Bklyn Electeds Hold Medgar Evers, P.S. 235 Rally & Sit-In
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Public Advocate Letitia James and Central Brooklyn lawmakers State Sen. Jesse Hamilton, Assemblymembers Walter Mosley and Diane Richardson and City Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo will join parents and educations next week for a rally and sit-in to protest the city’s proposed changes to at Medgar Evers College Prep and P.S. 235.
The lawmakers, parents and educators believe they deserve a say before the Department of Education imposes changes on admissions or other major areas that will impact the success of these high-performing schools.
“Thank you parents, faculty, and the whole community who joined us in our mission to protect our students. I am proud to stand alongside my colleagues in government as we call for the DOE to forge strong community partnerships in an effort to serve children in need, without dismantling such highly successful schools,” said Hamilton.
The rally and sit-in is slated for 1 p.m., Nov. 14 at the Department of Education Headquarters, 52 Chambers Street in Lower Manhattan.
Cymbrowitz Blasts Board Of Elections On Russian Translator Pilot Program
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach) is accusing the city’s Board of Elections (BOE) of trying to “relegate Russian-speaking voters to Siberia” after a team of Russian translators hired as part of a mayoral pilot program were ordered to stay 100 feet from their assigned polling places on Election Day.
“Once again, the New York City Board of Elections has demonstrated that it follows no one’s rules but its own and that it has no interest in making sure Russian-speaking New Yorkers are fully included in the voting process,” said Cymbrowitz.
“On the contrary, the Board of Elections appears committed to disenfranchising one of New York City’s most populous immigrant groups, and that’s shameful,” he added.
New York City does not currently translate voting materials into Russian, something that Cymbrowitz has been fighting for several years to change legislatively.
Last week, the lawmaker commended the new pilot program, which Mayor de Blasio announced, and which placed Russian-speaking interpreters at 15 polling places citywide on Tuesday, including five in Cymbrowitz’ district. The translators came from a private non-governmental agency to ensure their impartiality.
While the translators were originally given permission to work inside the “electioneering-free” zone mandated by state law, the BOE ordered them to stand 100 feet away from polling places, “essentially rendering them useless to the voters who needed them,” said Cymbrowitz.
In 2012, Cymbrowitz’ legislation requiring the translation of voting materials into Russian passed both houses but was vetoed due to cost. He reintroduced the bill (A.3675) last year with Sen. Diane Savino (Staten Island, Coney Island) as the Senate sponsor.
Colton, Treyger Host Annual Veterans‘ Recognition Night
Assemblyman William Colton (D-Bensonhurst, Bath Beach), City Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Bensonhurst, Coney Island, Gravesend) and Democratic District Leaders Nancy Tong and Charlie Ragusa will host their Annual Veterans’ Recognition Night next week.
At the event, Colton will award veterans with NYS citations and flag pins. There will be refreshments and performances by a color guard and a vocalist singing the national anthem.
“Please join us as we pay tribute to our heroes who have sacrificed so much to keep our country safe for generations. We will honor local veterans in appreciation of their courageous service to our country,” said Colton.
The event is slated for 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 29 Bay 25th Street (Between 86th Street and Benson Avenue) in Bath Beach. If you are a veteran or know anyone who is a veteran who would like to recognized, please call 718-236-1598 or email angelesyeung1@gmail.com by November 13.
Persaud Calls On District Students To Submit Writing & Artwork
State Sen. Roxanne Persaid (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) is calling on all students in grades K-6 to submit your essay, poetry or artwork for inclusion in her annual Thanksgiving Day Showcase
It is that time of year again when we begin to reflect on the things for which we are thankful. This is a prime opportunity for teachers to incorporate an interdisciplinary curriculum in the classroom. This project is in keeping with Persaud’s unyielding advocacy for education.
All submissions are due by November 20, 2017. Teachers may submit multiple students from a single grade on each form available on our website. Click on the link below to submit your entries. https://www.nysenate.gov/
