EVENT: Fort Greene Peace Meeting, 12/6

The next open meeting of Fort Greene Peace will be on Monday, Dec. 6 starting at 7:30 sharp at Tillies (DeKalb & Vanderbilt).


These meetings usually run 1 to 1 1/2 hours. If you plan to attend please try let us know so we can reserve enough
seats in this otherwise crowded venue. Please arrive on time. Thanks.

Agenda:
1. Report on the film screening (Nov.18) and planning for future
events (alternating between film screenings and discussions with
speakers) the third Thursday of each month.

2. Decide if we should begin planning for the second winter Fort
Greene/Clinton Hill Progressives' Pot Luck.

3. Report on & plan next steps for our ongoing petition drive to
Congressman Towns calling on him to continue to oppose the US war in
Afghanistan.

4. Report on recent meeting with Fort Greene Snap regarding their
work in local school and planning a community meeting about police
stop and frisk tactics and police in the community.

5. General discussion of where we are going through the upcoming
winter and how we are doing in general

6. Report on plan to us the internet for PayPal fund raising.

7. Report on FGP setting up a Facebook account and/or a web site.

Join the Google Group: Fort Greene Peace, fortgreenepeace@googlegroups.com

EVENT: Brooklyn for Peace Open Community Meeting, 12/1

Brooklyn For Peace Open Community Meeting:
Wed Dec 1, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
The Commons, 388 Atlantic Ave between Hoyt and Bond, downtown
Brooklyn.

Join your Brooklyn neighbors for a discussion of a future strategy and
activities.
---New Congress! In the aftermath of the elections, where do we go
from here?
---Are there new opportunities for peace?
---Are there new dangers of war and violence?
---What's the effect on the economic crisis?
---What can we do?

Trains: A/C/G to Hoyt-Schermerhorn; F/G to Bergen St; B/M/Q/R to
Atlantic-Pacific
2/3/4/5 to Nevins; LIRR to Flatbush Ave
Bus: B63 and B65.

All welcome!

Questions? Call 718-624-5921 or e-mail bfp@brooklynpeace.org

EVENT: Out of Afghanistan Call-In Days: Tuesday Nov 30 & Wednesday Dec 1

Out of Afghanistan Call-In Days: Tuesday Nov 30 & Wednesday Dec 1

The Obama Administration seems determined to continue the war in Afghanistan until 2014 and beyond, while ramping up a dangerous drone war inside Pakistan. Large numbers of Congressional representatives know this is folly, but have not raised their voices in a clear and consistent way. They need to hear from their constituents that these wars are not a back-burner issue and must be addressed now.

Call Congressman Towns:
Congressional Switchboard: 202-224-3121
Towns' Brooklyn office: 718-855-8018

Remind him its time to stop these wars. and ask him to do the
following:
1/ Remain on the Out of Afghanistan Caucus and

2/ Commend him for being a co-sponsor of HR 6045, Barbara Lee's bill
limiting the use of government funds to the " safe and orderly
withdrawal from Afghanistan" of all military personnel and Defense
Department contractors.

And don't forget:
Please sign and circulate the Out of Afghanistan petition.
www.gopetition.com/petition/40697.html


Sponsored by United for Peace and Justice, Peace Action, American Friends
Service Committee, Just Foreign Policy, Friends Committee on National
Legislation, Progressive Democrats for America, Tom Hayden Peace and
Justice Resource Center, CODEPINK (List still in Formation)

EVENT: Banneker HS 2010 Town Hall Safety Meeting

Banneker HS 2010 Town Hall Safety Meeting

When: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 @ 6:30pm

Where: Benjamin Banneker H.S., 77 Clinton Avenue between Park Ave (on corner of Park). and Myrtle Ave.

Included: Banneker Staff, Parents, Community, NYPD/School Safety, FDNY, Myrtle Avenue Merchants, Clinton Hill/Fort Green Block Association

EVENT: 10/7 Town Hall Meeting

Town Hall Meeting
Boys & Girls High School

1700 FULTON STREET@ STUYVESANT AVENUE
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
Phone (718) 467-1700 ext 2701

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2010
TIME: 7:00 P.M.

Agenda

. Presentation and open forum on the state of Boys and Girls High School as a community institution

.Introduction of "Achievement For All" mentoring initiative

.Community Clergy adoption of Boys and Girls HS

. State of Affairs of Bedford Stuyvesant Community

VOTE: Brooklyn DoGooder Awards

The Brooklyn Community Foundation is running the Brooklyn DoGooder Awards. You should check them out, and vote if you are so inclined. It's great to see so many fantastic advocates and community members represented there.

The site: http://dogoodrighthere.org/

You can vote 5 times a day through October 15.

In keeping with our motto to "Do Good Right Here," the first annual Brooklyn Do Gooder Awards campaign celebrates the altruism, philanthropy and commitment of five Brooklyn Do Gooders who are working toward a stronger Brooklyn. From now through September 30, 2010, we invite the larger Brooklyn community to submit nominations for those who they believe embody the highest value of community service and philanthropy; exceptional individuals who display an outstanding sense of giving back locally--with time, talent and/or charity. After a public voting period from October 1-October 15, 2010, judges will select five winners from among 20 finalists. The Foundation will then publicly honor the winners at the Foundation's anniversary celebration on November 3, 2010 at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

EVENT: 10/2 One Nation, Working Together: Peace, Jobs and Justice Now!

October 2: One Nation Working Together rally in Washington DC

onenationworkingtogether.org/

The mission of One Nation, Working Together

We are One Nation, born from many, determined to build a more united America – with jobs, justice and education for all.

We are young people, frustrated that society seems willing to spend more locking up our bodies than educating our minds, yet still we find ways to succeed and shine.

We are students and newly-returned veterans – persevering in the face of mounting debt – determined not to be the first generation to end up worse off than our parents.

We are baby boomers and seniors – who saw hope killed in 1968 and will not let the dream of a united America be taken from us again.

We are conservatives and moderates, progressives and liberals, non-believers and people of deep faith, united by escalating assaults on our reason, our environment, and our rights.

We are workers of every age, faith, race, sex, nationality, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and ability – who have suffered discrimination but never stopped loving our neighbors, or our nation.

We are American Indians and Alaska Natives – citizens of Native nations – who maintain our cultures, protect our sovereignty, and strength America’s economy.

We are the new immigrants, raising our children in the torchlight of the Statue of Liberty, while confronting the shadows that are bigotry and mass deportations.

We are the native born. We inherited the divided legacies of settlers and American Indians, black slaves and white and Asian indentured servants. And yet, in this moment of shared suffering, we rejoice in newfound friendships and new alliances.

We are people who got thrown out – thrown out of our jobs, schools, houses, farms and small businesses – while Wall Street's wrongdoers got bailed out. We are families who pray every day – for peace and prosperity; for deliverance from foreclosures; for good jobs to come back to urban and rural America.

We are unemployed workers – forced to watch hopes for bold action dashed – because some Senators threaten filibusters, and other would-be champions fold in fear.

And yet, we are the majority – fueled by hope, not hate. We have the pride, power and determination to keep ourselves – and our country – moving up and out of the valley greed created.

And most importantly – from ensuring women are treated fairly at work, to expanding health care coverage for millions– we have been victorious whenever we worked together. We have proven the only thing we need to succeed is each other.

