Wave Hill Events Mar 27–Apr 3

  We are now well into the longer half of the year for Wave Hill, when the gardens close at 5:30pm, instead of 4:30—a change visitors relish. As I walked in this morning, the busy caroling of a group of robins, high up in the linden tree outside Glyndor Gallery, brought a great lift to my heart, so eager to witness spring. Aside from the ever-changing display of Mother Nature hard at work transforming the gardens, there is much to engage and enjoy this week at Wave Hill, from an intriguing new garden workshop to dramatic family art and uplifting sessions of wellness.

SAT, MARCH 28    TAI CHI CHUAN

Quiet like a mountain, moving like a river, Tai Chi is a sequence of gentle movements based on images found in nature. In this beginner-level class, Irving Yee, a member of the William CC Chen Tai Chi School, introduces students to the internal martial arts and promotes an awareness of its benefits. Sessions in March are held indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Membership card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11AM

SAT, MARCH 28    FAMILY ART PROJECT: CAMOUFLAGE THEATERS   

Nature’s mimicry is a wonder to behold! Discover the ways in which animals like moths, lizards, birds and coyotes copy their surroundings for the purpose of protection. Using cardboard-box dioramas, we’ll create a nature stage to serve as a secret hideaway for the critter of your choice. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, MARCH 28    GARDENING WORKSHOP: KOKEDAMA

Originating in Japan, Kokedama are living plant and moss balls bound up with string. Choose from a variety of houseplants and design your own Kokedama under the guidance of Anna Macoby, a gardener and florist from Australia, now living in Brooklyn. Simple to care for, these hanging plants bring a new style of indoor gardening to your home. Ages ten and older welcome with an adult.$40/$30 Wave Hill Member per project. Registration required online atwww.wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center, starting February 11. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 2‒3:30PM

SUN, MARCH 29    FAMILY ART PROJECT: CAMOUFLAGE THEATERS   

Nature’s mimicry is a wonder to behold! Discover the ways in which animals like moths, lizards, birds and coyotes copy their surroundings for the purpose of protection. Using cardboard-box dioramas, we’ll create a nature stage to serve as a secret hideaway for the critter of your choice. Free with admission to the grounds. 

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, MARCH 29    HATHA YOGA

Reduce stress, increase your energy and bring strength and flexibility to mind, body and spirit with a yoga practice. Classes are led by Yoga for Bliss directorNeem Dewji and other certified instructors. Ms. Dewji is certified in Hatha and Therapeutic Yoga from The Yoga for Health Foundation, England, and The Integral Yoga Institute, NYC. All levels welcome. Sessions in April are held indoors. Session fee: $25/$15 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Cancellations must be made by 3PM the Friday before; after that, refunds will not be made. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Membership card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 10‒11:15AM

SUN, MARCH 29    MEDITATION

Let nature inspire you to find your center and reconnect with your true self using guided mindfulness and other meditation practices. Each session, led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and other qualified instructors, includes instruction in simple techniques, followed by guided meditations. Sessions are held indoors. All levels welcome. Session fee, which includes admission to the grounds: $20/$10 Wave Hill Member. Advance registration online receives a $2 discount. Online registration closes at 8AM on the day of the session. Drop-ins will be accommodated as the limited space permits. Participants must present their Membership card or a printed program registration form at the front gate.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 11:45AM‒12:45PM

SUN, MARCH 29    GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS WALK

Join us for an hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

SUN, MARCH 29    MEET THE ARTIST: JACKIE BATTENFIELD

THROUGH MAY 31

Meet Jackie Battenfield, whose exhibition Another Garden is on view throughMay 31 in Wave Hill House’s Café and Reception areas. Battenfield’s paintings, on Mylar and Dura Lar, trace and layer in vivid color the twisting lines of branches, stems and leaves, some of which were inspired by Wave Hill flora. Free with admission to the grounds.

WAVE HILL HOUSE, 3PM

MON, MARCH 30

Closed to the public

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–4:30PM. Closes 5:30PM, March 15–October 31.  

