Maybe we can just enjoy the well-deserved recognition and be grateful for the small miracles.

To anyone who knows her, this is a big DUH!! Of course she's done an amazing job. But getting recognized by a org of charters is bittersweet when the city still ignores their successes and touts the failures. Charters weren't supposed to be an end in and of themselves but laboratories to see what works in a challenging urban environment. To my admittedly limited knowledge the school system has not emulated the successful programs at charters like LCCS or Hoboken's Elysian. This is why there's 6 applicants for every slot at Susan's school.

From today's Jersey Journal

Principal being honored at charter schools conference
Tuesday, March 31, 2009


The principal of the Learning Community Charter School of Jersey City will receive the School Leader Award today from the New Jersey Charter Public Schools Association as it opens its annual conference in Trenton.

Susan Grierson is being recognized for collaborative approaches, accessibility to students, parents and staff, introducing innovative art education programs, cultivating and sustaining a positive school culture, and fostering an inclusive work environment and a creative learning process for every student.

"This year we are making several awards in several categories to recognize outstanding accomplishments by New Jersey charter public schools, by people who work for our schools and by people whose support has helped advance the charter public school movement in New Jersey," said Jessani Gordon, NJCPSA executive director.

There are 62 charter schools in New Jersey, with enrollment at 19,000. New Jersey's charter public schools serve a higher percentage of minority and at-risk students than traditional district schools and are in great demand, with 11,000 children on entrance waiting lists.

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Well deserved!!! She's the best.