Contact: Sunny Mindel/Samantha I. Lugo (212) 788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today attended the "Public Education Needs Civic Involvement in Learning" (PENCIL) Principal For A Day program at Public School 123 in Brooklyn. The program dedicates one day a year to mobilize business, community leaders, and individuals to experience firsthand a day in the life of a New York City public school.
The Mayor was a guest of Dr. Irene Impellizzerri, the Vice Chair of the Board of Education, who was the Principal For A Day at P.S. 123 today. The Mayor and Dr. Impellizzerri started the day by making the morning announcement marking the start of the school day, after which they paid a visit to every classroom in the school.
"Being principal for a day gives you a unique perspective on the daily challenges, hard work and commitment required to be an effective school principal," Mayor Giuliani said. "The dedicated principals who guide and motivate their teachers and students to do their best and involve the parents and the community in their schools, should be commended, encouraged and supported. That is why I want to thank PENCIL and Dr. Impellizzerri for their continuous commitment to improving the future of our children through education," the Mayor added.
The Mayor was joined by Deputy Mayor Ninfa Segarra; PENCIL's President Lisa Belzberg; Assistant School Principal in Charge Richard Sonenklare; School District 32 Superintendent Felix Vasquez; School District 32 Deputy Superintendent Robert Brasco; School District 32 Supervising Principal Catherine Spatola and P.S. 123 teachers and staff.
Public School 123 offers an accelerated academic program for children in grades 1 to 5.
PENCIL was founded in 1995 to develop and coordinate meaningful civic involvement in the New York City public school. Believing that the private sector can play a role in improving the quality of education for New York City's 1.1 million public school students, PENCIL aims to build resources and private/public partnerships, and to link education and employment.