Mission Statement
The Maurice Sendak Community School is a small, collaborative learning community dedicated to fostering intellectual curiosity and a life-long love of learning. Using an interdisciplinary, inquiry-based approach, we will prepare our students to be problem solvers and creative thinkers as they also develop a strong sense of social responsibility to our global community. Our multi-cultural educational model provides myriad opportunities for cross-cultural understanding among our students. We use a workshop approach to teaching and differentiate the curriculum to meet the needs of individual students at all levels. We cultivate a high level of parent involvement and aim for high academic achievement of our students. Our learning environment promotes collaboration among students, teachers, administrators and parents to excite curiosity, motivate learning and build trust and respect for others.
WHAT’S IN A NAME? P.S. 118 opened in Fall 2013 and is named after the award-winning children’s author and illustrator Maurice Sendak. A native of Brooklyn, Sendak is perhaps most well known for Where the Wild Things Are. In having Sendak’s artistic spirit animating our school, we hope to inspire students to find their own creative expression. “We want to be a place where kids are flexible thinkers and they step outside of the box, and Maurice Sendak was known for his creativity.” – Principal Elizabeth Garraway
What we value...
Joy
We are excited about learning. Our rich units of
study are relevant to our students’ lives. They make
connections and have many opportunities to
make choices and express their voices. We love
to celebrate our pupils' achievements.
Independence
We foster independence by providing a nurturing
environment, differentiating instruction, providing
social-emotional support, encouraging exploration
and curiosity, and guiding children in making
appropriate choices.
Creativity
We prepare students to become problem solvers in
a rapidly changing world. Our students are active
participants in their learning. Our hands-on approach
affords our students many opportunities to experiment
and be creative.
Collaboration
In our collaborative classrooms students learn from
each other, and all students are given the opportunity
to make contributions and to appreciate the
contributions of others.
Inclusiveness
We value diversity. Our multicultural approach
reflects the experiences, cultures and ideas of those
in our school community and beyond. In our
school, "you can't say you can't play".
Positive attitudes
Our staff members create a safe, nurturing, positive
environment that nurtures social and emotional
development, fosters respect for others, and
encourages our students to take risks. Our students
are encouraged to have a positive outlook on life.
Joy
We are excited about learning. Our rich units of
study are relevant to our students’ lives. They make
connections and have many opportunities to
make choices and express their voices. We love
to celebrate our pupils' achievements.
Independence
We foster independence by providing a nurturing
environment, differentiating instruction, providing
social-emotional support, encouraging exploration
and curiosity, and guiding children in making
appropriate choices.
Creativity
We prepare students to become problem solvers in
a rapidly changing world. Our students are active
participants in their learning. Our hands-on approach
affords our students many opportunities to experiment
and be creative.
Collaboration
In our collaborative classrooms students learn from
each other, and all students are given the opportunity
to make contributions and to appreciate the
contributions of others.
Inclusiveness
We value diversity. Our multicultural approach
reflects the experiences, cultures and ideas of those
in our school community and beyond. In our
school, "you can't say you can't play".
Positive attitudes
Our staff members create a safe, nurturing, positive
environment that nurtures social and emotional
development, fosters respect for others, and
encourages our students to take risks. Our students
are encouraged to have a positive outlook on life.
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