REACHING NYC SENIORS: MAYOR DE BLASIO TO LAUNCH NYCHA VACCINATION SITES FOR RESIDENTS 65+

 

First three sites to launch this weekend in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Manhattan; program brings on-site vaccine clinics to NYCHA developments for residents 65+

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that the City will open vaccination clinics in NYCHA developments, providing on-site vaccinations for residents 65 or older. Clinics will open at the Van Dyke I & II Houses in Brooklyn, Cassidy Lafayette Houses in Staten Island, and Polo Grounds Towers in Manhattan this coming weekend, with plans to move to different sites across the city in the coming weeks. 

“Equity is the driving force of our vaccine plan, and doses must go directly to those who need them most,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “That’s why we’re meeting our most vulnerable where they are, providing vaccines to our NYCHA seniors right in their own communities.” 

To reach New Yorkers over the age of 65, the City continues to broaden its outreach to seniors through its agency partners and trusted community voices. With a comprehensive outreach campaign spearheaded by the Vaccine Planning Group for Older New Yorkers, the City is partnering with local organizations to get the word out about accessible and safe vaccinations in New York City for seniors, knocking on doors, placing direct calls and robocalls, holding virtual townhalls, partnering with local health providers and more.

“Ensuring our most vulnerable residents have convenient, trusted access to vaccination is paramount to New York City's fair recovery," said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been.  "NYCHA's on-site senior vaccination sites across the city are key to keeping all New Yorkers safe and healthy." 

“Our priority has been reaching older adults in communities of color and in communities most impacted by this pandemic. And with our partners at NYCHA and other sister agencies, we are doing just that,” said DFTA Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “Older adults trust their senior centers and the dedicated staff at the senior centers within these NYCHA developments will be reaching out to older NYCHA residents 65+ to ensure they get vaccinated and have the assistance they need to do so.” 

“Ensuring the health and safety of NYCHA residents, particularly our seniors who are among our most vulnerable New Yorkers, is our chief priority,” said NYCHA Chairman & CEO Gregory Russ. “By making the COVID-19 vaccine available to  65+ residents at specific NYCHA community and senior centers, we can ensure that residents in underserved neighborhoods have access to this life-saving resource. NYCHA remains committed to working with our City partners and continuing to connect our residents to food and crucial health and social services throughout the pandemic.” 

Attorney General James Files Lawsuit Against the NYPD for Excessive Use of Force

 

Landmark Lawsuit Outlines NYPD’s Use of Brutal Force Against Protesters and Pattern of False Arrests

AG James Seeks Systemic Reforms at NYPD, Implementation of External Monitor to Oversee Changes

 New York Attorney General Letitia James today filed a lawsuit against the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and its leadership to end its pattern of using excessive force and making false arrests against New Yorkers during peaceful protests. In the complaint, Attorney General James outlines the NYPD’s illegal and harmful conduct against New Yorkers during recent racial justice protests and for years prior, which has led to significant injuries and violated individuals’ basic right to peacefully protest. The lawsuit specifically charges the NYPD, the City of New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea, and NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan with failing to address this longstanding pattern of abuse by not properly training, supervising, and disciplining officers to prevent misconduct, despite knowledge and public admission that it violated the rights of New Yorkers.

In the complaint, Attorney General James lays out dozens of examples of the NYPD’s blatant use of excessive force and other misconduct, since May 2020, including the indiscriminate, unjustified, and repeated use of batons, pepper spray, bicycles, and a crowd-control tactic known as “kettling” against peaceful protesters — all causing protesters significant physical harm. NYPD officers also unlawfully arrested legal observers, medics, and other workers performing essential services without probable cause and in direct violation of executive orders from Mayor de Blasio. The lawsuit seeks broad injunctive relief, including systemic reforms to the NYPD and the implementation of a monitor to oversee the NYPD’s policing tactics in future protests and to ensure compliance with the law.

