Event Postponed: Charter School Leaders Panel Discussion on Best Practices for Maximizing Hybrid Learning Environment

This event has been postponed until further notice.   On Wednesday, Sept. 2, charter school leaders from schools across New York City – independents, replicators, and CMOs, alike – who have already opened or plan to open this week with virtual or hybrid learning will share best practices and lessons learned in preparing for the 2020-21 school year.   The charter school leaders have spent the summer months planning and developing comprehensive plans to maximize student learning in various learning environments. Their personalized plans account for student and staff safety and seek to meet the needs of their English language


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Mayor Says School Reopening to be Delayed, Local Parents Give their Views

Following the threat of a teachers’ strike, and subsequent negotiations, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza, UFT President Michael Mulgrew, CSA President Mark Cannizzaro, and DC 37 Executive Director Henry A. Garrido announced on Tuesday, Sept. 1, an agreement to delay in-person learning in schools to Sept. 21.   Teachers will report to buildings on Sept. 8 as originally scheduled, but will have dedicated time for training, professional development, and readiness to collaborate and prepare for blended and remote learning before in-person learning begins on Sept 21. Beginning Sept. 16, teachers will begin to engage students in


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MTA Announces Service Details for Labor Day

Most Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) services will operate on Sunday schedules for the Labor Day holiday, Monday, Sept. 7, with subway and bus options for customers traveling to NYC-area beaches. Metro-North Railroad will operate on a regular weekday schedule.   Front door-boarding and fare collection has resumed on MTA buses. Customers are reminded to wear masks and social distance when possible while using the system. Wearing a face covering on public transportation is required by law under executive order 202.18 issued by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo effective April 17. The MTA launched its “Mask Force” on July 20 as part


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Bronx D.A. Moves To Dismiss over 300 Summonses for Violating Curfew in June 4 BLM Protest

        Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Sept. 1 that her office will file a motion with the supervising judge of Bronx Criminal Court to dismiss more than 300 summonses issued for disorderly conduct and violation of a prevailing emergency curfew during a large protest that took place in the Bronx on June 4, 2020. Protestors were decrying the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020.            Clark said, “I believe in and encourage our Bronx residents to raise their voices to protest social and racial injustice


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11th City Council Race: Dionel Then Drops Out, Endorses Dan Padernacht

Dionel Then has withdrawn from the 11th City Council District race in the Northwest Bronx and is endorsing candidate, Dan Padernacht, for the position, it was announced on Aug. 31. The 11th district comprises the neighborhoods of Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Riverdale, Van Cortlandt Village, Wakefield, and Woodlawn, and the seat is currently held by Councilman Andrew Cohen.   The news means there are now five remaining candidates in the race, as reported recently by Norwood News. Marcos Sierra officially filed last month to join Eric Dinowitz, Jessica Haller, Padernacht and Abigail Martin.   In a press release coinciding with


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Gillibrand visits Food Pantry in Bronx, Announces New Nutrition Bill for Students

  U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the senate committee on agriculture, nutrition and forestry, visited three food pantries in Queens, the South Bronx and Washington Heights on Monday, Aug. 31. Gillibrand met with community stakeholders on the frontlines of feeding New Yorkers and announced her bill, the Ensuring Nutrition for America’s Student’s Act.    With food pantries across New York facing unprecedented and growing demand, and with schools set to reopen in just a few days, the bill will provide nutritional resources to families who have lost access to free or reduced lunches due to school closures caused by the


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Norwood Census Response Rate Worse than 2010 as Final 30 Day Countdown Approaches

Monday, Aug. 31, marks 30 days before the end of the 2020 census. Without a complete census count, New York City is set to potentially lose billions for COVID-19 relief and up to two seats in Congress and the electoral college, which decides the presidency. In Norwood, the response rate was 60.5 percent (census tract 423) as of Aug. 31. The final 2010 response rate for the neighborhood was 63.2 percent, and the target was to beat that response rate in 2020.   NYC Census Director Julie Menin and Executive Assistant Corporation Counsel, NYC Law Department released the following statement


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Potential Strike at 11 Foodtown Stores, Including Norwood, Apparently Averted

  Following a walk-out by Foodtown deli workers on June 29, 2020, after employment contract negotiations broke down with employer, PSK Supermarkets, in Mineola, Long Island, a further strike was planned for Thursday, Aug. 27 as hopes of brokering a deal seemed to fade. The planned strike had the potential to impact as many as 67 workers at 11 stores across the metropolitan area.   On Friday, Aug. 21, union officials from United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), Local 342, who represent deli workers, were seen handing out flyers outside the Foodtown store at 283 East 204th Street in


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New Mobile Health Care Clinic in Morris Heights

Data analysis by both State and City health departments shows that the COVID-19 virus disproportionately impacted Bronxites for a whole host of reasons, one of which was lack of access to healthcare, especially in low-income communities. On Friday, July 31, City Councilwoman for District 16, Vanessa Gibson, took a step towards addressing that disparity in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx.   “We are here at River Park Towers unveiling a new mobile health care clinic facility in partnership with Morris Heights Health Center, following a disturbing article that we read about in June that talked about the unconfirmed COVID cases here at the towers,” Gibson


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