MAYOR DE BLASIO, SPEAKER JOHNSON, CHANCELLOR CARRANZA AND NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCE SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY-BASED EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROVIDERS

  Mayor Bill de Blasio, Speaker Corey Johnson and Chancellor Richard A. Carranza today announced addenda to the Birth-to-Five RFP and Head Start/Early Head Start RFP that will support community-based early care and education providers with greater financial stability. Written in partnership with the City Council and after hearing extensive feedback from advocates and community-based providers, these addenda will raise the funding floor for awarded providers, support indirect costs and cost increases over the contract term, and strengthen the partnership between the Department of Education and community-based providers.

“I’ve put early childhood education front and center as Mayor because it’s our first tool for improving the lives of every New Yorker and making this the fairest big city in the country,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We’ve heard the voices of community advocates and the Council and are committed to ensuring early childhood education providers have the stability and funding they need to put our kids on the path to success inside and outside the classroom.”

“This is a huge win for our city,” said Speaker Corey Johnson. “Community-based early care and education providers helping to raise a new generation of New Yorkers. They deserve all the support we can give them and nothing less." 

“Pre-K and 3-K for All would not be possible without the phenomenal work and dedication of our community-based providers,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “We’ve met with and listened to numerous advocates and providers, and we’re excited to strengthen our partnership with these providers and continue to work together to provide high-quality early care and education to New York City children and families.”

  

The specific changes to the RFPs include:

·         To make it easier for providers to meet their programmatic needs, and help fill seats, DOE has increased the up-front payments providers receive by January of each school year to three-quarters of their contract value, a 10% increase over the original RFP. Providers that have enrollment greater than 75% will receive an enhanced payment, and those with at least 93% enrollment will receive their full contract value.

·         Additionally, the DOE will continue to provide extensive enrollment support to all CBOs to ensure that programs are able to fill seats and families are able to receive high-quality care that meets their needs. This includes: 

o   Access to a multilingual outreach team that reaches thousands of families every year and will partner with providers to reach out to families specifically in their communities;

o   Support for families, including a mobile-friendly application, in-person support at 12 Family Welcome Centers, and application support available in over 200 languages;

o   Outdoor and digital advertisements with targeting based on neighborhood language;

o   Marketing materials for programs like palm cards, posters, and banners;

o   One-on-one support to under-enrolled programs.

·         Consistent with policy developed by the Nonprofit Resiliency Committee in partnership with nonprofits and the City Council, providers may budget for up to 10 percent of indirect costs if that is what is required within the budget and program model. That number may be higher if approved by the federal government or verified by a CPA. 

·         Providers’ cost increases during the contract term will be addressed if and when the city certifies that industry-wide labor costs increase, or if the individual provider demonstrates reasonable increases in occupancy cost. 

·         Contracted providers can propose to offer 8-10 hour-per-day, year-round programming, and the City will award as many of these seats as possible, pending available funds.

·         DOE has synchronized the deadline for providers to respond to both the Birth-to-Five RFP and the Head Start RFP, extending the Birth-to-Five deadline so that both are on June 13.

“Our community-based providers have been essential to the success of Pre-K and 3-K for All and integral to communities across this City,” said Deputy Chancellor of Early Childhood and Student Enrollment Josh Wallack. “We’ve listened to their concerns, and we’re excited to take this step forward in partnership with them and with the support of our Mayor, our Chancellor, and the City Council. We’ll continue to partner with our CBOs to provide high-quality programs for New York City children and families.”

MAYOR DE BLASIO AND CHANCELLOR CARRANZA ANNOUNCE OVER 9,500 FAMILIES RECEIVING 3-K FOR ALL OFFERS

For the first time this fall, 3-K for All will be in all five boroughs

  Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza announced 9,518 families are receiving offers to free, full-day, high-quality 3-K for All across 12 community school districts – three times more than last year, when 3,257 families across six community school districts received offers.

