LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Oakland
Gardens School, Douglaston, New York, to be celebrated on Thursday,
March 18, 2010

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those institutions and their leadership whose true purpose and
faithful endeavors contribute significantly to the education and prepa-
ration of the youth who will comprise the future strength and vision of
this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 50th Anniversary of Oakland Gardens School, Douglaston, New
York, to be celebrated by its students and faculty on Thursday, March
18, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1960, P.S. 203, Oakland Gardens School's property
was first utilized as a potato farm and as a golf course, before it was
turned into school grounds as a result of steady population growth as
well as an overflowing amount of students at P.S. 31; and
WHEREAS, Located in District 26 in Bayside, New York, Oakland Gardens
School is a multicultural, child-centered school where a warm and
nurturing climate is fostered; presently, it has approximately 800
students, including two special education classes; and
WHEREAS, Oakland Gardens School is committed to providing an environ-
ment conducive to hands-on learning in which students are encouraged to
inquire, apply and extend their understanding of the world through prob-
lem-solving and decision-making skills; and
WHEREAS, The staff of Oakland Gardens School works tirelessly to offer
an education for all students with equity and access, including those
with disabilities, in English proficiency, advanced independent learning
skills and educational challenges; and
WHEREAS, Oakland Gardens School strives to educates the whole child in
a developmental context, incorporating diverse needs both sequentially
and circumstantially, within a caring community; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to the arts, P.S. 203, in collaboration with its
cultural arts partner, Early Stages, is implementing a school-wide NYSCA
Empire State Grant; this unique program will provide a school-wide
Storytelling residency, a key component in the school's mission and
culture to bring together arts and academics; and
WHEREAS, The goal of the administration of P.S. 203 is to have some-
thing special for each child; it has extended its one day overnight
trips to grades 3, 4, and 5; the third grade has gone to Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, the fourth grade to Plymouth, Massachusetts, and the fifth
grade to Salem/Boston, Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, In addition, students are honored as "Hero of the Month" for
qualities that extend beyond academics, as they may be recognized for
being Perpetually Prepared or for being an Attentive Listener; and
WHEREAS, Also, to help achieve its mission, Oakland Gardens School
offers professional development for its staff and makes great efforts to
involve parents and the community in the learning process; and
WHEREAS, Oakland Gardens School has an extremely active, supportive
and involved parent body; many of the parents, while juggling work and
home responsibilities, have a strong commitment to education and an
extraordinary dedication to the school; parents participate regularly
and actively in the school's governing committees including the School
Leadership Team; they are also involved in P.T.A. meetings, fund rais-
ers, workshops and all aspects of school-wide programs which enrich "The
P.S. 203 Experience"; and

WHEREAS, Presently the largest elementary school in District 26,
Oakland Gardens School is consistently among the city's highest scoring
schools in the state tests and assessments; and
WHEREAS, The steadfast and unyielding commitment of parents, educators
and administrators to provide the highest quality education for students
has become the hallmark and tradition of the Oakland Gardens School; and
WHEREAS, Within the 21st Century, Oakland Gardens School stands
prepared to reach out, in earnest and enthusiastic quest of its mission,
to promote the maximum growth of every student, establishing standards
and building skills which will carry its students and the citizens of
its community into the future; and
WHEREAS, Oakland Gardens School is proudly aware of its distinguished
past, eager to fulfill its present commitment to parents, students and
the community, and planning with vision and purpose for the ebb and
swell of growth and change it will encounter in the years to come; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Oakland Gardens School, Douglaston,
New York, to be celebrated Thursday, March 18, 2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Oakland Gardens School.