Feature Stories
Public schools rule!
Passion and promise celebrated throughout city
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From ice cream socials to balloons to superhero costumes, UFT members around the city found unique ways to commemorate the first citywide celebration of public schools on May 4.
“It was a great way to show our students to be proud of their education and support everyone involved,” said Colleen Kobayashi, a teacher at PS 134 in St. Albans, Queens, where students and teachers wore brightly colored socks and shoes to demonstrate that they “run crazy for education.”
“With ‘education reformers’ spending millions of dollars trying to undermine our public schools, it was important to get the word out about the incredible teaching and learning that is happening every day in classrooms,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew.
On the heels of spring break, the day was a welcome opportunity for students and teachers to re-energize and emphasize the things that make their schools special. At Curtis HS in St. George, Staten Island, students mingled at a health and wellness fair and participated in healthy cooking and exercise demonstrations. At PS 65 in Jamaica, Queens, the school held an open house for incoming kindergartners. The International School for Liberal Arts in Kingsbridge, the Bronx, opened its doors to offer tours of the school.
At many schools, members wore school colors and T-shirts to demonstrate solidarity. At others, educators enjoyed student performances, shared special meals or wrote notes expressing gratitude for their colleagues and school communities.
Throughout the day, members shared photos on social media using the hashtag #CelebrateOurSchools.
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Allyson Morgan
A balloon marks the celebration at PS/IS 76 and PS 226@76 in Harlem.
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Anne Silverstein
Guidance counselor Yvette Echeverria and math teacher Curtis Boyle were master scoopers at the HS for Law Enforcement and Public Safety’s ice cream social in Jamaica, Queens.
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Miller Photography
At the Cultural Academy for the Arts and Sciences in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, students in the culinary program prepared an elaborate lunch for the staff, transforming a meal in the school library into a ne dining experience. “We feel so appreciated,” said Chapter Leader Aimee Mateo.
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Jonathan Fickies
Students and educators at PS 178 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, participated in a celebratory march around the school and then released balloons on which they had written their career aspirations.
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Educators at PS 196, a UFT Community Learning School in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, celebrated with “a spot of tea.”
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Erica Berger
Curtis HS, a UFT Community Learning School in St. George on Staten Island, has an on-site Student Health Center. On May 4, the school hosted a health and wellness fair that included a workout for students.
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Students and teachers dressed as their favorite superheroes to celebrate at PS 112 in the Bronx.
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Frances Bosi
Staff members showed their unity at PS 205 in Oakland Gardens, Queens.
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Harola Koutsidis
A note of appreciation for the teachers at District 20’s Pre-K Center in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
