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Volume XVIII • Number 31 • July 14 - 20, 2011 •
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School surveys: P.S. 81 shines; trouble at RKA and P.S. 24 By MIAWLING LAM Satisfaction ratings at Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy have plummeted to record lows, scores at P.S. 24 have marginally improved, and P.S. 81 has emerged as the local education darling. Results from the third-ever NYC School Survey, released by the Department of Education last Friday, reveal parents and teachers are divided on their school’s learning environment. While an overwhelming majority of local parents are satisfied with their child’s education, many teachers expressed discontent and said they don’t trust their principal, let alone their own peers. The embattled Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy fared the worst among Riverdale’s three public schools, with satisfaction ratings plunging in three of the four assessed categories. The school may now be poised for an “F” rating, and possible closure. The survey reveals engagement, safety, and academic conditions have deteriorated in the past year and the
majority of teachers feel marginalized. More than half said RKA principal Lori O’Mara placed other interests ahead of the learning needs of students, while 44 percent said its leader did not communicate a clear vision for the school. Two in five also said they did not receive regular or helpful feedback about their teaching, and a whopping 65 percent said order and discipline were not maintained at the school. A troublesome finding was that 37 percent of teachers said their colleagues don’t even trust each other. The low staff morale at RKA is in stark contrast to P.S. 81, which recorded above-average scores in all areas. They were also among a handful of city schools to record a 100 percent teacher return rate. Teachers praised the administration at P.S. 81 and said its leaders let staff know what is expected of them, communicate a clear vision and have high expectations of its students. And unlike at RKA, only 5 percent of teachers at the
Robert J. Christen School said their principal placed other interests ahead of children’s learning needs. As a result, the school recorded the highest satisfaction ratings among parents, with 94 percent content with the quality of their child’s education. In comparison, 93 percent of parents at P.S 24 were satisfied and 84 percent at RKA. The citywide average was 94 percent. All parents in Riverdale nominated smaller class sizes as their single most important priority for school improvement. After a disastrous showing last year, morale among teachers improved very slightly at P.S. 24. That could be attributed to three new teachers appointed by Connelly, ostensibly loyal to her, replacing veterans. Nearly half the teachers said they still do not trust the principal at her word, a third said she placed other interests ahead of the learning needs of students and 47 percent said she was not an effective manager who Continued on Page 19
Local firefighters put the flame to hamburgers and hot dogs at Schervier picnic By BRENDAN McHUGH Bronx firefighters came together with Schervier residents last week for the annual New York City Firefighters’ Anchor Club Cookout, a celebration of the outdoors and of the Schervier community. Hundreds of nursing home residents had a chance to enjoy the sunshine last Thursday as two dozen Bronx firefighters cooked hamburgers and hotdogs for lunch. “It takes a special type of volunteer to do this,” said longtime Anchor Club member Walt Whitmore. The Anchor Club’s firefighter members play a key role at Schervier during the year, socializing with residents who may not have a chance to converse with anyone outside the facility. “It’s very seldom they get to go outside,” Whitmore said, adding that he spoke to a few residents who said the last time they were outdoors was at last year’s cookout. Whitmore said the Anchor Club has been in existence for about 50 years and has been coming to Schervier for the past 25. The club began as part of the Knights of Columbus, but the group broke off as its membership increased. There are now about 450 members. Qualifications for joining the Anchor Club are being a firefighter and being Catholic. In the Catholic religion, an anchor represents hope. Whitmore is a retired FDNY officer who spent 25 years at Engine 68 at East167th Street and Ogden Avenue—the company that reaches Yankee Stadium first. He says the ones who get the most joy from the cookout aren’t always the residents, but the firefighters themselves. “They’re here on their own time,” he
said. “They chose to be here to make it a happy day for these folks. But they go home a happy person.” Schervier resident Karen Bugliese was very happy during the cookout. “This is wonderful for the firefighters to
do this for us,” she said. “We look forward to it every year. It’s so much fun.” Firehouses across The Bronx were well represented at the cookout, with engines 83, 27, 71 and Riverdale’s 52nd in attendance. About 17 Bronx firefighters are
regular volunteers with the club. Whitmore credited Anchor Club president Bill Greco with the success of the event, saying he’s a “fantastic organizer” who is able to inspire the firefighters to volunteer.