Principal's Message

Welcome to P.S. 200, the James McCune Smith Community School!

It is an honor to welcome you to another school year at P.S. 200, where the search for knowledge begins and never ends. Whether you are joining our Panther family for the first time or returning for another year, I am so glad you are here.

I believe every child deserves a school where they feel safe, valued, challenged, and loved. At P.S. 200, we are committed to educating the whole child by supporting students academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Our goal is not only to help students succeed in the classroom but to help them become confident, compassionate, and resilient individuals who are ready to make a positive impact on the world around them.

Our classrooms are places where curiosity is encouraged, questions are celebrated, and every student is given opportunities to grow. We continue to strengthen high-quality small group instruction and differentiated learning so that every child receives the support, challenge, and opportunities they need to be successful. By using data to guide our instruction and building meaningful relationships with our students, we ensure that learning is personalized, engaging, and focused on continuous growth.

One of the things you will hear me say often is, “Make good choices.” It is a simple phrase, but it carries a powerful message. Making good choices means showing kindness, working hard, taking responsibility, learning from mistakes, and doing what is right even when no one is watching. These are the qualities that help our students become successful not only in school, but in life.

We also know that the best education happens when schools, families, and communities work together. Your partnership is one of our greatest strengths. Whether you are attending school events, volunteering, communicating with teachers, or supporting learning at home, your involvement makes a difference. Together, we are building a community where every child feels they belong and every family feels welcomed.

As your principal, I am proud of how far our school has come and even more excited about where we are going. Every day, our dedicated staff works tirelessly to create meaningful learning experiences, celebrate every success, and help students discover their strengths. It is a privilege to lead this incredible community, and I look forward to another year filled with learning, growth, and unforgettable moments.

Thank you for being part of the P.S. 200 family.