Panther Press

It's official! Our winner is....

Bridget Hamilton

I am proud to nominate Bridget Hamilton for Panther of the Week. She is the backbone of our team here at Gotham, always stepping up without hesitation to support both students and staff. Her unwavering dedication, patience, and willingness to go above and beyond make a lasting impact every day. Whether assisting a student in need or offering a helping hand to a colleague, she never says no. Her compassion and commitment truly embody what it means to be an outstanding Panther. She is more than deserving of this recognition!

Ms. Fourquet

See Pierce for your gift card!

Dear Staff,

As we reflect on the recent celebration of Lunar New Year and transition to honoring Black History Month, let us seize the opportunity to recognize the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the diverse communities within our school.

This month serves as a reminder of the resilience and achievements of individuals from all backgrounds, highlighting the importance of unity, respect, and understanding in our shared journey. We encourage everyone to participate in activities and discussions that promote inclusivity and foster a deeper appreciation for the unique narratives that shape our collective identity. Together, let us create an environment that celebrates diversity and empowers all voices within our school community.

Mid Year SANDI

• IEP Flags: Ensure that all students have one IEP flag set for each of the following categories: reading, writing, math, communication, social-emotional, and transition education. It is important that no IEP flags are missing, and each student should have only one flag per category. This step is essential for setting up the testing range for each student’s SANDI assessments.

• To complete testing, find the IEP flag and then go minimally -/+ 10 from the IEP flag for the reading, writing, and math subtests. Complete -/+ 5 for communication, social emotional, and transition education. Please do not start at number 1. This is not efficient and not best practice.

Testing Order (First SANDI, Then MAPs):

• Students need to complete SANDI first. If they meet the qualifying scores, they will then take MAPS.

• Once the SANDI assessment is complete, I will be able to determine if your student qualifies for MAPS. The report will not be available in the system until SANDI is completed. However, you can manually check on the home page to see if your students qualify.

• Qualifying scores: 370 or higher in reading, or 350 or higher in math.

Deadlines and Testing Updates:

• Both SANDI and MAPS were due by January 31st. Please ensure to enter scores as you complete each subtest. It’s important not to wait until the last minute. If you input scores as you go, it will help to ensure everything is done on time.

• If a student has been absent during the testing window, please email Kat M their name so she can mark them as exempt.

• If a student returns after the exemption is applied but before the end of the make-up period (February 14th), you will need to complete their SANDI.

Duran always helps cover us at Buena Vida. Either as a service provider or sub, she always helps us out and brings so much joy to the kids! Thank you Duran for your constant support of the Buena Vida worksite! We appreciate you!

Flanagan

Ms. Ali and her team of students and staff hosted a very creative Lunar New Year raffle at our Ellery site! I really enjoyed watching the students work together to facilitate this. It was a fun, culture-building activity that not only engaged students' academic AND vocational skills, but also brought some awareness to and celebration of our diverse community. Also- I won two prizes and those ridiculously cute mini red envelopes made my day!

Ms. Pena

Mr. Chung keeps the whole school online and working! In addition to technology, I greatly appreciate him reminding us to be inclusive of all of our students and traditions. I loved learning more about Lunar New Year to share with our students. He inspired the Buena Vida site to celebrate Lunar New Year, including Red Envelops for the students to use as a gift card on our next community walk. Thank you Mr. Chung for the many many hats you wear!

Flanagan

I’ve wanted to shout out Jasmine for months so I’m grateful for the opportunity. She helps me and the students understand OPWDD processes with such care, respect, and efficiency.

Melissa Carlin

In the NYCDOE's seemingly labyrinthine bureaucracy, the Unit Coordinator role is a peculiarly thankless one, a daily grind of often-overlooked minutiae; yet, Shakiera Daniels, as BTC Unit Coordinator, navigates this complex and often treacherous landscape with preternatural grace—from scheduling and crisis management to the daily choreography of organizational flow, all handled with fairness, equity, and the outward calm of a seasoned air traffic controller. Thank you, Shakiera!

Mark Horosky

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, and the work of her band, Japanese Breakfast, showcase her unique blend of dreamy pop and introspection. Both reflect her experiences as a Korean American navigating identity and loss. Zauner's background as both a musician and a writer emphasize the importance of diversity in education, as her art encourages listeners to embrace varied perspectives and cultural narratives. By celebrating her heritage through memoir and music, she highlights the value of inclusivity and representation, inspiring students to appreciate the richness that diverse voices bring to our shared understanding.