Principal Doreen E. Murphy, supported by a dean, two education specialists, and three assistant principals spearheads Staten Island's second-largest elementary school, PS 69.

That said, none of the aforementioned people would deny that it's actually run by the 949 students.

This is clearly not a conventional environment, Principal Murphy notes about the school, clarifying how her New Springville school adopts a student-driven portfolio technique, allowing each child to self-analyse their development by recognizing their strength, setting goals and identifying shortfalls - and it all starts from kindergarten.

Amid her student-led conference in Class K-K, Julissa Armani opened up to her teacher Aimee Dworkin noting that she liked the details she added to her picture, but noted that she needs to work on more details in her writing.

The portfolio concept treats each student as individuals capable of learning at varied speeds and in different ways. Students gain confidence, become more expressive and acutely committed to their education by the time they are in fourth or fifth grades.

During his student-led conference, Bavly Nawwar, a fourth grader of Class 4220-B divulges to his teacher, Samantha Girard that he has achieved several goals over the year, especially in writing. Being proud of his work, Bavly expressed his gratitude towards the end of the conference.

PS 69 is usually first to adopt Department of Education (DOE) programs as Murphy and her cabinet is always open to accepting new ideas, SILive reported.

Murphy admits that PS 69 is willing to give a shot to anything year after year and make known when it thinks it works well keeping aligned to their vision.

In a related news, 43-year-old Vincent Scotto, an assistant school principal at PS 22 was arrested for stabbing a man in a shopping center parking lot on Staten Island, police reported Sunday, June 5. Scotto reportedly stabbed the victim, 59, in the arm and torso at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 4 in the parking lot of Evergreen Shopping Plaza, Great Kills, NBC NewYork reported.

Scotto has been removed from his position at the school.

According to Department of Education spokesperson Devora Kaye, Scotto has been reassigned away from PS 22 and will remain reassigned until the resolution of the criminal case.