Music, games, sunshine and fun was the order of the day on Friday, Aug. 26, as Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, State Sen. Jamaal Bailey (S.D. 36), Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez (A.D. 80) and District 11 City Council Member Eric Dinowitz hosted a Back-to-School Family Day at the Williamsbridge Oval, in conjunction with NYC Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks).

 

The event consisted of various games, activities and music, along with a giveaway of schools bags and supplies. The assemblyman told Norwood News he was happy with the outcome of the event.

 

For her part, Gibson later tweeted in part of the event, “Thanks to everyone for joining together to prepare our students for school.”

Kids were seen enjoying various field games, some involving skipping and jumping through hula hoops, as the sunny weather helped ensure everyone was kept in good spirits.

 

The councilman later tweeted of the event, “Inflatables, school supplies, cotton candy, and community. Sounds like my ideal way to spend a Friday afternoon. Had a great time this past Friday at Williamsbridge Oval Park for our Back-to-School Family Day! Sending a big thanks to @NYCParks for helping to make this happen.”

As reported, Fernandez recently announced victory in the August 2022 Democratic primary for redrawn Senate District 34, a seat held by now outgoing State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi. Fernandez is now poised to take up the position in the Senate should she win the general election in November, which she is expected to do given the strong Democratic base in the Bronx borough.

 

Biaggi, meanwhile, having lost her bid to win the Democratic primary in New York’s redrawn 17th congressional district, which was won by Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), recently campaigned with the congressman in an effort to show unity among Democrats and maintain a Democratic majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in the November mid-term elections.

 

Meanwhile, members of both the 52nd Precinct which covers the neighborhoods of Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge, Norwood, Bronx Park, and University Heights, and Jerry Landon of the 52nd Precinct Community Council, gave out goodie bags to children, provided adults with safety tips and information, and they also encouraged members of the public to join the NYPD.

 

One parent told Norwood News, “This was a great event to help those in need of school supplies.”

 

*Síle Moloney contributed to this story.