The Wise Moves

George Carter • Cahn Fellow 2023

PS 79, a large elementary school serving over 1,000 students in the heart of the Whitestone Queens community, has long been a thriving ecosystem of learning, enriched by a diverse mix of immigrant families new to the country and those with generations of students who have passed through its doors. However, the pandemic profoundly disrupted this vibrant community, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable learners and fraying the connections that once bound families, students, and educators together.

The Wise Moves chronicles our school’s journey to recovery and revitalization through four strategic pillars: targeted instruction, enhanced parent engagement, the effective use of social media, and a shift in leadership practices. These efforts were focused on closing the achievement gap and creating new pathways to meet the needs of every family, no matter their background, with a specific focus on the Students with Disabilities (SWD) population. This project showcases how PS 79 rebuilt its community connections and transformed teaching and learning practices to better serve a dynamic and evolving student population, positioning the school to soar to new frontiers.