“Community Classrooms” Provide Bronx Students with Internet Access to Help with Remote Learning

By SÍLE MOLONEY

House New York Inc., the educational philanthropic arm of the New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) recently launched a PILOT program to repurpose underutilized community and common spaces in two Bronx affordable residences for educational use. Under the program, these two spaces are being used as safe and staffed learning environments for students who might not otherwise have access to reliable WiFi during this era of hybrid learning. As the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced many students to learn remotely on either a full or part-time basis, the digital divide has been significantly exacerbated, disproportionately impacting low-income children

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The following story is an extended version of the one published in our latest print edition. Marcos Sierra’s lived experience is unique compared to his fellow candidates in the 11th City Council District race. As a front-line healthcare worker, a survivor of gun violence, and a dad guiding his daughter through the trials and tribulations of remote learning, he said all these factors have helped shape his political outlook. If elected to the now, vacant 11th District seat, following the resignation of former Councilman Andrew Cohen on Dec. 31 to take up a Supreme Court judgeship in

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Citing a 7-day average COVID-19 positivity rate that surpasses 9 percent in New York City, the solidarity caucus of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) is calling for the New York City Department of Education (DOE) to follow through on the Governor’s guidance and transition to fully remote learning for all NYC public schools. The UFT wrote in a press release dated Jan. 3 that both Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio recently suggested ditching the 9 percent threshold, a move the union finds alarming. “Governor Andrew Cuomo remarked that data shows schools are ‘almost without exception’

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York State Department of Labor announced on Dec. 28, that the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local Union #1, will conduct a recruitment session from Jan. 29, 2021 through December 17, 2021 (excluding July 2021 and August 2021) for 25 bricklayer-mason apprentices; 25 pointer, caulker & cleaner apprentices; ten stone mason apprentices; and ten plasterer apprentices. Applications and affidavits will be available online at www.bricklayersandalliedcraftworkerslocal1ny.org for 24 hours a day on the following dates: 1/29/21, 2/26/21, 3/26/21, 4/30/21, 5/28/21, 6/25/21, 9/24/21, 10/29/21, 11/19/21, and 12/17/21. Applications and affidavits must be printed, filled

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Facebook Live has been the tool of choice for many candidates running for elected office this year. For Adolfo Abreu, in his bid to win the District 14 City Council race and replace incumbent councilman, Fernando Cabrera, who is term limited, it has also proven to be a fruitful means of cultivating community conversations on each of the six specific strands of his campaign platform. Focusing his attention on a homes’ guarantee and community control of housing, just and quality education, participatory democracy and co-governance, community health and wellness, safety and dignity in communities, and economic development, Abreu has

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

When Lehman College President Daniel Lemons received a cryptic email message from a team of advisors to America’s second wealthiest woman, he had no idea what was to follow. A few weeks later, he received a phone call confirming that Lehman College was selected to receive a $30 million donation from MacKenzie Scott. It is the largest single gift in the history of the college which was founded in 1968. The school made the announcement in a press release on Dec. 16. “It was completely out of the blue,” Lemons told the Norwood News. He adds that incredibly, “There

By SÍLE MOLONEY

As previously reported by the Norwood News, the Foundation for Excellence in Education (FLAG) Award for Teaching Excellence opened its nomination process for this school year’s awards program in October. The FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes and celebrates extraordinary public school teachers in each borough who inspire learning through creativity, passion, and commitment. The nomination period for 2020 has since been extended to Jan. 3, 2021. Jurists include Betty A. Rosa, interim commissioner of the New York State education department, and Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, chancellor of the City University of New York. Students, parents, school personnel, and

By SÍLE MOLONEY

On Nov. 9, the New York Public Library (NYPL) had introduced a Phase 2 opening service, providing desktop computer usage to library users, limited browsing at 14 branch libraries, as well as in-person appointments and grab-and-go pick up at research libraries. However, on Monday, Nov. 16, representatives said that after careful examination of the recent unfavorable trends in COVID-19 cases across New York City, NYPL made the difficult decision to roll back to a Phase 1 opening service, system-wide. On Nov. 25, NYPL closed three libraries on Staten Island, following the State’s designation of the impacted areas as orange

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The NYC Civic Engagement Commission recently announced the launch of a new youth-led, civic engagement initiative called “It’s our Money!” in partnership with the CORO Youth Participatory Budget Fellowship program, which is an existing program run by the Coro New York Leadership Center. The center works with youth leaders and people in business and communities, schools and unions, government and nonprofits, in an effort to move the city forward. The new “It’s our Money” collaboration empowers New Yorkers, aged 9 to 24 years old, to determine how $100,000 should be spent on projects based on their needs and ideas.