SLT ELECTIONS - June 19th

SLT Elections will be held June 19th at 8:35am during the PTA General Membership Meeting in the Cafeteria. Voting will be conducted by ballot and is in person only.

The following candidates, listed alphabetically by surname, are running for 3 open positions:

Pichchenda Bao: Pichchenda Bao is parent to first-grader, Louis P, and his little brother, Darren. She has served on the PTA board this past school year as VP of Membership, and has greatly enjoyed welcoming and building community with all of our families. She assembles the Hawks’ Happenings newsletter and generally volunteers with Darren in tow.

Felix Cardinal: I would be honored to serve the school as part of its School Leadership Team. I very much believe in the idea of parents playing an integral role in what a school can be for its students, and I look forward to working alongside faculty, administration, and members of the PTA as part of the multi-disciplinary SLT.

My connection with PS/IS 217 goes back almost as far as the origin of the school itself. Both my wife and I attended the school from kindergarten through eighth grade. My mother was a PTA President in the early years of the school. Currently, our son is in first grade and our daughter will attend when she is old enough.

Prior to becoming a full-time stay-at-home parent, I was an art handler at a New York City auction house. As a stay-at-home parent, I have become familiar with the learning curve that parenting presents. I believe that my experience gives me a good sense of what does and doesn’t work for young children.

I would also bring my decades long Roosevelt Island experience to the SLT. As you are aware, Roosevelt Island is a unique place with its own culture. My hope is that I can contribute in a fashion that helps facilitate a special and meaningful learning experience at the school.

Lily Saint: I am an educator with a daughter in 2nd grade. I'm excited to work with teachers, parents and principals to help implement and support 217's current and future goals.

Amarendra Vajihala: A strong believer of life long learning and the importance of good education, I  would like to work with Ms. Beckman, teachers, staff, PTA, and SLT members of PS 217 and contribute effectively towards school-wide educational programs.
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What is the SLT?
School Leadership Teams (SLTs) are vehicles for developing school-based educational policies, and ensuring that resources are aligned to implement those policies.

SLTs assist in the evaluation and assessment of a school’s educational programs and their effects on student achievement. SLTs play a significant role in creating a structure for school-based decision making, and shaping the path to a collaborative school culture.

Any parent can run for an SLT position as long as they are not an employees of the school. 
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New York State Education Law Section 2590-h requires every New York City Public School to have a School Leadership Team. In addition, Chancellor’s Regulation A-655 (CR A-655) establishes guidelines to ensure the formation of effective SLTs in every New York City public school.