Gifted & Talented Program To Open At Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217 This Fall For 17 Kindergarten Students

Image of PS/IS 217 From Geocities

Last week, I inquired regarding the status of Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217 proposed Gifted & Talented Program from City Council Member Jessica Lappin's office. Mr. John Moore of Ms. Lappin's staff looked into the matter and replied today:

We’ve gotten it confirmed that the DOE is going to be opening a G&T program for kindergarteners on the Island next fall. I’ve attached a release. Thanks for following up on this issue and let me know if you have any other questions.

Below is the July 15 press release from City Council Member Jessica Lappin's office:

Gifted and Talented Program Coming to Roosevelt Island

The Department of Education has confirmed that they are moving forward with plans to open a gifted and talented program for kindergarteners on Roosevelt Island next fall at PS/IS 217. The opening of the program was contingent upon sufficient interest in the program. Now, the school’s principal has been told to plan to open a class for 17 kindergarten students.

“This is great news for families on Roosevelt Island,” Council Member Jessica Lappin said. “PS/IS 217 is an ideal location for a gifted and talented program. It expands educational opportunities and capacity, and I’m very pleased that the DOE worked with me to open this program.”

“We are extremely excited to begin a Gifted and Talented program at PS/IS 217. The addition of the G&T class will enhance the diverse programs we have at PS/IS 217 to continue serving students will all learning styles and needs,” Principal Mandana Beckman said.

“All the Island parents who advocated for a G&T at PS 217 over the years should pat themselves on the back today. By organizing and working with Council Member Jessica Lappin we have a great new option for families who live on the Island. We hope that kids from District 2 or District 30 will soon be coming here to participate in this exciting new program,” Island parent Cressida Connolly said. Connolly was one of a group of parents who began advocating for a G&T program on Roosevelt Island years ago.

Students who scored in the 90th percentile or better on the city’s gifted and talented test were eligible to apply for the program on the Island. The program will launch with a kindergarten class next fall and grow by a grade each year after that.

That's very good news.

For more information on PS/IS 217, the NYC Department of Education Parents, Teachers and Students survey on the learning environment at Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 is available here.