A total of 14,253 families across all 32 community school districts applied to 3-K for All, demonstrating high demand and the need for additional support from the State and Federal government to bring 3-K for All citywide by the 2021-22 school year.

“This is a great day for our City and for the thousands of 3-K students and families starting their New York City public school careers,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “High-quality early childhood education leads to greater success for kids throughout their lifetime, while putting an additional $10,000 on average back in their families’ pockets for every year of class before kindergarten. I’m proud that we’ve been able to continue expanding 3-K for All and that families across all five boroughs will reap the benefits.”

“3-K and Pre-K for All transform children’s and families’ lives and are the foundation of our students’ long-term academic success,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “This is Equity and Excellence for All in action—expanding opportunity across the five boroughs through access to free, full-day, high-quality early childhood education.”

As part of the 2019 State of the City address, Mayor de Blasio increased the City’s commitment to fully funding free, full-day, high-quality 3-K. With this increased commitment, 3-K will be available in 12 districts this fall – including on Staten Island for the first time – up from six originally planned. The full schedule for 3-K expansion is:

· 2017-18: District 7 (South Bronx) and District 23 (Brownsville). This year, over 1,500 three-year olds were served by 3-K for All in these two districts.

· 2018-19: District 4 (East Harlem), District 5 (Harlem), District 16 (Bedford-Stuyvesant), and District 27 (Broad Channel, Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Rockaways). This year, there are currently approximately 5,000 children served by 3-K for All.

·  2019-20: District 6 (Washington Heights and Inwood), District 8 (Country Club, Pelham Bay, Throgs Neck, Castle Hill, Soundview, Hunts Point), District 9 (Grand Concourse, Highbridge, Morrisania), District 19 (East New York), District 31 (Staten Island), and District 32 (Bushwick)

·  2020-21: District 12 (Central Bronx) and District 29 (Cambria Heights, Hollis, Laurelton, Queens Village, Springfield Gardens, St. Albans)

Each district will have a two-year expansion, offering universal access in the second year. All families who applied from Districts 4, 5, 7, 16, 23, and 27 will be able to attend 3-K for All this fall. Additionally, all families who applied from Districts 19 and 32 received an offer to attend 3-K for All this year, fulfilling the City’s commitment to provide universal access to students living in the district a year ahead of schedule.

3-K for All is the nation’s most ambitious effort to provide universal, free, full-day, high-quality early childhood education for all three-year-olds, and builds on the success of Pre-K for All. Research has found every dollar invested in high-quality early education saves taxpayers as much as $13 long term. The City is on track to support approximately 20,000 3-K seats across the city this school year. For the 2019-20 school year, 3-K for All will cost $173 million across 12 districts. In order to achieve the vision of 3-K for All citywide, the City will need additional support from partners in the State and Federal government.

Families without an offer are receiving information today on EarlyLearn programs for which they may be eligible, and will receive ongoing support from the DOE outreach team to find a program that meets their needs. Families can continue to learn about available 3-K programs online at nyc.gov/3k, over the phone by calling 718-935-2009, or in-person at a Family Welcome Center. Like Pre-K for All, free, full-day, high-quality 3-K for All seats are available across a wide range of settings including DOE schools, DOE Pre-K Centers, and community-based organizations, including Head Start, EarlyLearn providers, child care agencies, and, for the first time, family child care providers in District 27.

The 3-K for All expansion builds on the success of Pre-K for All. Parents with children enrolled in free, full-day pre-K save an average of $10,000 annually on childcare costs. An NYU study last year found that Pre-K for All makes it more likely that a low-income child in New York City is properly diagnosed with asthma or vision problems, and receives screening or treatment for hearing or vision problems. Additionally, 94 percent of NYC Pre-K for All programs assessed from 2015-16 through 2017-18 scored at or above a national threshold correlated with positive student outcomes, up from 88 percent of the programs assessed from 2014-15 through 2016-17, and outpacing or on par with gold-standard programs across the country.

