LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Forest Hills High School of
Queens, New York, upon the occasion of its designation for special
recognition by the City Department of Education

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those institutions of high achievement whose exemplary programs
and accomplishments clearly demonstrate an enduring pursuit of excel-
lence in the education of the young people of the Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Forest Hills High School of Queens, New York, upon the occasion of
its designation for special recognition by the City Department of Educa-
tion; and
WHEREAS, Forest Hills High School was among the few large high
schools, defined as those with a student population exceeding 2,500,
throughout the city, to receive a grade of "A" on the Department of
Education progress reports for two years in a row; and
WHEREAS, The progress report grades are based on student attendance
rates, progress toward graduation, graduation rates and the results of
parent, student and teacher surveys; and
WHEREAS, Forest Hills High School uses technology extensively in the
classroom, including having a Smartboard in every room; another one of
its major focuses is to help the struggling students at the school make
a marked improvement; the school administrators, teachers, guidance
counselors and support staff work together in a coordinated effort to
help these students by forming inquiry teams; the school uses data to
identify the lowest-performing 20 percent of students, and teachers
offer them extra instruction, such as Saturday and evening tutoring; and
WHEREAS, Guidance professionals will also speak with the students for
group counseling sessions, and Principal Saul Gootnick himself meets
with the students once a week; using methods such as this, Forest Hills
High School has raised its graduation rate from 78 to 86 percent over
the last two years; and
WHEREAS, With an enrollment of about 3,900 students, Forest Hills High
School has various academies, including a drama academy, which performs
theatrical productions, a music academy and a public service academy,
whose members engage in community volunteer work; and
WHEREAS, Ably led by Principal Saul Gootnick, Forest Hills High School
continues to prosper today and will continue to do so into the future;
and
WHEREAS, Forest Hills High School which was dedicated in 1937, is
justifiably proud of its distinguished past, eager to fulfill its pres-
ent 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
congratulate Forest Hills High School of Queens, New York, upon the
occasion of its designation for special recognition by the City Depart-
ment of Education; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Saul Gootnick, Principal, Forest Hills High School.