Senate Resolution No. 1944

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

HONORING Principal Sandra D'Avilar upon the
occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Education Award by The Brooklyn Club of the National
Association of Negro Business and Professional
Women's Clubs, Inc. on April 29, 2017

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to
recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of
society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the
basic humanity among us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Principal
Sandra D'Avilar upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Education Award by The Brooklyn Club of the National Association of
Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., to be celebrated at
its 50th Annual Founders' Day Observance Luncheon on Saturday, April 29,
2017, at Gargiulos Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, The theme for this auspicious occasion is entitled "72
Years of L.E.T.S. - Leaders Exemplary Timeless Service; Marching forward
with a purpose"; each year, The Brooklyn Club acknowledges its Founders;
"the shoulders on which we stand and the role and responsibility we have
to prepare our young people for the future"; and

WHEREAS, The Brooklyn Club is a chapter of the National Association
of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC, Inc.),
which provides opportunities for women to increase their leadership
skills, experience governance and parliamentary procedures, and enhance
their educational awareness of issues impacting the black community
through volunteerism; and

WHEREAS, Sandra D'Avilar is receiving this prestigious award for her
steadfast and unremitting commitment to education and her achievements
which have been instrumental in developing character and academic
excellence in the young people of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Born Denita Sandra Kellman in Barbados, she was a student
at both the Sharon Mixed School and The Alleyne Secondary School; in
1982, she and her three sisters immigrated to New York City, where she
attended Sarah J. Hale High School in Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, An ambitious and strong young woman, Sandra D'Avilar
tirelessly advocated for better education for the children of New York
City at our nation's capital; during the summers, she learned how to be
a politician from Congressman Towns; and

WHEREAS, In 1986, Sandra D'Avilar won an American Field Service
(AFS) Scholarship to serve as a student ambassador from the United
States to the United Kingdom, where she lived with several host families
and engaged in various youth projects; and

WHEREAS, After her return to the United States, Sandra D'Avilar
spent the next four years as a student at the State University of New
York at Binghamton where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in
Sociology/Political Science; and

WHEREAS, In addition to attending academic classes, Sandra D'Avilar
was an active member of the Caribbean Students Association, The Black
Students Association, and Alpha Angel, as well as the African Dance and
Drumming Ensemble; and

WHEREAS, Sandra D'Avilar later attended Adelphi University, and
Fordham University where she received her master's degree in
Administration and Supervision through the VIA Program; and

WHEREAS, In 1991, Sandra D'Avilar began her illustrious teaching
career as a substitute teacher at Public School 270 in District 13;
during her 10 years as a classroom teacher, she taught various classes
at Public School 270, and Public School 20, where she served as Debate
Team coach; and

WHEREAS, After holding the position of District Staff Developer of
English Language Arts, she was promoted to the title of Assistant
Principal of Public School 9 in February of 2002; two years later, she
became the Principal; and

WHEREAS, In this capacity, Sandra D'Avilar worked collaboratively
with her staff and parents to select a comprehensive, authentic,
standard-based curriculum to challenge each and every student; she has
diligently sought out and brought numerous programs and partnerships to
the school in order to provide the students with rich school-wide
enrichment experiences; and

WHEREAS, In 2011, Public School 9 was selected as a Whole Child
School through the Association for Supervision and Curriculum
Development (ASCD); this approach has allowed the school to follow the
tenants of Healthy, Safe, Engaged, Supported, and Challenged to ensure
that each child has an entry point to learning along with social and
emotional support; the program has also allowed a dynamic team of
educators from the school to attend the ASCD annual conference; and

WHEREAS, Recently, Sandra D'Avilar was selected to engage in a
number of podcasts, and serve as a member of a panel of educators
presenting the impact of the Whole Child Philosophy within a school
community; and

WHEREAS, Under her luminous leadership, Public School 9 has doubled
in size, and has become a Learning Partners School, working effortlessly
to adopt and spread best practices across the seven other schools that
it is aligned with; and

WHEREAS, Sandra D'Avilar continues to embrace her ever changing
school community and engages in paradigm shifts wherever they are needed
to provide a true place of realized potential for all of her students
and their families; her Open Door Policy welcomes people to discuss an
issue, idea, or a thought; she truly embraces everyone and is always
willing to help others find a resolution; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Principal Sandra D'Avilar upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Educational Award by The Brooklyn Club of the National
Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc.; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Principal Sandra D'Avilar.