending so many of his high school days on an apprenticeship. Here’s what changed his mind.
www.chalkbeat.org
June 24, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Reposted by Amy Zimmer
chalkbeat.org
Addison Wang was initially skeptical of spending so many of his high school days on an apprenticeship. Here’s what changed his mind.
How one NYC student juggles schoolwork and an intensive cybersecurity apprenticeship
Addison Wang was initially skeptical of spending so many of his high school days on an apprenticeship. Here’s what changed his mind.
bit.ly
June 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by Amy Zimmer
alexzimmerman.bsky.social
New: NYC's teachers union is *not* endorsing in the Democratic mayoral primary due to deep divisions on issues from Israel to affordability

“There’s not even somewhat of a consensus on this race," UFT prez Michael Mulgrew told me. "It is split all over the place.”
www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
‘It is split all over the place’: NYC teachers union declines to endorse in mayor’s race
“There's not even somewhat of a consensus on this race,” UFT President Michael Mulgrew said. “It is split all over the place.”
www.chalkbeat.org
June 13, 2025 at 9:02 PM
amyzimmer.bsky.social
There's an air quality alert today in NYC. We're asking teachers: Is your school still using the air purifiers purchased during the pandemic? www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
Is your NYC school using the air purifiers that were distributed during COVID?
NYC invested millions of dollars outfitting every public school classroom with air purifiers at the height of the pandemic. But they have uses beyond COVID. Is your school still using them?
www.chalkbeat.org
June 12, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Reposted by Amy Zimmer
chalkbeat.org
Should NYC’s mayor control the public schools? Here’s what the candidates say.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/06/09/mayoral-control-schools-2025-mayors-race/
Should NYC’s mayor control the public schools? We asked the candidates for the office.
Supporters say mayoral control of public schools ensures accountability. Detractors say it’s anti-democratic. What do NYC’s mayoral candidates think?
www.chalkbeat.org
June 9, 2025 at 10:00 PM
amyzimmer.bsky.social
Are you following @michaelelsenroo.bsky.social's excellent coverage about Dylan, the Bronx HS student detained by ICE? Check out this profile of Dylan's school, ELLIS Prep, which is doing so much to support Dylan and their other students. www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
NYC school rallies to bring back their student detained by ICE
‘They thought no one would miss him. That was a mistake.’ Now, this Bronx school community is rallying around a student detained by ICE.
www.chalkbeat.org
June 6, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Reposted by Amy Zimmer
michaelelsenroo.bsky.social
If you've been following the story of Dylan, the Bronx HS student detained by ICE, I hope you'll read this follow-up. I followed his school, ELLIS Prep, as they navigated the aftermath — rallying around Dylan while managing the fears spreading to other students.

www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
NYC school rallies to bring back their student detained by ICE
‘They thought no one would miss him. That was a mistake.’ Now, this Bronx school community is rallying around a student detained by ICE.
www.chalkbeat.org
June 6, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Reposted by Amy Zimmer
chalkbeat.org
I live in the Bronx and go to high school in Lower Manhattan. My commute is my refuge.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/06/04/why-i-love-my-nyc-subway-commute-to-high-school/
My commute to high school is my refuge
The subway is the one place where I’m just another person moving through the city.
www.chalkbeat.org
June 4, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Reposted by Amy Zimmer
chalkbeat.org
Lawyers for Bronx high school student detained by ICE file petition for immediate release
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/05/30/lawyers-petition-to-release-bronx-high-school-student-detained-by-ice/
Lawyers for Bronx student detained by ICE file petition for immediate release
In a new “habeas corpus” filing, the lawyers for Dylan, a Bronx high school student detained by ICE, claim immigration officials violated his due process rights.
www.chalkbeat.org
May 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Reposted by Amy Zimmer
newyorkstateag.bsky.social
Dylan is a 20-year-old student who followed our legal process and is trying to get an education and provide for his family.
 
ICE took advantage of his court date to arrest him.
 
