TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2014 • 20 Dept. Of Ed. Releases List Of Schools For PROSE Program Will Implement Innovative Plans Celebrating Break Of Ramadan Fast At Borough President’s Office Queens Borough President Melinda Katz hosted her office’s seventh annual Iftar program at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on Wednesday, July 2. Iftar means “breaking of the fast” which Muslims do every evening during their observance of the holy month of Ramadan. During the event Katz spoke about how proud she is of the borough’s diversity and the contributions of the Muslim community to the economic, social and cultural life of Queens. Among those pictured are City Council Member I. Daneek Miller (behind Katz) and the event’s honorees (in the front row). The honorees were, from left to right, Jehangir Khattak, chief editor of Voices of New York; Imam Askia Muhammad, chaplain with the New York City Department of Correction; Talat Gilani Hamdani, the mother of Salman Hamdani (an NYPD cadet from Bayside that helped others to safety during 9/11); and Shaykh Rafeek Mohamed, principal of Al-Ihsan Academy in South Ozone Park. (photo: courtesy of borough president’s office) St. Johns Prep Holds Commencement St. John’s Prep held commencement exercises at St. John’s University in Jamaica on Saturday, May 31. Principal William Higgins greeted those gathered and thanked them for their support of the graduates. Salutatorian Lauren Martinez advised her classmates to “measure our time by the blessings bestowed upon each of us,” and spoke of the friends she made, the teachers who “gave them the foundation to succeed” and the parents who sacrificed for them. Valedictorian Cara Lambrento spoke of the experiences the Class of 2014 had and how “all these experiences … changed us. They have built a foundation for our character,” she said. She also addressed concerns about the challenges graduates face ahead, and how their time spent inside and outside the classroom prepared them for the future. by Noah Zuss Five schools in central Queens have been selected to take part in the Department of Education’s (DOE) new Progressive Redesign Opportunity Schools for Excellence Program (PROSE), the school’s chancellor announced Monday, July 7. Carmen Farina and United Federation of Teachers (UFT) President Michael Mulgrew released the list of schools selected to participate during the upcoming school year, which include three in Long Island City, and one in Corona and Ridgewood. The schools selected are: Academy for Careers in Television and Film, International High School, Middle College High School at LaGuardia Community College, P.S. 71 Forest Elementary and Voyages Preparatory South Queens. Of 102 schools that applied, only 72 were selected across Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens. At 62 of those schools, teachers voted to approved the plan, according to DOE officials. No schools in Staten Island were voted to participate. The application process began by schools explaining their proposals, describing why the school was appropriate for the program and how students would benefit. A combined UFT/DOE panel then reviewed all of the applications to ensure that they were in accordance with relevant state laws and procedures, according to DOE. The new program aims to “allow schools to implement innovative plans,” a DOE statement said. “Staff from the participating schools created ideas for the programs features that include staggering the school day, changing contractually required student-to-teacher ratios and using portfolios of instructional strategies to rate teachers,” according to DOE. “Real Change happens when educators are empowered to develop the best, tailored strategies to help their students succeed,” Farina said. At dozens of schools across the city, these educators have come forward with new, innovative practices that can serve as a guide for all of our school communities and brighten the classroom experience for every child.” The program was established following the new contract between the city and the teacher’s union, DOE stated. “I am so proud of the New York City public school system and all the schools that took part in the PROSE program,” Mulgrew said. “Innovations like this will move education forward not just in New York, but around the country. Teachers, principals, parents and the entire school community working together will truly advance education.” CENTER, 108-25 62nd Dr., will hold various programs, plus hot lunch. For more information, call 1-718-699-1010. FRIDAY, JULY 11 QUEENS BOTANICAL GARDEN, 43-50 Main St., will hold Farmers Market Fridays until Nov. 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Market on Dahlia Ave., directly off Main Street, outside the Garden fence. BOY SCOUT TROOP 28 meets every Friday at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 86- 20 114th St. in Richmond Hill. All boys age 10-1/2 to 17 are welcome. For more information, call 1-718-478-5747. GIRL SCOUTS K to 3rd grade meet from 5 to 6 p.m. Grades 4 and up meet from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Andrews United Methodist Church, 91 Richmond St., between Etna St. and Ridgewood Ave., Cypress Hills. BOY SCOUTS Troop and Pack 233 meet at 7 p.m. at St. CALENDAR -CONTINUED FROM PG. 18- -SEE CALENDAR ON PG. 23-
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