Gifted, talented program expands

Mayor Eric Adams and New York City schools chancellor David Banks are expanding the kindergarten and third grade gifted and talented program in other districts of New York City.

According to the education department’s G&T handbook, parents can apply for 12 different gifted programs. The program handbookcan be found online.

One of the most notable programs at P.S. 24 Spuyten Duyvil is its gifted program. But in 2017 parents and teachers did not have information about program enrollment. Children are placed in the newly flexible program after they take a required placement exam.

The deadline to enroll is June 13. Call (718) 935-2009, or email esenrollment@schools.nyc.gov.

Art night at SAR Academy

SAR Academy hosted the interactive family arts festival Harvest & Bloom on May 24.

Students displayed their artwork — from canvasses to life-sized posters — in galleries throughout the halls of the West 254th Street school.

Guests enjoyed a musical performance from third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students. There were also a number of hands-on activities such as interactive art, ceramic workshops, and an educated gardening experience with farmer Joseph Gillers.

Unfortunately on the same day as the festival, SAR students, parents and staff had to come together to understand how yet another school shooting could take place. It was on that day 19 students and two teachers were killed in Uvalde, Texas.

SAR addressed the shooting  reciting a morning prayer.

“We tried to comprehend yet another senseless act of violence against young children and teachers,” SAR Academy told parents in a letter sent out following news of the Uvalde shooting, adding that increasing security on campus is a priority.