Senate Resolution No. 5879

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMEMORATING the 15th Anniversary of the Urban
Assembly New York Harbor School, and paying special
tribute to its Founding Partners on October 11, 2018

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those institutions of true purpose and high achievement whose
exemplary programs and accomplishment clearly demonstrate an enduring
pursuit of excellence in the education of the youth 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
commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the Urban Assembly New York Harbor
School, and to pay tribute to its Founding Partners on Thursday, October
11, 2018; and

WHEREAS, The Urban Assembly New York Harbor School (Harbor School)
is a small, public high school, created in 2003 through the New York
City Department of Education's New Century High Schools Initiative, with
a four-year New Visions for Public Schools implementation grant from the
Gates Foundation, Open Society Foundation, and Carnegie Foundation; and

WHEREAS, The Harbor School was borne out of the belief that New York
City youth, the natural resources of New York Harbor, and the New York
metropolitan community collectively formed an untapped potential for
excellence in secondary public education; and

WHEREAS, The challenge was bringing those resources to the students
in the classroom, and extending the classroom to include those resources
through a system which meets all state standards; and

WHEREAS, As a public school, Harbor School is funded by the city and
state, but also relies on significant annual funding from the Billion
Oyster Project to support its students through all of the waterfront,
career & technical educational programs, and summer and afterschool
program; and

WHEREAS, The success of this educational model relied on four
principles: the marine world provides an ideal forum for education
based on excellence, discipline and interdependence; hands-on,
inquiry-based learning in a natural environment stimulates students'
curiosity and leads to improved engagement and academic performance;
given the right environment and expectations, the students from the
districts this school served have within themselves the desire and
intellect to reach the highest academic standards; and small schools
with increased personalization and alternative assessment systems create
an environment more conducive to learning, graduation and, ultimately,
successful and productive lives; and

WHEREAS, The Harbor School began with a faculty of eight, along with
founding Principal Nathan Dudley, Co-founder Murray Fisher, and 125
students on the fourth floor of the former Bushwick High School in
Brooklyn; and


WHEREAS, The school moved to Governors Island in 2010, and in 2013,
after a five year capital campaign, Harbor School expanded to include a
new waterfront Marine Affairs, Science and Technology (MAST) Center; and

WHEREAS, As sophomores, students at Harbor School select one of
seven Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs: Aquaculture, Marine
Biology and Research, Marine Systems Technology, Marine Policy and
Advocacy, Ocean Engineering, Professional Diving, and Vessel Operations;
and

WHEREAS, These hands-on programs qualify them to graduate with
relevant certifications in marine science and technology fields, which
include an array of work-based learning experiences that extend
students' education from the classroom into the real world; and

WHEREAS, Today, Harbor School educates more than 500 students, many
of whom graduate and go on to two or four year colleges; others
transition directly into jobs in the New York Harbor and beyond; and

WHEREAS, During its 15th Anniversary celebration, the Urban Assembly
New York Harbor School will pay special tribute to its founding
partners: The Urban Assembly, New York City (NYC) Department of
Education, United Federation of Teachers, New Visions for Public
Schools, South Street Seaport Museum and Waterkeeper Alliance; and

WHEREAS, The Urban Assembly is a non-profit organization dedicated
to empowering underserved youth by providing them with the academic and
life skills necessary for postsecondary success; and

WHEREAS, In 2001, Mayor Bloomberg took control of the NYC Department
of Education and implemented a massive initiative to create more than
200 new small public high schools; Harbor School was among the first
wave of schools created; and

WHEREAS, United Federation of Teachers (UFT) is committed to
strengthening communities, the teaching profession and the lives of its
members and students; UFT has steadfastly supported the Harbor School,
working in the best interests of its students; and

WHEREAS, New Visions for Public Schools designs, creates and
sustains great schools for New York City's highest need students; since
1989, the organization has served as a laboratory of innovation within
the city's public schools, driving significant achievement gains for
countless students; and

WHEREAS, The South Street Seaport Museum has provided Harbor School
with classroom space, office space and waterfront space, all of which
were critical to the early success of the school; and

WHEREAS, Waterkeeper Alliance strengthens and grows a global network
of grassroots leaders, protecting everyone's right to clean water; they
are the largest and fastest growing nonprofit soley focused on clean
water; and

WHEREAS, Billion Oyster project, the non-profit organization
formerly known as New York Harbor Foundation, is pleased to host this
important anniversary celebration, honoring Harbor School's founders and

supporters and celebrating 15 years of growth and success using New
York's maritime experience to support and improve outcomes for every
public school student; and

WHEREAS, The Harbor School has continually demonstrated an
impressive dedication, an unparalleled devotion and an unremitting
enthusiasm for the quality of educational programs and opportunities
offered for the benefit of its faculty and students as well as for the
entire community; and

WHEREAS, The Harbor 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 15th Anniversary of the Urban Assembly New York Harbor
School, and to pay special tribute to its Founding Partners; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Urban Assembly New York Harbor School and the
aforementioned Founding Partners.