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

Editorial: Protecting Our Kids From What?

Let’s not overthink this. The Department of Education’s policy precluding churches and other religious organizations from worshiping in city schools is discriminatory and impractical.

Battle of the Bronx, Part 2: Wings Soars over JFK, 56-50

It was the kind of game neither team appeared to want. In a battle for Bronx high school basketball dominance, John F. Kennedy lost to Wings Academy 56-50, but both coaches admitted to being disappointed with their team’s play.

2 Bronx Tech Schools Added to DOE’s Chopping Block (Updated)

The number of Bronx schools slated for closure more than doubled today as the DOE released an updated list that now includes two Bronx technical high schools: Grace Dodge and Samuel Gompers.

Prepping for the Battle of the Bronx

The borough’s two Division I college basketball programs, Fordham University and Manhattan College, face off tonight for the 104th time in a game billed as the “Battle of the Bronx.” We’ll be there, sending out live Tweets (follow @norwoodnews) to help you keep track of the action.

After Supreme Court Ruling, Bronx Councilman Wants to Legislate School Access for Churches

Following a Supreme Court decision that would keep churches from worshiping inside school buildings, Bronx Councilman Fernando Cabrera, a deeply religious politician who doubles as pastor of a church on Morris Avenue, will attempt to legislate guaranteed access for churches at New York City public schools.