P.S. 81, Brooklyn

School Snapshot

Principal: Cheryl Ault-Barker
Student Population: 383
% Receiving Free or Reduced Lunch: 94%
CFK Program began Fall 2012

School Story

At P.S. 81 in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, their motto is "Team Work Makes the Dream Work," and after visiting the school several times, and speaking to their hardworking, dedicated teachers, students, parents and staff, we immediately saw the potential for an incredible partnership. With the majority of the school's 383 students residing in housing projects or homeless shelters, P.S. 81 has its fair share of challenges. However, despite the hardships, we know the P.S. 81 family is determined to make this school a safe haven for their community, and we cannot wait to join them.

Among many other exciting programs, P.S. 81 is visited by the Story Pirates crazy cast of characters, volunteers meet with students to read the latest adventures of Curious George and Junie B. Jones, and countless school supplies are finding their way into the desks of students all over the school.

CFK Programs

Arts
Museum Arts Residency: goal to increase arts instruction for over 90 students by an additional 40%

Literacy
Story Pirates: serves more than 95 students
Pearson ABC Book Program: 30 students and families receive books

Healthy Living
Fan4Kids: over 125 kids receive valuable nutrition instruction and 50% more fitness time

Classroom Support
School Supplies and Book Donations: hundreds of dollars of donations each year
School Beautification Days: library and hallway transformation

Greatest Needs
Music: CFK would like to expand P.S. 81's music program to include instrumental instruction

Did You Know?

In the last decades of the 19th century, with the advent of electric trolleys, Bedford-Stuyvesant became a working class and middle class bedroom community for those working in downtown Brooklyn and Manhattan in NYC. At that time, most of the pre-existing wooden homes were destroyed and replace with brownstone rowhouses.