— IN THE PAST WEEK —
Vallone Joins Bayside High School PTA in the Fight for Fair Student
Funding
Council Member Paul Vallone and the Bayside High School Parent Teacher
Association are calling on the Department of Education to increase funding
to one of New York City’s top performing high schools. In previous school
years, Bayside High School has only received 83% -90% of the funding amount
expected based upon the Department of Education’s own formula. Funding
shortfalls for the coming year will result in cutting the career and
technical programs, a significant part of what attracts 12,000 annual
applicants to the school.
In 2007, Mayor Bloomberg implemented Fair Student Funding (FSF), a formula
that pools and distributes city, state and federal school funding
allocations to each city school. FSF is the main source of money for most
schools and is based on a “weighted pupil-funding model.” With input from
the School Leadership Team, principals decide how to spend these funds to
meet basic educational needs and operating expenses at their schools.
Over the last decade, Bayside High School has faced consistent shortfalls
in Fair Student Funding. The majority of City schools, particularly large
high schools, face the same issue.
For years, Bayside High School has consistently placed as one of the top
performing schools in the City of New York. The graduation rate has
increased in recent years to 98%, the third highest graduation rate for
large schools in the City. A total 96% of students graduate with college
credit.
“Despite its name, this program is clearly not fair to our students at
Bayside High School and our high schools in Northeast Queens,” said Council
Member Vallone. “Year after year, Bayside High School has proven itself to
be among the best performing schools in the City, but was shortchanged by
nearly three million dollars in the most recent school year alone. Strides
to bring Bayside High School fair funding are critical to ensure educators
have the resources they need to contribute to continued student success and
high graduation rates. I applaud the Parent Teacher Association on their
call for true equity and I will continue advocacy efforts at City Hall.”
“The DOE has underfunded Bayside High School for more than a decade,” said
PTA President Paul Di Benedetto. “That’s not opinion; that’s according to
the DOE’s own formula! This year, we’re looking at $3 million less than our
kids should receive. The DOE should be rewarding excellence, not penalizing
it.”
Read More Coverage:
[1]Queens Courier
[2]Patch
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Big Win for Whitestone as Residents Report Reduced Summer Helicopter Noise
As Northeast Queens residents continue to report significant decreases in
helicopter noise throughout the busiest summer months, Council Member Paul
Vallone and Congressman Tom Suozzi are calling on the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) to make this successful pilot program permanent.
In October 2018, the FAA began a six-month test of an alternative route
which shifted air traffic away from Northeast Queens and cut helicopter and
seaplane traffic by up to 50 percent. The current six-month extension,
which will run through October 2, 2019, is bringing continued relief to the
residents of Bayside, Bay Terrace, Malba and Whitestone through the
normally more active summertime months.
In 2008, the FAA established the North Shore Helicopter Route as a
voluntary path that pilots could take over the Long Island Sound. In 2012,
it was mandated that pilots utilize the route when flying to and from the
East End, and in 2016, the FAA ruled to keep the route active through 2020.
“From Memorial Day to Labor Day and into the fall, Northeast Queens
residents will be free to enjoy their backyards, parks and waterfronts
without the constant assault of helicopter noise that unfortunately in past
years became the norm,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “As this pilot
program continues to provide needed relief to the families who call
Northeast Queens home, I join Congressman Suozzi in urging the FAA to
establish this as a permanent change.”
“I am grateful to the FAA for heeding my numerous phone calls, letters, and
personal entreaties to address the helicopter noise in Whitestone,” said
Congressman Tom Suozzi. “All reports indicate that the pilot program has
resulted in dramatic quality of life improvements for the residents of
northeastern Queens. Now, Council Member Vallone, the folks at We Love
Whitestone, and I will continue pleading with the FAA to take this very
successful pilot program and make it permanent.”
“Thanks to efforts by our community working along with Congressman Suozzi
and Councilman Vallone, the modification of the NSR has achieved a
significant decrease in helicopter and sea plane traffic over the
communities of Northeast Queens,” said George Mirtsopoulos, vice president
of the We Love Whitestone Civic Association. “On behalf of our community,
we are grateful for not only this improvement to our quality of life, but
also for the reduction of traffic subjecting these communities to the
possibility of a more severe incident that could impact the well-being of
residents. We urge our elected officials to advocate for a mandatory all
water route to ensure the safety of the residents of New York City, which
is the desired goal on this issue.”
Read More Coverage:
[3]Patch
[4]Queens Courier
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— MORE NEWS —
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Whitestone Park Cleanup!
Proud of one of my stellar summer interns, Chris, for spearheading a
cleanup of Whitestone's Francis Lewis Park last weekend! Chris organized a
group of 15 volunteers, who collected over a hundred pounds of litter from
the park on Saturday. Fantastic work!
— IMPORTANT RESOURCES —
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Thanks for reading! As always, if you have any questions or concerns, do
not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely,
Hon. Paul A. Vallone
New York City Council, District 19
42-40 Bell Boulevard, Suite 507
Bayside, New York 11361
718.619.8611
[email protected]
Follow me on [5]Facebook, [6]Twitter and [7]Instagram
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