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18. FreeSaturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES  Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the 242^nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

CITY AND STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS LAUNCH THE WEST BRONX HOUSING COALITION

 

Nine Elected Officials Join Forces to Address West Bronx Housing Crisis through Homegrown Solutions.      State Senator Gustavo Rivera joined fellow city and state elected officials to announce the launch of the West Bronx Housing Coalition. The Coalition will allow city and state legislators to work in unison to effectively combat the recurring housing and property management issues that plague the West Bronx in an effort to protect tenants and the housing they rely on. While the West Bronx is home to many low-income residents and a high concentration of rent-stabilized apartments, they are still severely rent burdened, causing substantial financial hardship. They are subjected to some of the most deplorable housing conditions in the City, including unsafe buildings, harassment and poorly-maintained infrastructure. As the elected representatives of these communities, the Coalition members seek to strengthen the housing security of their constituents by building a grassroots movement and fighting for legislative and local solutions. "It is evident that the West Bronx is facing a housing crisis that is drastically affecting the quality of life of our residents and impeding their ability to prosper," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. "I am honored to have my colleagues at the state and local level join me in forming the West Bronx Housing Coalition. There is no simple solution to our housing problem, but this Coalition will empower us to address the most pressing housing issues together, both as members of our community and as legislators. Our goal is clear- we want to ensure that every tenant in the West Bronx has the tools and the support that they need to secure and maintain a safe, affordable and decent home." The overarching goals of the West Bronx Coalition are to: Create and implement an educational campaign to inform tenants and landlords of their rights and responsibilities under the different housing laws and policies to curtail unjustified rent-destabilization and unethical practices that strain tenant-landlord relationships. Engage and organize West Bronx tenants and community leaders onto a united and community-centric platform focused on effectively advocating for practices and policies that protect our affordable housing stock and the families that live in those apartments. Build a process to identify and appropriately address recurring issues that adversely affect our housing stock and the quality of life of West Bronx tenants by sharing information and collaborating to find and implement solutions. Work towards building and improving tenant-landlord relationships throughout the West Bronx in an effort to establish responsible building-wide policies, increase access to resources that will help protect affordable housing, and hold all parties accountable. Coalition members are City and State legislators representing Kingsbridge, Fordham Heights, Belmont, University Heights, Mount Hope and East Tremont, who have demonstrated a commitment to pro-tenant legislative and community efforts. The Coalition plans to collaborate with local housing advocates, community leaders, and upstanding landlords that are committed to their tenants in an effort to combat practices and policies that are exacerbating the housing crisis in the West Bronx and creating extensive hardship to its residents. "I am pleased to join my Bronx colleagues at both the city and state level to collaboratively take on the housing issues impacting the West Bronx," said Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson. "Our communities have been wounded by too many stories of unjust evictions, unwarranted harassment, and unanswered property management complaints. Working together, this coalition will be able to address these growing issues holistically and turn the tide on negligent landlords and predatory buyers." "I am pleased to work with colleagues in government and community leaders to form the West  Bronx Housing Coalition. Throughout my 21 years of representing the Northwest Bronx in the  Assembly, I have been a staunch advocate for tenants. In addition to fighting for stronger tenant  protection laws in Albany, my staff and I regularly help constituents understand their rights as tenants and resolve issues with landlords. The West Bronx Housing Coalition will be a strong,  united voice for tenants in our community, and I look forward to working closely with the Coalition to improve tenant-landlord relationships in the years to come," said Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. "As housing costs continue to spiral through the roof, families throughout the West Bronx are being squeezed by the worst affordable housing crisis in New York's history, and I am pleased to join with elected officials from throughout our community as we stand-up for residents from all walks of life," said Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner,. "Together we can make a difference in the battle for quality affordable housing by unifying around an agenda that includes strengthening state rent regulations. I am pleased to join with state Senator Gustavo Rivera as we work together on an issue the affects the entire West Bronx." "The West Bronx Housing Coalition is a platform that will allow my colleagues and I to address the current housing issues our constituencies face every day. There has been a tremendous need for housing preservation in the Northwest Bronx. As more people move into this area of the borough the pressure on the existing housing stock is at a breaking point, and we need to do everything that we can to protect it. The goals of this coalition will help resolve these recurring issues progressively in an effort to protect tenants and the housing they rely on," said Council Member Andrew Cohen. "The majority of tenants in my district struggle to afford the roof over their head," said Assemblymember Victor Pichardo. "They are often plagued by substandard living conditions in their buildings, and are in constant fear of not making their next month's rent.  I, along with my colleagues in the West Bronx Housing Coalition led by State Senator Gustavo Rivera, vow to end this practice by reforming and strengthening New York State's rent laws." "Without rent stabilization laws, housing would be entirely unaffordable to families of the West Bronx. The financial incentive of removing rent-stabilized tenants places these residents at risk for the worst abuses by malevolent landlords: harassment and the denial of repairs," said Council Member Ritchie Torres. "I look forward to working with a coalition of elected officials and organizations to protect the rights of tenants in the West Bronx." "As a child I know how it is to live in a shelter with my mother and two sisters for six months. I am proud to be a part of this launching of the West Bronx Housing Coalition," said Assemblyman Jose Rivera. "As the cost of living increases and wages remain stagnant, maintaining affordable housing remains a central concern for residents in The Bronx and the city at large. Building a better Bronx requires that its residents have decent and affordable places to live, so I support the Coalition's efforts to inform residents of their rights, advocate for stronger rental protection laws, and fight to maintain and develop the affordable housing in our communities. Housing is a right, and residents in The Bronx deserve equal treatment and an affordable place to call home," said Assemblyman Michael Blake.

