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District 28 highlights attendance gains, summer programs and school successes
Summary
Superintendent and principals reported improved attendance metrics, summer program dates and school achievements including arts recognition and new extracurriculars; PS 139 detailed enrollment and supports for diverse learners.
Superintendent Dr. Blake used the May 7 Community Education Council District 28 meeting to outline district priorities—improving math and literacy outcomes and reducing chronic absenteeism—and to preview summer programming and staffing efforts.
Dr. Blake said District 28’s current attendance rate stood at 91.3% to date, above the city's average of 89.7%, while chronic absenteeism remained elevated at 30.2%. The superintendent also detailed summer‑program timing: Summer Rising begins July 1; summer program end dates varied by grade band in August, and sites were staffed by principals and site supervisors pending final city funding guidance.
Principal Elliot Sario Vollone presented highlights from PS 139 (the “Rego Eagles”), saying the school enrolls 578 students and serves a diverse population including students with disabilities and multilingual learners. He described academic gains, a robust arts program (including student work to be featured in a national publication), athletic offerings, Saturday academies for students in temporary housing, and a new archery program that filled quickly for its initial run.
Council members also discussed parent leadership training efforts and a central onboarding proposal for parent leaders; treasurer Alicia Bauer reported follow‑up on scheduled centralized training and a May 20 one‑on‑one with central staff about standardizing parent leadership onboarding. The council reviewed practical planning for an upcoming legislative breakfast (setup logistics, RSVPs, parking allotments) and urged members to submit reimbursements before the budget close.
No substantive policy or budget vote was taken during this portion of the meeting; the presenters and council discussed implementation steps and outreach for families and principals.