“There is no question that the NYPD engaged in a pattern of excessive, brutal, and unlawful force against peaceful protesters,” said Attorney General James. “Over the past few months, the NYPD has repeatedly and blatantly violated the rights of New Yorkers, inflicting significant physical and psychological harm and leading to great distrust in law enforcement. With today’s lawsuit, this longstanding pattern of brutal and illegal force ends. No one is above the law — not even the individuals charged with enforcing it.”

Background

Following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, thousands of protesters took to the streets across New York City to protest Mr. Floyd’s death, the killing of Breonna Taylor, and the larger pattern of unarmed Black people being killed by the police.

After several evenings of violent clashes between the NYPD and protesters, Governor Andrew Cuomo called on the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to conduct a civil investigation into police misconduct during these incidents. Since May 30, 2020, the OAG received more than 1,300 complaints and pieces of evidence through a dedicated online portal and phone and email hotlines. Attorney General James also held a three-day public hearing with testimony from more than 100 protesters, community-based organizations, elected officials, and NYPD Commissioner Shea. In addition to the public testimony, the OAG received more than 300 submissions of written testimony.

Overview of Claims

Based on the myriad of complaints received and subsequent investigation, the OAG found that from May 28, 2020 to December 11, 2020, in response to these largely peaceful protests, NYPD officers effectuated mass arrests without probable cause; unjustifiably deployed pepper spray, batons, and other force against protesters; and targeted and retaliated against First Amendment activity so frequently and pervasively as to constitute customs or usages of the NYPD.

Use of Force

NYPD officers unjustifiably deployed pepper spray and used batons, bikes, and other force against protesters, repeatedly violating New Yorkers’ constitutional rights and grossly violating NYPD policies regarding the use of force and the use of pepper spray. As a result of these actions, protesters experienced significant physical harm, including broken bones, gashes requiring stitches and staples, concussions, and other harm, as well as extensive psychological harm. In total, the OAG found that officers:

1 - Struck protesters with blunt instruments at least 50 times,

2 - Unlawfully deployed pepper spray against protesters in at least 30 incidents, and

3 - Used unreasonable force through pushing or striking protesters at least 75 times.

In one instance, Luke Hanna, who was participating in a protest at Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn on June 3, was struck in the back of the head with a baton without provocation or justification while complying with a police directive to disperse. The baton strike caused a gash so severe that Hanna required ten staples in his head to close it. Neither the officer who hit Hanna nor any other officer nearby sought or provided medical attention for Hanna’s wound, and Hanna was not arrested or charged with any crime.

In another instance, Andrew Smith, who was participating in a protest in Brooklyn on May 30, had his COVID-19 facemask pulled down without warning or cause by an officer and was pepper sprayed in the face. As a result of being pepper sprayed, Smith suffered a severe burning sensation to his eyes and face, exacerbation to eczema on the back of his neck that lasted for hours, and difficulty removing and wearing contact lenses for at least a week after the incident. Smith also suffered stress and fear that he had been exposed to COVID-19 when the officer removed his facemask. Smith was not arrested or charged with any crime and did not receive medical aid from any of the officers nearby, in violation of NYPD policy. After the incident, body-worn camera footage captured the officer who sprayed Smith asking fellow officers whether they used their pepper spray and bragging, “I took the guy’s goggles, I ripped the s--- off and I used it.”

Unlawful Detention

Officers arrested or detained hundreds of protesters, legal observers, medics, and others without legal justification. Officers repeatedly violated New Yorkers’ constitutional rights and applicable NYPD policies regarding crowd control and arrest procedure by arresting curfew-exempt individuals; using kettling tactics, excessive force, and threats of force to detain peaceful protesters; and detaining and arresting individuals without probable cause or suspicion that they were engaged in unlawful conduct.

Beginning on June 1, Mayor de Blasio issued several emergency executive orders that imposed curfews in New York City. These orders explicitly exempted “first responders and emergency medical technicians, individuals travelling to and from essential work and performing essential work.” The de Blasio Administration also acknowledged that the curfew orders exempted legal observers, medics, and jail support providers.