IDC invests in hardworking New York families in State Senate one-house budget resolution

  Senate resolution includes key IDC proposals for infrastructure upgrades,  job growth, affordable housing, college affordability and paid family leave

As the State Senate Coalition announced its $139.7 billion one-house budget resolution on Wednesday, State Senate Coalition Co-Leader Jeff Klein and the members of the Independent Democratic Conference unfurled key achievements for New York’s hardworking families.

Paid family leave, a major infrastructure repair and jobs program, affordable housing, aid for working families, help for seniors and a state tax deduction for college loan repayment were chief among the IDC’s “Invest NY” policy proposals to be adopted in the senate’s 2015-16 one-house resolution.

“Once again, I’m proud to deliver for New York State’s hardworking families in this year’s State Senate budget resolution. The IDC knows that investing in New Yorkers is the best way to move this state forward. We put forth concrete ideas that will generate over 135,000 jobs and rebuild infrastructure across the state. While the IDC values hard work, it also recognizes the need for time off from employment in life’s best and worst times. That’s why it’s so important that paid family leave is included in our one-house resolution so that no New Yorker has to choose between their bank account or taking care of a loved one. Most of all, we’re proud that this resolution contains so many of the IDC’s proposals that will aid our seniors, help college students, continue to fund UPK and child care subsidies, develop much needed middle-income housing and rehabilitate the deplorable conditions in  NYCHA developments,” said State Senate Coalition Co-Leader Klein.

“This one-house resolution delivers for the hardworking middle class families throughout New York State. I am pleased that this budget shows our commitment to education by providing $1 billion in Gap Elimination Adjustment relief. I am also glad that this resolution makes upstate infrastructure projects a priority, as well as, addressing many of the concerns of our senior citizens,” said Independent Democratic Conference Deputy Leader David Valesky.

“The IDC stood up for New York State’s families and successfully fought for an agenda that works for them.  Families will benefit from paid family leave, increased child care funding, college affordability initiatives and middle-class affordable housing plans. The IDC’s robust jobs creation and infrastructure vision will also revitalize our state. This budget addresses the needs of our seniors by reducing costs to those living on fixed incomes and by providing needed services for elderly New Yorkers,” said State Senator Diane Savino.

“The State Senate’s one-house budget resolution provides for New York State’s working families by bringing meaningful property tax relief for homeowners, addressing college affordability issues and helping our seniors afford their utility bills. This budget is an important step toward helping new undergraduates and parents who are paying for college by doubling the tax deduction and credit. I’m also proud of the actions we take in this budget to help our seniors continue to afford to live at home by advancing a proposal to create real relief for seniors paying sky high utility bills,” said State Senator David Carlucci.

“I’m proud of the State Senate’s one-house budget resolution that delivers so much for New Yorks families. It tackles the growing need for middle class housing and also includes a green building tax credit, which I proposed, to ensure that homeowners could afford to build or upgrade properties with environmentally sound design. I’m thrilled that our seniors, again, with the help of the IDC will be able to live comfortably and affordably in their communities,” said State Senator Tony Avella.

“INVEST NY” and other IDC proposals included in the State Senate one-house include:

PAID FAMILY LEAVE

Paid family leave, a growing national issue, permits workers up to six-weeks annual leave to tend to a sick relative or bond with a newborn or adopted child. The policy applies to all parents regardless of gender. Paid family leave, subsidized by New York State, comes at no cost to employees or employers in the public or private sectors. When the program is fully implemented, an employee could collect up to 50% of the average weekly wage.

