SENATOR JEFF KLEIN ANNOUNCES GRAMMY-AWARD WINNING GROUP BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS TO HEADLINE RIVERFEST

RiverFest 2015 to Feature Beloved American Music Group, Local Artists, Scenic Boat Rides, Children’s Entertainment, Waterfront Activities & More

Klein, Bronx Elected Officials, KRVC and College of Mount Saint Vincent Come Together to Celebrate the Beauty of the Hudson River and Unity of the Riverdale Community

State Senator Jeff Klein, together with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Councilman Andrew Cohen, Executive Director of the Kingsbridge-Riverdale-Van Cortlandt Development Corporation (KRVC) Tracey McCabe Shelton, KRVC Greenway Director Cliff Stanton, and representatives from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, today announced celebrated American music group Blood Sweat & Tears will headline RiverFest. The announcement came at the 2105 kick-off event on Riverdale Avenue featuring music, family fun and a sneak preview of this year’s coming attractions.

“Riverdale’s annual celebration of the beauty of the Hudson River and unity of the local community is back and better than ever this year. I’m proud to announce that I will be co-sponsoring RiverFest 2015 and was able to secure Grammy award-winning group Blood Sweat & Tears to headline this special event,” said Senator Klein. “I applaud KRVC for their efforts in putting together this exciting summer concert, and I look forward to celebrating with everyone in just two short weeks. Hope to see you there!”

Multi-platinum music group Blood Sweat & Tears is best known for its chart topping hits like “Spinning Wheel,” “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” and “Hi-De-Ho.” In 1968, Blood Sweat & Tears released its first self-titled album which went on to sell more than four million copies and was later awarded album of the year. The band has since performed sold out shows across the U.S. and abroad, and is widely regarded as one of the most beloved music groups of all time.

“I am thrilled about the addition of the very talented Blood Sweat & Tears to RiverFest 2015! RiverFest gets better and better every year, and I always look forward to it,” said Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. “There is no better way to spend a beautiful summer day than having fun together with your community while listening to great live music. June 14th can’t come soon enough!”

"RiverFest 2015 is going to be the event of the summer! It is set to be even more exciting with Blood Sweat & Tears providing the entertainment. Thank you, Senator Klein, for bringing this much anticipated family event to Riverdale," said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

RiverFest 2015 will feature local musicians and entertainers like Rob Taube, Steve Oates, Rob Schiffmann and more. Families and children will have the chance to enjoy scenic boat rides, sample some delicious food, learn more about Riverdale’s waterfront community and take in a variety of fun-filled games and activities.

"Senator Klein has once again demonstrated that he fundamentally understands what makes a community vibrant and strong. Through his consistent support for KRVC and by bringing Blood Sweat & Tears to RiverFest, the Senator has moved the vision of a Hudson River Greenway in the Bronx closer to a reality. We applaud Senator Klein's leadership on this issue and commitment to support his work and the work of other community leaders in the days and years to come,” said Cliff Stanton, Greenway Director, KRVC.

"We are thrilled to have this fabulous addition to our RiverFest. It will truly enhance an already special community event. Bringing more people out to our festival with this great concert will allow us to reach more people with our message of how spectacular an all-riverfront Greenway will be for our community. We are very grateful to Senator Klein for making this all possible. We look forward to supporting and working with the Senator and our community leaders through all the steps we need to take to make the Hudson River Greenway a reality for the Bronx,” said Tracy McCabe Shelton, Executive Director, KRVC.

RiverFest 2015 will be held at the College of Mt. St. Vincent on Sunday, June 14th from noon to 6:00 p.m.

Above - The announcement for Riverfest 2015 came in front of the famous Yo Burger Restaurant located on Riverdale Avenue by West 238th Street.

Below - State Senator Klein announces that the music group Blood Sweat and Tears (of Woodstock fame from 1969) will be appearing at this years Riverfest 2015.

 

Above - KRVS Executive Director Tracy Shelton Thanks Senator Klein as she stands between Councilman Andrew Cohen and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. Senator Klein is hidden by Ms. Shelton.