And on 11-2-10, we will march again – into the voting booths. We will bring our families, our friends, and our neighbors. And once the ballots are counted, we will keep organizing, we will hold our leaders accountable, and we will keep making our dream real.

This movement will grow. It will put America back to work, pull America back together, and keep us moving ever forward.

Join us. We are One Nation Working Together: For Jobs, For Justice, For Education, For All.

Join the March in DC. Be a part of much needed change.

EVENT: 10/1 Citizen's Lobby Day, DC

Citizen's Lobby Day

If you are planning on attending the One Nation March for Peace, Jobs and Justice or you can't be there, come out for the Citizen's Lobby Day.

From 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM--drop by anytime to pick up a packet before you drop-in to visit your representative. Register beforehand so they can plan ahead, but registration is not required.

Find the lobby packet and more information here: https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/309/thanks.asp?formid=meet&c=6573382

When Friday, October 01, 2010
9 AM - 3 PM

Where Rayburn House Office Building
Room 2226
Capitol Hill
Washington, DC 20515-0907

9/17: Pakistan Flood Teach-In & Planning Meeting

The Urgent Need for Solidarity With Pakistan’s Flood Victims
Teach-In and Planning Meeting
Friday, September 17th
6:30 pm, Brecht Forum
451 West Street (between Bank & Bethune Streets, New York, NY

Even as Americans revisit the lingering destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina, half a world away Pakistan is experiencing one of the most calamitous disasters in recent memory.

Nearly 20 million people have been directly affected. More than 8 million need urgent aid. 800,000 people are stranded. A full 14 million people across the country are now homeless. The country’s infrastructure, already in disrepair, has been simply washed away.

As with so many natural disasters we’ve seen in recent years, this tragedy too is carved out of a history of unsustainable policies. Years of neoliberal economic policies and militarism have stripped the Pakistani State of its capacity to meet the people’s needs.

Pakistan’s elites—both civilian and military—have much to answer for, but so do U.S. elites and the Obama administration, whose ratcheting up of the “war on terror” has made a bad situation worse. Likewise, harsh conditions attached to Pakistan’s external debt by institutions like the IMF share much of the blame for the scale of the social and economic crisis.

Meanwhile, international aid has been reluctantly offered and slow to arrive, perhaps because for years now, politicians and the media, particularly in the U.S., have encouraged a view of Pakistan as nothing but a crucible for “terrorism,” thus obscuring the humanity of its people. The U.S. has spent $33 billion on the recent surge in Afghanistan—nearly three times what Pakistan will need for its reconstruction, and some 165 times the amount the US has pledged for flood relief. But the American military wasted no time in exploiting the floods to airbrush its own public image in the region.

In response, progressive activists in Pakistan are launching a national campaign against the servicing of foreign debt and the squandering of enormous resources on the military.

Here in the U.S., similar awareness and activism is sorely needed. We need to hold this government and institutions like the IMF accountable for the negative role that they continue to play in the region. Please join us to build solidarity with ordinary Pakistanis and raise badly-needed funds for grassroots flood-relief.

For more information, or to get involved:

email: Pakistan.Solidarity.NYC@gmail.com

blog: PakistanSolidarity.posterous.com

Link: http://brechtforum.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=11766

NYC School Call to Action

Ø Half of NYC students are below grade level in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math

Ø There are 369 schools where 2 out of 3 students are NOT on grade level in English Language Arts

Ø The number of students way below grade level (Level 1) in ELA jumped from12,000 to 63,000 citywide this year

THIS IS AN EDUCATIONAL EMERGENCY

JOIN US

As we call on the NYC Department of Education to:

. Implement a plan for intensive academic services for all students who test in Level 1 and Level 2
. Provide strong, comprehensive supports for all struggling schools
. Stop all high-stakes decisions based on test scores and establish a new accountability system

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 at 11:00 am

NYC Department of Education, 52 Chambers St .


For more information, call 917.309.5742, emailnyccej@gmail.comor go towww.nyccej.org

9/14: VOTE IN THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS

You can find your poll site location by:

-Searching the online poll site address locator

-Call the voter Phone Bank at 1-866-VOTE-NYC

EVENT: The South in the '60s: Women in the Civil Rights Movement

The South in the '60s: Women in the Civil Rights Movement

9/16/2010

7:00 PM

The Graduate Center
Elebash Recital Hall
365 Fifth Avenue

212-817-8215

The Graduate Center continues its Civil Rights Movement programming this fall with a discussion about the contribution of women of the movement.

The program features women who were active in the Civil Rights Movement, including Dorothy Zellner, Martha Noonan, and Judy Richardson. Professor Blanche Wiesen Cook of the Graduate Center and John Jay College will moderate the discussion.

Click the e-VENTS online reservation icon; for more information call 212-817-8215. Unclaimed reservations will be released to a standby line at the event on a first-come, first-served basis.

ADMISSION: Free, reservations required
http://bit.ly/9ABzLI http://gc.cuny.edu/events http://bit.ly/b2gFnU

EVENT: 10/2 One Nation, Working Together: Peace, Jobs and Justice Now!

Peace, Jobs and Justice Now!

Oct 2 - One Nation Working Together, Washington DC

Don't Hope for Change - Create It!
Get Your Feet in the Streets! Act Now for Peace!
One Nation Working Together

On October 2, peace activists will again march on Washington, DC. We will join thousands of civil rights, labor, immigrant rights, environmental and other progressive organizations in a united action. One Nation Working Together is an historic coming together of movements for peace and justice, including the NAACP, 1199 SEIU, National Council of La Raza, Green for All, Center for Community Change, United States Student Association, the AFL-CIO, SEIU, RainbowPUSH, USAction and a growing list of more than 150 organizations. Together, we are marching for:

* Jobs and sustainable economic recovery
* Cuts in military spending to fund community needs
* An end to the US war and occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan
* Peace abroad and renewable energy at home

Check out OneNationWorkingTogether.com and PeaceandJustice.org for more information.

MEETING: Fort Greene Peace 9/7

The next general meeting of Fort Greene Peace
--Tuesday, September 7, 7pm--
--Tillies (DeKalb & Vanderbilt.)--

All are welcome!

If you plan to attend please drop us an email at fortgreenepeace@gmail.com so we know how many to expect.

-The tentative agenda includes:
-Summing up the Potluck and deciding where(if anywhere) it leads us.
-Responding to Towns' new pro-Afghan war position--should we start a new petition drive?
-Work on pushing for the NYC Council anti-war resolution (intrtoduced by Tish James.)
-Work on the national "peace and justice" demonstration in DC scheduled for Oct 2 http://www.onenationworkingtogether.org/main.aspx
-Working with the FG/CH branch of the Brooklyn Food Coalition on their "Good Food Fest" on September 12--which we have endorsed. The Coalition was a partner in our Potluck. http://brooklynfoodcoalition.ning.com/forum/topics/bfc-good-food-fest-call-for

Sign the Petition to Stop MTA Hikes

On Wednesday, they announced yet another round of fare hikes, including a plan to limit the number of rides on "unlimited" monthly MetroCards and jack up their price to almost $100.

Enough is enough. Transit riders aren't ATMs, and endless fare hikes can't be the answer to keeping our subways and buses moving. We need the politicians and the MTA to come up with a real plan for investing in public transportation, and keeping it reliable and affordable.