IDC INFRASTRUCTURE and JOBS PLAN

The IDC’s visionary plan to spur job growth and repair crumbling infrastructure throughout the state creates the Empire Public Works revolving loan fund (EPW) and the Community Jobs Program (CJP).

The EPW invests in large, long-term projects to rehabilitate roads, bridges, rail, transit and water and sewer systems.  Projects eligible for financing include the replacement to the Tappan Zee Bridge in the Hudson Valley, along with other projects under the direction of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Upstate Transit Authorities, local governments, state agencies and public authorities. The IDC anticipates the EPW would create 97,000 new jobs.

The IDC’s Community Jobs Program (CJP) focuses on bringing individuals into the workforce who have been marginalized from it or have had trouble entering the workforce. This program finances smaller projects and administers grants as opposed to loans. It would create 41,700 jobs.

HOUSING

Middle-Income Housing

The IDC wants hardworking, middle-class New Yorkers to afford housing throughout the state. In order to create more units of affordable housing for families earning up to 130% of the AMI the Moderate Income Loan program provides capital financing for the construction of units, which must remain affordable for at least thirty years.

The IDC also advocated for the Middle Income Tax Credit to provide 4% tax credits for developers financing the construction of units affordable to middle income families.

NYCHA

After issuing an investigative report on the deplorable conditions in NYCHA developments, the IDC called for funding to repair and upgrade buildings with accountability.

The NYCHA Public Housing Revitalization Fund and a NYCHA Repair Zoning Bonus will help address the serious issues NYCHA  residents face.  The fund would have an oversight component.

The NYCHA Zoning Bonus allows private developers to obtain a zoning bonus (higher FAR) in areas being up-zoned in exchange for conducting expeditious repair work in NYCHA buildings. This would increase repair speed since NYCHA’s work orders can take up to two years.

Green Buildings Tax Credit

While environmentally sound development is the future, it also comes at a high cost to homeowners and builders. This tax credit for homeowners and developers incentivizes development according to guidelines of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY

NY Student Loan Interest Deduction

Currently, the federal government allows a maximum $2,500 tax deduction on student loan interest. The IDC proposed the  NY Student Loan Interest Deduction allowing a matching state tax deduction for interest paid on undergraduate student loans. Borrowers who qualify for this tax deduction cannot have incomes exceeding $75,000.

SENIORS & FAMILIES

Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs)

A Naturally Occurring Retirement Community, or NORC, is a recent phenomenon as seniors decide to remain at home instead of relocating to retirement communities. The NORC Supportive Service Program (NORC-SSP) and Neighborhood NORC (NNORC) offer supportive services to seniors who live in these communities. Both provide funding to not-for-profit organizations which offer supportive services to seniors. The IDC requested additional funding for these crucial services.

The Invest NY REPAIR 2015 Program

With many seniors choosing to remain home, they sometimes need financial help to create accessibility within their homes, but they cannot afford to pay for it on a fixed income.

The IDC creates an expansion of the Residential Emergency Services to Offer Home Repairs to the Elderly (RESTORE) program by creating the NY REPAIR 2015 Program. This allows both low- and middle-income seniors to share in the benefits.  Applicants 60 years and older with incomes of up to 130% of the AMI would be eligible to apply for a tax credit of up to $7,500 for home repairs. Such repairs may include, but are not limited to, the installation of ramps, the installation of bathroom and household grab bars, the widening of doorways, the lowering of light switches and other modifications that would make a home wheelchair-accessible or otherwise enable a senior to be able to remain in their home.

The Invest NY Senior Utility Circuit Breaker

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average person over 65 years of age spends $3,480 a year on utilities, fuels, and public charges.  This category of includes expenses such as electricity, phone service, water and sewer charges, and fuels such as natural gas or heavy fuel oil which are used for heating or cooking.  According to the BLS, the average person over 65 has an income of $41,885 before taxes.  This means that they spend 8.3% of their income on utilities.  As people age, the percentage of their income that is taken up by utility charges increases.   

The IDC’s senior utility circuit breaker would deliver relief to any senior household that pays more than seven percent of their annual income in utilities in the form of a refundable tax credit. This proposal would provide a senior household with relief equal to half of their expenses above the seven percent threshold. For the purposes of this proposal, covered expenses would include electricity charges, gas, heating charges, including the costs of any fuels, water and sewer charges, internet, and telephone charges excluding cell phone service.

