The gathering was prompted by a proposal by a mayoral candidate frontrunner who has urged eliminating the G&T Program if elected.
“We’re right here right now to remind of us that elections have penalties and to shine a light-weight on a program which will disappear if the incorrect individual wins within the upcoming race for mayor,” mentioned Borough President Fossella. “For individuals who consider absolutely in bettering schooling for all children, eradicating or dismantling the Gifted & Gifted program can be a giant mistake.”
Borough President Fossella pointed to Staten Island Technical Excessive College as a testomony to the success of G&T packages.
“Probably the greatest colleges, frankly in the USA, is Staten Island Tech, partly as a result of we allowed these children to be challenged within the elementary colleges and the center colleges,” mentioned Borough President Fossella. And, these children aren’t solely leaders right now, however they’ll go into school and be the leaders of tomorrow. I can’t emphasize sufficient what a mistake this might be.”
Benny Huang, a senior at Staten Island Technical Excessive College and former G&T scholar, mentioned the packages present “life-changing and transformative environments.”
“These packages not solely pushed me academically, however they affected how I feel, how work and the way I view the world round me,” he mentioned. “Beginning an accelerated program was the place I first began to really feel challenged. It wasn’t strain for strain’s sake, it was a push to develop, a push to repeatedly study. I strongly agree that each scholar deserves that very same alternative for progress in adolescence. Slicing the Gifted & Gifted packages — it doesn’t present a stage taking part in area. As an alternative, it’s solely going to remove the one place the place curiosity, drive and creativity is inspired, not diminished.”
