Everyone should be as cheerful in the morning as the pre-kindergartners we saw downing yogurt, bananas and pancakes at PS 84 in Williamsburg. Both the children and their teachers are used to visitors because many district parents and others in the region tour the school to see its model pre-kindergarten. The program is so successful that the experienced teacher who oversees it spends her afternoons training pre-k teachers in other schools. Her cheerful classroom is filled with student work and plants. Shelving for puzzles and toys displays pictures of the objects so kids know where to return them. A daily schedule is posted and expectations for young students seem clear. It is obvious the kids are thriving. In this predominately Hispanic school, only six of the 18 children spoke English at the start of the school year; now almost all of them do, the teacher said.

I am thrilled to report that our school is opening their new library tomorrow (April 22nd 2010 at 11:00 am). This accomplishment was made possible through the support of our new Principal, Ms.... read more