If the average consumer over 65 years old paying the average on utilities applied for the IDC’s circuit breaker credit, they would receive $274 in relief.  That amount is half the amount, which is $548, above seven percent of that person’s income, which would be $2,931.95. For the average 75 year old consumer, the relief would equal $365, which is half of $730, above seven percent of that person’s income, which is $2,292.

Department of Motor Vehicles Discount

Department of Motor Vehicles fees have increased over the years by 25% for driver registrations and re-registrations, with additional surcharges for seniors living in the MTA region. Fees for registration and re-registration are based on vehicle weight and can vary with the average being $55, with a $25 MTA surcharge per year.

These charges hit seniors living on fixed incomes hard. The IDC proposes a 10% discount to seniors on these burdensome registration fees.

Long Term Care Ombudsman

Long Term Care Ombudsman are often the only voice for residents in state-licensed long-term care facilities. In fact, New York State is mandated by Federal law under the Older Americans Act to operate a Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. Ombudsman play a vital role in advocating for residents and facilitating issues that arise. However, this program has been flatly funded for many years in New York State and the 2015-16 Executive Budget again continued the   

flat funding. The IDC successfully advocated for increased funding for this program.

EDUCATION

Funding for Universal Pre-K in New York City will continue at $300 million annually, and would increase in the rest of state to $80 million for a total of $380 million statewide.

Community schools, which the IDC has long-supported, stands to receive $8 million.

CHILDCARE

The IDC pushed for child care subsidies to help working families afford daycare. No parent should be torn between a career or staying home because of the price of daycare. This year the IDC requested an additional $20 million increase over the Executive Budget in child care subsidies.

New facilitated enrollment child care pilot programs, which help low-income parents with childcare costs, will receive increased funding.

MAYOR DE BLASIO AND CHANCELLOR FARIÑA ANNOUNCE FIRST SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN STRUGGLING SCHOOLS, PROMOTE EXPERIENCED LEADER TO HEAD RENEWAL SCHOOLS

  Turnaround in Progress: Boys and Girls High School, left to languish for more than a decade, has new top-flight principal, more students on-track to graduate, climbing attendance, and new ’Saturday Academy’ for weekend tutoring and Regents Prep

Dedicated Leadership: Aimee Horowitz elevated to spearhead efforts at 94 Renewal Schools

   Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña today announced a new Renewal Schools leader to spearhead change at 94 Renewal Schools, and detailed progress happening on the ground at long-struggling schools. 

They made the announcement at Boys and Girls High School, the oldest high school in Brooklyn and an institution that has struggled for more than a decade. Today, there is new momentum at Boys and Girls because of the School Renewal program. There is a new principal with a track record of achievement, new Advanced Placement course offerings to challenge students, twice as many seniors on track to graduate on time, climbing attendance rates, and a new Saturday Academy to provide students with small group instruction and Regents Exam preparation on weekends. As part of Boys and Girls’ transformation, every teacher must reapply for his or her position.

Mayor de Blasio announced the $150 million School Renewal program in November, dedicating experienced new leadership and new resources to 94 schools that have struggled for years. The effort will be overseen by the new Executive Superintendent for the School Renewal Program, Aimee Horowitz, a leader with a track record of turning around troubled schools and raising student achievement. Horowitz has most recently served as superintendent for Staten Island high schools and 14 Renewal Schools, including Boys and Girls High School and Automotive High School. She was also the founding principal of the College of Staten Island High School for International Studies, which maintained a graduation rate of well above 95 percent under her leadership.

In the past three months, initial changes have gotten underway at Renewal Schools, including the addition of extra instructional time in 54 schools, academic intervention teams deployed to overhaul curriculum and course offerings, and groups of experienced principals and assistant principals sent to high-needs schools to strengthen leadership and help change direction. 

“The status quo is not acceptable. That’s why we are giving struggling schools something they’ve never had before: the leadership, focus and support they need to finally succeed. This is what real change will take,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Many of these schools have been broken for years, and they won’t be fixed overnight. But make no mistake: this strategy is working. This is why it is so vital we renew Mayoral Control and secure the fair funding our students need.”

