MISSION STATEMENT:

The I.S. 285 community believes that every child is capable of learning. By
providing a safe and nurturing environment, children are capable of progressing academically and socially. It is our vision to provide students with a
well-rounded forum in order for them to successfully develop physically,
intellectually, emotionally and socially. I.S. 285 is dedicated to maintaining safe classrooms and hallways, to providing proper professional development for
teachers, to fostering a close interaction with parents and the school PA, and to establishing leadership that is exemplary of the values and professionalism one
would expect from an educational institution. Students will develop self-esteem
and respect for themselves as well as respect for differences in others. We will
create a learning environment that will provide opportunities for our students to
become enlightened consumers and worthwhile citizens.

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YEAR IN REVIEW 2008-2009:

  1. Gym upgrade
  • Lighting upgrade added
  • Securing fiber-glass backboards
  • Adding an electronic scoreboard
  1. Moving the front entrance to its original egress

 

  1. Secured a donation of furniture from Kensington Publishing Company
    which was used to:
    • Updated the front lobby/reception area
    • Updated the teacher’s lounge area
    • Updated the main office area
    • Updated classrooms with new bookcases, desks, chairs, etc.
  1. Created a new principal’s conference room to facilitate Professional
    Development and additional meeting space.
  1. Replaced and install a new automated phone system with voicemail
    capabilities.
  1. Started a mural project to update the look of the hallways on the
    1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors.
  1. Implemented the first annual open house for our political
    representatives to showcase our performing arts department.
  1. Purchased and implemented the LED Display units for the exterior
    and interior of the school to improve communication with all
    stakeholders and to eliminate constant interruptions during the
    course of the school day.
  1. Secured a partnership with New Pathways d.b.a. Interborough
    Mental Health Facilities to offer our SBST and Guidance Counselors
    additional in-house support in meeting the needs of our students.
  1. Secured additional funds from our political representatives:
  • Borough President Marty Markowitz – 100,000 Capital Improvement funds
  • Councilman Kendall Stewart – 400,000 Capital Improvement funds
  • Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein – 50,000 Performing Arts funds
  • Assemblyman Nick Perry – 9,500 – Performing Arts funds
  1. Awarded capital improvement projects to commence 2009-2010:
  • Video Surveillance Camera system with a custom designed
    center console unit.
  • Boiler and climate control upgrades
  • Auditorium upgrade which will include new seats, lighting, and
    media components
  • Upgrade of the support services in the cafeteria by the installation
    of a new POS system with kiosk capabilities for all students.
  1. Restructured the school to address the recommendations from
    the Quality Review 2008-2009:
  • Created 3 small learning communities
  • Implemented an advisory model
  • Implemented the D.A.R.E. program (sustained silent reading model)
  • Transitioned to a multi-session school schedule
  • Implemented daily common planning time for teachers
  • Increased the instructional day to 6 hours and 50 minutes to
    maximize instructional time for students
  • Created breakout classes to increase the amount of elective courses
    to offer our students
  • Initiated a new dress code for each small learning community
  • Created and implemented a new centralized support system to
    alleviate the Assistant Principals from all administrative duties, therefore
    increasing their time for professional development and instructional
    supervision by over 50%.
  1.   Met and exceeded academic goals and expectations
  • Increased the overall score from last year by 9.1 points. (54.5 to 63.6)
  • Improved in 4 of the 5 categories on the progress report.
  • Eliminated ELA level 1 students school wide.
  • Reduced Math level 1 students school wide to 4%.
  • Achieved the greatest increase on the ELA standardized exam. (11%)
  • Achieved a significant increase on the Math standardized exam. (7%)


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