ALBANY, N.Y. – Dr. Gerrard P. Bushell, President and CEO of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) participated in PENCIL’s Principal For A Day® event at JHS 226 the Virgil I. Grissom Middle School in Queens to support public education and connect students to success.
“Too many students do not have access to strong support networks to guide them, whether it be helping establish a bank account or completing a high school or college admissions application,” said Dr. Gerrard P. Bushell, President and CEO of DASNY. “I am grateful to be an example of what is possible. As a product of public education, I hope to help inspire and unlock the potential of New York City youth.”
PENCIL’s Principal For A Day® event is a fully immersive experience that creates opportunities for business professionals to work with educators and students in the classroom, to learn first-hand the benefits of civic engagement and the lasting impact that they and their companies can have on students and schools. Professionals draw upon their own experience and expertise to help guide students and administrators to make a positive impact.
"When we launched Principal For A Day®, our goal was to bring together private and public sectors of the city in order to draw attention to the needs and potential of New York City’s public schools,” said Gregg Betheil, President of PENCIL. "By inviting prominent business professionals into the schools, we’ve created long-term relationships that support students on their path to future college and career success. We look forward to keeping the momentum going this year by growing and strengthening the connections between local businesses and school leaders.”
“A special thanks to Dr. Bushell, and all of the other CEOs and senior business leaders, who came out to spend time with public school children, highlighting professional and academic opportunities throughout NYC and New York State for these bright and talented students,” said Lewis M. Warren, PENCIL Board Member and Managing Director of JPMorgan Chase.
“Seven years ago, JHS 226 the Virgil I. Grissom Middle School was barely making the grade,” said Principal Rushell White. “Today, thanks to partnerships with PENCIL, DASNY, JPMorgan Chase and other members of the local business community, our children are excelling. Not only are they exploring the math and sciences, they are being taught invaluable life skills. They are creating their own clubs, such as photography and dance, and publishing books. I could not be prouder of my students than I am today.”
“Increasing access to education can improve the overall health and longevity of a society, grow economies, and lay the foundation for a stronger New York for all,” said Dr. Bushell. “Education must be accessible and affordable. You can see Governor Cuomo’s commitment to education through his administration’s record funding for education in this year’s state budget, historic investment in after-school programs as well as in the creation of the Excelsior Scholarship. Many of the students I met with will be the first in the family to go to college. Events like PENCIL’s Principal For Day® provide the guidance students need to become the next generation of leaders.”
You can view photos from the event in DASNY's Flickr album.
About DASNY
Founded in 1944, DASNY – the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York – is New York State’s capital project development authority. It finances and constructs sustainable and resilient science, health and education institutions that help New York thrive. It is one of the largest issuers of tax-exempt bonds in the nation with an outstanding bond portfolio of approximately $50.5 billion as of March 31, 2018. DASNY is also a major public builder with a construction pipeline of 932 projects valued at more than $6.2 billion as of March 31, 2018.
About PENCIL
PENCIL is a New York City based non-profit, which has been working since 1995 to connect students to success. PENCIL’s hands-on programs, including in-school partnerships, internships, and immersive experiences like Principal For A Day®, create targeted opportunities to make a real difference in the classroom and beyond.On May 8, PENCIL matched more than 110 business executives and civic leaders to more than 95 schools across all five boroughs to participate in 2018’s Principal For A Day®. As PENCIL’s flagship event, Principal For A Day® has been the event for the city’s top business and civic leaders to engage directly with schools through hands-on, authentic experiences with school leaders and students. Participants will have the opportunity to take a school tour, meet with students and participate in a strategy session with the Principal to address their schools’ unique opportunities and challenges. Principal For A Day® serves as an entry-point into PENCIL’s partnership work, in hopes of continuing to forge meaningful partnerships between local businesses and New York City public schools to open eyes, open minds, and open doors for more students than ever before.