At Automotive High School and Boys and Girls High School, two of the City’s long-struggling schools deemed “out of time” by the State Department of Education, key early indicators—like whether students are earning enough credits to stay on track for graduation—are moving in the right direction:

• Boys and Girls High School’s new principal has re-programmed the entire school schedule to ensure that students get the courses they need to graduate on time and that teachers can collaborate on comprehensive academic plans for individual students. In addition to an extra 9th period of instruction each day, Boys and Girls has a new Saturday Academy to help students catch up. As a result, more than twice as many seniors are on track to earn the necessary credits needed to graduate on time—90 students now, versus 40 in the first semester.
• Automotive High School has received special Renewal Coaches to provide professional development to teachers with a focus on students’ writing. The coaches have helped teachers assess student writing for signs of progress and signs of students falling behind. After just one semester in the program, 80 percent of freshman are earning the necessary 10 credits to stay on track to graduate in four years, compared to just 60 percent previously. Credit accumulation rates also rose sharply among upper grade students. Seventy-seven percent each of sophomores and juniors are on track with their credit accumulations, up from past averages of 60 and 50 percent, respectively.

“Real change is happening in our Renewal Schools, and I’m encouraged by leading indicators of better attendance and credit accumulation on the rise, showing many more students are on a path to college,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “The Renewal School team visits schools every day and is giving top-to-bottom evaluation, teacher training and support.”

“We are already seeing tangible progress at our Renewal Schools, and I am confident that we will turn these schools around with more intensive, proven reforms like extended learning time, improved school leadership, and academic intervention teams,” said Executive Superintendent for the School Renewal Program Aimee Horowitz.

“I taught at Boys and Girls back when it was the ‘Pride and Joy of Bed-Stuy.’ Today, after years of struggling, you can really feel change in the hallways. It’s because we finally have the support and leadership we need to bring this school back. This is what progress looks like—our attendance is up, we saw a bounce in our January Regents scores, and for the first time, we have several students enrolled in AP courses with our partner school Medgar Evers College Prep. This is painstaking work—but we are finally on the right track with the School Renewal program,” said Boys and Girls High School Principal Michael Wiltshire.

Each Renewal School’s program is defined by several critical aspects ensuring improved student achievement. Schools have seen notable progress across these areas:

More Instructional Time – Through the Renewal program, 54 Renewal Schools have already added either an extra period each day, before- or after-school academic activities or Saturday class. The extra instructional time can be used for additional subjects, or to reinforce lessons from earlier in the day and provide extra support to students.

• Bronx High School of Business is offering extra instructional time to its students throughout its school week. There is new instructional time from 2:45 to 5 PM every Wednesday, Thursdayand Friday, as well as through its Saturday Academy. Bronx Business is also providing its English Language Learners, which account for 30 percent of its student population, with an extra period in the morning before school begins and on Saturdays to support language development.

Strong Leadership – Since the launch of the School Renewal program, seven new principals have taken over leadership of struggling schools, and the Department of Education is dispatching crack teams of dedicated principals and assistant principals to supplement school leadership, providing the focus and experience to change direction.

• John Starkey, former principal of the International High School at LaGuardia Community College—which became known during his tenure for its high graduation and college enrollment rates, as well as strong English and language arts programs and community engagement—started as the new principal at Peace and Diversity High School in the Bronx in February. He has already communicated one-on-one with every parent or guardian of his students, and communicated clear, raised expectations—including parental engagement, student attendance and behavior, as well as rigor of teaching and learning that is designed to meet students’ academic and personal needs.

Deeper Accountability at Every Level – Chancellor Fariña replaced 16 of 45 Superintendents, and invested each with authority to hire and remove principals, and the tools to help principals improve. Each Renewal School is required to meet performance targets identified in its school renewal plan, and schools that fail to do so are subject to faculty and leadership changes. Schools are also embarking on the use of more effective data systems that allow teachers and administrators, as well as students, to evaluate academic progress in real time. For example, some schools are using innovative tools to create standards-based reports that allow teachers to target instruction based on deficits they see in students’ work.

• P.S. 112 in Bronxwood uses SuccessMaker software in both ELA and Math to assess and target deficits in instruction. In 2012-2013, 80 percent of kids scored the lowest level, Level 1, in math. The following year, 2013-2014, P.S. 112 started using SuccessMaker and reduced that number to only 50 percent Level 1’s and increased their Level 3’s and 4’s by 5 percent. This year, they continue to use the instructional interventions to deepen the trend.

More Professional Development in Key Subjects – More than 600 teachers in Renewal Schools have received professional development and training in key academic areas, ranging from mathematics to literacy. 

