P.S. 39 is located in the Arrochar neighborhood, on the North Shore of Staten Island, in New York City. Our student population of 450+ ethnically diverse learners, represent families from Albania, Russia, the Middle East, Asia and Mexico. Our staff consists of 3 administrators, 35+ certified teachers, 10+ paraprofessionals, and an extensive support staff. Our School-Based Assessment Team is composed of two psychologists and two social workers, along with related-service providers in Speech, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy. While each school year is unique, we continue to refine our practices implementing the Next Generation Learning Standards, through a variety of 21st century curriculum and tools, such as intoReading and enVisions Math. In addition to academics, all students at P.S. 39 receive a full program of Arts from across all disciplines, taught by both specially licensed teachers, and community-based partner organizations.
“Public School 39: Bridging Leadership with Success” is a call to action for students, staff and families to work collaboratively towards academic excellence, by instilling a sense of school pride and cultivating a desire to become lifelong learners and active contributors to our community. We live and learn with kindness and acceptance, values deeply held and reinforced in our diverse community on a daily basis. We strive to build a community of leaders, who above all else, prioritize equity, excellence, and empathy.
Public School 39’s mission is to embrace the needs of each child, meeting each unique learner where they are at, and propelling them forward. Cooperatively, we strive to build a strong foundation for all, by creating a safe and affirming environment promoting mutual respect, student agency, and authentic partnerships with teachers. Our students own their learning. All students engage with culturally-response texts and rigorous digital instruction to hone and develop skills needed to be 21st Century global citizens.
IF administrators lead teachers in (1) delivering rigorous standards aligned instruction, (2) using digital assessment tools to monitor student progress, and (3) providing explicit feedback with next steps, all while engaging students cognitively through a blended learning experience, THEN administrators, teachers and students, will be jointly accountable for student learning, resulting in each student’s proficiency of at least 65% across grade level standards.
If school leaders rate effectiveness responsive to the students taught, then teachers will hone their design of instruction and the multi-tiered systems of support offered to each student, in a manner that is specific to students’ learning behaviors, so that students problem solve, decode and analyze text with increasing independence.
At PS 39, our vibrant mix of students and staff not only enrich our academic environment but also foster a unique community where students can share their traditions, languages, and perspectives in an organically diverse environment.
At PS 39, we believe that education is not just about numbers; it’s about nurturing the whole child. By combining data with compassion, we ensure that every student feels valued and supported throughout their educational journey. Together, we are building a foundation for students to “learn today and lead tomorrow”.
The NYC Reads initiative and the MTSS framework at PS 39 both implement evidence-based strategies that promote engagement with texts, critical thinking, and a love for reading and underscores the belief that every student can succeed when given tailored support through data driven decision making enabling timely interventions and support.