Jillian Jorgensen

Education Reporter at Spectrum News NY1

Emmy-winning education reporter at NY1. NYC public schools graduate. Former newspaperwoman. Fan of pizza and pasta. [email protected]

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Articles

Cardinal Hayes' principal retiring after more than half a century at the school

1 week ago | ny1.com | Jillian Jorgensen

When William Lessa came to teach at Cardinal Hayes High School, he was 20 years old — a newlywed, fresh out of college. “I never thought that 54 years later I would still be here, and I would be literally in charge of instruction in the school,” Lessa said. After half a century at the same school, as a teacher, a college counselor, an assistant principal, and, since 2008, principal Lessa is retiring at the close of this school year.
After-school providers call for more funding in city budget

1 week ago | ny1.com | Jillian Jorgensen

Mayor Eric Adams and many of those running to take his spot in City Hall have proposed expanding after-school programs for students in the city. But City Council members and the organizations who run the programs say they need a pay increase from the city to keep their doors open.
New partnership teaches high schoolers about endangered piping plovers

1 month ago | ny1.com | Jillian Jorgensen

On a dreary May afternoon, students from Rockaway Park High School for Environmental Sustainability saw one of the 100 piping plovers that come to city shores each year. “From Far Rockaway to Breezy Point is where you're going to find them. And that’s one of them,” Chris Allieri, founder and executive director of the NYC Plover Project, told the students. The birds — endangered in New York and protected federally — are visiting the beaches of the Rockaway Peninsula to nest and raise their young.
At P.S. 244 in Flushing, students embrace their identity

1 month ago | ny1.com | Jillian Jorgensen

Students at P.S. 244 in Flushing, Queens heard from a polar explorer and a City Council member on a recent morning — grown-ups who showed them the kinds of futures that they can have, too. “It felt great. I never, I never really saw many Asian people do all that stuff,” second grader Kaira Wong said. “I never saw a real polar explorer, because I only saw one on the internet,” second grader Haru Torrzoza said.
Students raise and release trout to learn about city's watershed

1 month ago | ny1.com | Jillian Jorgensen

About two hours north of their Brooklyn school, a class of fourth graders and two buckets full of tiny trout stood beside the Cross River. They were there to say goodbye — to the fish they'd first met as trout eggs in October, and had raised in their classroom at Arts & Letters 305 United, with their teacher Katie Giordano.
Advocates say state budget may still shortchange city schools

1 month ago | ny1.com | Jillian Jorgensen

For months, advocates have been sounding the alarm about proposed changes from Gov. Kathy Hochul to the state’s foundation aid formula, which hands out per-student funding to school districts. “This update misses the mark and just makes the situation worse,” Randi Levine, policy director for Advocates for Children, said.
Advocates urge Albany to slow reckless drivers

2 months ago | ny1.com | Jillian Jorgensen

Some members of the City Council are asking Albany to crack down on so-called "super speeders" by using technology to force them to slow down. Advocates and family members of people killed in traffic crashes rallied outside City Hall on Monday, where a committee held a hearing on a resolution urging Albany to pass the bill.
Regis High School students to attend funeral of Pope Francis

2 months ago | ny1.com | Jillian Jorgensen

At Regis High School, and among Jesuits worldwide, there’s a motto that defines the worldview of students. “We usually abbreviate it to AMDG, or Ad majórem Dei glóriam, excuse my Latin,” Philip Liew, 17, a junior at Regis, said. “And it really means to do everything for the glory of God.
Adams to add money for special education pre-K and expanded 3-K seats to budget

2 months ago | ny1.com | Jillian Jorgensen

Mayor Eric Adams will announce plans Wednesday to include $167 million for special education pre-school seats and expanded 3-K seats in his proposed executive budget. It's money the administration says will be baselined into the budget for the future and is promising to keep the city's Head Start seats open — even if there's a change in federal funding for the program.
NYPD launches new unit focused on quality-of-life concerns

2 months ago | ny1.com | Jillian Jorgensen

The NYPD on Monday officially launched a new division focused on tackling quality-of-life issues. Mayor Eric Adams says the Quality of Life Division will work to make the city feel safer.