The Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council
Last Month, the NYC Department of Education released the Educational Impact Statement proposing the phase-out of M.S. 571 - The Bergen Upper School, and a re-siting and co-location of Brooklyn East Collegiate Charter School in the 13K009 building. The DOE claims M.S. 571 “lacks the capacity to turn around” and there’s a need of high-quality options in school district 13. Much like P.S. 316 and M.S. 353, the DOE is not allowing the possible expansion and growth of P.S. 9.
Join parents, students and public officials who are demanding local schools be given a chance to succeed and grow!
Our local public school, P.S. 9, has undergone a resurgence during the last few years. Its pre-school has become so popular that even zoned families are no longer guaranteed a spot. This year, the school had enough kindergarten enrollment to add a 6th class. Local parents have been increasingly involved with the school and have worked with the school to obtain a new library and, for this fall, a new playground.
For the last decade, P.S. 9 has shared the 80 Underhill Avenue building with a small middle school, M.S. 571. When the city Dept. of Education (DOE) decides that extra space exists in a school building, it houses schools together. Last month, the DOE announced its plan to phase out M.S. 571 for poor performance. The DOE has proposed putting a year-old charter middle school into the building. The charter school, Brooklyn East Collegiate Charter School, is currently located in Crown Heights. By most accounts, it is likely to be a successful, disciplined middle school.
Others in the the P.S. 9 community, however, prefer that the space be left for the expected growth of PS 9 as an elementary school. They would like to see the campus returned to an elementary-only space, as it was for decades. The school has been growing quickly and already could use more space. The school would benefit greatly from having to itself the cafeteria, gymnasium, auditorium and library space—currently, because of sharing space with ONE school, the lower grades eat lunch at 10:30 a.m. and the school occasionally holds gym in the auditorium. For the next year, P.S. 9 would have to share these facilities with two schools.
This hearing is being sponsored by the Department of Education so that parents and residents can express their views on the proposed changes at P.S. 9. Speakers must sign up between 5:30 and 6:15. Questions may also be submitted in writing.
Our local public school, P.S. 9, has undergone a resurgence during the last few years. Its pre-school has become so popular that even zoned families are no longer guaranteed a spot. This year, the school had enough kindergarten enrollment to add a 6th class. Local parents have been increasingly involved with the school and have worked with the school to obtain a new library and, for this fall, a new playground.
For the last decade, P.S. 9 has shared the 80 Underhill Avenue building with a small middle school, M.S. 571. When the city Dept. of Education (DOE) decides that extra space exists in a school building, it houses schools together. Last month, the DOE announced its plan to phase out M.S. 571 for poor performance. The DOE has proposed putting a year-old charter middle school into the building. The charter school, Brooklyn East Collegiate Charter School, is currently located in Crown Heights. By most accounts, it is likely to be a successful, disciplined middle school.
Others in the the P.S. 9 community, however, prefer that the space be left for the expected growth of PS 9 as an elementary school. They would like to see the campus returned to an elementary-only space, as it was for decades. The school has been growing quickly and already could use more space. The school would benefit greatly from having to itself the cafeteria, gymnasium, auditorium and library space—currently, because of sharing space with ONE school, the lower grades eat lunch at 10:30 a.m. and the school occasionally holds gym in the auditorium. For the next year, P.S. 9 would have to share these facilities with TWO schools.
P.S. 9's principal is holding a breakfast meeting THIS FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 7, at 7:45 a.m., to discuss concerns about the proposed changes. All local residents are welcome to attend.
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Council Member Letitia James, and the Brooklyn Parent Academy urge all District 13 parents to attend a comprehensive town hall meeting to discuss the welfare of School District 13. Discussion will include:
District 13 schools include the following:
Help save P.S. 9's arts program!
Participants and Auction Items:
For more information, contact Charmaine Derrell-Jacob at 347.563.5324 or cderrell@schools.nyc.gov, or click on the Auction link at www.ps9brooklyn.org.
Advance sale tickets are available until Friday, October 8, at P.S. 9 room 112.
Pre-auction bidding is online at www.ps9brooklyn.org/support-ps-9.
Representative Yvette Clarke's office has informed us that community members who sustained property damage during the tornado that struck Prospect Heights on September 16, 2010 may file claims for reimbursement from the City of New York.