The first step is to show them New Yorkers won't take this sitting down. I just signed the Working Families Party's petition against the latest fare hikes. Will you join me? Just go to:

http://action.workingfamiliesparty.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=2155&tag=MTA710

EVENT: 2nd Annual Summer FG/CH Progressives' Potluck

The 2nd Annual Summer Fort Greene/ Clinton Hill Progressives' Potluck & Gathering.

August 8th, 1:00 PM
In Fort Greene Park, parallel to Washington Park, between the DeKalb Ave. (just north of the playground) and the Willoughby Ave. entrances.

It's time to get together again to talk, play, get to know each other a bit better and build our progressive community.

Fort Greene Peace, Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Food Coalition, FUREE, MARP & PACC* (list in formation) invite you to join us as we get together to eat, play, talk,& have a good time while wer get to know each other better and build a stronger progressive community.

*FUREE (Families United for Racial and Economic Equality), MARP (Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project), PACC (Pratt Area Community Council)

You don't have to be a group member to come. Bring your friends. Share this Evite. All progressive minded people are welcome.

***************************

This is a pot luck event. Please let us know what food item you plan to bring (enough for 5 or more people.) We hope there will be many vegetarian offerings. No cooking will be available. Prepared food only.

This will be an environmetally-friendly event. Please try to use recyclables.

This is a fun event. Please bring frisbees, balls, field games, kites, etc. There won't be speech making. There will be a brief welcoming around 2pm. If you have a table you can bring, please let us know.

EVENT: Storytime and Playtime in the First Quincy Community Garden, Brooklyn

Join 1st Quincy Community Garden member, Ginger, for stories and
playtime in the garden!


Saturday, July 17th
10am-12pm
At 1st Quincy Community Garden
(on Quincy St. between Tompkins and Throop)

For more information contact Anna at 212-594-2155 or ad@nycgreen.org

Free and Open to the Public

The Democratic Republic of Congo

Check out this amazing interactive slideshow of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Democratic Republic of Congo gained independence from Belgium 50 years ago amid high hopes but the country remains mired in war, corruption and poverty. Here is a selection of the 50 Congolese photographed by Stephan Vanfleteren to mark the anniversary.

No Alternative Parking July 5

"The City suspends alternate side parking (street cleaning) regulations, for both street cleaning purposes and traffic flow, on the 34 legal and religious holidays listed below. This includes suspension of street cleaning regulations at metered spaces."

This rule is in effect on July 5.

See NYCDOT for more information.

MEETING: Fort Greene Peace 6/8

Fort Greene Peace Meeting
Tuesday, June 8. 7:30 @ Tillies, Brooklyn, NY

Proposed Agenda:
Planning 2nd annual Pot Luck in the Park.
Plan a future community forum. (On Israel Palestine?)
Plan participation at the Fort Greene Fest (June 26) and other summer events & tabling at the Market.
Commemorating Shem Walker's murder anniversary July 11 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8H3dwvbAgQ)
Plan for future work and a meeting with FUREE.

Summer on Fulton Street

There is going to be a three-block long street festival on Fulton Street every Sunday in June.

Activities include soccer games on the street (hosted by Ft. Greene Soccer), crafts, art projects and literary activities outside Green Light Bookstore, environmental displays outside Habana Outpost (worms making compost and the Fort Greene Park "BUG GUY" are scheduled to appear), community mural painting, and even a dog parade!

Plus there will be reggae and gospel concerts, chef demonstrations, author readings, comedy acts, dance parties and a tribute to Michael Jackson.

On June 6 there will be a children's clothing swap

DETAILS:


12noon—6pm, June 6, 13, 20 and 27, on Fulton Street between Lafayette Avenue and South Oxford Street, in Fort Greene, Brooklyn

For updates on the list of activities and schedules, on Facebook like "fab fulton" or visit faballiance.org
Presented by the FAB Alliance, the newly formed Fulton Street Business
Improvement District in Clinton Hill and Fort Greene

Cypress Hills Community Organizer position!

School Budget Cut Meeting

EVENT: Empowering your Child for a Challenging Future

NYC School Survey

From PACT:

The Public Advocate's PACT (Parent Advocate Coordinating Team) is taking action to make parents' voices heard! Please join us in reaching out to parents for a major citywide survey.

The Office of the Public Advocate is surveying parents of children affected by major school changes like school closure, co-location, or re-siting. Last year, the state reformed the law to make sure that there is more parent engagement in school changes.

We want to find out more about parents' experience with the school changes, how much information they received, and what kind of input they had in the decisions to close, co-locate, or move their children's schools.

Check out the survey and participate.

EVENT: Overcrowding in Brooklyn Schools

OVERCROWDING In Brooklyn Schools

What can we do?


Brooklyn Borough President

Marty Markowitz



invites you to a special briefing

for all Brooklyn CEC Members,

Community Board Education Chairs, Parents,

Concerned Citizens, and Elected Officials.



Speaker

Leonie Haimson,

Class Size Matters,

will give a presentation, followed by

discussion and an action strategy session



Thursday, May 13, 2010

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Brooklyn Borough Hall

209 Joralemon Street

Court Room



RSVP to
mkelley@brooklynbp.nyc.gov
Margaret Kelley
Education Policy Analyst
Office of the Brooklyn Borough President

D13: Community Education Council Business and Special Meetings

Working Session & Special Meeting
(District 13's Budget Hearing)


Next, Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
PS 9- 80 Underhill Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
6:30pm-7:30pm (Working Session)
7:30pm - 8:30pm (Special Meeting)

April 30: Arbor Day

April 30 is Arbor Day.

"Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. Founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872, it's celebrated on the last Friday in April."

How to celebrate Arbor Day.

EVENT: International Day of Action, May 2

International Day of Action – Sunday, May 2
Join people from around the world for a day of action!

The Day’s Events at a Glance
12:00 p.m. › Interfaith Convocation (Church Center for the United Nations)
1:30 p.m. › Assembly (7th Ave South of 41st St)
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. › Rally
3:30 p.m. › March across 42nd Street to the United Nations
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. › International Peace & Music Festival in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza

http://peaceandjusticenow.org/

Spring SPA Sessions

The Office for Family Engagement and Advocacy would like to invite you and your school community to the Spring SPA.

SPA offers sessions on a variety of topics to support parent leaders in various volunteer positions in our schools. Topics include PA/PTA Roles & Responsibilities, Parliamentary Procedures, Title I, and Teen Dating Violence. Parents can register for two workshops at each SPA session.

To register please have parents complete the attached form or call the Office for Family Engagement and Advocacy at (212) 374-4118. Registration forms can also be found on the OFEA site at http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/OFEA/default.htm

WORKSHOP: Preparing for High School in NYC, FREE!

Brooklyn's Children's Day Parade

Brooklyn's Children's Day Parade

Saturday, May 15th, 10am - 1pm
The New York Aquarium
Surf Avenue at West 8th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11224

The Children's Day Parade is a collaboration between all the schools, parents and administration in each borough to celebrate our students and our achievements. We have a parade of students from participating schools either marching, cheering, playing music, dancing, etc announcing their love of NYC Public Schools. We invite our local elected officials, Borough Presidents, Community Superintendents and community organizations to partner with us as well. If you never attended the event or this will be your first time it has always been a very fun filled day for families.

