Gregg Korrol, Principal

Welcome to PS 101 - a "Model Technology School for NYC" (only 10 schools in NYC have received this recognition). I am very proud to say we have a dedicated, caring and concerned staff that ensures all of our students are happy, safe and learning.

The 2010-11 school year is without a doubt going to be out best school year ever! Despite the financial crisis that looms overhead and the fact that we have lost funding, we have found other ways to supplement our school to ensure we can always offer your children the best and most innovative education in the city.

Through the help of longtime friend of PS 101 Councilman Domenic M. Recchia Jr., PS 101 is building a brand new state of the art Science lab! The lab which will be created during the course of the year is sure to immerse our students in a world of exploration and wonder. To support this endeavor and ensure our students receive increased Science instruction, we have added a second Science position to our staff; hence almost all classes will have specialized science instruction twice a week.

 
I’m also pleased to announce the Parks to Playground project (funded through a Mayoral Grant) is finally under construction. The new playground will offer a Zen garden/outdoor learning classroom, track, new play-yard equipment, new basketball hoops, a soccer field, and more.  Construction has already begun and we are told that completion will happen sometime in spring 2011.

We have also formed a partnership with Marquis Studios who we have been working with for the past several years. Marquis Studios educates our students through in-house residencies including Circus Arts, Mask Making Creative Movement, and more. Through this partnership, Marquis Studios will secure grants to supplement our funding and thus help us get extra residencies for our students at no cost to the school!

BAND 101!!! We are taking steps to breathe new life and energy into our music program by partnering with Third Street Music to bring full band lessons to our 4th graders. All fourth graders will learn instruments including saxophone, flute, alto sax, clarinet, trombone, drums and trumpet. Band lessons will take place twice a week with periodic performances throughout the year. This partnership also allows for free out-of-school music lessons for students involved.

Technology programs are moving to the next level! As you know, all 3rd-5th grade students have their own laptops. Computers are integrated into daily instructional practice through blogging, Skyping, online assessments data tracking, PowerPoint projects and more! We are also introducing a new iPod Touch program for English Language Learner students in grades 3-5. These students will be using iPods as part of their instruction.

We will also place a great emphasis on Social-Emotional development.  Through outside programs and additional practices fused into our everyday instruction, we intend to ensure our students are empowered with knowledge of self-respect and compassion, as well as have the ability to handle situations/problems in life that come our way.

Can you imagine the benefit of having two teachers in one class?!?!
We have also created Integrated Co-teaching classrooms. In the past, all classrooms have had students who received special education support services and were pulled out of their classes for instruction (every class has always had students with support services). In order to keep students in their classrooms, we have designed classes with two teachers (whereas one teacher used to pull children out, now the class will simply have two teachers); this will add value for all students in the class.

Needless to say, we will continue to improve our educational practices in the areas of English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, the Arts and so forth. Through our work with integration of the new Common Core Standards (a country-wide initiative), we will ensure, as always, that PS 101 students have the best and most dynamic education offered in NYC.

We want all of our students to be happy, safe and learning, -every single moment of every single day. We know you are entrusting us with your child, and we assure you we will always do everything possible to provide them with the best education we can possibly give. We are also here for you, as parents and family, as well. Your concerns, thoughts and feedback are vital to our growth and we always welcome your feedback (you can call us, email us, blog us, Skype us….we are here for you!)

All in all, I look forward to an incredible year ahead!

With respect,

Gregg Korrol, Principal