PS 8
Ask any parent in Brooklyn what amenity is lacking in raising a family here- and you will most likely get this answer: better and more public school options. Where the loss is most felt is in the middle school arena. Currently two successful public elementary schools are hoping to solve that problem by expanding from elementary through 8th grade. Let’s help them accomplish this by sending out letters and signing petitions!
P.S. 8 vies to expand to a middle school
It has been proven that a K-8 education is a much better education than going to a separate middle school. P.S. 8 is working hard to expand to a middle school. Currently there are 3 options for middle school for kids from PS 8: District 13 middle schools, Citywide middle schools and Boroughwide middle schools (see list below). There is only one middle school (Girls Math and Science) in walking distance to P.S. 8’s neighborhood.
Here are the options:
CITY WIDE/ BOROUGH WIDE
Mark Twain: children need to test for 2 talents, very competitive, hundreds of children apply
NEST: very competitive and only a few spots of the whole city and their elementary school feeds into their middle school too.
ICE: has only 60 spots; PS8 students have gotten in here over the past few years but will becoming more and more difficult to get in
DISTRICT 13 CHOICES
ARTS AND LETTERS: many PS8 students have gone here but it is becoming K-8 so there will be fewer spots available
GIRLS MATH AND SCIENCE: (only school in walking distance to PS8)
FORT GREENE PREP: this was their first year.
They need to convince the DOE that there is a great need in for PS 8 to extend into a middle school. To do so we will need as much parent involvement as possible. They currently have the support of some local politicians and the Brooklyn Heights Association. Please get involved and hopefully we can help make a difference.
SAMPLE LETTER (Try to personalize it)
Dear Chancellor Walcott,
My child is (children are) a student(s) at P.S.8, a small elementary school in Brooklyn. As an enthusiastic parent, I ask you to please support the school’s application to expand to Pre-K through 8th grade.In the last few years, PS8 has become a sought after school. Our vibrant community has grown to be very involved and financially supportive. I strongly embrace PS8’s pedagogical approach of educating the whole child. Enrichment programs and curriculum are interwoven in order to educate the individual by focusing on everyone’s strengths and interests. PS8’s PTA has financed these programs to support this model. My wish is to see the school’s core philosophy continue through middle school.PS8 has a diverse and academically strong student body. We need a middle school that suits our children’s high academic standards while continuing to support children with special education needs by offering the ICT model through middle school.Pre-K through 8 would provide continuity for my child in a familiar educational environment. We, principal Seth Phillips, parents and students, are looking for a middle school with the heart and soul of PS8. I truly appreciate your consideration. PS8 needs your support.
Sincerely,
Name and Signature
Also please note they are collecting letters at PS 8. All letters must be at PS 8 by April 28th.
Their principal is personally going to bring the letters to Chancellor Walcott
P.S. 9 bids to expand to a middle school
P.S. 9 is a thriving and inclusive elementary school which recently was included in an article in the New York Times. They are determined to also expand into a successful middle school. It would give the neighborhood a strong neighborhood middle school option while also serving the needs of the District 13 community. PS 9 has submitted a proposal to the DOE to expand to a K-8 school. Here is the link to the petition- please sign it!