PS/MS 188, a Title 1 school on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, serves approximately 400 children Prek –Grade 8, who live primarily in the adjacent public housing project and temporary housing facility. With a population most at risk, they implement a rigorous academic program, with the over-arching goal of closing the achievement gap.

I am a pre-service teacher studying at Oswego State University. I am taking a winter session course on urban society and schooling. I will be working in The Island School for this course and I am working on a "give back" project. My project focuses on early literacy. Literature is an important part of teaching but it is also important for children to enjoy reading. This love of literature is often fostered at a young age. Many of these children do not have books available to them outside of the school and even the school doesn't have the resources that they truly need in order to benefit their students. It would benefit this school greatly to have authentic literature in which to use for authentic learning and exploration for these diverse and wonderful students!

Thank you very much!
Kayleah