Senate Resolution No. 5496

BY: Senator GOLDEN

COMMENDING Patrice Edison upon the occasion of her
retirement after many years of dedicated service to
P.S. 264, Bay Ridge Elementary School for the Arts

WHEREAS, New York State's commitment to education is unparalleled;
its history and stature are secured by the superlative caliber of its
educational professionals and the students they inspire; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those
outstanding educational leaders, whose dedication and achievements have
been instrumental in developing character and academic excellence in the
young people of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Patrice Edison upon the occasion of her retirement after many
years of dedicated service to P.S. 264, Bay Ridge Elementary School for
the Arts; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be feted with a Retirement
Party held in her honor on Friday, June 22, 2018, at the Fort Hamilton
Army Base Community Club in Brooklyn, New York; and

WHEREAS, The daughter of a visual artist and a high school English
teacher, Patrice Edison grew up surrounded by artists and educators; as
a member of the All City Chorus and Concert Choir in both high school
and college, she performed on all the illustrious stages of New York
City including Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall and Lincoln Center;
and

WHEREAS, In addition, Patrice Edison had the opportunity to sing
with many of the greats in the worlds of jazz and classical music, such
as Dizzy Gillespie, Valerie Capers, William Warfield and Camilla
Williams; and

WHEREAS, Patrice Edison began her long and distinguished career as
an educator, teaching in three different school communities in Brooklyn;
after 15 years in the classroom, she was appointed as the Assistant
Principal of PS/IS 104's Early Childhood Center; and

WHEREAS, Seven years later, Patrice Edison wrote the proposal to
open P.S. 264 to meet the need for additional elementary school seats in
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn; since then, Patrice has held the title of Principal
of P.S. 264, Bay Ridge Elementary School for the Arts, the position from
which she will officially retire in June of 2018; and

WHEREAS, Patrice Edison founded P.S. 264 with a vision of giving
children the opportunity to express themselves through a variety of arts
experiences, develop their self-confidence and give them a well-rounded
education; and

WHEREAS, The success of P.S. 264 is in direct correlation to the
efforts of its staff, students and their families, whose involvement is,
and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an
unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in
all endeavors on behalf of the institution and the community it serves;
and

WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her husband of 38 years,
their three children, and three grandchildren, all of whom have shown
her love and support and rejoice in her many achievements; and

WHEREAS, Patrice Edison's loyalty to P.S. 264, Bay Ridge Elementary
School for the Arts and to her staff is truly admirable; all who have
had the privilege to work with her through the years have known her to
be an honest and hard-working Teacher and Principal who always made the
needs and concerns of her students her top priority; and

WHEREAS, The driving force behind Patrice Edison's commitment to
public education is her belief that all children have the potential to
do great things if given the opportunity; she prides herself on creating
an educational environment where students come first and expectations
are high; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Patrice Edison upon the occasion of her retirement after many
years of dedicated service to P.S. 264, Bay Ridge Elementary School for
the Arts, and to wish her continued success in all her future endeavors;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Patrice Edison.