One person’s trash is another person’s treasure, or so the adage goes. It started with a late-afternoon post to Buy Nothing Brooklyn Heights/Dumbo/Vinegar Hill. St. Ann’s School had just dumped hundreds of books in the trash. “Curb Alert: Close to 40 Clinton by the parking garage at 3:50pm Tuesday…Hundreds of books. So many good ones.” The post fomented […]
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PS8 And Jeweler Alexis Bittar Holiday Fundraising Sale This Saturday!
Hey, looking to do some early holiday shopping but worried about those supply chains? Or, (and purely hypothetical here) just looking to get something nice for your wife’s birthday? World famous jewelry designer (and local yocal) Alexis Bittar is hosting a PS8 fundraising/shopping event this Saturday, November 20, from 3pm to 7pm, at his newly […]
Dude, Where’s My Bus? How to Amplify Your Child’s Transportation Issues & Advocate Like a Champ
If the NYC DOE’s Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) is a thorn in your side, raise your hand. (Ooh, Mr. Kotter!!! Pick me! Ooh! Ooh!) Pupil Transportation in NYC has always been bad. All one has to do is Google “NYC DOE” with”student transportation” and years’ worth of articles full of horror stories will unfurl on […]
DeBlasio Announces Opt-In Window for Blended Learning
Patch reports, Mayor DeBlasio has unveiled a new opt-in period for families who had initially chosen fully remote learning for the 2020-21 academic year. (Families were initially told there would be opt-in periods throughout the academic year. In late October 2020, the DOE abruptly announced a two-week window in November would be their last chance. So, […]
NYC School’s Chancellor Richard Carranza Steps Down
Chalkbeat and the New York Times, among others, have each reported NYC DOE School’s Chancellor Richard Carranza has resigned this past Friday. The embattled Chancellor has faced harsh criticism from parents and teachers alike over the DOE’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. But Chancellor Carranza is also widely reported to have clashed both privately and publicly with Mayor DeBlasio […]
Public Programs and Exhibit at Center for Brooklyn History, formerly Brooklyn Historical Society
Yes, the Brooklyn Historical Society is now the Center for Brooklyn History, part of the Brooklyn Public Library system. While the Center’s building remains closed to the public during the pandemic, it presents on line events and exhibitions, all free of charge. Tomorrow (Tuesday, November 10) starting at 6:00 p.m. the Center, in honor of […]
NYC Schools Delayed Again
Just four days before NYC school children were supposed to begin in-person learning, Mayor DeBlazio announced further delays to the school year. Monday, September 21st: Pre-K and children in special needs D75 schools begin school Tuesday, September 29th: K-5 and K-8 schools open Thursday, October 1st: Middle and High Schools open The Mayor explained the […]
Well, We Saw This Coming: First Day of In-School Instruction Delayed Until September 21
Of the ten largest school systems in the country, the NYC DOE was the only one with plans to start the 2020-21 school year as originally intended on September 10th. By comparison, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Chicago opted for fully virtual schooling in mid-July and early August respectively. But by now parents are, however painfully, aware New York City […]
Haves and Have Nots: Elite Brooklyn Private Schools Rake in Millions in Federal Paycheck Aid-DOE Budgets Slashed
Gothamist reports elite Brooklyn Heights private schools are among institutions that received millions from the Federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Private schools are eligible for PPP because they are considered non-profit businesses. According to data released by the Small Business Association, St. Ann’s, Packer Collegiate, Brooklyn Friends, and Brooklyn Heights Montessori all received loans. This money is in […]
DeBlasio Announces Hybrid Back-To-School Plans For September
Amid the reports of dangerous spikes of Covid-19 across the country, Mayor DeBlasio announced on July 8th NYC public schools will open in September on a “hybrid” schedule. The tentative plan entails three versions of staggered in-school instruction. Protocols include mandatory masks for children, teachers, and staff and nightly deep cleanings of school facilities. In a letter […]
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