Particularly, in regards to Mrs. Jennifer Paynter, I was devastated to find out the day before my daughter's kindergarden promotional day of her dismissal. My daughter was picked out of a list for a charter school at the beginning of the the school year. I did not want my daughter to attend an NYC Public School, due to my own experience within the Public School System (back in the late 80s & 90s). Thanks to my husband's better judgement, we ended up choosing PS9 (which was a lot closer to home). I reluctantly adhered and it was then that I met what has to be one of THE most responsible, innovative, creative & loving (to both parents & children) professional educator I have ever met. Mrs. Painter is an 8 year veteran at P.S. 9 and while she has more seniority than others within this school, she recently decided to further her skills (which is at the benefit of our children) by completing an 'Early Childhood' education degree extension and this seems to have put her back at the bottom of the list. These Title1 cuts are a result of the poverty index going from 60.00% down to 59.01%. And worse of all, DOE/BOE knew of these cuts since about 3 months ago (not to be quoted as the exact date approx.) and did not notify the school until 10 days prior to the last day of school. Once again, low income, working class & middle class individuals (99%) are penalized for a measly .09% improvement on their poverty rate. PLEASE, HELP,!!!
I have attached the e-mails and communications related to this issue:

hey Lucy,

I'm not sure what else can be done. But maybe you can contact Laura, Henry's mom. She is the PTO president. I'm sure she could use the assistance. 

Thanks for the support!

On Tue, Jun 19, 2012 at 10:56 PM, Diarabonita wrote:

I'm truly devastated by the news.
How can I add my self to the 'Urgent Appeal?'
Please, let me know.  I might not have a lot of time to devote to being there physically, but I'm very good with social media and with your permission, I could start a petition with 'Color of Change.'  They're great, and I've been dealing with them for ages.  Facebook is also an option.

If any of the other teachers can justifiably be fought for, we can include them as well.  Let's occupy NYCBOE, if possible

Lucy Williams

On Jun 19, 2012, at 5:56 PM, Jennifer Paynter wrote:

Thank you so much guys. Your overwhelming support is helping to raise my hopes. I am truly grateful for all the kind words and gestures.

Thank you for the support.  I look forward to a wonderful day tomorrow. I can't wait to see the kb8ers all dolled up ready to graduate. 

On Jun 19, 2012 4:29 PM, "Jennifer Paynter" wrote:

Hello K-B8,

An URGENT letter from the school went out today. We were practicing for Promotional day in the afternoon so it missed being placed in the FISH folders. Please READ the email below that was forwarded from another parent in a different class. 

Sadly, I was just informed that I am one of those 4 teachers who are being excessed at the end of the year. =(  While I am not new to the school (I am a veteran in the school with 8 years under my belt) it was the switching of my licencing to an 'Early Childhood' that got me.  

Please read and forward this email to our school community.  Together we can help PS 9 and our teachers!

Thank you for your continued support!

Jen Paynter 

Yesterday, PS 9 was informed that the school no longer qualifies as a...

Mommywise™
Federal funding for public schools in high poverty neighborhoods is getting slashed faster than middle class neighborhoods. Our local elementary school lost $360k of funding this week because the poverty rate in our neighborhood went from 60% to 59.1%. The injustice makes me want to cry.
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After P.S. 9 Loses $160K in Funding, Parents Seek Donations to Halt Layoffs
School loses Title I status as parent incomes rise; more than $25,000 raised in two days.
By Amy Sara Clark Email the author June 21, 2012
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Parents and administrators are scrambling to try to close a $160,000 shortfall in P.S. 9’s budget for next year after learning Monday that it will be losing its Title I funding.

Over the past decade, an increasing number of professional families have been sending their children to the Underhill Avenue elementary school and this year the school’s percentage of low-income students moved to 59.1 percent, just under the 60 percent Title I cutoff.

With the change, P.S. 9 loses $360,000 in federal funding for the 2012-2013 budget, but gains $200,000 from the Fair Student Funding program.

That leaves the school with a budget hole of about $160,000, which Principal Sandra D’Avilar said would be made up by laying off four teachers, according to P.S. 9 PTO member Faye Rimalovski.

The PTO is hoping to raise the $160,000 needed to keep the teachers before they’re laid off on Monday morning, June 25.

While the PTO is not allowed to raise money directly for teachers salaries, they can fundraise to cover other budget items, Rimalovski said.

Does Rimalovski think the parents can raise that much money?

“Not within the next couple of days,” she said. But if the parents can raise it over the summer, it’s possible that the teachers could be re-hired.

But if any PTO can raise the money, it would be P.S. 9's. This year they’ve raised thousands of dollars through house concerts, movie nights, the annual craft fair and other events.

And they're off to a good start, garnering nearly $8,000 in the first 24 hours, most of it though P.S. 9's online donation site. Donations have been as small as a few dollars to a few gifts of $1,000, Rimalovski said.

“We’re just going to try to use every avenue possible,” she said.

Related Topics: Education, Government, Kids, and P.S. 9