PS 39 Raises The Stakes For High-Stakes Testing Battle

The PS 39 PTA mobilizes beautifully when it wants something done – or undone (one word: rezoning). Now on the agenda is the burdensome activity of high-stakes testing. This ritual standardized test is given to 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade students in the hopes of gaining a comprehensive understanding of how a school is progressing as a whole. The results are not only meant to evaluate students and schools in a very definitive way, but also to evaluate teachers’ performances for test prep and general teaching skills.

Big problem: the testing is excessively time consuming and wholly unreliable (and this is by the admission of the NYC Department of Education itself!).  Its inaccuracy is causing job loss and instability both here and nationwide. As well, prep for the ever-increasing tests are taking precious quality time away from our kids. Instead of learning, they’re prepping. This is not cool.

In a recent, heated PTA meeting on a bitter cold night, our awesome principal, Anita DePaz, clearly gave us the lowdown on the situation. The takeaway: this situation needs to be nipped in the bud, and calls for PTA action (stay tuned and get involved).

During that same meeting, a passionate presentation from the local anti-high-stakes testing advocacy group, called ParentVoicesNY, backed up our principal and provided great detail as to why this whole situation smells like a 60 Minutes segment (at least one for-profit testing company is reaping big profits. Big surprise.).

More on the situation will be posted as we mobilize. In the meantime, educate yourself -- for your child’s sake -- by clicking on this link: http://www.parentvoicesny.org/. And to become involved with our school-based High Stakes Testing Committee, click here.

~ Ronald Sklar, PS 39 reporter-at-large

Exclusive! Sneak-peek pictures of our Dancing With Our Stars rehearsal!

This Friday evening the PS 39 PTA Presents...

Dancing With Our Stars

Friday, February 8, 2013

Camp Friendship

339 8th Street

Doors open at 7 p.m. 

Only at P.S. 39, folks: here is your first look at what tail-feathers you can expect to be shaking this Friday, when the Dancing With Our Stars event shows us – even before Valentine’s Day -- what love is all about.  

• Mr. Rochford leading kindergartners in a rendition of "Dancing Queen"
• Ms. Deedrick dancing with 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade girls to the uber-popular “Call Me Maybe.”
• Ms. Hoffman jiving with 3rd graders to Bette Midler's “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.”

  

Our PS39 judges are our awesome principal Anita DePaz, parent co-ordinator Karen Herskowitz, and PS 39 mom Stephanie Matthews (who is also a trained dancer/stage manager with The Blue Man Group!). 

In addition to the dance event, DJ Anthony will be taking it off the hook with music – and an awaiting dance floor -- for everyone. We’ll also dig the Valentine crafting booth, and bake sale.

The hottest look for Spring 2013: Debuting that night will be the NEW PS 39 kids silicone bracelets. Don’t be caught without one.

Remember that a party this amazing doesn’t run itself.  Volunteer to help by emailing Jo Goldfarb at jogoldfarb@nyc.rr.com 

~by Ron Sklar, PS 39 reporter-at-large