NY1’s Exceptional Graduates series featured Lizbeth Lucero, 2016 valedictorian of our Brooklyn Collaborative school. Lucero is the daughter of Mexican immigrants, lived through Hurricane Sandy, and is headed off to Cornell on a full scholarship. Lucero also served as a featured speaker at our 2016 Gala.
Students from our school WHEELS were recently invited to name a new species of wasp that is native to the Dominican Republic. Students, whose families hail predominately from the Dominican Republic, chose the name La Luz Brillante. When translated to English, this means The Bright Light.
One of our Associate Schools, Community Roots, has an intentional approach to school integration that deeply involves the entire school community. The school population is unlike others in the City: 39% white, 33% Black, 20% Hispanic and Asian, and 8% other. WNYC’s Beth Fertig explores their integration strategies.
Is it possible to teach students character skills like resilience and grit? Author and scholar Paul Tough thinks it’s difficult but not impossible – and points to our school WHEELS as an example of an institution that’s doing it right, thanks to our whole school EL Education model.
NY1 visited with students involved in our Gaynor McCown School’s water testing expedition. The real-world learning project, which is a hallmark of our EL Education schools, focused on the waterways at Fresh Kills Park on Staten Island.
Sixth graders from our West End Secondary School joined ABC7’s Ken Rosato for a discussion on New York City’s antiquated sewage system and the many ways in which our waterways are being polluted. Scroll down to the May 15 segment.
Principal Brady Smith of our James Baldwin School in Chelsea was named DNA Info’s Principal of the Week. Standout achievements include his leadership around social justice issues and a school-wide commitment to restorative justice practices.
“We must resist the myth that more suspensions make us safer,” says Tyler Brewster, restorative justice coordinator at our James Baldwin School, in this Chalkbeat op-ed, which argues for increased resources, updated policies, steadfast commitment, and comprehensive training in restorative justice practices across our public schools.
Principal Jessica Jenkins of our newest school West End Secondary sat down with reporter Emily Frost of DNAinfo to talk about the school’s governing philosophies and her strategies on building grit and perseverance in students, as well as a community culture where rigorous and relevant learning can thrive.
Senior Janaisa Walker of our school Brooklyn Collaborative discusses the unique challenges faced by first generation college applicants in this essay published by SparkAction.