Principal's Message

Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,

 

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! As the Principal of The Walter H. Crowley School of Leadership at I.S. 5, I am honored and excited to welcome you to another year of scholarship, expertise, innovation, and student leadership at our dynamic and diverse middle school in the heart of Elmhurst, NY.

 

At The Walter H. Crowley School of Leadership, we recognize and dedicate ourselves to knowing our students well, tapping into their strengths and building steadfast connections and relationships that are truly foundational in the middle school experience. We recognize that our differences are our strengths, and we celebrate the unique talents, backgrounds, and perspectives that each student brings to our community. Our promise is to create a safe and inclusive space where every student feels valued and supported in their academic journey, and we believe that we make this promise to every family every day to take great care, teach compassion and foster lifelong core values as we venture forward with both heart and mind together through your child’s middle school years.

 

We are committed to academic excellence. We believe that a strong and fulfilling education is the foundation upon which future leaders are built, and we are dedicated to providing a learning environment that empowers each student to reach their full potential. Our exceptional team of educators and support staff is not only highly qualified but also deeply passionate about nurturing young minds and instilling a love for learning that will last a lifetime. As a team, we are committed to meeting all students where they are in their middle school trajectory, and work hard to bring them to new heights through a focus on individualized supports, enrichment and learning opportunities.

 

We also know that the world is rapidly changing, and our students must be prepared to navigate and shape the bold futures that are to come for each and every one of them. Our STEM programming, computer science and technology facilities, financial literacy courses, and forward-thinking curriculum are designed to foster critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that will equip our students to excel in an ever-evolving world. We empower our students with the skills necessary to innovate, create and thrive.

 

We place great emphasis on student leadership. We believe that leadership is a set of core values that can be cultivated in every student for the best of all. As a Leader in Me school that ascribes to the Seven Habits, we instill in our students the lifelong importance of keeping first things first, being proactive, listening to understand and being a win-win mindset to all they do. We invite all of our students every day to “Be The Change” they wish to see – in our school, neighborhood and broader community, and pair that invitation with opportunities every school year to embrace the call to lead. In addition, through our various clubs, extracurricular activities, and community service and civics opportunities, we encourage students to take initiative, find their voice, collaborate with peers, and make a positive impact on their school and community.

 

As we embark on this new academic year, I invite each of you to join us in our mission to cultivate the scholars, experts, innovators and leaders of tomorrow. Together, we will continue to uphold the legacy of excellence that The Walter H. Crowley School of Leadership at I.S. 5 is known for, and we will inspire our students to reach new heights of achievement and personal growth.

 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns throughout the year. Your partnership in your child's education is invaluable, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

 

Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of educating your child. I look forward to the incredible journey ahead and the many accomplishments our students will achieve.

 

Wishing you all a successful and fulfilling school year!

 

Sincerely,

Kelly Nepogoda

Principal

The Walter H. Crowley School of Leadership at I.S. 5

 

At I.S. 5, we talk like Scholars, write like Experts, think like Innovators and live like Leaders!

How will YOU live like a leader today?