We, the parents and educators of PS334, the Anderson School, respectfully request that we be allowed to stay, in our new home (100 West 77th St) in our current configuration. 

Last summer, at the request of the DOE, PS334 moved into this building. This move required tens of thousands of dollars of PTA money, hundreds of parent volunteer hours, and even more hours donated by teachers and staff.  At that time we were assured by John White (Portfolio Planning) and other senior representatives of the DOE that this was a permanent home for PS334 and so we worked hard to transform a building which housed a failing school, into a place our children would flourish.

And it seems we were successful because now the space is in demand.  Less than a year later and only 5 months into the school year on Jan 14th, we were given the following choice by Portfolio Planning:

(1) Move again; or

(2) Stop growing and face a space re-evaluation of our current footprint with the likelihood of a 5th school added to the building (a new elementary school). And, even this scenario does not eliminate the possibility that we could be moved again in a year.

 As a District 3 school, we are well aware of the overcrowding issues. They affect many of our families who have children in these schools.  Of course, we stand united with the District in our belief that this problem must be addressed by improved long-term planning by the DOE, but Anderson should not be the scapegoat for these issues and our children should not bear the burden for the entire District.

To put it in the starkest terms: our school may not be able to survive further upheaval. We risk the loss of faculty and staff, along with placing our children again in an environment of uncertainty, anxiety, loss of morale and general fear. And of course we can't forget that all of this will impact our quality reviews and test scores which will lead to reduced funding. This is a downward spiral which can be avoided. Please allow PS334 to focus on the education of our children without constant distraction and threats by staying in its current location. 

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