Staten Island schools donate 3,000 toys to families in need | In Class column

IN CLASS: This article highlights the different activities that involve school communities and is a part of a continuing education section.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Last month, Staten Island schools from all throughout the borough organized a large-scale toy distribution campaign with the goal of making the faces of needy families in North Carolina smile.

As part of Operation Staten Island Elf, a program in which numerous Staten Island schools took part, seventeen schools assisted in gathering and distributing over 3,000 presents. District 31 of Staten Island asked students to donate brand-new, unwrapped presents in an effort to provide happiness and hope to children impacted by disasters in North Carolina.

Jason Ericson, a veteran and PS 9 teacher, spearheaded the school’s initiative. (Source: PS 9)PS 9.

Jason Ericson, a veteran and teacher at PS 9 in Concord, was the original organizer of the event, with help from Assistant Principal Lisa Bonello and Principal Deanna Marco. Last month, at a special ceremony honoring veterans, the distribution amount was revealed.

The school then contacted Dr. Roderick Palton, the superintendent of Staten Island District 31 schools, to arrange for 16 more schools to participate in the toy collection.

A total of 3,000 toys were being shipped to North Carolina families.

Over 1,700 gifts were gathered and donated. (Source: PS 9)PS 9.

Principe also thanked Chris Hernandez, Graziella Casale, Nicole Hughes, Norma Jean Adams, Theresa Gargano, and the Student Voice Association.

As part of Staten Island District 31’s Operation Staten Island Elf, Concord’s PS 9 donated brand-new, unwrapped items to North Carolina families in need. (Source: PS 9)PS 9.

As part of Staten Island District 31’s Operation Staten Island Elf, Concord’s PS 9 donated brand-new, unwrapped items to North Carolina families in need. During a special event to honor veterans, the number was revealed. (Source: PS 9)PS 9.

As part of Staten Island District 31’s Operation Staten Island Elf, Concord’s PS 9 donated brand-new, unwrapped items to North Carolina families in need. During a special event to honor veterans, the number was revealed. (Source: PS 9)PS 9.

As part of Staten Island District 31’s Operation Staten Island Elf, Concord’s PS 9 donated brand-new, unwrapped items to North Carolina families in need. During a special event to honor veterans, the number was revealed. (Source: PS 9)PS 9.

As part of Staten Island District 31’s Operation Staten Island Elf, Concord’s PS 9 donated brand-new, unwrapped items to North Carolina families in need. During a special event to honor veterans, the number was revealed. (Source: PS 9)PS 9.

As part of Staten Island District 31’s Operation Staten Island Elf, Concord’s PS 9 donated brand-new, unwrapped items to North Carolina families in need. During a special event to honor veterans, the number was revealed. (Source: PS 9)PS 9.

Investing in schools on Staten Island during the summer

Alumni can now directly support the upcoming generation of public school students in their childhood areas through a new scholarship program.

In partnership with NYC Kids RISE, Staten Island alumni and leaders of NYC Public Schools announced the 2024–2025 start and growth of the NYC Public School Alumni Community Scholarships program.

More than 12,000 Staten Island students in first, second, and third grades have NYC Scholarship Accounts with over $1.7 million in assets gathered to support their college and career ambitions thanks to the NYC Kids RISE Save for College Program. With an initial investment for college and job training put in a New York 529 Direct Plan account, the program provides almost all city public school students, beginning in kindergarten, with a NYC Scholarship Account.

According to Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, NYC Public Schools is fortunate to have a sizable and successful network of alumni who serve as a testimonial to the value of an education from NYCPS. Our alumni can ensure that our present students have every opportunity to envision bright futures and follow their best dreams while also giving opportunities to the next generation of New Yorkers through the NYCPS Alumni Community Scholarships. We appreciate the alumni, neighbors, and sponsors who are taking part in this special collaboration.

Alumni on Staten Island can now make larger contributions to community scholarships thanks to this extended program.

Alumni can raise or donate money through community scholarships to support student accounts and send students video messages about their education and professional experiences. Alumni contributed close to $400,000 to NYC Scholarship Accounts last year.

Mark Foggin, a former student of PS 29 in Castleton Corners, expressed his excitement about using NYC Public Schools Alumni Community Scholarships to reestablish a connection with his elementary school in Staten Island. It has been incredible to help the PS 29 students today, not just by providing financial support for their college and career goals, but also by letting them know they have my support. I hope that every New York City Schools alumnus who has the chance to do so takes advantage of this unique opportunity to assist the upcoming generation of students in creating their futures.

Alumni from two elementary schools on Staten Island contributed over $8,000 to first and second graders’ NYC Kids RISE Scholarship Accounts last year. Students at PS 60 in Bulls Head and PS 29 in Castleton Corners benefited from that.

Alumni from Staten Island are encouraging even more of their peers to participate in the campaign this year.

Staten Island graduates can visit www.nyckidsrise.org/alumni to support students at their old elementary school.

Additionally, by interacting with families and kids at their elementary alma mater through school visits, video messaging, virtual career fairs, and other means, alumni—who represent varied and vibrant social and professional networks—can exchange vital social capital.

The Gray Foundation and Altman Foundation are supporting the effort.

CONTACT US WITH YOUR STORIES

Do you have any ideas for stories for the section on in-class education? Annalise Knudson, education reporter, can be reached by email [email protected].

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