As part of the larger effort to strengthen birth-to-five care and education across the City, EarlyLearn programs are transitioning from ACS to management by DOE in 2019. This transition is being led by ACS and DOE with engagement from other city agencies, including the Human Resources Administration and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, as well as providers, early childhood care and education experts, and state and federal regulators. Creating a unified birth-to-five early care and education system will benefit children, families, and providers. It will enable consistent, high-quality standards, greater curricular alignment from early childhood through second grade, streamline and simplify enrollment, and encourage integration at a classroom level. In addition to programs serving three- and four-year-olds, EarlyLearn programs serving children from six-weeks-old through three-years-old are also transitioning to management by DOE, including center- and home-based programs.

3-K for All and Pre-K for All are part of the Mayor and Chancellor’s Equity and Excellence for All agenda. Together, the Equity and Excellence for All initiatives are building a pathway to success in college and careers for all students. Our schools are starting earlier – free, full-day, high-quality education for three-year-olds and four-year-olds through 3-K for All and Pre-K for All. They are strengthening foundational skills and instruction earlier – Universal Literacy so that every student is reading on grade level by the end of 2nd grade; and Algebra for All to improve elementary- and middle-school math instruction and ensure that all 8th graders have access to algebra. They are offering students more challenging, hands-on, college and career-aligned coursework – Computer Science for All brings 21st-century computer science instruction to every school, and AP for All will give all high school students access to at least five Advanced Placement courses. Along the way, they are giving students and families additional support through College Access for All, Single Shepherd, and investment in Community Schools. Efforts to create more diverse and inclusive classrooms through Diversity in New York City Public Schools, the City’s school diversity plan, are central to this pathway.

Wave Hill events June 13‒20: Pollinators Weekend!

Thu, June 13

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Fri, June 14

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Sat, June 15

Family Art Project: Pollinator’s Paper Lanterns

Learn flower anatomy and how pollination works as you work with papier-mâché to create globe-like lanterns of fantastical flowers. Then use paper and found objects to create a hummingbird, bat or butterfly friend to help pollinate your new flower globe. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. Pollinators Weekend event.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sat, June 15

Pollination Headquarters

Get your pollinator info here! See butterfly and insect displays, pick up self-guided tours and activities, take home pollinator-friendly plant lists and check out our “bee hotel” in the Flower Garden. Working with naturalists, take part in the Empire State Native Pollinator Survey, a community science project, and share your observations online with scientists studying native pollinators in New York State. Free with admission to the grounds, and admission is free until noon.Pollinators Weekend event.

On the Grounds, 10AM‒3PM

Sat, June 15

Open Apiary

A beehive in midsummer is packed with around 50,000 honeybees and they are all, unsurprisingly, as busy as bees! View the comings and goings, at a respectful distance, while a beekeeper explains exactly what is happening inside. Weather dependent (rain cancels). Free with admission to the grounds, and admission is free until noon. Pollinators Weekend event.

Meet at Wave Hill House, 10AM

Sat, June 15

Pollinator-Friendly Plant Sale

Browse a selection of plants perfect for attracting pollinators to your garden. Horticulturist and grower Eric Rohsler ofRohsler’s Allendale Nursery is on hand to guide you in selecting locally-grown plants for your own garden. Pollinators Weekend event.

Perkins Visitor Center, 11AM−3PM

Sat, June 15

Talk and Walk: The World of Bees—Opening the Door with Community Science

Can you tell a honeybee from a mining bee? Join Entomologist Dr. Louise Lynch-O’Brien for a look at native bee biology and diversity in New York State, home to over 400 species of bees. Guided by Dr. Lynch-O’Brien, venture out into the gardens to observe and record bees and other pollinators at Wave Hill as part of the Empire State Pollinators Survey, a local community science project that contributes research directly to experts like Louise. As fascinating as they are, there is still a lot scientists do not know about bees and other pollinators, but you can help! Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. No registration required. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. Pollinators Weekend event.

