When Students Choose to Stay Connected

During this extraordinary time when New York City’s educators are working closely with students and families from the confines of their homes, we will be publishing a series of posts describing their experiences in their own words. We are now #DOEconnected!

Follow our hashtag, #DOEconnected, join the conversation, and connect online with your neighbors across the City. Share stories of how you, your child, a teacher, or a school community member has become your hero. Remember, not all heroes wear capes.

Sarah Goodman, principal at Hunter’s Point Community Middle School in Long Island City, Queens

The Hunter’s Point Community Middle School community has been keeping in touch through their school blog, the HPCMS Chronicle, featuring cool student work products and more!

In these unusual circumstances, learning looks different than ever before, and new challenges require new solutions. Together, Principal Goodman and her creative and hardworking staff members have developed a curriculum that is based on “creative and relevant” projects that “allow student choice and promote their voice.” Staff members further devised a “clear way for students to share their work that has an authentic audience with their peers, families, teachers, and beyond.”

Through the HPCMS Chronicle’s Community Spotlight series, Hunter’s Point Middle School has been highlighting students’ creative content and encouraging the school community to find new ways to connect and create. The unstoppable HPCMS Girls Volleyball team continue their practices together on TikTok, while music teacher, Mr. Stapp, is utilizing a platform called Music First, which allows students to write and compose their own songs.

With Principal Goodman’s lead, HPCMS educators are redefining the limits of virtual classrooms, and students are actively spearheading conversations and sharing their ideas and work with each other—together, they show us what is possible when everyone comes together in support of remote learning.

Sarah Goodman is emblematic of how New York City’s educators are adapting to these unprecedented times on behalf of our students and families. We thank our educators for helping all of us stay #DOEconnected.