Below - is a group photo of Ms. Shelton and Mr. Clifford Stanton of KRVC, with Senator Jeff Klein, and Mr. Mario Curaj the owner of the famous Yo Burger restaurant.

Some of the guests at the announcement of Riverfest 2015.

Council Member Andrew Cohen Co-Names West 205th Street between Goulden and Paul Avenues “Bronx Science Boulevard”

   Council Member Andrew Cohen was joined by Council Member Ben Kallos, Assembly Members Jeff Dinowitz and Keith Wright, Congressman Charlie Rangel, Congressman Eliot Engel's Chief of Staff (Class of 1987), and Bronx Science Alumni going back to Mr. Robert Rubenstein (Class of 1949), while he announced the co-naming of West 205th Street as “Bronx Science Boulevard.”

The Bronx High School of Science “Bronx Science” was founded in 1938. Since its founding, Bronx Science’s admission standards and student achievement have consistently ranked as one of the top high schools in New York City. As a Specialized High School, admission is based solely on a competitive written examination and is open for all prospective eighth and ninth grade student residents of New York City.

Co-naming West 205th Street as “Bronx Science Boulevard” honors a New York City organization of particular importance to the NYC Department of Education as one of its premier educational institutions and one that has cultivated its students into notable alumni, who have gone on to do exemplary acts and achievements in almost all spheres of society. Perhaps most importantly, Bronx Science has become known as an organization which has given many current students, alumni, and staff an enduring sense of school pride.

Bronx Science’s mission is: “To provide educational and social opportunities that are unique for gifted and talented students so as to prepare them for meaningful and useful roles in science and society.” Graduates have exemplified this mission and gone on to achieve success in almost every field: science; mathematics; politics; atomic physics; medicine; engineering; music and entertainment careers. Notable alumni include: eight Nobel Laureates; six Pulitzer Prize winners; and eight National Medal of Science winners.

“The Bronx High School of Science is a premier institution that has become a prominent landmark in our borough. It is important to acknowledge the quality education this elite school delivers and the dedication they have to preparing its students for a successful future. It is for these reasons that we are here today to recognize this commitment in the co-naming of West 205th Street ‘Bronx Science Boulevard,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

“As a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science I am absolutely thrilled that the City has decided to rename the neighboring section of West 205th Street in its honor. Bronx Science is not only the best school in the city, but perhaps in the country. Re-naming West 205th Street celebrates the school’s long tradition of academic excellence and relationship with the community, and I thank Council Member Cohen for making this possible,” said Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz, Bronx Science Class of ‘71.

"Bronx Science Boulevard represents not just an institution but the learning and growth of generations of young people. Bronx Science shaped me into the person I am, as it does for so many students. The Boulevard, like Bronx Science, is here to stay," said Council Member Ben Kallos, Bronx Science Class of ‘98.

Above - Councilman Cohen explains why he is renaming the street in front of the Bronx Science High School Bronx Science Boulevard.

Below - Minnie Mangafas Class of 2015 told what it means to be a student at Bronx Science High School. She will be going to Vanderbilt University to study Nero Science. She may pursue politics later on in her life she said.

Above - Councilman is about to uncover the new sign.

Below - The new sign reveals 'Bronx Science Boulevard'.

Above - Congressman Charles Rangel arrived just as the sign was to be uncovered.

Below - Despite what you may have heard about Congressman Rangel attending Adam Clayton Powell Jr.'s 53rd birthday party the night before, Congressman Rangel said that he would be endorsing Manhattan Assemblyman Keith Wright to take over his congressional seat when the 40+ year legislator Rangel retires next year.

The elected officials are joined by Principal Donahue of Bronx Science High School as they hold up a duplicate street sign that was given to the school.

Sharing the message to #ActNowAlbany

  It is the opinion of the writer of this blog that Mayoral Control should and must be ended. Mayoral Control has led to an even worse situation of the public school system then before Mayoral Control was instituted. Mayoral Control has resulted in less education and s less rounded education for public school students. The standards that were to be in place when Mayoral Control was first instituted have been pushed back by 10 years, and public school students have lost those ten years of educational advances. State exam scores have plummeted during Mayoral Control, and the best answer one District Superintendent could give me as a reason was "The Test is Much Harder Now'. To that unnamed superintendent, Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina, and to Mayor Bill deBlasio I say that statement 'the test is much harder now' only proves that standards over the past 10 years have gone up while the quality of a New York City public education has gone down. The State Senate must not give in on this issue.