In a June 4 protest in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx, officers detained 12 legal observers for purportedly violating the curfew as soon as it took effect and thereby prevented them from observing the large number of protester arrests occurring at the same time. In news footage, a member of the NYPD’s Legal Bureau can be heard shouting to other officers, “legal observers can be arrested. You’re good to go.” Officers also arrested several medics at that same protest in Mott Haven, who were in attendance solely to provide medical assistance.

Kettling

Throughout the time the curfew orders were in effect and beyond, officers engaged in an unlawful practice of kettling or corralling protesters without providing them an opportunity to disperse, and thereafter making mass arrests of protesters without probable cause.

At the June 4 protest in Mott Haven, officers used kettling to trap and arrest protesters. During this incident, approximately five to 10 minutes before the 8 p.m. curfew, officers halted marchers at an intersection, flanking them on both sides and preventing protesters from moving forward. Officers used their bikes to physically push the protesters, resulting in protesters being crushed together. At this time, multiple people stuck in the kettle begged officers to let them go home or leave the protest zone; however, officers refused to make space for these individuals to leave or for the protest to safely disperse.

In all, at least 249 individuals present at this intersection were arrested for violating curfew, and numerous protesters were shoved or hit with batons. The Bronx District Attorney dismissed all of the summonses issued for disorderly conduct, unlawful assembly, and violating curfew arising out of the Mott Haven protest.

Commissioner Shea later commended police conduct at Mott Haven and indicated that the kettling was part of a pre-planned tactic, stating that their execution was “nearly flawless.” Mayor de Blasio also later defended the use of kettling at the protests.  

Extensive Violations of Federal and State Laws

Attorney General James alleges that the City of New York, Mayor de Blasio, NYPD Commissioner Shea, and NYPD Chief of Department Monahan — in their capacities as the chief policy makers for the NYPD — failed to prevent and address the pattern or practice of excessive force and false arrests by officers against peaceful protesters in violation of the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution, as well as under the New York state Constitution and New York's common law.

Relief

Attorney General James is seeking broad injunctive relief to address these longstanding and systemic problems at the NYPD. That relief includes, but is not limited to, installing a monitor to oversee the NYPD’s policing tactics at future protests and to oversee future compliance with the law, as well as a host of other reforms to address the problematic policies and training failures that are outlined in the complaint. Additionally, the lawsuit seeks a court order declaring that the policies and practices that the NYPD used during these protests were unlawful.

Attorney General James would like to thank former United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch; Barry Friedman, the Jacob D. Fuchsberg professor of law and the founder and faculty director of the Policing Project at the New York University School of Law; and Farhang Heydari, the executive director of the Policing Project; for their support and guidance in this ongoing investigation.

NJ COUPLE ARRESTED FOR USING NY ADDRESS AND LYING ABOUT INCOME TO FRAUDULENTLY OBTAIN $39K IN WELFARE BENEFITS

 

 New York State Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro today announced that an Office of the New York State Welfare Inspector General investigation has led to the arrest of a New Jersey couple who allegedly lied about their income and residence to fraudulently obtain more than $39,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid benefits.

Carlos Monsanto, 41 and Angelina Reyes, 39, of Teaneck, NJ, were arrested and arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court before Judge Paul McDonnell on charges of Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree and Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, both class D felonies. 

In January 2019, the Office of the Welfare Inspector General (OWIG) received a complaint alleging that Monsanto and Reyes have resided in New Jersey but failed to disclose their out-of-state residency and significant employment income to the New York City Human Resources Administration when applying for public assistance benefits. 

OWIG’s investigation found that Reyes and Monsanto were married in 2004 and listed a Bronx address as place of residence on their marriage certificate. Reyes and Monsanto divorced in 2008, but Reyes moved to Monsanto's home in Teaneck in 2018. A review of utility payments, a real estate purchase, SNAP purchase locations, vehicle lease addresses and material on Reyes’ Facebook page found that the pair indeed resided in Teaneck full time by August 2018.

