From the Principal's Desk

February 9, 2004

Austin H. MacCormick - Island Academy received great news on Thursday,
February 5th.  We were awarded three grants - two for HIV/AIDS for
approximately $1,300.  Teachers in the Main and Annex worked together and
have additional money to run an exciting and important program for our
students.  The third grant was written for additional money to support a
bilingual, arts, literacy, filmmaking, project that will tie together and
support our Waterways and art show/library event.  This grant was written
for $75,000 but the reviewers granted us an additional $25,000 for a total
of $100,000.  This money will go a long way to help our students, staff,
collaborations and school.  These achievements are recognition of our
work, professionalism and the importance of our school^Òs mission.
  
We have completed most of our planned January Professional Development
activities (we^Òll be having a half day on the 13th to allow teachers who
prepared workshops to present for colleagues).  The purpose for our
scheduling additional days of PD beyond most high schools was to introduce
our new literacy programs ^Ö Ramp Up and Wilson.  These programs will be
the foundation of our Language Arts curriculum.  Both programs require
specialized training and materials (which are on order).  The presenter at
Ramp Up, Maryann Cucchiare, made a most significant point during the
portion of the session that I attended.  She identified the single most
serious academic deficiency for our students as the inability to read at
grade level.  Citing this fact, she further stated that every lesson must
include print material for our students to read, if we are to impact upon
this condition.  This has been the focus of our PD all year - using
Reading Strategies in all subjects and incorporating literacy and the arts
in our lessons.  School should provide a creative outlet and be enjoyable
but also must provide extensive opportunity for increasing critical
skills.  The subject area is of less importance than the infusion of
literacy skills development.  All teachers have the responsibility to
increase the literacy levels of our students.  We will continue to support
teachers through workshops and networking to ensure that we deliver the
most appropriate academic program.

Many of the staff had the opportunity to hear the presentation by Carlos
Carmona, AP @ Horizon Academy.  He conducted a power point presentation
about the history of correctional education that spans over 200 years.  
Those present were afforded an opportunity to learn about our professional
history and reflect upon our commitment to our students.  Mention was made
of our professional organization - the Correctional Education Association
(CEA) - and encouragement was given to read their journals and join their
organization.  I informed staff at the conclusion of Mr. Carmona^Òs
presentation that we are planning to pursue an opportunity offered by the
CEA to become an accredited correctional education program.  This will
involve our participation in workshops and professional development and
auditing reviews conducted by the CEA.  As the school for adolescents in
the largest prison complex in the United States, we are in a unique
position to strive towards accreditation.  This project will begin in the
late spring or early fall.

Our school officers also attended professional development activities at
the end of January.  The sessions focused upon the many issues surrounding
the Handberry litigation and the role of the officers in our school.  The
sharing of information and ability to discuss the issues of correctional
education were significant events that will lead to greater understanding
of the school^Òs mission.  Our collaboration and working relationship will
be made stronger through these activities.

This school year we have been able to hire new staff and welcome back
staff members who had left.  We have more teachers on staff this year than
last.  As a result, we are offering a more individualized program than in
the past and expect our students to benefit from this programming.
       
The new semester started with few difficulties.  For the most part we were
able to schedule in accordance with preference sheets and retain/place
staff in desired sites.  We still have vacancies that we are filling.  We
have commitments from two teachers who are completing paperwork prior to
hiring.

Three staff members have left to assume new positions in the Department of
Education.  Ardell Long, Parent Coordinator, has accepted a position in
the suspension office.  Daphne Perrini, Guidance Counselor, has
transferred to Street Academy in Brooklyn.  Nancy Shupak, teacher, has
accepted a position at Coop Tech.

We are entering partnerships with two universities.  Queens College has
expressed interest in reactivating a student teaching program at our
school.  A number of years ago the program was in effect at EMTC.  
Columbia University is conducting a graduate school class in the Sprungs
in the areas of art/literacy.
      
This is a long winter - hoping everyone has a great February break and
that Spring arrives soon.