Contact: Colleen Roche/ Samantha I. Lugo 212-788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today joined Staten Island Borough President Guy Molinari, School Principal Irene Sessa and Teacher's Aide Marlene Petrides to visit and read to the students of Public School 32 in Staten Island.
"This school is a wonderful part of the education system and Staten Island. I want to thank Principal Sessa and Marlene Petrides for their commitment to quality education and their dedication to the future of our children," the Mayor said. "It is a pleasure to see the level of involvement of the parents, students and teachers at P.S. 32. This is the kind of cutting edge education that helps our children to be successful. "
The students of P.S. 32 held a drawing and composition contest depicting their aspirations for the future. One student was selected from each class to join the Mayor as he read from his book, "What Will You Be?" The Mayor met the full student body at the auditorium after the reading.
Elementary Public School 32 offers its students special academic programs such as world language, multi-cultural curriculum, hand-on science, Lincoln-Douglas debates, New York Times Stock Market Competition, contests and academic fairs, independent studies, a Read-a-thon and extracurricular activities. They also have parents and community support.
"What Will You Be?" provides children with a fun way of practicing their reading skills with its catchy prose and colorful, stimulating illustrations. At the same time, it allows them to focus on their personal and professional goals for the future.
The book was published last summer by the New York City Public/Private Initiatives. Funding was made possible through a $25,000 grant from Goldman, Sachs & Co. Bookmart Press donated the printing of 10,000 copies. Kristin Doney, was the writer and illustrator of "What Will You Be?" which is based on a story by Mayor Giuliani. Ms. Doney is a professional illustrator. She received her art degree from Syracuse University in 1989. She now lives in New York City.
Copies of the Mayor's book have been donated to all elementary school libraries, and all branches of the New York Public Library.