Welcome from Rita Yoskowitz, PS 9 Parent Coordinator Name:   Rita Yoskowitz Title:     Parent Coordinator Office:   Room 110 Phone:  347-563-4382 (cell)             212-678-2813 ext. 1101 (office) Email:    ryoskowitz@schools.nyc.gov Dear Parents: I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, Rita Yoskowitz, your Parent Coordinator for PS 9. With eight years of experience working in the Community School District 3 Office and as a parent of two children, one currently enrolled in our public school system, I look forward to continuing my work with you in this, my sixth year. Together we can support our children's needs with the education they so fully deserve. Five years ago, the Department of Education and the Children's First Initiative brought many reforms to the school system in New York City. Among those changes was the creation of a new staff position designed to help parents achieve a better understanding of Public Education and how to navigate through the system. It is with the understanding that by helping parents with their needs we are also helping the children. Parent Coordinators were hired and trained to work in every school as liaisons between parents, staff and administration. The Department of Education realizes that most problems involving students and their families must be solved at the school level. Therefore, my responsibility as Parent Coordinator and as a Staff Professional is to work closely with my colleagues to solve problems and to assure parents that their issues can be heard, followed through, and resolved. This brings a much greater and immediate level of communication between parents, teachers, staff and administration in a genuine effort to achieve the greatest level of academic success for all of our children's education. Among the various Parent Coordinators responsibilities is to create and nurture a welcoming environment for all parents in the school. By doing this we strongly believed the objective of increasing parent involvement in education and PTA activities will naturally follow. My involvement with the Parent-Teacher Association at PS 9 is also part of my work. Working with this incredible organization of parents who so generously donate their time, expertise, and money to help make this school a very special place on the West Side has been unique. I will continue working with the PTA to help them in their efforts to fulfill and achieve their goals for a successful school year. If you are in need of information, need to make an appointment, or have an issue to be addressed, please call me at 347-563-4382. Walk-ins are welcome. My office is located on the first floor, Room #110. You may send an email to ryoskowitz@schools.nyc.gov. Also, written messages can be left in the main office where I have a mail box. Wishing you and your children a great school year! Rita Yoskowitz, Parent Coordinator