While the two political gladiators – State Sen. Kevin Parker and his primary opponent District Leader Josh Pierre – were nowhere to be seen, Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte and City Council Member Farah Louis last weekend held a highly successful back to school barbeque in the Flatbush district they all represent.
The Back To School BBQ held last Sunday in the courtyard and gymnasium of PS 152, 725 East 23rd. Street (Glenwood Road to Campus Road) drew over 850 members from the community and featured activities for all. A variety of games lined the courtyard for kids to play, and in the gymnasium, there was a collection of vendors with resources for the parents.
“We are faced with rising costs in so many areas of our life today, including back-to-school expenses. Supporting families in the community who are in need with back-to-school supplies is one of the valuable contributions our office looks forward to making. To see the joy on the faces of children as they play freely is exceptionally pleasing to me and I’m sure for the parents/guardians as well,” said Bichotte.
Bichotte said a key purpose of the event was to support families by providing necessary school supplies for the children.
“Schools supplies is a significant portion of the expense to be laid out. And if you are a family with more than one child, that burden multiplies. We were able to distribute close to 500 backpacks and supplies,” said Bichotte.
Bichotte also thanked Principals Gina Smalley (PS 152) and Judith Ranft-Quartana (PS 315) who share the space in the courtyard and gymnasium and were gracious in welcoming all into their space.
Louis said every student deserves an opportunity to walk into a classroom on their first day and be readily prepared to learn. Basic needs like pencils, notebooks and a book bag can help a student be fully engaged in daily school lessons and work towards achieving academic excellence, she said.
“The First Annual Back to School BBQ that I held in collaboration with Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte, all of our partners and sponsors, was the first step in providing scholars in our district with the resources that they need to succeed this school year. With just one week until public schools open, no child or parent should ever have to struggle for access to school supplies,” said Louis.
“All of this could not have been done without the support of our sponsors,” added Bichotte.
“We would like thank all of the sponsors who donated backpacks and supplies: Plaza Auto Mall, ModernMD,MetroPlus HealthPlan, Elite Learners and Sears|Kmart|Shop Your Way; The Flatbush YMCA for facilitating games with the kids; BurgerFi for providing and cooking burgers and hotdogs and BJ’s Wholesale Club for food; and to HCC, HABNET, Flatbush Nostrand Junction BID and Aiken’s Party Rentals for providing other services at the event. We would also like to thank all of the volunteers from Cristo Rey High School, FDC, Elite Learners and teams Bichotte and Louis. And we would like to give a special thanks to Flatbush Development Corporation for their sponsorship, partnership, and support,” she added.