Here is the statement from Mayor Bill deBlasio to the public. 

Our state legislature is deciding the future of mayoral control of our city's schools right now -- and our students could feel the effects of that decision as early as July 1st. It's imperative that we let Albany know that mayoral control must be made permanent. 

Before mayoral control, the city's school system was fragmented. There was little accountability, and we saw far too many instances of waste, mismanagement, and corruption. 

In the more than ten years since mayoral control passed, we've seen improved attendance and graduation rates, safer schools, and more kids given the chance to succeed. We've increased parental engagement with teachers and are making parents and communities partners in shaping successful schools. But all that progress could halt if we don't make sure mayoral control is here to stay. 

Join me in calling on Albany to make mayoral control permanent -- add your name to our petition. 

So much of what we've accomplished together wouldn't have been possible without mayoral control. 

We're bringing free, full-day, high-quality pre-K to more than 70,000 children this September. Our Renewal Schools program is turning struggling schools around by providing them with the support and resources they need. These and other new programs are bringing innovation, collaboration, and comprehensive services into our schools. 

We've come too far to turn back now. Sign our petition asking Albany to make mayoral control permanent: 

nyc.gov/mayoralcontrol 

Thank you, 

Bill de Blasio
Mayor 

STATE SENATOR JEFF KLEIN ANNOUNCES $18,000 IN PROJECT BOOST FUNDS FOR P.S. 72

  New Funding Boosts Local School’s Enrichment Opportunities for Students

State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester), joined by nearly 100 local parents, students and school administrators, today announced $18,000 in Project BOOST (Building Options and Opportunities for Students) funding for P.S. 72 in the Bronx. The announcement came at the school’s Project BOOST breakfast event on Friday.

“Whether it’s making sure our students are ready for high school or simply helping them ace that test, Project BOOST provides today’s students with the tools they need to be successful tomorrow. I’m proud to have secured $18,000 in BOOST funding for P.S. 72, and more than $700,000 for schools across the 34th Senate District. Project BOOST offers our students innovative cultural and academic enrichment opportunities that will greatly influence their educational paths and helps students grow and learn as they move forward in school. I want to thank the parents and administrators for their ongoing support and commitment to great this program,” said Senator Klein.

"Project BOOST has been an invaluable resource for our students and has opened the door to countless new academic opportunities that have enriched P.S. 72's curriculum, after-school programs and special events. We are very grateful to Sen. Klein for this essential funding and commend him for his efforts to improve education, provide supports and lift up all students across the Bronx and New York City,” said Margarita Colon, Principal of P.S. 72.

This year, P.S. 72 has used BOOST funds to benefit students in a variety of ways, including ballroom dancing, class trips to see Matilda on Broadway, a visit to the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut, a trip to Times Square for bowling and a double-decker bus tour of Manhattan. P.S. 72's book club also went to pizza studio to learn about the history of pizza and the school’s student council recently visited the Pittsburgh Manor in Sleepy Hollow, Massachusetts.

Project BOOST is an enrichment program targeted at elementary and middle school students who have demonstrated a commitment to academic success but come from disadvantaged neighborhoods. Currently, Project BOOST operates in 60 elementary and middle schools across New York City.

State Senators Klein, Savino, Golden, Peralta & Addabbo give communities a say in social service providers coming to town

  State Senate passes bill requiring notification, hearings and giving City Planning Commission decision-making power

— State Senator Jeff Klein today empowered neighborhoods across the five boroughs by passing legislation (S.4542a) compelling social service providers, like homeless shelters, to provide notification to local community boards and the City Planning Commission and requiring the CPC to hold hearings to gather local input. The CPC would rule on the siting of the facility.

The bill, co-sponsored by Senators Diane Savino, Marty Golden, Jose Peralta, and Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., responds to widespread outrage over lack of adequate notification when a social service provider suddenly moves into a neighborhood without any say from local community boards, associations or groups.

