Image of PS/IS 217 From Geocities
In April of 2008, I wrote about a Parent’s Plea for a Gifted & Talented Program to be established at PS/IS 217 on Roosevelt Island. The parent wrote:
…There is an effort underway here on Roosevelt Island to garner support for a Gifted and Talented program here at PS 217. We are trying to collect signatures of residents here on the island that would be supportive of a G&T program- and bring this data to the attention of Chancellor Joel Klein
I do not know how much knowledge you have of the current situation at PS 217. Presently, many parents send their children to G&T schools, private schools, or public schools (courtesy of a friend’s address) in Manhattan to avoid what is considered by many to be a sub-par educational experience. PS 217 currently buses in students from other over-crowded schools to fill seats that sit empty at our school. PS 217 is not currently a reflection of our island make-up….
Another reader just informed me that a Gifted & Talented Program will be established at Roosevelt Island’s PS/IS 217 in the upcoming school year. According to the NYC Dept. of Education’s web site, tours of PS/IS 217 are scheduled for May 7 and 14. Call the school to RSVP. Maybe East Side Manhattan Parents won’t complain now about the possibility of having their kids shipped off to Roosevelt Island as the NY Sun explained was the case last year.
…One possibility being raised at a meeting tonight on the Upper East Side would have families living in the new luxury condominiums rising in Midtown East being sent to a school on Roosevelt Island or to a school for the deaf, rather than to the coveted P.S. 116 boasted about in brochures for the condo….
…”Frankly, telling a kindergarten parent that you’re going to ship their kid to Roosevelt Island is not going to help you make friends and influence people,” Ms. Silver said. “Why don’t you send them to Princeton? It’s crazy….
This is good news for Roosevelt Island kids and their parents. Could also help Hudson/Related sell some Riverwalk Condos.