Treyger Pushes Bills To Curb Bullying, Increase NYC School PTA/PA Transparency
City Council member Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend) introduced new legislation designed to level the playing field among Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and Parent Associations (PAs) while applauding the passage of a bill designed to curb bullying across New York City Schools yesterday.
On Monday, Intro 1790 was introduced and assigned to the Council’s Committee on Education, which would require the Department of Education (DOE) to track and report data regarding PTA and PA membership and fundraising activity. Under the text of the bill, the DOE would be required to post an annual report detailing the information on its website including statistics about the number of parents and school staff registered as members of PTAs/PAs, how frequently the organizations meet, how many members attend meetings, results of PTA/PA elections and amounts of annual funds raised and expenditures. All data would be disaggregated by school district.
“Your zip code should not determine the amount of educational opportunities your child receives. Yet it’s no secret that PTAs across our city’s schools are not as equitable as they should be. My legislation will provide much-needed transparency into our city’s PTAs and PAs so we can even the playing field for all students. As a former educator, I strongly believe that parental involvement is critical for young people to achieve academic success. This bill will also help us learn and develop methods to increase engagement among parents or guardians,” said Treyger.
Additionally on Monday, Treyger celebrated passage of his legislation, Intro 1757-A, an anti-bullying bill. The measure was unanimously passed by the City Council and will require the Department of Education to collect and report data every six months regarding the prevalence of bullying in city schools, and track whether or not schools are adhering to regulations mandating that parents or guardians are quickly notified of bullying incidents.
The bill is designed to help the City examine how bullying trends begin, where bullying has become a chronic problem, and whether schools are informing parents or guardians about bullying incidents involving their children. Earlier this year in the Bronx, an 18-year-old high school student stabbed one fellow classmate to death and seriously injured another in a late September incident motivated by bullying. When a bullying-related incident spilled out of the classroom, one Coney Island woman lost her life as the conflict escalated.
“Bullying can take a significant physical, emotional, and psychological toll on students and families. As a former educator, I saw firsthand how bullying can disrupt a child’s developmental and educational progress. We have seen too many tragic endings to cases of bullying across our city, particularly as social media becomes a larger part of our children’s lives. Bullying is a complex issue that requires multi-level interventions, both at school and at home.The more we learn about bullying, the better prepared we will be to stop it as soon as it starts. I believe this bill will accomplish that,” said Treyger.
BP Adams To Re-Open Iconic Disco Dance Floor
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams will join members of the original cast in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the world-famous film “Saturday Night Fever” by re-opening the Bay Ridge site that was home to the memorable lighted dance floor today.
At the event Adams will present a proclamation declaring Wednesday, December 13th as Saturday Night Fever Day in Brooklyn.
The one-night-only celebration will feature hundreds of fans and local residents in white suits and polyester shirts for the celebration. The venue, once known as the 2001 Odyssey disco, will welcome performances by ensembles from the original soundtrack including The Trammps, Randy Jones from the Village People, and Carol Douglas. Karen Lynn Gorney, the film’s leading actress who played the character Stephanie, the girlfriend of John Travolta’s iconic Tony Manero, will be joined by other cast members, disco regulars, and former venue staff for the evening’s festivities.
The event is slated for 5 p.m., today, Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 802 64th Street in Bay Ridge.
Weinstein Holds Annual Holiday Toy Drive
Assembly member Helene Weinstein (D-Sheepshead Bay, Marine Park, Flatlands) alongside District Leader Lew Fidler will hold their annual holiday toy drive this week.
The event will go toward providing holiday cheer and gifts for needy children and families this Christmas season. The yearly event has been able to provide over 67,000 toys for children over the years.
The event is slated for 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 14, at the 41st AD Democrats Club, 2952 Avenue R (corner of Haring Street) in Marine Park.
CM Williams Sends Out Happy Hanukkah Wishes
City Council member Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) wished all Jewish city residents a Happy Hanukkah yesterday.
The first official night of the Jewish holiday for this year began last night and will run for 8 days and nights, until Dec. 20. Hanukkah is the eight-day Jewish festival of lights that commemorates the Maccabees’ victory over their Greek-Syrian oppressors in 167 B.C., as well as the rededication of the Second Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.
” I would like to wish my Jewish brothers and sisters a ‘Chag Chanukah Sameach ,’ a Happy Hanukkah. This holiday reminds us all of the power of perseverance, faith and the miracles that those values make possible in our lives. Chanukah is a chance for us to reflect on the triumph of liberty over tyranny, the rejection of persecution, and on the miracles that can happen even in our darkest hours,” said Williams.
“The letters of the dreidel represent the phrase, ‘nes gadol haya sham,’ meaning ‘ a great miracle happened there.’ In the year ahead, let us use our own reserves of perseverance and faith to make miracles possible in our own lives. My hope is that this holiday renews our strength and determination for the new year,” added Wiliams.
Dilan, Lentol Celebrate Christmas
Assembly members Martin Malave Dilan (D-Bushwick, East New York, Ocean Hill/Brownsville) and Joseph Lentol (D-Williamsburg, Greenpoint) will celebrate “Christmas in Williamsburg” this week.
The event will move across North Brooklyn as Santa Claus and his helpers alongside local elected officials bringing good will and holiday cheer to children in different public housing developments across the area. Attendees will have an opportunity to take a photo with Santa, enjoy cookies, hot coco, and receive a gift.
The event is slated to at 12-noon, on Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Cooper Park Houses, at 319 Frost Street. Then move at 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to the Williamsburg Tenant Association Room, at 250 Graham Avenue. Then finally move at 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. to the Bushwick Houses, at Humboldt in Williamsburg.