Meet at Wave Hill House, 11AM

Sat, June 15

Garden Workshop: Build a Bee-Abode Workshop

Assemble a rustic bee house (or condo) for the friendly neighborhood pollinators in your yard, garden or community garden. An environmental educator/naturalist and Wave Hill interpreters lead this hands-on workshop. Care instructions included. $20 Materials fee. Pollinators Weekend event.

On the Grounds, 1−3PM

Sat, June 15

Junior Pollinators Walk

Join an expedition to hunt for colorful flowers and their creature pollinators in the gardens with naturalist Pam Golben. Ages six and older welcome with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds. Pollinators Weekend event.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Sat, June 15

Wave Hill History Walk

Discover the fascinating history of Wave Hill’s architecture and landscape on a walk with a Wave Hill Garden Guide. Hear about the people who once called Wave Hill home, among them Mark Twain, Theodore Roosevelt, Bashford Dean and Arturo Toscanini. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Sat, June 15

Gallery Tour

Tour Glyndor Gallery with Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow or Gallery Greeter to get an insider’s view of current exhibitions. The exhibition Here We Land features three former Winter Workspace artists, Camille Hoffman, Maria Hupfield and Sara Jimenez, who return to explore narratives about contested space that draw on personal and cultural touch points in their immersive installations. In the Sunroom, Amir Hariri creates sculptural installations constructed of wood, brick and other building materials—along with a wall drawing—that connect to his architectural research to the Bronx and Wave Hill. In the Sun Porch, Geoffrey Owen Miller suspends transparent, upside down sculptures of flora and fauna—inspired by Wave Hill—from the ceiling over sheets of black-mirrored glass. Visitors see prismatic reflections of the hanging plants and animals in upright positions in the glass. Free with admission to the grounds.

Glyndor Gallery, 2PM

Sat, June 15

Native Pollinators Walk

Flowers attract the attention of both human and animal visitors. Honeybees, bumblebees and butterflies are easily spotted in the garden but solitary bees, beetles and other native pollinators are often overlooked. Entomologist Lawrence Forcella leads a fascinating walk through the gardens to observe our local pollinators at work. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds. Pollinators Weekend event.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 3PM

Sun, June 16

Yoga in the Garden

On Sundays through July, enjoy the gardens as the setting for your yoga practice as your find your breath and become connected to the landscape. Classes are led by certified Yoga Haven instructors. All levels welcome. Please bring a mat and be on time. This class is rain or shine; the rain location is Glyndor Gallery. $25; Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration suggested, online.

On the Grounds, 9:30‒10:30AM

Sun, June 16

Family Art Project: Pollinator’s Paper Lanterns

Learn flower anatomy and how pollination works as you work with papier-mâché to create globe-like lanterns of fantastical flowers. Then use paper and found objects to create a hummingbird, bat or butterfly friend to help pollinate your new flower globe. Free with admission to the grounds. Pollinators Weekend event.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sun, June 16

Pollination Headquarters

Get your pollinator info here! See butterfly and insect displays, pick up self-guided tours and activities, take home pollinator-friendly plant lists and check out our “bee hotel” in the Flower Garden. Working with naturalists, take part in the Empire State Native Pollinator Survey, a community science project, and share your observations online with scientists studying native pollinators in New York State. Free with admission to the grounds. Pollinators Weekend event.

On the Grounds, 10AM‒3PM

Sun, June 16

Open Apiary

A beehive in midsummer is packed with around 50,000 honeybees and they are all, unsurprisingly, as busy as bees! View the comings and goings, at a respectful distance, while a beekeeper explains exactly what is happening inside. Weather dependent (rain cancels). Free with admission to the grounds. Pollinators Weekend event.