Despite this, between August 2018 to November 2020, Reyes submitted claims for SNAP and Medicaid assistance in New York State, falsely listing an apartment on 175^th Street in Manhattan as her place of residence. Additionally, Reyes failed to list their actual income in applications/recertifications for benefits. OWIG’s investigation found that Reyes and Monsanto’s combined income in 2019 was more than $132,000. 

In total, Monsanto and Reyes received $39,378 in welfare benefits to which they were not entitled.

 “The welfare system exists to provide a crucial safety net for those in financial distress – not to be abused for personal gain,” said Inspector General Tagliafierro. “I thank our partners at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this matter.” 

Inspector General Tagliafierro thanked the Manhattan District Attorney for conducting the arrest and prosecuting the case. 

The defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Congressman Adriano Espaillat Tests Positive for COVID-19

 

Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement after testing positive for COVID-19:

"I am following guidance from my physician and quarantining at home after having tested positive for Covid 19,” said Congressman Espaillat. “I have been administered both shots of the COVID-19 vaccine and have continued to be tested regularly, wear my mask and follow the recommendation guidelines. I will continue my duties representing New York’s 13th congressional district remotely until I have received clearance from my doctor. I encourage all residents to follow public health guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.”

HUNTS POINT PRODUCE MARKET WORKERS’ UNION SCHEDULES STRIKE FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 17th, AS NEGOTIATIONS ON NEW CONTRACT BREAK DOWN

 

1,400 MEMBERS OF TEAMSTERS LOCAL 202 HAVE KEPT NEW YORK FED THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AS EMPLOYERS CASHED MORE THAN $15 MILLION IN FORGIVABLE PPP LOANS

 The unionized workers at the Hunts Point Produce Market are scheduled to go on strike on Sunday, January 17^th, at 12:01 am after negotiations broke down when management refused to budge from a stingy offer for workers who kept New Yorkers fed through the pandemic.

The majority of the workers have an average base salary between $18 and $21 an hour. Employers in the market, who collectively bill billions of dollars in annual sales, received more than $15 million in forgivable PPP loans during the pandemic.

CAMBER PROPERTY GROUP CELEBRATES TOPPING OUT OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AT 913 E. TREMONT AVE. IN THE BRONX

 

  Camber Property Group (CPG) and Westhab today announced the topping out of 913 East Tremont Avenue, a 100 percent affordable rental development in the West Farms section of The Bronx. The building includes 119 housing units, with 60 percent of the apartments reserved for formerly homeless residents requiring supportive services and the balance for low income individuals and families. The development also includes 6,500 square feet of commercial space. 

“This development is transforming an underutilized lot in the West Farms neighborhood into best-in-class affordable housing, and we are thrilled to reach this milestone as we prepare to welcome more than 100 families to their new homes,” said Rick Gropper, Principal at Camber Property Group. “Our city has a critical need for affordable housing, including supportive units for the formerly homeless, and we will continue our work to fill that need across the five boroughs.”

 

Construction of the $50 million project was funded through tax-exempt bond financing, Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity provided by Wells Fargo and public subsidies from the New York State Housing Finance Agency and New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). The building was designed by Aufgang Architects and is being constructed by SD Builders. 

 

“Westhab is thrilled about the topping off of 913 East Tremont, and very grateful for our partnership with Camber,” said Andrew Germansky, Senior Vice President of Real Estate at Westhab. “We look forward to opening the building in 2021, and, thanks to funding from New York's Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI), to providing residents with high-quality, affordable housing and supportive services."  

 

“This $50 million investment in 913 East Tremont Avenue is the latest example of Governor Cuomo’s commitment to expanding affordable housing opportunities and reducing homelessness in the Bronx,” said HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. I am proud that this partnership with the Camber Property Group and Westhab will provide 119 energy-efficient affordable apartments, supportive services and commercial space to the West Farms community. I look forward to that great day when we can welcome future residents to their new homes.”

