INITIATIVES / EDUCATION

At Borough Hall, one of our goals is to make navigating city agencies easier by having an in-house expert and posting Staten Island-specific information on this site. This page is devoted to Education on Staten Island and contains information, announcements and celebrations in and around our Staten Island schools.
 
Feel free to address specific question or concerns to Rose Kerr, Director of Education, who is available to help. She can be reached by email at RKerr@statenislandusa.com or by calling 718-816-2055.

Ms. Kerr regularly compiles updates on school news and opportunities for parents and students. Please see below for this useful information.

Bridge Prep Charter School Opens
On September 5, 2019, history was made on Staten Island. Bridge Preparatory Charter School opened its doors to students who have been waiting for a school like this for quite some time. Bridge Prep is the first and only public school in all of New York State designed for students who struggle with reading, especially those with dyslexia. The 90 students entered with smiles on their faces and balloons marked the celebratory moment. Once inside, the students stood up tall, pretended to be their favorite superheroes and stated, "I am Bold. I am Bright. I am Unique." They will recite this every day when they come to school to reinforce how special and amazing they are.  These first-grade and second-grade students are the first of countless others who will follow as this school grows. They will be taught in the way they learn and, as a result, will develop a love of learning and coming to school. It's a new day on Staten Island and the team at Bridge Prep will have a profound impact on the lives of students with dyslexia. This school will be a game changer for these students and all future students and families who walk through those doors.

St. Peters Boys School Spotlight
St. Peters is celebrating 100 years of educating young men in the tradition of the Christian Brothers of St. John Baptist de la Salle. The New Brighton school is holding strong at 575 students in 22 classrooms, and a state of the art athletic complex. With a graduation rate of 99%, while the school’s faculty is changing, the school is succeeding in its mission. Through programs like the Lasallian Youth, the school’s community service club, St. Peter’s students are taught the importance of learning and service to their community. Though tradition is a strong part of a St. Peter's education, the school has kept pace with the times through several expansion projects under Principal Fodera's watch. An extension on the main building in 2001 added offices, classrooms and labs and upgrades have enhanced the athletics facilities and field.

   • Learn more at the school's website

PS 60 School Spotlight
Principal Donna Bonanno has been an agent for change since she arrived at PS 60 in 2014. She and her dedicated staff have made the school an inviting place that fosters academic and individual development. Arts and music classes are important to the school, and it seems that there is always some form of improvement occurring in the building, right now it’s a new dance room. With more than 25 percent of the 906 students at PS 60 receiving special education, 25 paraprofessionals are on staff to support the 8-1-1 ratio needed to ensure appropriate education for all. The school also boasts a recently added student council, where elected students are given the chance to voice their concerns with the principal herself. Unique parent events are also held to build a sense of community.

   • Learn more at the school's website

Blessed Sacrament School Spotlight
With an emphasis on celebrating faith and learning, Blessed Sacrament school, which began in 1917, is located at the corner of Manor Rd and Forest ave. Principal Cocozello, a Staten Island native, works hard to ensure that the 472 students enrolled share the same loving experience that they did when the school had only 12 students. With help from Monsignor Peter Finn, Blessed Sacraments Pastor, the school is a tight knit loving community where the students are nurtured with an emphasis on religion. 

   • Learn more at the school's website

Petrides Habitat for Humanity
The Petrides Habitat for Humanity chapter has been active since 2009 and hosted its family fun day on March 4th. There they raised money for the builds that they will take part in. In the past, they have helped in 7 different states on the east coast, and this year will be helping in Brownsville and Queens. The items auctioned off at the event were made by the students in the chapter. 

Port Richmond Students Take on Heroin Crisis
Seniors in Lisa Pollari's civics and government class at Pt. Richmond H.S. have taken the lead in educating middle-school students about Staten Island’s growing heroin crisis.  They partnered with Wagner College and Generation Citizen to create a public service announcement (PSA) video "in the hope of promoting education and awareness of the heroin problem exploding on Staten Island." The students stressed the need to educate children in middle school before they enter high school.  They also stressed the need for Naloxone nasal spray to be available in the high schools to be administered by the school nurse of trained school safety officers. They recently presented their project to the Borough President.
   • Watch the PSA
   • Read more at SILIVE

Schools Seek Donations for Family of Young Mom
School families and the community are pulling together to help the family of a young Staten Island mother who died in a car accident last month. The Parent-Teacher Association of PS 36, in Annadale, is collecting gift cards and other items for the family of Jessica Cimmino, 40, who died Jan. 6 when her car ran off the road into the woods off the Meadowbrook State Parkway on Long Island. 

