Senate Resolution No. 946

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMENDING Principal Grecian Harrison-Walker upon
the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the Community Advisory Board of Boys
and Girls High School on April 11, 2019

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled;
its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its
educational professionals and the students they inspire; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant achievements in the distinguished careers of those
outstanding educational leaders, whose dedication and accomplishments
have been instrumental in developing character and academic excellence
in the young people of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Principal Grecian Harrison-Walker upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition by the Community Advisory Board of
the Boys and Girls High School to be celebrated in conjunction with the
Return of Academic Excellence to the school on Thursday, April 11, 2019;
and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will recognize the outstanding
achievements of Principal Grecian Harrison-Walker, her staff and
students who brought the BGHS from "Failing School" status in 2008, to
"Good Standing" in 2019; and

WHEREAS, The BGHS, the oldest public high school in Brooklyn, is a
comprehensive high school located at 1700 Fulton Street in
Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York; as of the 2014-15 school year,
the school had an enrollment of 643 students and 43 classroom teachers;
and

WHEREAS, After it was designated a "Failing School," the Community
Advisory Board of the BGHS and other leaders from Bedford Stuyvesant
fought to keep the school open; a decade later, a hearing was held on
Thursday, November 1, 2018, to review the school's status, and on
January 17, 2019, Principal Grecian Harrison-Walker was informed of the
school's notable improvements, and its subsequent removal from
receivership at the end of the 2018-2019 school year; and

WHEREAS, For 10 years, Principal Grecian Harrison-Walker and her
staff diligently worked to improve their school by creating an
environment that will successfully teach their students to think
critically and conscientiously about themselves, their community, and
their global village; and

WHEREAS, Through their tireless efforts, the BGHS has truly helped
its students to achieve their full potential, make positive choices and
have a plan for life after high school; Principal Grecian
Harrison-Walker and her staff believe their students are capable of

success and embrace learning when they feel safe and are supported by
competent and caring adults; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Principal Grecian
Harrison-Walker, the BGHS has truly become the "Pride and Joy of Bedford
Stuyvesant"; and

WHEREAS, Educators like Principal Grecian Harrison-Walker provide a
tremendous service to the future of our State and Nation, inspiring
generations of young people in their educational journeys and ensuring
their success in their future years; and

WHEREAS, Principal Grecian Harrison-Walker has clearly had an
enduring impact on the youth of the BGHS, as well as the
community-at-large, and accordingly merits recognition and applause for
her impressive dedication to others; and

WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of those individuals who work to support our proud tradition of
public education by providing their skills and talents to our schools;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Principal Grecian Harrison-Walker upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition by the Community Advisory Board of
Boys and Girls High School on April 11, 2019; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Principal Grecian Harrison-Walker.