FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MAY 7, 2020 • THE QUEENS COURIER 59
buzz
Middle Village school principal
helps to brighten students’ day
BY ANGÉLICA ACEVEDO
aacevedo@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Principal Tom Carty of P.S./I.S. 49 in
Middle Village is bringing some fun to
his students and school community wading
Photo courtesy of P.S./I.S. 49 Principal Tom Carty.
through remote learning. Carty, who’s
been the principal at P.S./I.S. 49 for six
years, has created education-themed
cover songs to brighten the days of his
students, their families and the school’s
faculty.
His songs include “Home School Mode”
to the tune of “Old Town Road” and
his latest, “49 Strong!” “I thought that
one was totally original but my daughter
pointed out that it sounded a lot like ‘Th e
Fresh Prince,’” Carty said.
Carty said he used to make up jingles
and raps for the morning announcements
while he was an assistant principal
in Bushwick — but when P.S./I.S. 49’s
PTA president asked him to record the
Pledge of Allegiance so they could play it
for students every morning, he thought he
should take it one step further.
“When we are at school, the Pledge
and morning announcements set the
tone for each day at 49,” Carty said.
“I felt that a recording would not do
it so I did my best to recreate
my offi ce, and have done
them live on Instagram and
Youtube everyday since
remote learning began. I
think it has helped us all to maintain
something of a normal routine and start
each day together. Th e students seem to
be enjoying all of it and I am so happy
to be able to do something to maintain
the sense of community that we have all
worked so hard to establish.”
Carty also began doing weekly story
time and singalongs, and then he created
his own songs. He said he usually
gets his ideas while doing his morning
exercises.
“I guess I just start playing around with
words and phrases in my head and it
just takes off from there,” Carty said.
When asked how they’re managing
remote learning, Carty said
that while the transition has been
tough, they are adjusting as best they can.
“Th ey have all pulled together and are
making the best of a very diffi cult situation,”
he said. “I spend a good deal of
my day doing outreach to families and
I am amazed at our students’ ability to
remain positive and do their best every
day. Th ey really keep me going.” Chris
Brosky, a P.S./I.S. 49 parent, thanked
Carty for all he’s doing for their school
community.
“Mr. Carty is doing an amazing job
bringing some normalcy and fun to the
students and even the parents of P.S./
I.S. 49 through his morning announcements,
story times and original songs,”
Brosky said. “He is a great principal and
person.”
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