   • Read more at SILIVE

Preparing to Succeed in the Global Marketplace
Their school building is in New Springville, but their classroom is the world. Students at the College of Staten Island High School for International Studies have had the opportunity to study all around the world. As part of its global curriculum, the school offers at least two optional trips abroad each year to all students in good standing. The school, which has only 492 students, reveals a focus on broadening student horizons and learning about other cultures. “This is a small-concept high school”, explains Principal Joseph Canale, “we are thematically focused on international studies with an emphasis on building global competence.”

   • Read more at SILIVE

Hill Girls Tell Why They Love Their High School
​It’s the season of important academic decisions for eighth-grade students on Staten Island, as they await their high school match letters and decide which one will be the right fit for September. In the final installment of a seven-part series in the Staten Island Advance highlighting students from the seven Catholic high schools in our borough and why they believe their high school is an excellent choice, the Hill girls interviewed talked about how much they loved their school, how inviting the environment is, and how they will have an opportunity to achieve the best academic achievement possible. 

   • Read more at SILIVE

Rowe Scholars Enhances Education at PRHS
​There is an educational enrichment program on Staten Island that’s really making a difference in the lives of young people. Since 2010, Port Richmond High School students have been offered the opportunity to participate in the Y Rowe Scholars Program, an elite enrichment program funded by the YMCA of Greater New York. It is designed to enhance college access and career development for students and to focus on the academic, social, emotional and professional growth of each of its members. The program currently has 125 students.

   • Read more at SILIVE

Pre-K Enrollment Starts January 17 and Runs Through February 24
A free, full-day, high-quality pre-K program is your child’s first step to success throughout the rest of his or her education. All New York City families with children born in 2013 are eligible to apply.

How to Apply
There are three ways to apply using a single application, available in ten languages. Interpretation services are provided in over 200 languages for applications submitted over the phone and in person.
·         Online at nyc.gov/prek.
·         Over the phone by calling 718-935-2067.
·         In person, at a Family Welcome Center.

Explore Your Options
For the most up-to-date program options, families are encouraged to use the Pre-K Finder online. Additionally, a list of available programs is provided in the Pre-K Directory, which is accessible on the pre-K website in ten languages. Printed copies of the Directory are available at DOE district schools, NYCEECs, Family Welcome Centers, libraries, and other community centers.

Additionally, pre-K families can use a new tool that provides information about program quality: The Pre-K Quality Snapshot. To find a Snapshot, visit https://maps.nyc.gov/upk/.  Select a program. Click the “Pre-K Snapshot” button.

For additional support, please contact the Pre-K
for All Outreach Team at 212-637-8000 or 
pre-k@schools.nyc.gov.

SI Tech Senior Nominated for Presidential Scholars Program
Staten Island Technical High School senior Evan Batov was nominated by Nicole Malliotakis for the Presidential Scholars program. He has exceptional academic skills and is involved with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneurs Program.  Every year, 100 students, one young man and one young woman, are selected from each state to receive the award.  They receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, DC in June and attending a ceremony sponsored by the White House where they receive a U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion.
​
   • Read more at SILIVE

Too Good For Drugs
When we got to Borough Hall, we were alarmed that there was no organized curriculum in our schools educating our students about the dangers and seriousness of the drug epidemic sweeping through Staten Island. Our team at Borough Hall worked tirelessly to find a curriculum and in 2015 piloted the “Too Good For Drugs” Program with just a few fifth-grade classes. As it caught on, the program was expanded into  into every fifth-grade class on Staten Island, as well as to students in the seventh-grade and the ninth-grade. ​The  curriculum is co-taught in the classroom by a police officer and a teacher. A graduation ceremony is held each January and June with the graduates taking a pledge to abstain from tobacco, alcohol and drugs.

'Conversations With the Class Of...'
Conversations With The Class Of..." gives high school seniors the opportunity to ask BP Oddo questions about government, but also allows for an honest and genuine conversation about their past journeys and future plans. This is what Conversations is about: Bringing a bunch of high school students together, getting them to relax and then instigating a dialogue with the right questions. They talk about academics, tackling the drug crisis, peer pressure, bullying, jobs, recreational activities and planning for college. The students are impressive and mature with opinions worth hearing.  

