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