School Spirit at Town Square’s SchoolFEST

With application deadlines just around the corner, there was no better time for Town Square to throw its annual education resource fair, SchoolFEST than the first snowy Sunday in March. More than 600 community leaders, elected officials, Greenpoint/Williamsburg residents, parents and children streamed through the halls, gymnasium and auditorium of M.S. 126 on Leonard Street, eager to visit the information booths, listen in on a panel discussion and/or watch a variety of student performances, ranging from band to dance to martial arts.
While the talent show was certainly a draw, it served as more of an added bonus to what proved to be a valuable and necessary main attraction: More than 50 booths representing public, private and charter schools; non-profit education organizations; and day care centers, special needs and after-school programs, all offering literature, guidance and most importantly, answers to tough questions about how to navigate the increasingly convolution New York City school system.
“I have a two-year-old, and I’ve tried researching schools, and even calling schools, but it’s tough to get through to anyone who can help,” said Greenpoint resident Caroline Nasson-Specht. “It’s so wonderful to be able to talk face-to-face with principals, teachers and administrators. It’s so helpful to find everything in one place! “
Such is the motivation behind SchoolFEST: It is designed to be a “one-stop-shop” for students and parents alike, bringing all necessary and related resources to one place thereby making it as easy as possible for parents to get the information they need to fully understand the school system.
In addition to serving as an informational forum for parents and students, SchoolFEST is, in essence, a true community-building event that aims to promote the wide variety of educational opportunities offered right here in the neighborhood. “An event like this is very important for any community, to help parents learn about the educational services available for their kids; it’s so important to build a fabric of the community,” said Town Square Chairperson Susan Anderson, who planned the event. “If parents feel that services aren’t available locally for their kids they will send them elsewhere, to go to school in other neighborhoods. It is particularly important for the Williamsburg and Greenpoint communities because both neighborhoods are undergoing changes. We have a significant number of new people moving in, and the schools are changing as well. SchoolFEST provides a platform, not only for the schools to get the word out about what’s happening there, but also as a way for schools and parents to hook up with each other. At the end of the day, personal connections are invaluable.”
While increased enrollment results directly in increased funding for public schools, the importance of sending students to institutions in their neighborhood is more than just financially beneficial—it also helps to create and foster a sense of pride and active involvement in one’s community.
“Schools are a huge part of a community, but they are also communities in and of themselves,” said Jim Quail, the District 14 Superintendent. “They bring people together in a positive way, and give them options.” Quail, who has long been involved in the New York public school system, expressed his gratitude for something like SchoolFEST, not only for making the process easier for parents and families but for providing students, parents, teachers, administrators and members of the community with a chance to spend time together and learn from one another on grassroots level.
“The people in this community have a tremendous commitment to each other,” Quail said. “It is so rewarding to be a part of it. Here at SchoolFEST, it’s about families, parents and teachers just spending time together on a snowy Sunday afternoon. It’s what makes a community.”

Similarly, keeping it in the community proves advantageous for students as well, helping them make lasting friendships with other kids from the neighborhood. Hilda Paneto, a Williamsburg resident and the mother of 3, explained that sending her children to local schools is absolutely a priority.
“Coming to events like this, and sending my kids to neighborhood schools helps us all get to know each other,” Paneto said. “It helps to build a better, stronger community. It’s good for kids and their parents!”
While parents were certainly thrilled to take advantage of the wealth of resources SchoolFEST had to offer, teachers and administrators were equally excited to participate.
Elisa Jensen McKay, a parent who runs a volunteer art club at St. Stan’s, set up a still-life drawing booth at SchoolFEST, giving youngsters a chance to grab a few pastels and sketch a basket of fruit.
“It’s wonderful, and I’m so glad to be here, as both a parent and a teacher,” McKay said. “It’s just like drawing,” she said, watching an elementary school student excitedly add a background to her sketch of fruit basket. “Just one thing can change how you see the whole picture.”
While Town Square was the primary organizer of SchoolFEST, Councilmembers Diana Reyna and David Yassky co-organized the event, and Reyna and her dedicated staff spent weeks making personal phone calls and preparing more than 18,000 pieces of mail to be sent to schools, religious institutions, community centers and personal residences. Reyna and Evelyn Cruz, representing Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez,addressed the crowd and introduced various presenters throughout the entire day.
“We wanted to connect with families, schools, churches, everyone in the neighborhood,” Reyna said. “We wanted everyone to know that this was happening, because the more people learn, the more they share with each other. Families promote among families.”
In addition to Yassky and Reyna, other attendees included 33rd District City Council candidates Stephen Levin, Evan Thies and Jo Anne Simon; and 34th District City Council candidate Maritza Davila.
FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM SCHOOLFEST, CHECK OUT OUR PRINT EDITION!