It’s a day to celebrate at P.S. 137, where teachers and students found out today they will not be forced to close after all. Earlier this year, the school, located on East Broadway (and Grand Street) had been placed on a list of “at-risk” schools. But today the Department of Education announced which schools would definitely be shuttered and P.S. 137 was not on that list.
City Councilmember Margaret Chin released a statement a short time ago, saying:
I am happy that the DOE has demonstrated their commitment to this small neighborhood school… Our schools do not need phase-outs, they need support. Principal Rodriguez knows where her school’s weaknesses lie, and she has demonstrated a willingness to address those issues in a comprehensive manner. I lobbied the DOE to keep P.S. 137 open and my support for this important part of the Lower East Side community will not wane. We have a lot of work to do but I am confident that with the support of the DOE, P.S. 137s’ future is bright.
Over the next few weeks, Chin added “the school will be evaluated and a targeted action program will be implemented to help get the school of the road to success.”
P.S. 137 is the only Manhattan school to be targeted by the DOE for closure this year.
UPDATE 3:18 p.m.: Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has released a statement on the P.S. 137 news, as well:
I am very pleased that the Department of Education has decided not to close PS 137. As I expressed to Chancellor Walcott last month, it is essential for the DOE, faculty, parents and the community to come together to make sure this school is put onto a path for success. Together, we will work hard to ensure that PS 137 – which just two years ago was awarded an A grade by the DOE – reaches the level of success we know it is capable of achieving.
