Who we are: MS 442, The Carroll Gardens School for Innovation, is a public school in Brooklyn, NY that serves a diverse group of 6th, 7th & 8th grade students who are all types of learners from all types of backgrounds. Roughly 40% of our students receive special education services and we host an ASD Nest Program for children on the autism spectrum. Our Chancellor has deemed us a "Showcase School" (http://schools.nyc.gov/Academics/InterschoolCollaboration/showcase)  because of our innovative approaches to working with students and partnering with staff. And we are the only Apple Distinguished school in Brooklyn (http://www.apple.com/education/apple-distinguished-schools/). 

Our problem: MS 442 is being forced out of the building we currently share with an elementary school to help address the severe overcrowding in our district. Developers are allowed free reign and continue to build huge residential buildings in an already overcrowded district while the DOE fails to plan for seats to keep up with the rising population. To band-aid this larger problem, our school of 220 middle school students is being forced to relocate to allow for more seats for elementary school students. Meanwhile, the DOE is struggling with finding a suitable place to put our school for September 2016. We have been told by the DOE our current location was a "luxury of space" and that no matter where we end up, we will have to make do with less space, lose our green roof and our solar panels (which are an integral part of our 7th and 8th grade curriculum) and many of the other amenities our students currently have, including a fully functioning gym space. 

What we have done: The MS 442 community and our Council Member have continually written to the DOE, the Chancellor, and the Superintendent requesting community engagement, a viable relocation plan, a commitment of equitable space, a commitment to replace what we're losing in the move. All of which have gone unanswered in more than 3 months. We have also presented a list of criteria that outlines what space for success looks like for MS 442.

What we are asking for: We are requesting the DOE present us with a relocation plan that allows for equitable space for our innovative program, allows for replacement of lost amenities, and allows for room to grow as the seats will be needed in the future to accommodate the growing district.  As the DOE has yet to do this, we have asked that they delay the relocation for one year to allow time for proper planning instead of forcing us into a lesser space out of desperation.

In addition, by delaying our relocation, the DOE is provided with the opportunity to look at the district as a whole and create a comprehensive plan that addresses the space needs—present AND future—across the district. And in this bigger picture may be able to find a more suitable space for MS 442.  

What you can do: Sign our petition and support us as we ask the NYC DOE to provide MS 442 with space where we can continue to succeed and grow.