Benefit for the Honorable Assemblywoman Annette M. Robinson

April 28: Africa Networking Panel

Wednesday, April 28

District 13 Family Advocacy Day has Community Outreach Opportunities

District 13 Family Day will be a family fun day with educational opportunities centering on the subjects of Health, Financial Literacy, and Continued Education. This community outreach event will take place at Von King Park on Saturday, May 22, 2010. We expect to have approximately 400 participants.

As you know our community has numerous resources available to its residents. Yet many people who live in this area are unaware of how close to home these services actually are. We invite you (your organization) to participate in this event and share in our outreach efforts to improve the lives of the families in the District 13 community.

There are several ways your organization can be a part of this day. You can:
1- Use this opportunity to do community outreach.
2- Present a workshop on one of our key topics.
3- Be a sponsoring partner and provide material support, in kind services or giveaways for this event.

Please contact Lorrie Ayers, Layers2@schools.nyc.gov (347-563-5331) or Precious Jones-Walker, pjoneswalker@schools.nyc.gov (718-636-3234) to let us know how you would like to support us. We are looking forward to working with your organization on this important community endeavor.

April 28: Africa Networking Panel

Wednesday, April 28

2010 Big Apple Job Fair

2010 Big Apple Job Fair

http://www.cuny.edu/news/features/bigapplejobfair.html

Date: Friday, April 23, 2010

Time: 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM: Breakfast Reception for Recruiters
11:00 AM - 4:30 PM: Job Fair (No entry after 4:00 PM)

Place:
River Pavilion & Galleria
The Jacob Javits Center
11th Avenue @ 34th Street
Manhattan

If you are an employer searching for a diverse, competitive, college-educated applicant pool, register now for the April 23, 2010 CUNY Big Apple Job Fair. Recruit for full- or part-time positions and internships.

This major university-wide recruitment event provides private and public sector employers with the unparalleled opportunity to source from the largest public urban university in the nation. Throughout its 21 year history, the Big Apple's rating among organizations remains exemplary:

Over 92% consistently report meeting all of their recruitment objectives.
In any given year, at least 70% are return participants. The most telling of all statistics, this attests to the fair's established reliability as a quality recruitment source.

Act now to reserve a space for your organization by registering on line. This is an event you won't want to miss.

Sponsored by The City University of New York Office of University Relations and
the CUNY Career Services Association.

MEETING: Fort Greene Peace, April 22

THE NEXT MEETING OF FORT GREENE PEACE WILL BE ON
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 7:30PM
AT TILLIES
(Vanderbilt & DeKalb)

ALL WELCOME
We hope you can make it.
(If you plan on attending, please let us know so we kn ow how many
chairs to commandeer.)

Tentative agenda:

1. Participation in the International Conference, Peace Rally and
Festival in NYC May 2 (See link below.)
http://peaceandjusticenow.org/wordpress/
View the Brooklyn For Peace Flyer for this event:
http://www.brooklynpeace.org/may2/flyers/pdfs/may2_bfp_flyer.pdf

2. Consider joining with FUREE in several of their planned activities
coming up in the next few weeks.

3. The Brooklyn For Peace annual Peace Fair (May 15.)

4. Summing up our recent work and planning for the spring and summer.

--

4/16: Career Workshops in Bed Stuy

Bed Stuy: Career Workshops for Parents 4/16
Career Workshop:

This week's topic will cover how to conduct an informational interview to help get your foot in the door and how to respond to tough interview questions. This will be an interactive discussion that will be helpful to anyone who is returning to work after a break or is currently in the job search process.

Career Workshops for Parents: Networking and Interviewing
Location: Brooklyn Public Library, Marcy Branch
617 Dekalb Avenue (near Nostrand)
Date: Friday, April 16, 2010
Time: 12:00-1:30pm

For more info, email satyachheda@yahoo.com

CHANCELLOR KLEIN LAUNCHES NYC INNOVATION ZONE

CHANCELLOR KLEIN LAUNCHES NYC INNOVATION ZONE

Schools Expand on Traditional Learning Models, Further Personalize Instruction and Give Teachers New Tools

iZone Will Grow from 10 to 81 Schools, Creating New Models for Districts Nationwide

Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein today announced the launch of the New York City Innovation Zone (iZone), a group of schools with innovative, cutting-edge approaches to personalizing instruction for every child. In all, 81 public schools will pilot new classroom models and instructional technologies that will accelerate learning and transform how content is taught. The iZone schools will challenge longstanding assumptions about education, departing from a traditional classroom model by providing teachers with new tools to individualize learning for every child.

Schools in the iZone will adopt new approaches to instruction, using online courses, adaptive technologies, and real-time data to help teachers create more targeted lessons. They will make better use of time, allowing for more flexible approaches to scheduling that extend learning throughout the school day and year. And a smaller number of schools will modify teacher roles, increasing the flexibility of staffing.

“Our iZone schools will innovate a model for educating children that has remained largely unchanged for more than a hundred years,” Chancellor Klein said. “We are giving teachers new tools that allow them to customize education more thoughtfully for every child, continuing a tradition of innovation in New York City public schools.”

“To be effective, our public schools need to update old practices and tools” Deputy Chancellor for Strategy and Innovation John White said. “With innovations involving time in school, teachers, and technology, we move closer to meeting the needs of all our students.”

“A new generation of learning tools enables us to think differently about instruction, time, progress, and staffing,” said Tom Vander Ark of Revolution Learning. “Some of the most innovative new school models in the world are emerging in New York City. The iZone will bring new practices and strategies to scale in a collaborative knowledge sharing network.”

In January, the Department of Education requested applications for schools to participate in the 2010-11 launch of the iZone, which began as a pilot program with 10 schools last year. Schools recommended by network leaders applied to participate in the iZone and 81 were selected through a process that included interviews and site visits.

Roughly half of iZone schools will pilot a “Virtual School” model, with some using online instruction for credit recovery and Advanced Placement courses, and others adopting a blended model that integrates online education with face-to-face learning. Another six schools will introduce “Time and Staffing” innovations, developing nimbler approaches to scheduling and staffing that increase learning time and foster greater teacher collaboration. Finally, 35 elementary schools will use “Adaptive Learning Technologies” that tailor instruction to each student’s knowledge and interests. These technologies provide real-time reports on student progress so that teachers focus their efforts on lessons students find most challenging.

The iZone is another example of how New York City is among the nation’s leading incubators of innovation in education. Last September, Chancellor Klein announced the creation of Quest to Learn, which uses computer gaming technology to frame learning for students in grades six through twelve. In March, the Department of Education opened as an afterschool program the “School of One”—a model that combines traditional teaching with cutting-edge instructional software, flexible classroom grouping and varying teacher assignments. School of One will expand to be part of the school day in three schools next fall.

The Innovation Zone is supported by a combination of local capital funds, stimulus funds, generous grants to The Fund for Public Schools from Cisco Global Education and the Ford Foundation, and research support from Harvard’s EdLabs.

Please visit http://schools.nyc.gov/community/innovation/izone/default.htm for more information on the innovations, links to schools, and videos about new tools for teachers offered in the iZone.