Meet at Wave Hill House, 10AM

Sun, June 16

Pollinator-Friendly Plant Sale

Browse a selection of plants perfect for attracting pollinators to your garden. Horticulturist and grower Eric Rohsler ofRohsler’s Allendale Nursery is on hand to guide you in selecting locally-grown plants for your own garden. Pollinators Weekend event.

Perkins Visitor Center, 11AM−3PM

Sun, June 16

Design a Pollinator Habitat for Any Garden

Whether you have a small or large space there are aesthetically pleasing options to create an environment that sustains pollinators and other native creatures. Join horticulturist Eric Rohsler of Rohsler's Allendale Nursery as he walks you through the ins and outs of designing a garden with plants that attract and benefit pollinators. Plant lists and handouts will be provided. Free with admission to the grounds. Pollinators Weekend event.

Wave Hill House, 11AM

Sun, June 16

Garden Workshop: Build a Bee-Abode Workshop

Assemble a rustic bee house (or condo) for the friendly neighborhood pollinators in your yard, garden or community garden. An environmental educator/naturalist and Wave Hill interpreters lead this hands-on workshop. Care instructions included. $20 Materials fee. Pollinators Weekend event.

On the Grounds, 1−3PM

Sun June 16

Junior Pollinators Walk

Join an expedition to hunt for colorful flowers and their creature pollinators in the gardens with naturalist Pam Golben. Ages six and older welcome with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds. Pollinators Weekend event.

Meet At Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Sun, June 16

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 2PM

Sun, June 16

Native Pollinators Walk

Flowers attract the attention of both human and animal visitors. Honeybees, bumblebees and butterflies are easily spotted in the garden but solitary bees, beetles and other native pollinators are often overlooked. Entomologist Lawrence Forcella leads a fascinating walk through the gardens to observe our local pollinators at work. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Free with admission to the grounds. Pollinators Weekend event.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 3PM

Tue, June 18

Gallery Tour

Tour Glyndor Gallery with Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow or Gallery Greeter to get an insider’s view of current exhibitions. The exhibition Here We Land features three former Winter Workspace artists, Camille Hoffman, Maria Hupfield and Sara Jimenez, who return to explore narratives about contested space that draw on personal and cultural touch points in their immersive installations. In the Sunroom, Amir Hariri creates sculptural installations constructed of wood, brick and other building materials—along with a wall drawing—that connect to his architectural research to the Bronx and Wave Hill. In the Sun Porch, Geoffrey Owen Miller suspends transparent, upside down sculptures of flora and fauna—inspired by Wave Hill—from the ceiling over sheets of black-mirrored glass. Visitors see prismatic reflections of the hanging plants and animals in upright positions in the glass. Free with admission to the grounds.

Glyndor Gallery, 2PM

Wed, June 19

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM

Thu, June 20

Garden Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 1PM 

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–5:30PM, March 15–October 31. Closes 4:30PM, starting November 1.

ADMISSION – $10 adults, $6 students and seniors 65+, $4 children 6–18. Free Saturday 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 W. 242nd 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.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. - Join us for the Bronx LGBT Pride Celebration and Bronx Pride Flag Raising

RSVP for the Pride Flag Raising

RSVP for the LGBT Pride Celebration

BJCC EVENING AT THE ZOO

Bronx Jewish Community Council presents BJCC Evening at the Zoo When: Thursday June 20, 2019 Time: 6:30 PM Where: Bronx Zoo - Schiff Hall

RSVP HERE Information about the event There will be free parking at Crotona Gate (182 St and Crotona Parkway) starting at 5:30 PM. it is just a short walk to Schiff Hall Event Space at Astor Court (the Old Lion House). The Madagascar exhibit will be open from 5:30 – 6:45 PM for our guests to enjoy. The exhibit is located in the same building as the Schiff Hall Event space. We will be having a silent auction at our event. If you would like to donate a new item or service please email events@bjcconline.org

Click Here to donate new items/services to our silent auction.

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2930 Wallace Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467