District 29 News

Translations of both of these documents are available here: Messages for Families

Meet the Chancellor

David C. Banks, Chancellor

David C. Banks is Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, the largest school system in the nation. Appointed on January 1, 2022, he is the former President and CEO of the Eagle Academy Foundation, and the founding principal of The Eagle Academy for Young Men, the first school in a network of innovative all-boys public schools in New York City and Newark, N.J. David is a lifelong New Yorker, born in Brooklyn, and a proud graduate of New York City public schools. After a year working as a school safety officer, he began his first teaching job at P.S. 167. From there, he went on to become a founding principal at the Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice, and later at the Eagle Academy for Young Men, which he founded in 2004. The Eagle model has since been adopted in schools throughout all five New York City boroughs and Newark, N.J., expanding nationally through the Eagle Institute.

DOE Leadership and Offices

Meet the Superintendent

Superintendent: Crystal Bonds
Family Leadership Coordinator: James Pressey
Family Support Coordinator: Keturah Hardy
Office: 191-02 Ninetieth Avenue, Hollis NY 11423
Phone: (718) 217-7740

Crystal Bonds

Dr. Crystal Bonds began her career in District 29 as a teacher and mathematics coach. She went on to leadership roles in New York City Schools, including as assistant principal, principal, and master principal, before becoming Superintendent of District 29.

Superintendent’s Message

Dear Community School District 29,

It is with a heart of deepest gratitude and hope that I write this letter as your new Superintendent of Community School District 29. I am filled with excitement about the opportunity to learn and grow from our collective experiences with our students and parents, educators, community members, legislators and each other. I pledge to spend much time promoting systems that enhance active communication and information-sharing as this will be critical towards advancing our collaborative efforts supporting student success.

I am humbled and honored to have been afforded the opportunity to serve as the district’s next Superintendent. As a student, teacher and parent from this district, I am elated to be coming home to a place that is dear to my heart, to extend my role as an educational leader. I look forward to building on existing successes, as well as opportunities to collaborate with the District 29 school community to create innovative approaches that advance student and educator outcomes.

As we work together to identify and prioritize the pursuit of targeted strategic actions, we will focus on leadership and innovation. The answer is not with just one person, the answer is an organic collaborative approach that addresses our specific needs. Our continuous efforts will champion consistent expectations throughout our schools, and a focus on ensuring that our children and educators are prepared for their future.

I look forward to working with each and every one of you to lead the district in the reimagined role of Superintendent and set the foundation for collaboration going forward. I will be in touch in the near future with dates and times for Listening & Learning Tours with the community.

With Gratitude,
Dr. Crystal Bonds
Community Superintendent,
School District 29