2015-2016 Blackboard Awards For Schools & Principals

On Wednesday, December 2, the 2015-2016 Blackboard Awards For Schools and Principals, presented by New York Family, honored 15 of the city’s finest schools and principals in a special ceremony at the the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT). Nancy Redd, the host of HuffPost Live, was the co-host, along with Eric Messinger, the editor of New York Family. The event was sponsored in part by the Yorkville Youth Athletic Association.

The Blackboard Awards honor excellence in local education in all sectors (public, private, charter, and parochial), and all grade levels (nursery through high school). The annual schools and principals’ ceremony is in the fall, and the annual teachers’ ceremony in the spring. Parents are welcome and encouraged to nominate their beloved schools and educators, and we typically hear from several thousand local families in the course of the year. We also have a board of advisors, experts in local education, who make recommendations as well.

To see a video of this year’s Awards, scroll to the bottom of this post; to see a slideshow of photos from the Blackboard Awards ceremony and reception, click HERE!

And the 2015-2016 Blackboard Awards for Schools & Principals Honorees are:

Academy for Careers in Television and Film
Principal: Edgar Rodriguez

Bronx Charter School for Excellence
Principals: Aleisha Rodriguez (Elementary School) & Desiree Hunter (Middle School)

Community Roots Charter School
Principals: Allison Keil & Sara Stone

Friends Seminary
Principal: Robert “Bo” Lauder

Harvest Collegiate High School
Principal: Kate Burch

KIPP NYC College Prep High School
Principal: Natalie Byrne

La Scuola D’italia Guglielmo Marconi
Principal: Dr. Maria Palandra

Marymount School
Headmistress: Concepcion R. Alvar

Midtown West School
Principal: Ryan Bourke

Mott Hall II
Principal: Marlon Lowe

Pine Street School
Founder: Jennifer Jones
Director: Eileen Baker

PS 58—The Carroll School
Principal: Katherine Dello Stritto

PS 158
Principal: Dina Ercolano

Special Music School at Kaufman Music Center
Principal: Katherine Banucci-Smith

Stephen Wise Free Synagogue Balfour Brickner Early Childhood Center
Director: Lori Schneider

INTER

INTER is your portal to the unknown&mdash;an intergalactic adventure filled with immersive environments and interactive art. In the midst of NYC&rsquo;s non-stop energy, our intergalactic adventure offers a refreshing escape from the ordinary. Tourists come to the city for unique, once-in-a-lifetime adventures, and this is exactly what we provide&mdash;a break from the hustle and bustle, where they can step out of the concrete jungle and into otherworldly planets. &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Wild Center

The Wild Center, nestled within the breathtaking landscape of New York's Adirondack Park, offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature. As visitors approach the Center, they are greeted by the Adirondack Mountains towering in the distance, setting the stage for an immersive adventure. Upon entering the 34,000-square-foot exhibit hall, guests are enveloped in a world of wonder and discovery. Interactive exhibits like Planet Adirondack and Climate Solutions invite exploration, allowing visitors to delve into the rich biodiversity of the Adirondack region. The indoor experience also includes an opportunity to soar on Birdly--a one-of-a-kind VR experience. Also, get up close with an animal ambassador during one of many live animal encounters throughout the day. In addition to its indoor exhibits and programs, the Wild Center also boasts 115-acres of extensive outdoor amenities. One of the highlights in the award-winning Wild Walk. Visitors walk up a trail of bridges to the treetops of the Adirondack forest, 40 feet off the ground. Along the way, interactive exhibits provide insights into the flora and fauna that call the Adirondacks home, from songbirds to black bears. The rest of the campus features more ways to explore. Check out Patrick Dougherty&rsquo;s Stickwork sculpture, an all natural installation of woven sticks that will spark your imagination and nostalgia. Immerse yourself in Forest Music, take a naturalist-lead canoe trip, or get your roll on with Raquette River Roll, a brand-new, oversized, all-natural ball run experience opening in June 2024.

HudsonWay Immersion School

A pioneer in language immersion since 2005. After school language classes provide a fun and effective way for preschool and elementary children to learn Mandarin or Spanish language skills through project based learning and fun, engaging themes.