LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Cassandra and Thomas Brennan upon the
occasion of their designation as recipients of the 2016 Couple of the
Year Award by the Bensonhurst West End Community Council on May 4, 2016

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, It is also the practice of this Legislative Body to take note
of and publicly acknowledge individuals of remarkable integrity and
character whose endeavors have enhanced the quality of education in this
great State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Cassandra and Thomas Brennan upon the occasion of their designation as
recipients of the 2016 Couple of the Year Award by the Bensonhurst West
End Community Council to be celebrated at its 55th Annual Gala, at El
Caribe, Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday, May 4, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Cassandra and Thomas Brennan were inspired by their nurturing
teachers to become devoted educators; and
WHEREAS, Raised in Springfield, Virginia, Cassandra Jones was born to
Royal and Lillian Jones; as a military child, Cassandra spent a lifetime
traveling the world, teaching and learning across continents; and
WHEREAS, Cassandra Brennan began her career in Corporate Communi-
cations for the Government Contracting industry with entities such as
Litton PRC, now Boeing Inc.; this experience prepared her for the struc-
ture, support and professionalism she brings to her role as Assistant
Principal at Morris H. Weiss, PS 215; and
WHEREAS, Cassandra Brennan's love and devotion to music and the arts
fuels the passion she brings to her students; from her first position as
an ESL Teacher through her roles as ESL Coordinator, she has focused on
bringing technology and the arts together to support her students'
understanding of their core curriculum; and
WHEREAS, Today, Cassandra Brennan holds the esteemed position of
Assistant Principal at PS 215; in this role she strives to provide the
best for her students wherever possible; she was pleasantly surprised to
have a brief cameo in the documentary about some of her favorite
students in the 2013 film, "I Learn America"; and
WHEREAS, Having worked as a professional musician and freelance writ-
er, Cassandra Brennan has imparted to her students the importance of
education in creating a vision for one's life and committing to the hard
work needed to make those dreams a reality; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong Brooklyn resident, Thomas Brennan is the son of
Robert and Antoinette Brennan; he has spent 23 years giving back, one
student at a time, to the next generation of Brooklyn natives; and
WHEREAS, In 1995, Thomas Brennan started the Symphony Orchestra at his
school alongside his colleague of 18 years, James Chiarello; their
musical teamwork continues to be a source of pride for David A. Boody IS
228; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Brennan was also the Brooklyn Boro-wide Orchestra
Conductor for seven years, performing at Carnegie Hall in 2006, 2008,
and 2010; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable teacher was the recipient of the 2007 Dr.
George S. Hoffman Award by the Catholic Teachers Association for Teacher

of the Year, and for his diligence to his students at David A. Boody IS
228, he was honored to receive the 2014 Teacher of the Year Award; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Brennan's exceptional groups have performed for numer-
ous dignitaries, and have been featured on 1010 WINS, NY1, and Channel 5
News; and
WHEREAS, Cassandra and Thomas Brennan and their dedicated staff
continue to build a collaborative professional learning community,
committed to providing a rigorous and supportive learning environment
for all of the students that the school serves; and
WHEREAS, Cassandra and Thomas Brennan have brought great credit upon
themselves by continually demonstrating an impressive dedication, an
unparalleled devotion and an unremitting enthusiasm for the quality of
the educational programs and opportunities offered at the schools where
they have served; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of their professional service, a
period of constructive involvement, Cassandra and Thomas Brennan have
stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor, and have earned the
respect and admiration of their colleagues, family and friends; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Cassandra and Thomas Brennan upon the occasion of their desig-
nation as recipients of the 2016 Couple of the Year Award by the Benson-
hurst West End Community Council; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Cassandra and Thomas Brennan.