• To increase students’ writing skills, a key pillar of success in high school, 35 teachers at nine elementary and middle schools in the Renewal program are receiving a year of intensive professional development at Columbia University’s Teachers College Writing Institute. As a result, their students are writing more and are becoming more proficient in three key areas: registering opinion, creating narrative, and imparting information. This month, 240 more teachers across all 79 Renewal schools serving elementary and middle-school grades began participating in the program. 

Wrap-Around Services to Eliminate Barriers to Learning – Every Renewal School is being turned into a Community School that offers mental health, physical well-being, or other vital supports to better support the social, emotional, physical and academic needs of students and overcome issues that impede learning. The Community Schools partner selection process is well underway, and, by June, Community School Directors will be in place at all 94 schools, with services to launch this September.

• Many Renewal Schools have partnerships with CBOs that are making strong impacts. While it hasn’t transitioned to a Community School yet, Renaissance School of the Arts in East Harlem has been working with Citizen Schools, and they are already seeing improvements in student engagement as measured by attendance rates (up three points, from 89 percent last year to 92 percent this year). Starting last year, Citizen Schools has worked with the principal to add 2.5 hours of additional learning time for every sixth grader and are supporting small-group literacy interventions for students who struggle with reading comprehension.

“For too long, struggling schools throughout our city have not received the sufficient support to make significant gains and remain open to serve their community. I commend Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Farina for this effort to provide renewed support to struggling schools, and strengthen standards to ensure that school performance remains competitive, including increased Advanced Placement and college preparatory courses. This renewal will enhance our education system, and better serve children throughout our city,” said Public Advocate Letitia James.

“The Renewal Schools program is infusing new energy into our struggling schools,” said Council Education Committee Chairperson Daniel Dromm. “Educators know best what schools need to do to improve. That’s why I am glad to see experienced school leaders spearheading the effort to raise student achievement. Local control over our schools is vitally important if we are to succeed. We know our schools best. Students need a challenging curriculum and lots of teacher support. I look forward to what the future has to hold for our Renewal Schools.”

Learn more about Renewal Schools: nyc.gov/renewalschools.

Editors Note:

It has been over one year that Mayor Bill deBlasio has been in office, and when I asked him in November why nothing had been done to improve the public schools his answer then was the following. 

  "The Chancellor will be announcing new initiatives very soon, and the mayor went on to tout the new Pre-K program". 

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BP DIAZ TO DISCUSS RECENT TRIP TO ISRAEL

  On Thursday, March 26, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. will host a discussion and question and answer session on his recent visit to Israel.

The event will take place at the Riverdale YM-YWHA, 5626 Arlington Avenue, Bronx, NY, at 6:30 p.m. It is co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York City and the Riverdale Jewish Community Relations Council.

In January, Borough President Diaz visited Israel with a delegation of Latino leaders, sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York City. Later that month, Borough President Diaz hosted a dialogue with the President of the State of Israel, H.E. Mr. Reuven Rivlin, at the Bronx Museum of the Arts. Both events were designed to help foster greater relations between the Latino and Jewish communities of New York City and beyond.

“The relationship between the people of The Bronx and Israel remains as strong and vibrant today as it has ever been. I look forward to discussing my recent visit to Israel with my constituents, as well as our efforts to strengthen relationships between the Latino and Jewish communities both at home and abroad,” said Borough President Diaz. “The Bronx has come back a long way from two to three decades ago. Our employment is up, our crime is down, and our housing is headed in the right direction. We want to share those successes with Israel, while also learning more about their accomplishments and how we can use those examples to improve our own community.”

“Joining members of the City Council Delegation and the Jewish Community Relations Council on their mission to Israel was a beautiful experience. We were able to meet with a varied spectrum of people within the Israeli society and learn about their culture, business and education. Like Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., I saw an opportunity to strengthen my constituency’s relationship with Israel and I believe that goal was achieved during my visit,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen, who recently completed his own visit to Israel.

"I was delighted to accompany Bronx Borough President Diaz on the Latino Leadership Mission he recently led to Israel and I am looking forward to joining him once again at this important event. The bond between New York and Israel is unbreakable and it is influential leaders like Borough President Diaz who ensure that this link will only continue to grow stronger,” said Michael S. Miller, Executive Vice President & CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York City.

 WHAT:          Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosts a discussion and question and answer session on his recent visit to Israel.

WHEN:          Thursday, March 26, 2015

                        6:30 p.m.

WHERE:       Riverdale YM-YWHA

                        5626 Arlington Avenue

The Bronx