2017-2018 Blackboard Award Honoree: Principal Medea McEvoy

Outstanding Principal

East Side Elementary School – PS 267
Principal Medea McEvoy
Grades K-5
213 East 63 Street
PS267.org

Describe your school’s core educational philosophy.

East Side Elementary School, PS 267, is a community of learners where wonderers come to learn, where observation and imagination are celebrated, and where the question “why” is welcomed and encouraged. It is academically rigorous, with a strong foundation in math and literacy and an emphasis on science, social studies, and the arts. Our goal is to ensure that the wonder and excitement that students bring with them not only lasts, but also deepens as they journey through elementary school and into middle school.

Tell us about a few of the school’s achievements or distinguishing programs.

We opened eight years ago, in another building, with three Kindergarten classes and 49 students. We have since moved to our permanent location and now have grades K-5 with over 400 students. Our students’ artwork has been selected as finalists for Project Arts at the Metropolitan Museum as well as the Manhattan Borough Arts Festival at MoMA. Their artwork is also displayed yearly at the City Council art show at Sotheby’s. We have added technology and introduced computer science including robots to all grades last year. We have also added chess to our curriculum and host Saturday chess competitions at our school.

What’s new?

Jackson is our new comfort dog. We adopted him at 10 weeks from the North Shore Animal League. He has been attending puppy training school and has learned a lot. He is loving, intelligent, very cute, and enjoys a lot of attention and spends time with parents, teachers, and students. He works with small groups of students to build social/emotional skills and to provide comfort and a way to de-stress. He also greets everyone in the morning at arrival and says goodbye in the afternoon at dismissal.

What do you love about your school?

I love our school community-students, teachers, staff, and parents. I enjoy coming to work each day knowing that I will spend my time in classrooms with excellent teachers learning alongside our students. I meet with parents, the PTA, SLT, and Executive Board to hear about their ideas and what is working well and what we need to work on. The school culture is one of collaboration and support in ensuring the happiness and safety of all.

Amazing Explorers Academy Williamsburg

Welcome to Amazing Explorers Academy, a premier STEAM-based preschool dedicated to fostering a love of learning and exploration in children aged 0 to 5. Our innovative and dynamic programs provide a nurturing environment where young minds can thrive and develop essential skills that will shape their future. At Amazing Explorers Academy, we embrace the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) approach, integrating these disciplines into our comprehensive curriculum. Through hands-on experiences and age-appropriate activities, children are encouraged to inquire, investigate, and discover, igniting their natural curiosity. We have many Enrichment programs included in our curriculum like Tiny Chefs, where your child is introduced to the joys of cooking and nutrition. Under the guidance of our incredible team, they learn to create delicious and healthy treats, fostering independence and creativity in the kitchen. Music and Movement is another integral part of our curriculum, enhancing children's motor skills, coordination, and self-expression. Beyond being a creative outlet, music&rsquo;s rhythmic and melodic patterns stimulate the brain, exercising it and aiding memory development. We also place a strong emphasis on Nature Exploration, recognizing the importance of connecting with the natural world. Nature as a classroom allows children to engage all their senses, appreciate nature, and form stronger connections to their environment and community. Central to our philosophy is the belief in the power of play-based learning. We understand that children learn best through play, and our skilled educators design play-based activities that promote cognitive, social, and emotional development. Play-based learning nurtures creativity, problem-solving, and communication skills, all essential for success in the 21st century. Our highly trained and caring teachers are committed to creating a safe and nurturing atmosphere, where every child feels valued and supported. At Amazing Explorers Academy, we strive to inspire a lifelong love of learning, providing a solid foundation for future academic and personal achievements. Join us on this exciting journey of exploration and discovery, where every day is an opportunity to learn, play, and grow together!

The Cathedral School

The Cathedral School is a Nursery School, Pre-K 4, and Kindergarten through 5th grade co- educational day school that offers a nurturing environment while preparing young minds for a rigorous academic education rooted in the principles of Hellenism. The curriculum integrates the most up to date educational methods while adhering to the ancient Greek tradition of paideia which views education as character formation, responsibility and the pursuit of excellence in all forms.

Belle da Costa Greene: A Librarian's Legacy

The Morgan Library &amp; Museum will present a major exhibition devoted to the life and career of its inaugural director, Belle da Costa Greene (1879&ndash;1950). Widely recognized as an authority on illuminated manuscripts and deeply respected as a cultural heritage executive, Greene was one of the most prominent librarians in American history. The exhibition will trace Greene&rsquo;s storied life, from her roots in a predominantly Black community in Washington, D.C., to her distinguished career at the helm of one of the world&rsquo;s great research libraries. Through extraordinary objects―from medieval manuscripts and rare printed books to archival records and portraits―the exhibition will demonstrate the confidence and savvy Greene brought to her roles as librarian, scholar, curator, and cultural executive, and honor her enduring legacy.