Two Suspects, One with Norwood Ties, Arrested in NYPD Officers’ Shooting

By David Greene Two police officers are recovering and two suspects are now in custody after the plain clothes officers from the 46th Precinct approached a pair of suspects wanted for an armed robbery.

Does Class Size Matter? Students Think ‘Meh

By SAD ADIB A 2014 survey by the New York City Department of Education (DOE) found that reducing class size is a “top priority” for parents. But for some middle school students, concerns for class size vary dramatically. DOE statistics show that the number of students per class have decreased slightly, to 26.8 students from 26.7. And though reducing class size is still key to the DOE’s long-term agenda, some students and teachers didn’t see the difference. At West Farms’ PS 214 middle school, Trinity Haynes, 13, has an eighth grade class comprised of 34 students. “In a smaller class,

By DAISY TORRES Tyrone Tyler Thomas often rushes to complete his homework that requires a computer. It’s not to make time for his PS3 game console or hang out with his friends. It

By Mamasa Dukuray After years of cell phones prohibited in New York City public schools, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans on lifting the city Department of Education (DOE) policy. The change is in effect this March. Prior to the official announcement, several students would welcome the news. Isetou Jawara, a student at Validus Preparatory Academy in Claremont, said she will enjoy lunch more since she would feel she was truly “on break.” “If students are given a bit more freedom with phones, things would be better,” she said. Mayor Bill de Blasio, as part of a campaign promise, made

By Brittney Herrera Even though roughly half of Bronx families are supported by welfare, the stigma on relying on public assistance persists, with many recipients bearing the brunt of presumption. “Some people’s perceptions of me being on EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) is that I am abusing my EBT,” said Jennifer Barona, 24, a single mother in the Bronx. “It feels very overwhelming.” Welfare helps her take care of her two toddlers, but she doesn’t feel good about her situation. “The first time when I was in the waiting office, I was pregnant with my first toddler. There was a lot

By NICHOLAS ROBINSON Daniel Martinez, 17, a senior from the Academy for Scholarship and Entrepreneurship in Edenwald, wouldn’t mind dropping out of high school to pursue his sports career as a boxer. He wants to be the greatest of all time. And so far, on weekdays, he’s invested the time, beginning his training regimen at 4 p.m. until he goes to sleep, and on weekends he trains longer. As for an alternative plan should things go south, Daniel would rather not think about that. “If I had a backup plan, that means there would be a thought in my mind

By Karina Caban While there are several places throughout the Bronx where young adults can learn how to become better parents, the neighborhood streets are often the most obvious place parenting education can be found. Interviews with Bronx teens show that daily interactions on the sidewalk, in the subway and at the local bodega offer a view of the challenges and rewards of parenting. “It’s always chaotic where I live,” said David Hawkins, 17, who attends Metropolitan High School. “I see little kids being pushed to the side by their parents and [heard about kids being] beaten to death.” David

By JESSICA MENESES Vital Stats: 11 – Percentage of teens who will experience depression by age 18. Source: National Alliance on Mental Health Arsenis, a Bronx resident living on Intervale Avenue, has been battling depression since she was 13. That was four years ago. These days her depression makes her “fall into a rut very often and think about death.” But instead of popping a pill or talking to a doctor when she feels bad, Arsenis routinely picks up a pen. She used to be on medication, though its effects left her “trained to think that it fixes your problems

By Briana Anderson The lost art of letter writing may be followed by the art of cursive in New York City public schools. In an age that celebrates digital knowhow over old school traditions, legible handwriting is often overlooked in schools while lessons in cursive writing is all but ignored in many classrooms. Aaron Reid, 16, a student at DeWitt Clinton High School in Norwood, called cursive “a waste of time.” “Why do we need cursive when nowadays typing and print is the new penmanship?” he asked. But Joshua Corder, 15, a student at Harry S. Truman High School in