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


Read More

Mount Saint Ursula Students Make National Honor Roll

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


Read More

Bronx Community Board 7 Meeting Tonight

Just a quick heads up. Community Board 7 will be holding its monthly meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Bronx Library Center, 310 Kingsbridge Road. CB7 usually meets every third Tuesday of the month, but shifted this month to avoid the start of Hannukah.

Santa’s Coming to Town Tomorrow

No need to head to the mall for a photo op with Santa this week. Assemblywoman Naomi Rivera and Santa Claus will be traveling around the Bronx all day tomorrow to bring cheer and presents to kids. Through a partnership with Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx Council on the Arts, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, Bronx Toys and Beth Abraham Family of Health Services, Rivera and Mr. Claus will stopping at four Bronx businesses tomorrow between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Here are the locations and times you can find Rivera and Santa: The Sanz 815 Allerton Ave 9:00-10:30 am Pelham


Read More

Diverse Crew Steps In To Support Bronx Toy Drive and Church

With help from an eclectic group of local supporters that includes painters, students, a bike gang and Gothic tattoo artists, the Lutheran Church of the Epiphany in Norwood is bringing the holiday spirit to families in need despite its own financial burdens.

For Family Caregivers, Lessons on Avoiding Burnout

By Jeanmarie Evelly On a recent weekday morning, dozens of people sat on folding chairs in the recreation room of the Andrew Jackson Senior Center in Melrose, listening to Minerva Velazquez-Munoz, a registered nurse, give tips on getting a reluctant patient to take their medication. You can cut the pills in half, she said; you can mix some of them with orange juice. Next was a lesson in properly changing the dressings on a wound, and how to lift a patient from a bed without straining your back. Afterwards, those in attendance chatted over free coffee and bagels. This wasn’t


Read More