By Michael Morton
“This is where the foundation is laid,” second-year Principal Alicia Davis said at the school Monday. While the city's Education Department is focused on improving math scores on standardized tests this year, she said the school had already moved in that direction with its 400 students.Last yearfailing scores among the school's fourth-graders taking the state math test declined slightly, while the number scoring in Levels 3 and 4, the highest categories, rose more than 18 percent. With the third-graders and fifth-graders, however, the failure rate rose nearly 5 percent as those earning a 3 or 4 dropped more than 7 percent.In order to engage the students and secure consistent results, Davis and Assistant Principal Ericka Wala applied for a grant through a private foundation to build life-size, interactive math puzzles. When they were turned down, The Home Depot on Springfield Boulevard and Merrick Boulevard, managed by Okey Okoro, stepped in to construct the learning tools.Upon completion, the school designated March math month and rented arithmetic-themed carnival games for a family math night Friday. More than 500 parents and students showed up at the school, located at 132nd Avenue and 218th Street.”We really wanted to get the community excited about math and science,” Davis said.”They did not want to leave,” Parent Teacher Association member Jeany Persaud added, describing parents kneeling on the floor in order to figure out the puzzles. The school leadership team said they thought the message had been well received.”Math is not scary,” Wala said. “Math is fun. Math is used in everyday life.”While Wala and Davis acknowledged one night would not automatically increase math scores, they said the parents would likely become more engaged after dispelling their own fears about numbers.Wala and Davis received more good news Monday when City Councilman James Sanders Jr. (D-Laurelton) announced he was giving the school $25,000 for new laptop computers. The machines will be used to help teach math and science.”I understand this school has needs,” Sanders said.Reach reporter Michael Morton by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
