Carroll Calls On City, State To Screen All Kindergartners & 1st Graders For Dyslexia
Assembly member Robert Carroll (Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) is kicking off Dyslexia awareness month by calling on the calling on the Governor, Mayor, Chancellor and Legislature to fund universal screening for dyslexia for all Kindergartners and First Graders.
Carroll’s plan would institute curriculum changes in elementary schools to utilize multi-sensory phonics based approaches as part of a universal literacy program. Universal screening at the K-1st Grade level is currently being done in seven states across the country. Research supports that early intervention makes it much easier and cheaper to remedy reading problems than intervention after the 2nd Grade or later.
Multi-sensory instruction combines listening, speaking, reading, and a tactile or kinesthetic activity. Phonics instruction lends itself to multi-sensory teaching techniques, because these techniques can be used to focus children’s attention on the sequence of letters in printed words.
According to Carroll’s office, statistics show that:
-One in five students is Dyslexic.
-50% of 4th Graders are not reading at grade level.
-75% of students drop out in part because they’re poor readers.
-One in seven adults is functionally illiterate.
“The good news is we can fix this problem by using multi-sensory phonics. All children can learn to read but we must teach them in a directed way that is supported by scientific research. This is the foundation of a multi-sensory phonic education. Multi-Sensory Phonics doesn’t just help all kids learn to read – it is essential for the 20% of kids who are dyslexic to learn to read, and has proven more effective in teaching English Language Learners than the current curriculum,” Carroll said.
“Universal screening and implementation of structured, multi-sensory instruction will complement my pilot early screening bill and the Guidance Memorandum that was just issued by the State Education Department pursuant to my legislation. Together these actions will better support students with dyslexia and will better equip teachers to address their specific needs,” said Assembly member Jo Anne Simon (D-Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, Park Slope, Boerum Hill, DUMBO)
Donovan Applauds House Passage of Anti-Opioid Package
Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) applauded the House’s recent passage of a comprehensive legislative package to enhance efforts to prevent, treat, and combat the opioid crisis.
The legislation, backed by leaders of both parties, is a 653-page bill containing a mix of law enforcement and public health measures, including one that aims to block deadly fentanyl from being imported through the mail and one that will allow more nurses to prescribe medication for opioid addiction, according to The New York Times. Another provision could make it easier for Medicaid recipients to get inpatient care for substance abuse over the next five years.
Additionally, the package includes key provision set to benefit South Brooklyn and Staten Island in fighting against the opioid crisis including:
– Changes to limits regarding prescribing medication-assisted treatment.
– Increases to prescription drug monitoring program funding.
– Implements new Postal Service requirements with the aim of staunching the flow of illicit fentanyl shipments.
– Expands Medicare coverage for opioid treatment programs.
– Requires the FDA to outline how it will apply certain regulations for the development of non-addictive drugs and expand the FDA’s import control abilities.
– Numerous grants for prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.
“The opioid crisis has indiscriminately ravaged communities across our nation. As Staten Island District Attorney, I was an unwavering advocate for getting New York law enforcement the equipment and tools needed to counter these deadly substances. This package has numerous relief efforts, including bolstering law enforcement’s capabilities and imposing new requirements for the Postal Service to staunch the flow of opioids,” said Donovan.
“Tackling opioid addiction is a multi-pronged effort of prevention, treatment, recovery, and interception. I am proud to have championed several critical provisions in this bill for New York’s benefit and look forward to its swift signature into law,” added Donovan.
Eugene Announces NYC Haitian Day Celebration 2018
City Council member Mathieu Eugene (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Lefferts Gardens) announced this year’s New York City Haitian Day Celebration 2018 over the weekend.
Three years ago, Eugene introduced two pieces of legislation – Resolutions 687 and 664 – asking the City of New York, the State of New York and the federal government to establish October 9th – the date of the Battle of Savannah – as Haitian Day in recognition of Haitian contributions to America. Both resolutions were overwhelmingly passed by the New York City Council on June 21, 2016 and today, October 9th is officially known as New York City Haitian Day.
During the Revolutionary War, free Haitian men of Les Chasseurs Volontaires of Saint Domingue fought alongside American colonial soldiers for the independence of the United States at the Battle of Savannah.
Brooklyn is home to the largest community of Haitian-Americans in the United States outside of Florida, and Haitian culture has had and continues to have a profound impact on the city, especially in the Flatbush Area of the borough.
The Haitian and American Flag Raising Ceremony of Bowling Green is slated for 12-noon, on Saturday, Oct. 6, at the corner of Broadway and Whitehall in Manhattan.
The Haitian Day Celebration at the Brooklyn Museum is slated for 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.,on Sunday, Oct. 21, at 200 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights.
Attendees can RSVP to nychaitianday@gmail.com or call 718-287-8762.
Malliotakis To Serve As Ascent Tech Keynote Speaker
Assembly member Nicole Malliotakis (R,C,I,Ref – Staten Island/Brooklyn) will serve as a keynote speaker at this year’s Ascent Tech Conference.
The event will bring together thousands of individuals to hear ideas and information from leaders in innovation. The conference will cover a wide range of speakers who will discuss technology from various perspectives based on their own industry affiliations.
Malliotakis’s address will focus on the transformative effect that social media and technology have had on government and politics in recent years. She will also discuss what New York State is doing to attract more tech startups to choose New York State for their business.
“Social media has changed the way we communicate with our constituents and it has also become a 24/7 platform for constituents to notify us about quality of life issues, ask questions or express concerns. From using platforms like Facebook on the night of Hurricane Sandy to direct emergency resources to promoting events like my property tax protest to informing constituents of community news, social media has proven its value,” said Malliotakis.
“New York has been working to create tech incubators throughout the state such as the one located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard focusing on artificial intelligence, robotics, nanotechnology. We want to attract entrepreneurs and provide an environment that fosters innovation so these businesses to succeed, expand and create jobs here in our state.”
The event is slated for 11:25 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 3, at Pier 36, at 299 South Street in Lower Manhattan. Those wishing to attend the conference can get tickets online at: www.ascentconf.com
Persaud Celebrates Approval of Historic Minimum Wage Increase For Airport Workers
State Senator Roxanne Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) applauded The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s approval yesterday of a plan to give minimum wage raises to airport workers in the three airports controlled by the group.
The pay increase will raise the minimum wages of tens of thousands of workers to $19 per hour over the next five years. The staggered wage increase will apply to most workers at the three airports, including baggage handlers, cabin cleaners and caterers, which is expected to affect an estimated 40,000 workers across the Tri-State region.
The first increase scheduled to take effect for many workers in New York State will occur on Nov. 1, when the minimum will rise to $13.60 an hour for workers at the two New York airports and to $12.45 an hour for workers at Newark Liberty. The increase comes after years of pressure from unionized airport workers, led by the 32BJ Service Employees International Union. Workers often toiled long hours and sometimes resorted to relying on government assistance to survive.
“It is vitally important that all workers are paid a living wage. A living wage is key to lifting individuals and families out of poverty, and bringing them on a path towards independence and freedom. Considering the historic nature of this wage increase, one can hope this will act as an impetus for further minimum wage increases across our state and country,” said Persaud.