 

“913 East Tremont is another example of Camber Property Group’s long-term commitment to ensuring Bronxites have quality, affordable housing,” said New York City Council Member Rafael Salamanca. “With the official topping out of the building, the reality of 119 units of affordable housing, including a majority of units at the deepest affordability, is something the West Farms community is eagerly anticipating. I thank Camber and Westhab for their partnership on this project, and look forward to the building’s completion in the months ahead.”

 

“Keeping The Bronx affordable, and the development of new affordable housing units, has been a priority of mine from the day I first took office,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “The topping out of 913 East Tremont Avenue is a tremendous step towards providing much needed affordable units, including supportive units for the formerly homeless and useful amenities for the residents. I want to thank Camber Property Group and Westhab for their investment in our borough, and I look forward to the completion of this project, which will provide new homes to many Bronx residents in need.”

 

913 East Tremont Avenue will feature a garden entrance alongside outdoor recreational space, a 1,300-square foot community room, as well as dedicated space for the provision of supportive services by Westhab, a leading community development nonprofit organization that provides a wide range of housing opportunities and social services. 

 

Since its founding in 2016, Camber Property Group has made an impact developing innovative projects and preserving much-needed affordable housing in communities across New York City. In 2020 alone, the firm opened The Strand, a 132 unit mixed-use development located in the heart of Ridgewood, Queens; completed 136 affordable units for seniors at Victory Plaza in Central Harlem and another 161 units of mixed-income housing in The Bronx at the Tiffany Street Apartments. Camber is currently rehabbing more than 1,000 affordable units at two major Bronx developments, West Farms and Baychester through NYCHA’s Rental Assistance Demonstration program. The company also recently closed on a portfolio of 384 affordable housing units across eight buildings in Flatbush, Brooklyn. 

 

More information on Camber Property Group can be found at www.camberpg.com.

 

Governor Cuomo Announces State Vaccination Sites Now Open - Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - JANUARY 13, 2021

Additional Cases of UK Variant Identified; 15 Total Known Cases Statewide

8,929 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide

1,501 Patients in the ICU; 924 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate is 7.40% 

165 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday 

Vaccination Sites at Jacob K. Javits Center, Westchester County Center, and New York State Fair Expo Center Opened January 13

Jones Beach Site Opening on January 14 and SUNY Albany Opening on January 15

Over 7 Million New Yorkers Are Currently Eligible But the State Only Receives 300K/Week From the Federal Government

All Vaccines Are By Appointment Only; Appointment Scheduling for Second Dose Occurs Immediately Following First Dose

Click Here to Determine Eligibility and Schedule Appointments with Administrating Providers

Click Here for Photos

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the first three state-run vaccination sites are now open and vaccinating eligible New Yorkers against the COVID-19 virus. The sites - the Jacob K. Javits Center, Westchester County Center and New York State Fair Expo Center - all opened on January 13 at 8 a.m. Vaccinations are by appointment only. To determine eligibility and schedule an appointment to receive their first dose, New Yorkers can utilize the state's 'Am I Eligible' app or call the New York State Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4VAX (1-833-697-4829). Appointments to receive the second dose at these sites are scheduled in-person after receiving the first dose. New Yorkers should not attempt to book their second appointment online.

Sites at Jones Beach and SUNY Albany will also open on January 14 and 15, respectively, with more vaccination sites to be announced in the coming days. 

New York State's vaccine supply is determined by the federal government. Over 7 million New Yorkers are now eligible for the COVID vaccine, but the state only receives 300,000 doses per week from the federal government. Due to the federal government's limited allocation, appointments have filled up quickly. Please call your local health department, pharmacy, doctor or hospital for additional information and to schedule appointments. 

"Our singular focus is getting shots into arms and with the opening of these state-run sites today, we are doing just that," Governor Cuomo said. "We are making the vaccine available based on federal guidance and are continuing to push it out the door quickly and efficiently, but due to the federal government's limited allocation, appointments are filling up fast. At the end of the day, this is a supply issue and we need the federal government to provide us with more vaccine as quickly as possible because there is simply not enough and this is the weapon that will win the war."

