U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will travel to New York’s Staten Island on Thursday, Dec. 13, where he will visit local schools and learn about the experiences of students and parents impacted by Hurricane Sandy, tour neighborhood recovery efforts, and participate in a Toys for Tots distribution for families in the hard-hit area.
Dennis M. Walcott, chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, and Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers will join Duncan for the school visits.
Duncan will begin his visit at New Dorp High School, which served as the area’s emergency relief center. The school’s cafeteria, gym and classrooms were used to distribute food and clothing. At approximately 9:10 a.m., he will hold a roundtable discussion with Principal Deirdre DeAngelis and about 20 students, parents, teachers and community members who will share their recollections from the storm.
At 10 a.m., Duncan and Mulgrew will tour the hurricane-impacted Midland Beach neighborhood. The tour will be followed by a 10:30 a.m. stop at PS 38 George Cromwell where he will visit with Principal Everlidys Robles and join Walcott and Mulgrew in volunteering at the New York City Police Department's Toys for Tots distribution for students and parents. A press availability will follow at 11:05 a.m.