###

Contact: David Cantor / Matthew Mittenthal (212) 374-5141

Teen Dating Violence Forum

FACT #I

"In a NYC report, among students with a dating history, more than half [56%] reported experiencing physical dating violence"



FACT #2

"Thirty-two percent of students, both males and females, reported perpetrating one or more episodes of physical violence against their partners in the past year"



TEEN DATING VIOLENCE

"A COLLOQUIUM FOR CREATING BEST PRACTICES AND STRATEGIES FOR MOVING AHEAD"

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz

And Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes

Invite you to attend

CREATING BEST PRACTICES AND STRATEGIES FOR MOVING AHEAD

Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 8:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Brooklyn Borough Hall Courtroom



Moderator:

Stephanie Nilva, Esq.
Executive Director, Day One


Panelists:

Catherine Stayton, DrPH, MPH
Director, Injury Epidemiology Unit
Bureau of Epidemiology Services

Naomi R. Shatz
Staff Attorney & Skadden Fellow
New York Civil Liberties Union

Kirsten M. deFur, MPH
Director of Research & Prevention Programs
Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence

Farahnaz Rodriquez
Teen Dating Violence Program Coordinator Victim Services Unit
Office Of District Attorney, Kings County


Light Breakfast Provided

Sponsored by:
Brooklyn Borough President's Task Force on Teen Violence, Women Against Violence

Send RSVP's to xrose@brooklynbp.nyc.gov or call 718-802-3761

Youth Opportunities Program

Appalachian Mountain Club's (AMC) Youth Opportunities Program (YOP) in New York and New Jersey. YOP offers outdoor leadership and skills training to youth workers so that they may in turn lead the youth they serve outdoors.

Scholarships are available. Download an application at www.outdoors.org/yop/apply

Open House:
April 15, 8 - 11 am
May 4 , 10 am - 1 pm
June 24, 1 - 3 pm & 5 - 7 pm
Attached Open House flyer

Questions concerning the Youth Opportunities Program, contact:
Sebastien Venuat
NY/NJ Youth Opportunities Program Coordinator
Appalachian Mountain Club
c/o Strive International
240 East 123rd Street
New York, NY 10035-2038
Phone: 917-364-0056
Fax: 908-362-5678
svenuat@outdoors.org
www.outdoors.org

Bed Stuy: Career Workshops for Parents 4/16

Career Workshop:

This week's topic will cover how to conduct an informational interview to help get your foot in the door and how to respond to tough interview questions. This will be an interactive discussion that will be helpful to anyone who is returning to work after a break or is currently in the job search process.

Career Workshops for Parents: Networking and Interviewing
Location: Brooklyn Public Library, Marcy Branch
617 Dekalb Avenue (near Nostrand)
Date: Friday, April 16, 2010
Time: 12:00-1:30pm

For more info, email satyachheda@yahoo.com

World of Money program

World of Money empowers youth with a sound financial foundation based on 5 tenets for a financially responsible life: learn, earn, save, invest and donate.

Learn more at: http://www.worldofmoney.org/

Youth will take a day trip to Washington DC
Open or close the NASDAQ
Participate in a day of service
Attend a week of classes for 1 week

The last chance to register and attend an orientation is this week Tuesday, April 13th. If you can't make the orientation please contact WOM office.

VDAY HARLEM 2010

V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual slavery.

Our Harlem production of The Vagina Monologues will feature women of all different backgrounds and career paths organizing and performing this Phenomenal and Fierce work to raise money and awareness for the 2010 Spotlight: The Women and Girls of the Democratic Republic of Congo and our local beneficiary, Steps to End Family Violence

This year we will be having THREE shows because of the incredible outpouring of support we had last year: 4 PM, 6 PM, and an 8 PM show with a reception. Tickets will be $15 for the 4 PM and 6 PM shows, and $25 for the 8 PM show and reception.

Get your tickets at Brown Paper Tickets (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/103907). We'd especially love if you could join me at the 8pm show as there is a reception directly following with free food, beer and wine. Seating is limited, and both shows sold out completely last year, so buy your tickets fast!

For those of you who will not be able to make it, please take some time to read about the V-DAY movement against violence towards women and girls, and donate whatever you can – every little bit truly helps, whether it’s $5 or $50. DONATE (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=3878579).

Thank you so much for your support!

The Cast & Crew

Organizers:
Tiffany Johnson & Sheebani Patel

Performers:
Janine Blunt
Kiku Chaudhuri
Melissa Corbett
Candice Gordon
Tiffany Johnson
Sweta Kapadia
J.J. Orgera
Sheebani Patel
Rebecca Rafelson
Sarah Schlein
Lesley Younge
Lisa Sheth

Buy your tickets at Brown Paper Tickets:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/103907

VDAY HARLEM 2010

PUBLIC NOTICE: Regulation of the Chancellor

REGULATION OF THE CHANCELLOR

Number: A-660

Category: STUDENTS

Subject: PARENT ASSOCIATIONS AND THE SCHOOLS

I. Description of the subject, purpose and substance of the proposed item under consideration and identification of all substantial revisions to the item.

Chancellor's Regulation A-660, Parent Associations and the Schools, is a revised regulation. It sets forth the governance structure of parent associations and presidents’ councils.

Following, the initial posting of the revision to A-660 on December 11, 2009, the Department of Education (“DOE”) received several comments from the public expressing concern over the following: (1) PAs conducting raffles as a fundraising activity; (2) DOE employees being eligible to serve as mandatory officers (e.g. president, secretary, and treasurer) of a PA; and (3) members of the Community and Citywide Education Councils serving on the executive board of a PA.

After a review of the public comments, the following revisions were made to the language of the proposed regulation and were posted on December 30, 2009: (1) PAs may conduct raffles in accordance the provisions of the New York State General Municipal Law and applicable regulations of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board; (2) DOE employees, who are not employed at the school which their children attend, may serve as mandatory officers of the executive board; and (3) members of the Panel for Educational Policy, Community and Citywide Education Councils may serve on a PA’s executive board.

Since the December 30, 2009 posting of the regulation, the DOE received several comments from the public that
the Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Council (“CPAC”) should be included in the regulation. In response to these comments, the DOE has revised the regulation to include provisions pertaining to CPAC.


II. Summary of all public comments received following the initial public notice.

These comments are summarized as follows:

Raffles: One commenter requested clarification as to whether the law permits a PA for a new school to conduct raffles, and another requested more information about the DOE’s raffle policy. In response, the DOE is proposing a revision to the regulation that would add the following language: only PAs in existence for 3 years qualify to hold any raffling events. Additionally, to assist PAs in understanding the rules relating to raffles a Parent Association Guide to Raffles will be made available online at http://schools.nyc.gov/parentleadership.
PA Eligibility: One commenter opposed the lifting of the prohibition against DOE employees serving as a mandatory officer for any PA. Another commenter suggested that members of the Community and Citywide Education Councils not be allowed to serve on the executive board of a PA to avoid any conflict-of -interest.

Fundraising and Financial Affairs: The regulation should allow fundraising activity for humanitarian causes. In response, the DOE is proposing a revision to the regulation that would add the following language: on a case-by-case basis, the Chancellor may permit PAs to raise monies for humanitarian causes.