Since federal supply severely limits the ability to distribute vaccine, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment. New York's vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals far exceed the vaccine supply coming from the federal government, which is arriving at a rate of approximately 300,000 doses per week. As such, eligible New Yorkers should be prepared to receive an appointment date as far as 14 weeks or further in the future. 

To further accelerate the vaccination rate of priority health care workers, and begin the vaccination of newly eligible New Yorkers. New York has established a network of distribution sites that will supplement the work being done in hospitals to prevent any one hospital from becoming overburdened. This network includes the five state-run sites opening this week, as well as 15 more which will be announced in the coming days. This new network will also utilize doctors' offices, Federally-Qualified Health Centers, county health departments, ambulatory centers and pharmacies to get doses in the arms of eligible New Yorkers. More than 1,200 pharmacies have already committed to participating in this network, with nearly 400 scheduled to come on-line this week. Pharmacies will be provided vaccines for New Yorkers aged 65 and older, while hospitals will continue vaccinating 1a healthcare workers, and local health departments and union-organized efforts will serve essential workers in 1b. 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Three additional cases of the UK variant have been identified in Warren County, bringing the total number of cases in New York to 15. Specifically, four cases in Saratoga County and two cases in Warren County have been identified as part of the cluster connected to a jewelry store in Saratoga Springs. Three additional cases in Warren County are under investigation for their link to this cluster, but have yet to be confirmed. A second cluster has also been identified and includes two cases in Suffolk County, two cases from Nassau County and one from Queens. The final case was identified in Manhattan and is not connected to either cluster.

"We're dealing with high numbers of COVID cases across the state as we move through the dark days of winter, and although I understand COVID fatigue has set in, we need New Yorkers to remember that we aren't out of the woods yet," Governor Cuomo said. "The vaccine is the weapon that ends the war, but we're locked in a footrace between its quick distribution and the spread of new cases. New Yorkers can get through this together, but it will require a willingness to take precautions not just for themselves, but for others. Wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay socially distanced. New York State is working to expand testing capacity and hospital capacity, but it will take all of us to get to the light at the end of the tunnel."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:  

• Test Results Reported - 196,868
• Total Positive - 14,577
• Percent Positive - 7.40%
• Patient Hospitalization - 8,929 (+3)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 1,116
• Hospital Counties - 56
• Number ICU - 1,501 (+9)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 924 (+15)
• Total Discharges - 112,023 (+882)
• Deaths - 165 
• Total Deaths - 32,175 

DINOWITZ: “DOE APPROACH TO G&T IS BACKWARDS”

 

The Mayor announced today that the Department of Education will end the Gifted & Talented exam starting next year.

 In response to tweets from NYC Department of Education Richard Carranza on January 12 and Mayor Bill de Blasio’s announcement on January 13 that the gifted and talented admissions exam will no longer be offered after this year, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz issued the following comment:

 

“The elimination of top academic programs in our public school system has long been a goal of the DOE Chancellor, and it is most unfortunate that he is using the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to ram through changes without adequate public input. This is a significant change to how our school system operates that is being unilaterally imposed on New York’s families and it rightfully should be discussed and acted upon by a legislative body such as the New York City Council. I urge Chancellor Carranza and Mayor de Blasio to rescind this decision and refer it instead to the representatives of the people of New York City.

 

“The DOE approach to Gifted & Talented programming is completely backwards. We need to be expanding the availability of programs so that every school has the ability to serve academically gifted children. Students should have the opportunity to take the G&T exam every year so that growth and development can be rewarded with more challenging coursework. There needs to be increased emphasis on addressing academic inequities in early childhood so that testing performance is more reflective of ability.

 

“The changes proposed by Chancellor Carranza and Mayor de Blasio will only chase away families of students with specific needs such as academic rigor. Continually lowering our academic standards will not result in students who are better prepared to participate in society. It only enables so-called leaders to feel like they are doing something, while our students and schools continue to struggle.”