Do Teens Have a Solution for Island’s Deer Problem?
One middle school on the island that is getting more technologically involved in the STEM system is I.S. 51. With its robotics club, the school competes in the yearly competition called the First Lego League. For the research project portion of the competition, they have considered the deer problem on Staten Island. Seeing the need for more effective solutions, the students determined that “animal bridges” would be an effective way of preventing car accidents involving deer.

   • Read more at SILIVE

Making Spirits Bright
For the special needs students at Eden II’s three facilities on Staten Island, it was an early Christmas.  The parties, coordinated by Ernie Pwomley of the Better Angels, gave the excited children a chance to meet the jolly old Santa Claus himself, receive gifts, do crafts and see a magic show. The event was funded by a variety of groups on Staten Island.

   • Read more at SILIVE

Just Another Great Day at Totten Intermediate School
Social media and a passionate principal foster I.S. 34’s community spirit. John Boyle, a former social studies teacher and Staten Islander, at 6 foot 4, towers over his 1,150 students. I.S. 34 attracts the best and brightest students with its strong curriculum that offers 3 regents exams to students starting in 7th grade. The school is very active on social media to ensure a strong and effective connection between students, parents, and faculty. The building itself, formerly Tottenville High School, was built in 1935 and now has air conditioning and is in the process of being renovated to accommodate special needs students.

   • Read more at SILIVE

“Techster” beats wildest dream with perfect score on first try
16 year old Staten Island Technical High School Junior Nicholas Nuccio got a perfect score, a 1600, on his first try at the SAT exam. The SAT recently underwent an overhaul that changed it back to a score out of 1600, and eliminated the writing section. Nicholas is involved in many service clubs at Tech as well, and tutors for the SAT exam. He has his eyes set on Ivy League schools, particularly Columbia.

   • Read more at SILIVE

Susan Wagner’s International Pride Festival
A celebration of talent and multi-cultural heritages, Wagner High School’s International Pride Festival marked a festive time to celebrate diversity. Dubbed “A Passport to Our World”, performances by students from over 30 different clubs and 21 different cultures performed in sold out performances, showcasing their talent. The event sold more than 800 tickets and is a great representation of how Wagner students get along with one another.

   • Read more at SILIVE

City Accepting Applications for Summer Jobs
Program is Aimed at Young People from 14 to 24.
The city has begun its application process for the 2017 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).
Staten Island youth between the ages of 14-24 can apply now through March 17.
"Every year we give more and more students the chance at an internship that could change the trajectory of their career," said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
The program provides young people with paid summer employment for up to six weeks during July and August. Participants work in a variety of entry-level jobs, including government agencies, hospitals, summer camps, nonprofits, small businesses, law firms, museums, sports enterprises and retail organizations.
Applicants can get more information at www.facebook.com/uausyep, by calling the DYCD's Youth Connect at 800-246-4646 or emailing blicata@unitedactivities.org.

   • Click here for the online application
   • Read more at SILIVE

Staten Island Tech Makes the Grade
Staten Island Technical High School ranked #5 on Niche.com’s annual list of best public high schools in America. The other NYC school was Stuyvesant HS which ranked #4. The website said its ratings “are based on rigorous analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Education, along with test scores, college data, and interviews and surveys of students, parents, teachers and stakeholders in each school”. The report analyzed more than 18,700 public high schools in the country.

   • Read more at SILIVE

Catholic Schools to Host Touring Tuesdays
Catholic elementary schools throughout Staten Island will participate in a series of open-house events for 2016-2017 offered by the New York Archdiocese. The universal open houses are scheduled throughout the school year and are designated to introduce prospective families to the Catholic elementary schools in the community.

   • Read more at SILIVE

Crowning Glory
Curtis turns back Erasmus for PSAL city title. Curtis players, coaches and fans posed at Yankee Stadium after the Warriors defeated Erasmus, 24-21, to win the PSAL City championship. It is the first city crown for Curtis since 2009 and the sixth in program history.  The team was hosted at Borough Hall on 12/15/16 to celebrate their victory.