Other comments pertaining to fundraising and financial affairs are as follows: (1) there should be no restrictions on PA fundraising activities; (2) PAs should be permitted to hold fundraisers at schools; (3) PAs should not be required to obtain the approval of their general membership prior to initiating fundraising activities; (4) the general membership should vote on expenditures only as part of reviewing the PA’s annual budget; (5) the interim and annual financial activity reports should be optional and PAs should be permitted to submit forms that are generated by financial management software; (6) the annual report should not be due before July 15 of each school year; (7) PA financial activity reports should not be posted in a school that shares space with another school; and (8) PAs should not have to submit a check endorsed to the school to the Senior Grants Officer at the Integrated Service Center/Children First Network.

PA Elections: (1) when a co-officer resigns, the remaining officer should decide whether she/he wants to serve with an additional person and an expedited election should be held; and (2) the provisions limiting the distribution of campaign materials should be removed.

PA and PC Membership Meetings: (1) the bylaws should not specify the day and time of meetings because the 10 day written notice requirement is sufficient; (2) PAs should be required to survey the parent members to determine the date and time for general membership meetings to be held; (3) PAs should determine quorum requirements; and (4) PAs and PCs should meet with the general membership a minimum of four times per school year.

Additional Comments: (1) the resignation of two mandatory officers should not cause a PA to cease to function; (2) the Grievance Review Committee, rather than the Chief Family Engagement Officer, should decide grievances concerning aggressive speech; (3) the provision prohibiting the use of aggressive speech should be removed from the proposed regulation; (4) the regulation should address representation on the district and borough level for schools (grades 6-12); (5) PA designees and alternates for PC membership should be determined by vote of the PA Executive Board; (6) the term “officer” in the regulation should refer to mandatory officers (i.e. president, secretary, and treasurer), not the executive board; (7) the regulation should use the term “calendar days” instead of “school days;” (8) e-mail should be sufficient notice of meetings; (9) PC elections should be held prior to the third Friday in June; (10) the regulation’s summary of changes should reflect changes made to the February 2006 version of the regulation; (11) the changes to the regulation should not be effective until the 2010-2011 school year; (12) eligibility to vote for PC in June should be clarified; and (13) expedited elections, not succession should be used to fill vacancies.

III. Information regarding where the full text of the proposed item may be obtained.

The full text of the proposed item can be found on the main page of the PEP website: http://schools.nyc.gov/AboutUs/leadership/PEP/default.htm


IV. The name, office, address, email and telephone number of the city district representative, knowledgeable on the item under consideration, from whom information may be obtained concerning the item and to whom written or oral comments regarding the item under consideration can be submitted.

Name: Melissa Harris
Office: Office for Family Engagement and Advocacy
Address: 52 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007
Email: PApolicy@schools.nyc.gov
Phone: 212-374-5194

IV. Date, time and place of the PEP meeting at which the Board will vote on the proposed item under consideration.

April 20, 2010
6:00pm
Prospect Heights High School
883 Classon Avenue, Brooklyn

Bed Stuy Healthy Living Series

VDAY HARLEM 2010

V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual slavery.

Our Harlem production of The Vagina Monologues will feature women of all different backgrounds and career paths organizing and performing this Phenomenal and Fierce work to raise money and awareness for the 2010 Spotlight: The Women and Girls of the Democratic Republic of Congo and our local beneficiary, Steps to End Family Violence

This year we will be having THREE shows because of the incredible outpouring of support we had last year: 4 PM, 6 PM, and an 8 PM show with a reception. Tickets will be $15 for the 4 PM and 6 PM shows, and $25 for the 8 PM show and reception.

Get your tickets at Brown Paper Tickets (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/103907). We'd especially love if you could join me at the 8pm show as there is a reception directly following with free food, beer and wine. Seating is limited, and both shows sold out completely last year, so buy your tickets fast!

For those of you who will not be able to make it, please take some time to read about the V-DAY movement against violence towards women and girls, and donate whatever you can – every little bit truly helps, whether it’s $5 or $50. DONATE (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=3878579).

Thank you so much for your support!

The Cast & Crew

Organizers:
Tiffany Johnson & Sheebani Patel

Performers:
Janine Blunt
Kiku Chaudhuri
Melissa Corbett
Candice Gordon
Tiffany Johnson
Sweta Kapadia
J.J. Orgera
Sheebani Patel
Rebecca Rafelson
Sarah Schlein
Lesley Younge
Lisa Sheth

Buy your tickets at Brown Paper Tickets:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/103907

APRIL 10: NYC City-Wide Parent Conference

VDAY HARLEM 2010

District 13: April Chat & Chew

VDAY HARLEM 2010

Send your farewell to Rush

Rush Limbaugh says that if health insurance passes, he's leaving the country:

"I'll just tell you this," ... "If this passes and it's five years from now and all that stuff gets implemented -- I am leaving the country. I'll go to Costa Rica"

We're not going to miss you, Rush.

Sign our Farewell Card to Rush and we'll deliver your signatures and names once reform passes.

VDAY HARLEM 2010

V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual slavery.

Our Harlem production of The Vagina Monologues will feature women of all different backgrounds and career paths organizing and performing this Phenomenal and Fierce work to raise money and awareness for the 2010 Spotlight: The Women and Girls of the Democratic Republic of Congo and our local beneficiary, Steps to End Family Violence

This year we will be having THREE shows because of the incredible outpouring of support we had last year: 4 PM, 6 PM, and an 8 PM show with a reception. Tickets will be $15 for the 4 PM and 6 PM shows, and $25 for the 8 PM show and reception.

Get your tickets at Brown Paper Tickets. We'd especially love if you could join me at the 8pm show as there is a reception directly following with free food, beer and wine. Seating is limited, and both shows sold out completely last year, so buy your tickets fast!

For those of you who will not be able to make it, please take some time to read about the V-DAY movement against violence towards women and girls, and donate whatever you can – every little bit truly helps, whether it’s $5 or $50. DONATE (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=3878579).

Thank you so much for your support!

The Cast & Crew

Organizers:
Tiffany Johnson & Sheebani Patel

Performers:
Janine Blunt
Kiku Chaudhuri
Melissa Corbett
Candice Gordon
Tiffany Johnson
Sweta Kapadia
J.J. Orgera
Sheebani Patel
Rebecca Rafelson
Sarah Schlein
Lesley Younge
Lisa Sheth

PRESS RELEASE: Chancellor Klein Announces Expansion of Cutting-Edge "School of One" Program

CHANCELLOR KLEIN ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF CUTTING-EDGE “SCHOOL OF ONE” PROGRAM

More than 240 Middle School Students at Three Schools Participating in the Seven Week After-School Program

Program Resulted in Strong Achievement Gains for Students Participating in Summer Pilot

Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein today announced that the School of One, a first-of-its-kind program that uses technology to provide students with highly individualized and innovative classroom instruction, has been expanded to three middle schools as an after-school math program. School of One departs from the traditional classroom model of one teacher and 25 to 30 students in the classroom. Instead, at the School of One, students participate in a combination of teacher-led instruction, one-on-one tutoring, and independent learning. This spring, more than 240 sixth grade students at I.S. 339 in the Bronx, I.S. 288 in Brooklyn, and M.S. 131 in Manhattan are taking part in the seven week after-school program, which will conclude in late April. In May, the School of One program will transition for the first time to an in-school program at one of the three schools, offering students the opportunity to experience this type of learning during the school day. All three schools will have in-school programs during the 2010-2011 school year.

