Lawsuits Filed Over PS 51 Toxins

A former PS 51 teacher plans to file a lawsuit against the DOE, claiming the toxic Bedford Park building was the cause of a birth defect in her unborn baby.

Daycare Center Open House on Decatur Ave

The newly opened Tender Tots Child Care Center on Decatur Avenue is hosting an open house today for interested parents until 5 p.m.

Bronx Bodega Owner Honored for Healthier Fare

The owner of a West Tremont Avenue bodega was publicly honored last week for his efforts to increase the number of healthy food options offered at his store, swapping chips for fresh fruits and sodas for bottled water as part of a program run by students at nearby MS 331.

Bronx Breakdown: A Bronx Christmas Story

We’re going to start this holiday edition of Bronx Breakdown with a heart-warming, feel-good story about Scott Lebron, a sophomore at Discovery High School on the Walton Campus in Kingsbridge Heights who anxiously delivered a thoughtful letter to a well-known public figure during a Christmas event earlier this month.

New Building Home to Tender Care

By Emily Piccone A new nursery school in Norwood will be open by the New Year, and the space is already set up and ready for the children to stream in. Occupying the first floor of a new apartment building on Decatur Avenue just north of East Gun Hill Road, Tender Tots Nursery School is available to children from 6-weeks to 5-years-old. The children are divided into four age groups and in class sizes of 10, with two teachers each. School officials say the ratio for the infant classroom is slightly smaller at 4:1. The colorful new carpets displaying the

Bronx New School Parents Still Fighting for Meeting As Council Approves Toxins Bill

The City Council voted unanimously to pass two bills yesterday that advocates and supporters say will increase transparency from the Department of Education concerning chemicals found in school building. The legislation comes at a time when the DOE has faced biting criticism from Bronx parents over their handling of the discovery of harmful toxins in schools.

Borough President’s Survey Finds Bronxites Want Better Schools, More Jobs

This summer and fall, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.’s office asked residents to fill out an online “wellness” survey, asking questions to gauge how Bronxites feel about living in the Boogie Down, what areas they’re happy with and what things they think need fixing. Last week, Diaz’ office released the results of the survey, which 1,901 people filled out. The majority of respondents said they think Bronx schools are the area that needs the most improvement, with 57 percent listing education as their number one priority. Other areas ranking as less-than-stellar were crime/public safety and economic development/jobs. However, just

A group of students at the Academy of Mount Saint Ursula in Bedford Park were recognized recently for their hard work and academic achievements during a recognition ceremony at the all-girls Catholic high school. Students who maintained a cumulative grade point average of 89.5 or higher, as well as six students who ranked first and second in their respective classes, have been nominated to the National Honor Society, to which they’ll be officially inducted in May. Overall, nearly half of the school’s student body earned an average of 84.5 or higher this past academic quarter. Congrats, ladies, and keep up

Bronx Meetings and Events

Lots of community events happening tonight! The 52 Precinct’s monthly community council meeting will be held tonight at the New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., from 7 to 9 p.m. Get there early, at 5:30 p.m., and you can check out the garden’s famous holiday train show for free. For more details call council president Brenda Caldwell-Paris at 917-650-0620. Community Board 7 will host its annual holiday tree lighting tonight at 6 p.m., at Bainbridge Avenue and Mosholu Parkway. And last but not least, the Community Education Council for School District 10 meets tonight at 6:30 p.m. at PS