November 03, 2014

Brooklyn Ascend Middle School Memo

To:
Families at Brooklyn Ascend E98
From: Janna Genzlinger, Managing Director
Re:
Staffing Memo, Brooklyn Ascend, E98 Street
Hello Families,
Today I write with an important staffing update that impacts your children. Friday of last
week was unexpectedly the last day at Brooklyn Ascend Middle School for Ms. Ramsaran,
our Spanish teacher for grades 6-8.
I share your concern about how this transition
might impact our children.
With this sudden departure Ive thought deeply, noting the urgency to move quickly to
create a comprehensive plan for the former Spanish lessons. Always at the forefront of
my mind as I make this type of important decision is the best interest of our children.
You have recently received your childs progress report and may have noted that we still
have a long way to go to recover academic success in the age of the rigorous Common
Core Learning Standards.
Due to this academic need in ELA, I have decided to
repurpose those instructional blocks to provide additional instruction in ELA in smaller
groups.
This transition comes with the news that Sarah Gerth, our 6 th Grade Humanities Teacher,
has graciously agreed to work in a new capacity as the 6 th-8th Grade Intervention Teacher
for the month of November. She will provide small group instruction to students in ELA
in all three grades. To support this important initiative, the 6 th Grade Dean of Instruction,
Michele Bonna will assume the roles of lead advisor and humanities teacher in the 6A
homeroom. Similarly, our 6th Grade Dean of Students, Joanna Hewitt, will assume the
role of humanities teacher in 6C with Mr. Nickerson who will continue in his current role
with 6C.
Weighing this decision, I was encourage and gratefulknowing that I have the power of
a talented team of educators at BAMS and knowing that we are rebuilding a stronger
relationship with the committed families at our school. The staff members are prepared
to respond to this challenge with confidence and urgency to provide your children with
strong support during this transitional time.
Do not hesitate to reach out to me should you have any questions or concerns.
With commitment to your children,
Janna Genzlinger
Managing Director
Brooklyn Ascend Charter School

janna.genzlinger@ascendlearning.org
347-461-5140

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