September Newsletter

Dear Parents/Caregivers:

 We are very proud that our school continues to lead all Community School District 5 elementary schools in English Language Arts performance as measured by the New York State testing program (we are 2nd in mathematics.)  This year’s scores are a significant decrease over last year’s.  We had a 9% decrease in English Language Arts and a 15% decrease in mathematics.

 Still, while we are disappointed with the decrease in state test scores, we know that test scores are only measure of student learning.  If we allow ourselves as a school and as a community to become overly focused on test scores to the detriment of  other learning our kids will not have the variety of opportunities necessary to become all that they could become academically, artistically, athletically, and as a contributing members of our society.

 Taken together, these results are much more powerful than a single test score, and they demonstrate our need to focus on ensuring kids are competent in the foundational literacy and mathematical skills at their grade level.  We have teachers and administrators who are some of the best in the city and who care deeply about all of our kids.

 We thank you all, and we pledge to continue to work together to provide a premier education for the community’s children in the future—and one that will continue to be measured in a variety of ways.

Educationally yours,

Reggie Higgins, Principal