Although PS 24 mainly relies on its current network for security, financial and personnel assistance, Mr. Verdi said CFN 103’s instructional focus matched the school’s priorities.
“On an ongoing basis, day to day, we’re usually calling up for information from central [DOE offices] that gets filtered through them [the network],” he said. “They’re instructionally-based and that’s where we’re looking to move in the future.”
News that Mr. Cohen planned to retire also inspired the David A. Stein Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy, MS/HS 141 to hunt around for a new network. RKA explored joining a support organization run by Fordham University, just as PS 24 did. But RKA administrators decided to stay with the school’s current network once they learned Mr. Cohen would remain at its helm.
Principal Lori O’Mara said CFN 104 gave her access to “long-timers in the Department of Education” with lots of experience. She was pleased with the services it offered, and above all, Ms. O’Mara said she was sold on the community CFN 104 created.
“Many of our other local schools are in the same network. That has been a great benefit for us,” Ms. O’Mara said. “It gives us an opportunity to network and an opportunity to meet with one another and address issues, happenings or things that we have in common.”
CFN 104’s mission is to “improve student performance by working with the whole student — academics and social-emotional” with help from network members.
Nearly all of the network’s schools are in the Bronx.
