SEPTEMBER 2009 UPDATE: In September of 2009, PS 85 was one of three outer-borough scools to open new citywide gifted and talented programs, which had previously been limited to Manhattan. PS 85's program is the Science, Technology, Enrichment, and Math (STEM) Academy. It opened with one kindergarten and one 1st grade class.

2004 REVIEW: Like principals of all schools successful enough to be exempt from the city's mandated curriculum, introduced in most schools in fall 2003, Ann Gordon-Chang could have chosen to ignore the requirements at PS 85. But Chang believes in the progressive principles behind the new mandates for reading, writing and math instruction, and, therefore, is gradually introducing them into her school.

Luckily, she has the aid of an experienced and thoughtful literacy coach Rose Spano, the teachers union's professional development center representative at PS 85. Chang, who arrived at the school in fall 2003, said it is also helpful to work in a tightly knit school that operates like a family, a sentiment echoed by teachers who described the school as a community.

Working with Spano, Chang decided to push only certain aspects of the city mandates initially. For the first year, the school concentrated on building libraries in each classroom, a key feature of the new curriculum, and on introducing "guided reading," in which the teacher reads with small groups of students. Spano believes that Month-by-Month Phonics, the reading program endorsed by the city Department of Education, is strong in some areas, but weak on basic phonics and needs to be supplemented. In fall 2004, when she hopes to have a math coach on board, Chang plans to introduce the Everyday Math program favored by the city, and to have teachers visit schools that have successfully adopted this program.

In a 1st grade class we visited, students were learning the alphabet. They were also studying fruits and vegetables, and had chosen to draw everything from chili peppers to broccoli for a related art project. One 3rd grade class studying ocean life had "fished" from a box for to catch a deep-sea creature to research on the Internet. They then wrote a report on their selection and painted pictures of the creature and its habitat. We also saw a 3rd grade art gallery with artwork inspired by Picasso, as well as collection of student cookbooks with recipes for everything from pizza to something called "stinky sock soup." A pre-K class was engaged in interdisciplinary study of butterflies. The children had raised caterpillars, watching adults emerge from cocoons. To learn about symmetry, teams of students decorated large paper butterflies. The children also used household items to craft artistic caterpillars, cocoons and full-fledged butterflies.

The school has benefited in one way from what is going on in its neighborhood: gentrification has brought in more young singles and couples without children. That has translated into a smaller school population, allowing Chang to keep class sizes small. Enrollment ranges from 17 to 25 children per class. But there is one serious drawback to the school's location: its proximity to the elevated N and W train line, which runs directly along the front of the building. The rumble of the trains requires teachers to raise their voices or be drowned out, especially during the warm weather months when open windows serve as a replacement for air-conditioning.

About 115 kids receive English-language learner assistance. The school has conducted workshops for parents of entering students as well as current parents to explain the program. The addition of a Spanish-speaking parent coordinator to the school staff has been a great success, according to Chang. Through workshops, regular communication and the addition of an awards night to Parents Association meetings, she has been able to lift attendance at these sessions from 20 to 80. A monthly parent newsletter and other communications are distributed in both English and Spanish whenever possible.

On the day of the week it has extended hours, the school sponsors clubs in such areas as technology, literature, music, dance and science.

Special education: About 55 students receive services. There are two "self-contained" classes, for children with special needs only, in the lower grades, and one 4th grade "inclusion" class, where general education and special education students learn together from a general education and a special education teacher. In fall 2004, the school plans to add these team-taught classes to 2nd and 5th grade.

After school: The school offers band and English-language learner programs, while two days a week, the Police Athletic League operates a program that includes physical education and homework help. The school also runs a Saturday academy for academic help. (Tom Huser, May 2004)

We have been so pleased with PS 85 since our son has started there this year. We absolulety love his teacher, Ms. D'Angelo, who is dedicated, professional, and passionate. She keeps our son excited and enthused about his learning. He has been on more class trips in this one year than in his previous three combined. He is part of an afterschool robotics club. He is crazy for his classmates. And he is excelling. The parent advisor is always attentive and responsive. Mrs. Chang, the principal, has an infectious passion for her school.

The school is an undiscovered gem and welcoming place, committed to developing the whole child. The principal Ms. Chang, is fantastic, and holds parent breakfasts each month where she answers any and all questions and keeps parents updated. My child is in the G and T program and I could not be happier. Her teacher is amazing and the level of engagement of the students is phenomenal. She really differentiates based on the interests and needs of the children, and uses interdisciplinary, hands on project based learning to develop high level thinking and understanding (the school uses Renzulli method). What's refreshing is that this is the only citywide G and T that is part of a general ed school, so the students are grounded in a real community that reflects the diversity of New York City, so you avoiding the elitism at other citywide G and T programs. Each room has Smart Board and the arts, science, techonlogy and social studies are valued along with math and literacy.

Literacy Coach Rose Spano says she "loves this school," and that teachers and students are wonderful to work with. (May 2004).