“I know constituents in my community in the Bronx are fed up with being a dumping ground for shelters due to a lack of foresight and planning for this population. Usually, communities are surprised when shelters or other social service facilities pop up in the neighborhood and this lack of transparency needs to end. Communities deserve notification and to have a say in what’s happening in the neighborhoods they care about,” said Senator Klein.

The legislation requires a social service provider to file notice with the CPC and the local community board within 45 to 90 days of selecting a location or file notice at the request of the community board within the same time frame if the social service provider plans to renew its lease. The CPC will hold a public forum considering a resolution issued by the local community board and hear testimony from local residents and groups. The CPC will have 60 to 90 days to approve, modify or deny the application of the provider.

In the 34th State Senate District, which Senator Klein represents, the Capri Whitestone Motel was transformed into the Crystal Family Residence in September 2014 as a “temporary family shelter” without community notification. In March 2015, the city renewed its contract.

In Wakefield,  a major site of concern for the community is Project Renewal, a men’s shelter, where an ex-resident tragically gunned down its director, Anna Charle, last month. Over 400 calls to 911 have been made from the immediate area. The site remains open without any community input.

“The City cannot move shelters into communities without notifying anyone. It breeds distrust and a lingering feeling that the community’s opinion doesn’t count. This bill addresses a major concern across the city and will finally allow residents to speak up and be heard when a homeless shelter or other social service facility moves next door,” said Senator Savino.

“This legislation will rightly guarantee community review prior to the creation of supportive housing or social service centers.  It is important that neighbors are notified so to bring concerns to the attention of the managing agency before a project advances. I believe this legislation will also bridge the gap and foster a dialogue, between community and social service providers, from the the program’s inception and over time during periods of renewal,” said Senator Golden.

“This common sense legislation would inform a community when the City intends to open homeless shelters and other social facilities within its neighborhoods,” said Senator Peralta. “The proposal that passed in the Senate would prevent future surprises when, from one day to the next, a community wakes up to find a social services facility in its backyard. This is in response to recent incidents, for example, housing at the Westway Motel in my own district. Social service facilities are a critical part of our society, but the community should know about them and has the right to offer its input and concerns.”    

“This legislation, while not avoiding or ignoring the crisis of homelessness, substance abuse, or other serious social ills in our society, does provide a necessary means for community members to be fully involved from the get-go when homeless shelters or other social service facilities are planned for their neighborhoods,” said Senator Addabbo, Jr. “All too often, communities are finding that facilities are being virtually rammed down their throats, with no real thought given to whether the buildings are appropriate for the programs, whether the neighborhoods have adequate transit or other services, or whether the proposed operators have questionable track records that should be challenged. We need transparency, honesty and in-depth community conversations about these programs – before they happen, not after the fact.”

The passage of the bill was hailed by community groups.

“It’s about time that we have this type of community review process. Our small neighborhood of 65 families was blindsided by a 95-family homeless shelter and we feel that the economic growth of this community has suffered significantly from not playing a part in the siting process. Ferry Point is not a suitable choice for a shelter because it lacks the necessary supports, transportation and infrastructure to help individuals and families get back on their feet. The Friends of Ferry Point Park support this bill and look forward to it being signed into law,” said Dorothea Poggi, President of the Friends of Ferry Point Park in the Bronx.

“This legislation is critical for protecting our communities. The Project Renewal Shelter on Bronx Boulevard is a blight on our community — draining police resources and serving as a threat to our safety. This facility was dropped into our neighborhood with no community input whatsoever. That’s unacceptable. I thank Senator Klein for his efforts to reform the shelter siting process and I look forward to this important piece of legislation becoming law,” said Jeremy Skehan of the President of the Webster Avenue Taxpayers Association.

“Our community would like to thank Senator Klein and the other Senators for passing legislation as important as this. Now the Community Board's and Civic Associations will have the opportunity to vet the operators and the facilities before they relocate into our communities. Through public forums we can identify which social services will best fit our neighborhood,” said John Marano, First Vice Chair of Community Board 10.

The bill awaits passage by the Assembly.

