Honoring Principal Sandra D'Avilar as recipient of the Education Award by The Brooklyn Club

Senate Resolution No. 1944 BY: Senator MONTGOMERY HONORING Principal Sandra D'Avilar upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Education Award by The Brooklyn Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. on April 29, 2017 WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Principal Sandra D'Avilar upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Education Award by The Brooklyn Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., to be celebrated at its 50th Annual Founders' Day Observance Luncheon on Saturday, April 29,

2017, at Gargiulos Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, The theme for this auspicious occasion is entitled "72 Years of L.E.T.S. - Leaders Exemplary Timeless Service; Marching forward with a purpose"; each year, The Brooklyn Club acknowledges its Founders; "the shoulders on which we stand and the role and responsibility we have to prepare our young people for the future"; and WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Club is a chapter of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC, Inc.), which provides opportunities for women to increase their leadership skills, experience governance and parliamentary procedures, and enhance their educational awareness of issues impacting the black community through volunteerism; and WHEREAS, Sandra D'Avilar is receiving this prestigious award for her steadfast and unremitting commitment to education and her achievements which have been instrumental in developing character and academic excellence in the young people of New York State; and WHEREAS, Born Denita Sandra Kellman in Barbados, she was a student at both the Sharon Mixed School and The Alleyne Secondary School; in

1982, she and her three sisters immigrated to New York City, where she attended Sarah J. Hale High School in Brooklyn; and WHEREAS, An ambitious and strong young woman, Sandra D'Avilar tirelessly advocated for better education for the children of New York City at our nation's capital; during the summers, she learned how to be a politician from Congressman Towns; and WHEREAS, In 1986, Sandra D'Avilar won an American Field Service (AFS) Scholarship to serve as a student ambassador from the United States to the United Kingdom, where she lived with several host families and engaged in various youth projects; and WHEREAS, After her return to the United States, Sandra D'Avilar spent the next four years as a student at the State University of New York at Binghamton where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology/Political Science; and WHEREAS, In addition to attending academic classes, Sandra D'Avilar was an active member of the Caribbean Students Association, The Black Students Association, and Alpha Angel, as well as the African Dance and Drumming Ensemble; and WHEREAS, Sandra D'Avilar later attended Adelphi University, and Fordham University where she received her master's degree in Administration and Supervision through the VIA Program; and WHEREAS, In 1991, Sandra D'Avilar began her illustrious teaching career as a substitute teacher at Public School 270 in District 13; during her 10 years as a classroom teacher, she taught various classes at Public School 270, and Public School 20, where she served as Debate Team coach; and WHEREAS, After holding the position of District Staff Developer of English Language Arts, she was promoted to the title of Assistant Principal of Public School 9 in February of 2002; two years later, she became the Principal; and WHEREAS, In this capacity, Sandra D'Avilar worked collaboratively with her staff and parents to select a comprehensive, authentic, standard-based curriculum to challenge each and every student; she has diligently sought out and brought numerous programs and partnerships to the school in order to provide the students with rich school-wide enrichment experiences; and WHEREAS, In 2011, Public School 9 was selected as a Whole Child School through the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD); this approach has allowed the school to follow the tenants of Healthy, Safe, Engaged, Supported, and Challenged to ensure that each child has an entry point to learning along with social and emotional support; the program has also allowed a dynamic team of educators from the school to attend the ASCD annual conference; and WHEREAS, Recently, Sandra D'Avilar was selected to engage in a number of podcasts, and serve as a member of a panel of educators presenting the impact of the Whole Child Philosophy within a school community; and WHEREAS, Under her luminous leadership, Public School 9 has doubled in size, and has become a Learning Partners School, working effortlessly to adopt and spread best practices across the seven other schools that it is aligned with; and WHEREAS, Sandra D'Avilar continues to embrace her ever changing school community and engages in paradigm shifts wherever they are needed to provide a true place of realized potential for all of her students and their families; her Open Door Policy welcomes people to discuss an issue, idea, or a thought; she truly embraces everyone and is always willing to help others find a resolution; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Principal Sandra D'Avilar upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Educational Award by The Brooklyn Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc.; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Principal Sandra D'Avilar.