It's despicable.
A Bronx high schooler showed up for a routine immigration court date. ICE was waiting.
A NYC public school student’s arrest was part of a nationwide blitz of immigration authorities detaining migrants in courthouses in an effort to speed up deportations.
www.chalkbeat.org
May 27, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by Amy Zimmer
chalkbeat.org
A Bronx high schooler showed up for a routine immigration court date. ICE was waiting.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/05/27/bronx-high-school-student-detained-by-immigration-ice-agents/
A Bronx high schooler showed up for a routine immigration court date. ICE was waiting.
A NYC public school student’s arrest was part of a nationwide blitz of immigration authorities detaining migrants in courthouses in an effort to speed up deportations.
www.chalkbeat.org
May 27, 2025 at 1:00 AM
amyzimmer.bsky.social
First known example of a current New York City public school student detained by ICE during Trump’s second administration. The latest from @michaelelsenroo.bsky.social ⬇️
May 27, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Reposted by Amy Zimmer
chalkbeat.org
See how many new teachers your NYC school is getting to reduce class sizes
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/05/21/new-teachers-class-size-reduction-school-list/
See how many new teachers your NYC school is getting to reduce class sizes
Chalkbeat created a searchable table showing how many new teachers were assigned to each of the 741 schools given new hiring funding by the city.
www.chalkbeat.org
May 21, 2025 at 7:30 PM
amyzimmer.bsky.social
Please listen to our latest P.S. Weekly episode + behold the power student journalism! These students are having an impact!
May 22, 2025 at 1:53 PM
amyzimmer.bsky.social
Under federal law, schools must consider a student’s disability and special education plan during the suspension process. NYC public schools have been breaking the rules for years.

A must-read from @alexzimmerman.bsky.social www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
‘Justice delayed’: NYC students with disabilities face longer suspensions than allowed
Some students with disabilities in NYC public schools are serving longer suspensions — sometimes by several weeks — than legally allowed, a problem that disproportionately affects Black students.
www.chalkbeat.org
May 21, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Reposted by Amy Zimmer
chalkbeat.org
Some NY schools turn to virtual learning as Trump deportation fears keep immigrant students home
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/05/19/deportation-fears-immigrant-students-virtual-learning/
NY schools use virtual learning as Trump deportations keep some immigrant students home
A state education official revealed that some districts are tapping virtual learning to support immigrant students frightened to attend school.
www.chalkbeat.org
May 19, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Reposted by Amy Zimmer
chalkbeat.org
NYC faces a sweeping (and expensive) class size mandate. Here’s where the mayoral candidates stand.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/05/16/nyc-school-class-size-mandate-2025-mayoral-campaign/
NYC schools face a sweeping class size mandate. Here’s where the mayoral candidates stand.
Reducing class sizes may require thorny tradeoffs, including enrollment caps at popular schools or pushing for waivers. How will the mayoral candidates approach the mandate?
www.chalkbeat.org
May 16, 2025 at 8:30 PM
amyzimmer.bsky.social
Eric Adams installed sweeping curriculum mandates. Here’s what the mayoral candidates would do next. www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
NYC mayoral candidates share plans for continuing (or not) Eric Adams’ curriculum overhaul
NYC mayoral candidates generally like Eric Adams’ reading curriculum overhaul. Math is a different story
www.chalkbeat.org
May 14, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Reposted by Amy Zimmer
chalkbeat.org
Backlash over culture wars brings new energy to NYC’s parent council elections
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/05/09/backlash-culture-wars-brings-energy-parent-council-elections/
Backlash over anti-trans rhetoric brings new energy to NYC’s parent council elections
In Manhattan’s District 2, and other parts of the city, new efforts have sprung up to unseat candidates backed by the polarizing local advocacy group PLACE.
www.chalkbeat.org
May 9, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by Amy Zimmer
chalkbeat.org
New state formula means $314 million less for NYC schools, but city still gets Foundation Aid hike
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/05/08/foundation-aid-formula-kathy-hochul-state-budget-nyc-schools/
NYC schools to receive $314 million less due to tweaks to state funding formula
“A formula once considered among the most progressive in the nation is now being dismantled,” one advocacy group said. City schools will still receive a Foundation Aid increase, however.
www.chalkbeat.org
May 8, 2025 at 10:30 PM