NEW PROSE SCHOOLS DRIVING INNOVATION ACROSS SCHOOL SYSTEM

PROSE program doubles in size to 126 schools serving around 48,500 students at all grade levels

PROSE schools suspend Department and union rules to drive innovations like longer school days, college-prep lecture and seminar classes, small-group instruction, hybrid courses that combine subjects like English and history

  Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chancellor Carmen Fariña today announced that 64 more schools will become Progressive Redesign Opportunity Schools for Excellence (PROSE) schools for the 2015-16 school year, allowing them to suspend Department and union rules to innovate new ways to reach students. The PROSE program is currently in its first year and already includes 62 elementary, middle, and high schools. With this latest cohort, the program is ahead of schedule and nearly two-thirds of the way towards its target of spurring innovation at 200 schools.

The PROSE program, made possible through new contracts with the United Federation of Teachers and Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, created an opportunity to experiment at the school level in ways traditionally blocked by Department or union rules. Schools are using the PROSE program to adopt some of the most innovative education practices emerging from the grassroots, like lengthening their school days, combining subjects to deepen students’ understanding of relationships between science and math, and replacing rigid student-teacher ratios with more flexible ones that allow for advanced lecture-style classes that prepare students for college and small-group breakout sessions to help struggling students.

“Our public schools have educators and parents hungry to innovate new ways to reach their students. The reforms we are seeing through the PROSE program would have been unthinkable in a district school just a year or two ago, especially at this scale. We are unlocking new teaching practices that we can learn from and bring to more and more students across the City,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“These PROSE schools are offering innovation with a purpose that best serves their school community,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “I am encouraged by the creative and impactful changes schools across the City are already making with this program and I look forward to seeing how the 64 new PROSE schools will serve their students and families while giving pedagogues an opportunity to innovate and improve academic outcomes.”

“We are doubling the size of the PROSE program today, which shows the excitement that teachers, administrators, and school staff have in being given the freedom to come up with their own ideas on how to best improve their schools,” said Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers. “We are seeing schools develop innovative schedules to better use the most precious resource in a school day – time. We are seeing schools like Petrides take a page from

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universities by wanting a teacher's workday to include ‘office hours,’ a chance for teachers to meet individually or with small groups of students at the start of school. We are seeing schools find solutions that work for their students. As a teacher, I would have loved this kind of flexibility. With the UFT and the Department of Education working together in this way, we can move education in New York City, and be a model for the rest of the country.”

“We support this program because it allows school leaders to develop innovative strategies that they can implement hand-in-hand with a supportive staff. Their success stories can then be replicated by their colleagues at other schools across the City,” saidCSA President Ernest Logan.

All PROSE schools announced today were developed by school faculty; reviewed by a joint DOE, UFT and CSA panel; and approved by their principals and at least 65 percent of teachers. There was overwhelming support at the grassroots to see reforms implemented, with nearly 90 percent of UFT staff voting in favor of their school joining the PROSE program this year. In total, 119 schools submitted PROSE proposals, an increase from 107 schools last year. In addition to the 64 new PROSE schools, all 62 current PROSE schools will remain part of the program, many of them making deeper changes in the coming school year.

New PROSE schools were selected from across all five boroughs based on the quality of their proposals, their readiness to implement innovative work, and a proven track-record of school communities working collaboratively: 14 from the Bronx, 24 from Brooklyn, 13 from Manhattan, 11 from Queens and 2 from Staten Island. 7 of the selected schools are elementary schools, 1 is a K-2 school, 2 are K-8 schools, 1 is a K-12 school, 19 are middle schools, 6 are secondary schools, and 28 are high schools. The new PROSE schools will implement a wide range of innovations designed by school staff, including:

·         Michael J. Petrides School, Staten Island: This K-12 school is implementing larger seminar-style classes in its high school that mimic the college-style lectures students will encounter after graduation.  This innovative approach breaks with formulaic staffing ratios and allows team teachers in the classroom to also work one-on-one with students, something not possible under existing rules.