The School of One launched as a summer pilot program in math last June at M.S. 131, a middle school on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, and gained national attention. In November, Time magazine recognized it as one of the 50 best inventions of 2009. School of One combines traditional teaching with cutting-edge instructional software so that students receive an educational program that is customized to their academic needs, interests, and learning styles. To organize this type of learning, students follow unique schedules based on what they accomplished the previous day. As a result, students within the same school or even classroom can receive very different instruction, each lesson tailored to the concepts a student needs to learn and the ways he or she can best learn them. Teachers acquire data about student achievement each day and then adapt their lessons accordingly.

“School of One represents some of the most cutting-edge work being done in education today and it’s exciting that more students have the opportunity to participate,” Chancellor Klein said. “I’m proud that we’ve put a record number of students on the path to graduation, but we must also ensure our classrooms are preparing all of our students for success in the real world. As part of this effort, we must explore new ways to deliver instruction and leverage technology to improve learning. That’s what the School of One is all about.”

“Every student deserves personalized learning,” School of One founder Joel Rose said. “Meeting this need is a tall order, even for the best of teachers. But by combining great teaching with state-of-the-art technology, personalized student learning is now within our reach. We are excited to begin this next phase of our growth so that we can more deeply understand how School of One can be best implemented across many schools during the regular school day.”

An independent study of last summer’s pilot showed that School of One increased student achievement by 28 points on a test of middle school math skills given before and after the program, raising student scores from an average of 42 percent to 70 percent.

“I saw firsthand the power of School of One last summer,” Principal of M.S. 131, Phyllis Tam, said. “There's little doubt in my mind that it is the future of education. The academic results we saw from the program were extraordinary. And beyond that, our teachers were inspired, our students were engaged, our parents were intrigued, and our entire school community couldn't wait to bring School of One back this year.”

“For years, we've talked about personalizing education down to the individual child,” I.S. 399 Principal Jason Levy said. “I wanted to bring School of One to our school to help meet the needs of each student in an innovative way.”

“School of One totally transforms the delivery of math instruction to our students with the focus being on student learning,” I.S. 228 Principal Dominick D’Angelo said. “School of One provides an engaging, creative, and exciting learning environment for all levels and types of students. The impact of School of One on education will be comparable to the impact of the industrial revolution on manufacturing.”

The School of One has been supported by generous grants to The Fund for Public Schools from a network of funding partners, including the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Robin Hood, NewSchools Venture Fund, the Google Inc. Charitable Giving Fund of Tides Foundation, and Cisco Global Education.

###

Contact: David Cantor / Matthew Mittenthal (212) 374-5141

VDAY HARLEM 2010

Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Youth Arts Academy

http://www.restorationplaza.org/arts-and-culture/youth-arts-academy

NOTICE: NYC SCHOOLS CLOSED 2/10

NOTICE:

Subject: School Closure Tomorrow

At one p.m., the Mayor will be announcing that all New York City public schools will be closed tomorrow because of weather conditions. All afterschool activities and PSAL events will also be cancelled. Even if conditions are fine in morning, we expect conditions to worsen as the day progresses which would make dismissal challenging. We are making this decision today to give parents as much time as possible to make alternative plans for tomorrow. Please make every effort to advise your parents today.

Rubber Rooms: Klein versus NYC Teachers

"Rubber rooms" have been in the news as of late. It made me think of this August 2009 article published in the New Yorker.

The inhabitants are all New York City schoolteachers who have been sent to what is officially called a Temporary Reassignment Center but which everyone calls the Rubber Room.

These fifteen teachers, along with about six hundred others, in six larger Rubber Rooms in the city’s five boroughs, have been accused of misconduct, such as hitting or molesting a student, or, in some cases, of incompetence, in a system that rarely calls anyone incompetent.

By the time Bloomberg took office, forty-two years later, many education reformers believed that the U.F.T. and its political allies had gained so much clout that it had become impossible for the city’s Board of Education, which already shared a lot of power with local boards, to maintain effective school oversight.

Check out the article at the New Yorker website.

February 2nd: Charter School Advocacy Day

From NYSCA


TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2010
2010 Charter School Advocacy Day!
At the State Capitol, Albany, NY

That's right, charter schools should mark their calendars for Tuesday, February 2nd for the annual charter school Advocacy Day where all charter school stakeholders - parents, students, employees, and trustees - can join forces to lobby state legislators and policymakers on behalf of your school and New York's charter movement at our state's capital city of Albany.

Last February, Advocacy Day drew 800 participants from all over New York State - a record number we hope to exceed this coming February.

Advocacy for your charter school, and the charter school movement as a whole, is vital. Charter schools were authorized by the state Legislature and subject to laws created by and subject to change by the Legislature in a way that could advance or cripple a charter school's ability to succeed for its students.

Video: NYC

Drift from mustardcuffins on Vimeo.

The Brian Lehrer Charter School Cap

Check out the recording

With the possibility that $700 million in federal Race to the Top funds hangs in the balance, the governor, mayor, and legislature are tangling over lifting the cap on charter schools. Maura Walz, reporter at Gotham Schools.org, shares the latest as the deadline for the vote approaches.

Video: Severn Suzuki addresses the U.N.

Be the change you want to see in the world

An excerpt:

In my country, we make so much waste, we buy and throw away, buy and throw away, and yet northern countries will not share with the needy. Even when we have more than enough, we are afraid to lose some of our wealth, afraid to share.

In Canada, we live the privileged life, with plenty of food, water and shelter -- we have watches, bicycles, computers and television sets.

Two days ago here in Brazil, we were shocked when we spent some time with some children living on the streets. And this is what one child told us: "I wish I was rich and if I were, I would give all the street children food, clothes, medicine, shelter and love and affection."

If a child on the street who has nothing, is willing to share, why are we who have everyting still so greedy?

February 2nd: Charter School Advocacy Day

From NYSCA

SAVE THE DATE:
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2010
2010 Charter School Advocacy Day!
At the State Capitol, Albany, NY

That's right, charter schools should mark their calendars for Tuesday, February 2nd for the annual charter school Advocacy Day where all charter school stakeholders - parents, students, employees, and trustees - can join forces to lobby state legislators and policymakers on behalf of your school and New York's charter movement at our state's capital city of Albany.

Last February, Advocacy Day drew 800 participants from all over New York State - a record number we hope to exceed this coming February.

Advocacy for your charter school, and the charter school movement as a whole, is vital. Charter schools were authorized by the state Legislature and subject to laws created by and subject to change by the Legislature in a way that could advance or cripple a charter school's ability to succeed for its students.

Additional details will be made available to charter schools and on-line as Advocacy Day draws closer. We hope to see you in Albany on February 2nd!

Open Letter from Malcolm X Merchants Association & Bainbridge St/Malcolm X Block Association

An open letter from the Malcolm X Merchants Association and Bainbridge Street/Malcolm X Block Association regarding another yet another adult male homeless shelter in Bed-Stuy:

Collectively we are asking that a full investigation into the legitimacy and intent of the “Gelzer Foundation”. This includes documentation of its owner, officers and financial beneficiaries. We are also requesting that HPD and New York State’s Buildings Department conduct a full investigation on the facility’s outstanding violations. These outstanding violations create a safety hazard for both the residents, neighboring structures and community at large.
Help us reach out to hold this organization accountable. Pass this letter on to your block associations. community leaders and activists. Let no longer be a dumping ground.