   • Read more at SILIVE

EDUCATION INITIATIVES

   • Click here to view BP Oddo's interactive Education Initiatives Map

TOO GOOD FOR DRUGS
A collaborative effort between the BP’s Office, the NYPD and DOE to educate fifth graders on the dangers of drugs and empower them to say no and seek positive influences in life.
IN THE NEWS:  Protecting Our Kids   •   Too Good For Drugs Graduates

READERS ARE LEADERS
A decades young program challenging fourth grade students to read 6 books at or above grade level in a 5 week period mid-year. Winners of the challenge are treated to a special ceremony and prizes.
​IN THE NEWS: 2014 kick off  •  2015 kick off  •  2016 kick off  •  20th Anniversary

NIGHT OF MENTORS
A new program bringing together professional leaders in the community with high school juniors seeking information and direction from mentors for a successful future.
IN THE NEWS: Night of Mentors

JASON LEARNING/PRATT TRAINING
A unique public-private partnership to educate students at 35 Staten Island schools with pro-recycling/anti-litter message through ISRI/Jason Learning curriculum and Recycling Champions Program. ​

SODABRIETY
This 30-day challenge asks high school students to give up soda and sugar laden drinks and examines how they feel after the 30 days in an effort to curb the overconsumption of unhealthy beverages.
​IN THE NEWS:  Sodabriety Challenge kicks off

TEEN INTERVENE
A partnership with OASAS, YMCA Counseling Service, TYSA, DOE and the Archdiocese that trains counselors to screen students for substance use disorders and offer counseling sessions and treatment referrals to those in need.

STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The Borough President welcomes college students throughout the year to support the many efforts of the office. There are also special programs in place for high school students to work in part time internships.

PEER TO PEER SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION COMMITTEE
A committee formed as part of the Borough President's Substance Abuse Advisory Council that plans and implements programs that involve Staten Island youth groups in the substance abuse prevention issues.

BP'S EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
An advisory body, comprised of educational leaders throughout Staten Island that informs the Borough President's community educational agenda and initiatives.

RICHMOND TOWN HISTORY AT PLAY
Students at SI Tech and McKee high schools have proposed SI-historically themed play structures as part of the redesign of Historic Richmondtown’s Parsonage site. The designs will be included in the final plan, expected to be built 2018-2019.

ROME THROUGH RICHMOND TOWN DESIGN CONTEST
For the first time in 2016, Rome Through Richmondtown opened up a Design Contest, encouraging aspiring arts to design a logo for the event. Winners are announced at the Columbus Weekend festival.

YOUNG WRITERS ROUNDTABLE
This program was open to every high school on Staten Island. Participating schools selected an aspiring, talented writer to work alongside professional local poets, authors and publishers for a firsthand experience at writing their own works.
IN THE NEWS: Students take the stage

CONVERSATION WITH THE CLASS
Each year, the Borough President hosts a forum, with all SI high schools sending representatives who cover the event for their school newspapers and TV stations and take an active role in the forum by asking questions on topics that impact them the most.
IN THE NEWS: Class of 2016  •  Class of 2015

BP'S TEACHER & SCHOOL STAFF SUBSTANCE ABUSE TRAINING
A collaborative, effort in conjunction with TYSA, UFT, and the Staten Island Superintendent's Office that conducts training for teachers and school personnel in recognizing the signs of substance abuse and how to address it within the school setting.

SLAM NYC
​The Borough President's office, in conjunction with SLAM NYC, founded by Emmy Award winning actress Kristen Johnston, the Staten Island Advance and Lavelle Preparatory School, conducted a community forum featuring the film "Anonymous People" which talks about recovery and seeks to change the conversation about addiction from problems to solutions.
IN THE NEWS:  SLAM NYC

On-Site Visits

BP VISIT
​Visits made by Borough President James Oddo.

BP STAFF VISIT
​Visits made by Deputy Borough President Ed Burke.

BP STAFF VISIT
​Visits made by Education Director Rose Kerr.

RESOURCES

Resources for Healthier SI Schools

Education Initiatives Map
Browse the interactive map to learn about what initiatives the BP Oddo has partnered with our schools on during the past three years.

NYC Department
of Education
Find public schools by zip code, school schedules, resources for parents, educators and students.

New York Public Library
Links to your neighborhood libraries

NYC Arts Programs
for Teens & Youth:
Resource List of Opportunities
Please contact programs directly for more information.

Pre-K Enrollment
from 1/17 to 2/24
Online: nyc.gov/prek
Call: 718-935-2067
Visit: a Family Welcome Center
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