·         Middle School 390, Bronx: This school is reworking its entire schedule to focus aggressively on reading and writing instruction. While continuing to preserve instructional time for other subjects, the school will provide students with up to 30 minutes of independent reading at the beginning of the day and up to 36 minutes of focused writing at the end of each day.

·         Riverdale Avenue Community School, Brooklyn: To provide additional learning time for students, more collaboration time for teachers, and additional opportunities for family engagement, this elementary school will stagger teacher schedules to enable students to have a longer school day. 

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“PROSE schools give teachers and administrators the flexibility they need to make their schools successful,” said City Council Education Committee Chairperson Daniel Dromm. “Teachers and administrators work together to tailor a program for each individual school. Involving the education practitioners in each school is ultimately what has led to success in these PROSE schools. I am very pleased to see this program expand.”

“The PROSE program is all about meeting students where they are and doing everything possible to help them succeed,” said Joann Buckheit, principal of The Michael J. Petrides School. “My staff and teachers, as well as educators across Staten Island and the City, are really excited about this program because of the tremendous opportunities for improvement it offers. When school staff come together to work collaboratively to develop innovations that work for students, everybody wins.”

The 64 new schools come in addition to the 62 PROSE schools from last year, which included:

·         School of Integrated Learning, Brooklyn: This school has implemented flexible teacher-student ratios to accommodate small-group learning experiences. With larger classes – up to forty students in a class – one teacher can lead the room while a second teacher simultaneously works with small groups of three to five students to give hands-on attention to students who are struggling.

·         Bronx Park Middle School: Over five days this school year, the staff at Bronx Park Middle School engaged in full-day professional development sessions during which teachers reviewed student work and discussed strategies to support increased student learning in upcoming units. This time enabled teachers to develop targeted teaching strategies for individual students and classrooms. PROSE allowed the school to rearrange the calendar to accommodate these days, while the school worked with community organizations to offer full-day programming for students during the professional development days.

The DOE’s Research and Policy Support Group (RPSG) is collecting information from school faculty and administration through a survey and is conducting focus groups to assess the impact of provided flexibilities on school instruction and operations. A preliminary report will be available in the summer. The PROSE team is also supporting schools to develop systems to monitor the progress of their own initiatives.

Complete List of Schools Selected

Bronx

The Laboratory School of Finance and Technology

International Community High School

Pablo Neruda Academy

Urban Assembly Academy of Civic Engagement

Urban Assembly School for Applied Math and Science

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Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics

PS 274 The New American Academy at Roberto Clemente State Park

The Leadership and Community Service Academy

Bronx International High School

The Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice

Claremont International High School

Brooklyn

Urban Assembly Unison School

Urban Assembly School for Law and Justice

Academy of Arts and Letters

The Brooklyn Latin School

The Green School

The Upper Academy

PS 321 William Penn

Brooklyn Frontiers High School

Carroll Gardens School for Innovation

The Math and Science Exploratory School

Nelson Mandela School for Social Justice

PS 249 The Caton School

PS 770 New American Academy

Cultural Academy for the Arts and Sciences

Academy for Young Writers

Spring Creek Community School

Liberty Avenue Middle School

School of the Future

The Urban Assembly School for Collaborative Healthcare

International High School at Lafayette

Kingsborough Early College Secondary School

Origins High School

PS 446 Riverdale Avenue Community School

Riverdale Avenue Middle School

Manhattan

Bard High School Early College Manhattan

Tompkins Square Middle School

The Urban Assembly Maker Academy

Urban Assembly School of Design and Construction

NYC Lab School for Collaborative Studies

Urban Assembly New York Harbor School

Lower Manhattan Community Middle School

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Lower Manhattan Arts Academy

Urban Assembly Media High School

PS 112 Jose Celso Barbosa

Central Park East 1 Elementary School

Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts

The Urban Assembly Institute for New Technologies

Queens

Forest Elementary School

Bard High School Early College Queens

Voyages Preparatory High School

Business Technology Early College High School

Goldie Maple Academy

EPIC High School North

Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School

Institute for Health Professions at Cambria Heights

Benjamin Franklin High School for Finance and Information Technology

The Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria

Hunter’s Point Community Middle School

Staten Island

Michael J. Petrides School

Concord High School