Local Community unites to demand effective plan to ensure the positive progress of our future

Feb. 3, 2013 - PRLog -- Who: The P.T.A. Executive Board parents of the Edward (Duke) K. Ellington School P.S. 140 Queens

What: Unites families, community leaders, and society members of District 28

Where: The District 28 Community Education Council office located at 90-27 Sutphin Boulevard (at Jamaica Avenue), Jamaica, NY

When: Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 7:00 pm

Why: The New York City Department of Education needs to offer solutions that will implement positive change and provide staff and students what they need to be effective. 66% of the Southeast, Jamaica, Queens’s students attend the Edward K. Ellington School P.S. 140Q. After having 4 principals in one year Mr. David Norment the new principal was asked to implement several changes to make sure the school is progressing. The school was sent a proposal to phase the school out before the students take the State Exam or have anytime to evaluate if Mr. Norment's strategies are working. On behalf of the children, staff, other parents, and community we do not want P.S. 140Q to be phased out. A few positive changes that have already occurred since Mr. Norment became principal are:

• The increase in reading on grade level as well as the increase in the % of 3's and 4's on the state exam

• Upgraded Internet bandwidth to increase internet speed and access- allocated over 35,000 dollars out of school budgets

• Provided supplementary professional development to improve teacher effectiveness

• Wisdom Wednesday Workshops for parents: Homework help, middle school prep, ARIS, Common Core Standard, etc

• Provided staff more support by creating more time for teachers to plan lessons and be available to speak to parents throughout the day

• 12% increase in the number of 3's and 4's on state math exam