Bensonhurst
Three cheers to Catherine Downey, a fifth-grade teacher at PS 128, for winning the very first Citywide Big Apple Award on June 11.
Mayor Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott instituted the competition, highlighting the excellence of the city’s brightest educators, and Catherine won for having her class recreate a Mayan social-caste structure using candy. Sweet deal.
The award-winner also utilized other innovative practices to inspire her students, most of whom are new to the English language, to excel in their studies.
Catherine, who has been at PS 128 for five years, keeps the momentum going by participating in after-school activities and network study groups with other teachers, in addition to leading the Parent’s Association’s school leadership team.
The educator “exhibits the confidence of a seasoned teacher,” stated Hizzoner in a press release.
Standing O sends out a great big shout-out to this one-in-a-million teacher.
PS 128 [2075 84th St. at 20th Avenue in Bensonhurst, (718) 373–5900]
Park Slope
High school’s out — forever!
It’s that time of year again, graduations, senior luncheons, and award nights. Standing O tips the old cap and tassel to St. Saviour High School’s graduating — and award-winning — seniors.
Valedictorian Gabriela Carrasco received the General Academic Excellence Award, the President’s Educational Excellence Award, and the National Honor Society Award. Salutatorian Catherine Walker was the recipient of the Academic Excellence Award, and the President’s Educational Excellence Award. Danielle Dostaly, Adriana Gilmartin, and Izabela Suster also earned the President’s Educational Excellence Award. Raven DeLeon received the National Honor Society Award. Lisa Antoine, Julia Dineen, and Joanna Munoz were hailed with New York State Comptroller’s Achievement awards for Outstanding Academic Achievement, Leadership Potential, and Commitment to Public Service. Joanna Constant was awarded the Brooklyn Borough President’s Achievement Award for Leadership, Community Service, and Academics. Jennifer Calabrese and Chanelle Cato received the Attorney General’s Triple “C” Certificate for students who demonstrate Character, Courage, and Commitment to Improving Society. And Kate Pieratti was lauded with the Public Advocate Certificate of Excellence in Recognition of Outstanding Academic Achievement.
A well-deserved Standing O to all the award-winners, and good luck to them as they turn a new chapter in their lives.
St. Saviour High School [588 Sixth St. at Prospect Park West in Park Slope, (718) 768–4406].
Bensonhurst
‘Fine’ commish for a day
Move over NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, there’s a new kid on the crime-fighting block — Bishop Kearney High School student Alanna McAuliffe.
The junior was selected as Gotham’s top cop for a day because of her outstanding essay, which answered the burning question: “What can the NYPD do to reduce the purchase of illegal firearms by city use?”
”Commissioner” Alanna spent the day discovering how the Finest earn their nickname, and was humbled by her temporary duties.
“It’s an honor that few people get,” she told us.
Here’s another honor for Alanna that few people get — a Standing O!
Bishop Kearney High School [2202 60th St. at Bay Parkway in Bensonhurst (718) 236–6363].
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