Find the entire letter here: http://bk.ly/bmG

Auctions for Haiti

Check out the print auctions for Haiti.

List of photos.

Brooklyn Donation Site for Haiti

Carousel Children's Center has partnered with the local Medical Office on the corner of Lafayette and Ft. Greene Place, to provide donated children's goods for Haiti. Items which were donated last week have already been taken by a crew of doctors who are now in Haiti.

Thank you for all those who managed to donate after the first call for goods. Another round of doctors at the Medical Center plan to leave for Haiti to relieve those doctors already on the ground. Carousel is now welcoming anyone in the community who wants to donate items as of Tuesday, Jan 19th.

Items most in need:
Children's toothbrushes/toothpaste (NEW/UNOPENED)
face cloths/towels (clean/new)
baby blankets (new or lightly used - light weight for warm weather)
diapers (all sizes)
wipes
band-aids
combs/brushes
new and gently used shoes and warm weather clothing
soap (bars only)
pull-ups
NEW (packaged) underwear for both boys and girls
NEW (unopened) Children's Tylenol/Advil
NEW (unopened) Children's vitamins
Disposable thermometers
Alcohol wipes/disinfectant
plastic gloves (NEW/packaged)

Do not bring canned goods at this point - the doctors can pack many of these items in their cases as they are on the ground and distribute directly to the people they meet. Please consider giving only those things that are of the best quality.

Where to donate: 96 Ft. Greene Place, between Lafayette and Hanson Place, Brooklyn
When: Tuesday, Jan 19 - onwards
Times: between 8:30am - 5:30pm
Questions?: contact the School's director, Erica James at 718 596-7912

Sincere thanks,
The Carousel Community

"School Bake Sales Are Back On, but Only for Haiti"

To raise funds for Haiti, NYC schools are now allowed to have bake sales.

In the fall, the schools chancellor, Joel I. Klein, severely restricted bake sales in schools as part of the city’s effort to limit students’ consumption of junk food. Students raising money for trips and clubs could sell only from a list of specifically approved snacks, like baked chips and granola bars. Parents and students complained that the new regulations stifled their ability to raise money for extracurricular activities.

But Mr. Klein has waived the restrictions to allow students and schools to raise money for relief efforts in Haiti. In a memo sent to school administrators Friday, the Education Department’s legal office said that Mr. Klein was “temporarily waiving the restrictions on bake sales.” The memo said that schools must still comply with federal and state laws, which prohibit selling candy and soda to students before the end of the last lunch period.

For more information and the regulations, check out the NY Times.

Help Haiti: Donate by Text

Text YELE to 501501 to donate $5 to that organization Yele Haiti for earthquake relief efforts.

Help Haiti: Donate by Text

If everyone with a cell phone donated 10 dollars to the Haitian relief fund organized by the Red Cross we can make a huge difference.

Text to "Haiti" and the number is 90999 and your cell phone will be charged 10 dollars.

If you have a loved one in Haiti and you have not heard from them the State Department has set up a toll free number. Please call 1 -888-407-4747.

Lunar New Year in NYC

This year Chinese New Year is on February 14, 2010. It is the year of the Tiger.

Firecracker Ceremony & Cultural Festival
Date: Sunday, February 14, 2010
Where: from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Columbus Park

The firecracker detonation, with expected attendance by local politicians and community leaders, is intended to ward off evil spirits. A large stage will feature all-day cultural performances by traditional and contemporary Asian-American singers and dancers. Plus, a dozen lion, dragon and unicorn dance troupes will march through Chinatown’s main streets, including Mott Street, the Bowery, East Broadway, Bayard Street, Elizabeth Street and Pell Street.

11th Annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade & Festival

The parade usually winds throughout Chinatown along Mott, Canal, and Bayard streets, and along East Broadway.
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 4 pm, Saturday, February 21, 2010
Place: Canal Street South

The spectacle features elaborate floats, marching bands, lion and dragon dances galore, Asian musicians, magicians, acrobats and procession by local organizations. Over 5,000 people are expected to march in the parade, which will start at Mott Street and promenade through practically every street in of Chinatown, finally dispersing at Worth Street. The parade is expected to conclude at 3 pm, at which time an outdoor cultural festival will take place on Bayard Street featuring more performances by musicians, dancers and martial artists.

From About.com.

Also check out the Chinatown website for events.

District 13 Community Education Council Meeting

District 13 Community Education Council Meeting
Wednesday, January 13
Business Meeting 6-7
Public Meeting 7-8:30

P.S. 9
80 Underhill Ave
Brooklyn, NY

VDAY HARLEM 2010

VDAY HARLEM 2010
April 10, 2010

Shows at 2 pm, 6 pm and 8 pm

Reception following 8 pm show

Location TBD

V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual slavery.

Saved by the Well is on Amazon!

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!

As many of you know, I am part of an organization called Dream Village. Dream Village uses picture books and the web to help children learn about and address the world's most pressing issues. The best part is we donate 50% of our profits to our featured nonprofits based on how our readers (kids), vote!

I am very excited to let you all know that we have just published our very first book entitled Saved By The Well (http://bit.ly/savedbythewell) in time for this holiday season. They make a fantastic holiday gift - not only does your purchase make a difference, but you help children learn how to make a difference, too.

*Buy a hardcover version of Saved by the Well
*Buy a softcover version of Saved by the Well

Please help us to kick off our first publication with a bang and purchase your copy during this holiday season!

Thank you!

Brooklyn CEC Borough-wide Meeting

OFEA will be hosting the monthly Brooklyn CEC borough wide meeting

DATE: Wednesday, January 27th , 2009 at 6:00pm

LOCATION: PS 217, 1100 Newkirk Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11230.


TOPIC: We will be discussing School Leadership Teams on this day. We also encourage Council members to send topics of discussion they would like to have at the monthly meetings to their Deputy Borough Directors.

Please email OFEA with any questions.

February 2nd: Charter School Advocacy Day

From NYSCA

SAVE THE DATE:
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2010
2010 Charter School Advocacy Day!
At the State Capitol, Albany, NY

That's right, charter schools should mark their calendars for Tuesday, February 2nd for the annual charter school Advocacy Day where all charter school stakeholders - parents, students, employees, and trustees - can join forces to lobby state legislators and policymakers on behalf of your school and New York's charter movement at our state's capital city of Albany.

Last February, Advocacy Day drew 800 participants from all over New York State - a record number we hope to exceed this coming February.

Advocacy for your charter school, and the charter school movement as a whole, is vital. Charter schools were authorized by the state Legislature and subject to laws created by and subject to change by the Legislature in a way that could advance or cripple a charter school's ability to succeed for its students.

Additional details will be made available to charter schools and on-line as Advocacy Day draws closer. We hope to see you in Albany on February 2nd!

New York Child Restraint Law

New York State's "New" Child Restraint Law

Effective 11/2009

All children must be restrained in an appropriate child restraint system until they reach their 8th birthday, while riding in a motor vehicle. An appropriate child restraint system is one that meets the child's size and weight recommended by manufacturer. The safety belt in your vehicle is not designed for children. A booster seat raises your child up so that the safety belt fits your child correctly and provides the proper protection.

Visit www.safeny.com for more information