Dear John,
Before we jump into our newsletter, I need to address the horrible killing of the dog Moose and the attack on his guardian Jessica Chrustic in Prospect Park. There have now been several stories written about this tragic situation, many of which have mischaracterized my view and our office’s role and attention. I want to be extremely clear - since the beginning, our office has been in contact with Jessica, the local NYPD precinct, and the Prospect Park Alliance to see how we can be helpful. We have offered our office and staff as a resource, and at every opportunity, we have looked to Jessica to follow her lead and then done whatever we could to assist the NYPD in their investigation. The park is an extremely special place for our entire community, including myself and my team, and it breaks my heart that anyone would face violence there. This story has been exploited by many as an example of what happens when crime strikes a progressive neighborhood and how our community responds. But this is about the tragic death of a beloved dog, not some microcosm of a national debate. My responsibility is to ensure Jessica is supported and that every member of our community - this includes our animal friends - is safe in the park. We will continue to work with the local precinct, as we have been for weeks, to provide neighbors with updates on the investigation as we learn them. My office and I will remain open to Jessica as she continues to grieve.
Now for our newsletter. Today is another education update! If you aren’t signed up for our regular education updates, you can do so by updating your email information here. Here are the toplines.
- COVID-19 cases remain stable in the City, so now is a better time than ever to get your updated booster shot!
- Our next Neighborhood Assembly for Participatory Budgeting is this upcoming Tuesday, 10/11, at the Carroll Gardens Library! RSVP so we know you’re coming.
- Can't make it to a Neighborhood Assembly? Submit your idea online before 10/17.
- Want to vote for more Participatory Budgeting projects? The City has launched a citywide PB process with $5 million available in non-profit programmatic funding. Submit your idea today!
School Admissions Announcement
Last week, the School Chancellor announced the end of the middle school admissions lottery and a return to the pre-pandemic testing and grade requirements found in many schools across the City. I want to be clear about where I stand on these issues with my community. These new policies risk furthering inequity in our City’s deeply segregated school system, and I stand opposed to them.
In District 15, we have seen the transformative effects of the community-based Diversity Plan that removed middle school screens and centered community engagement. This plan has improved diversity in our schools and maintained strong education outcomes. While I am glad to see that the Chancellor will not undo this important work, this policy should be one that we expand Citywide and not just be confined to a single school district. The history of segregation in our City’s school system is long and fraught. Time and again, we have seen the same exclusionary policies produce inequitable outcomes for our most marginalized students. As a City that touts its diversity and promises access to opportunity for all New Yorkers, our schools need to lead the way in facilitating students to reach their full potential. Exclusionary school admissions policies have not produced the integrated schools and equitable outcomes our students deserve.
After the traumatic past few years that disproportionately impacted our most marginalized students, we cannot afford to push forward policies that create additional barriers for marginalized students' access to opportunity. We must enact admissions policies that address systemic inequity and promote a school system that is integrated, student-centered, and enables all New York City students to thrive.
While the Chancellor's announcement to engage parents and school communities in decision-making is appreciated, we need to be implementing policies to remove racial and class-based barriers in our school system - not ingrain them. While the Chancellor announced that Superintendents will be working with their communities to determine whether school screens should be used, with middle school applications opening 10/26, time is limited to conduct the thorough, transparent, language-accessible engagement needed.
I will be working with my colleagues in the Council, and specifically on the Education Committee, over the coming weeks to determine how we can ensure we are dismantling racism in our school system, not entrenching it.
Back To School Tour
This week we kicked off our District 39 School Tour! I was overjoyed that we started at PS 230, my very own alma mater. I walked through classrooms, spoke with teachers, and had in-depth conversations with administrators about how their school is doing. While I heard from many that the transition back to in-person learning has been challenging, we also heard about how valuable the in-classroom interactions and socio-emotional supports have been for students as they return to some semblance of normalcy. We talked about how our office can best support and advocate for the school community and received updates on the incredible work PS 230’s staff is doing to support our diverse community with ESL classes, parent engagement, and extracurriculars. This is just my first stop on my district-wide tour, so please look out for me when I come to your school!
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Council Member in the classroom!
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Community Bulletin
- The PTA Fun Run is fast approaching! Please join us on Saturday, 10/22 at 10 AM at the LeFrak Center in Prospect Park and get ready to race. Register now with your school team and encourage your friends and fellow school community members to do the same.
- Kensington has the largest population of Bangladeshi immigrants in all of Brooklyn, and on Sunday, 10/16, at 1 PM at Kensington Plaza we’re making it official with a street co-naming ceremony of the intersection of McDonald Avenue & Church Avenue as Little Bangladesh. Come and celebrate with us!
- Heads up! Starting at 6 AM on Tuesday, 10/11, there will be construction to install a new trunk water main on the intersection of 6th Avenue and Saint John's Place.
- There will be no parking on both sides of the street on Saint John's Place within 60 feet of the 6th Avenue intersection.
- After work hours, the block will be open for thru traffic.
- Sidewalk access will remain open at all times.
- Check out the Park Slope Parents’ Guide to Halloween and Harvest Fun for suggestions on family-friendly spooky fall festivities!
- Chess in the Schools is offering a free, one-day Teacher Training Institute for interested NYC educators on Saturday, 10/15 via Zoom. Register here and email [email protected] or call (646) 688-0736 for more info or with any questions!
- Do your laundry for free on Monday, 10/10, from 11 AM to 3 PM at Clean Rite Laundromat in Kensington, located on 314 McDonald Avenue. This Free Laundry and Literacy Day is filled with free food, a DJ, face painting, and more. There is no limit on the amount of clothing that can be laundered for free!
- Here are some sanitation updates in advance of Monday’s Holiday:
- Residents who normally receive Monday trash collection should place their material at the curb SUNDAY EVENING, between 4 PM and midnight, for collection beginning Monday, 10/10.
- Residents who normally receive Monday recycling collection should place their material out at curbside between 4 PM and midnight on Sunday, October 16, for pickup on Monday, 10/17.
- Residents who normally receive Monday curbside composting collection should place their material at the curb between 4 PM and midnight Sunday evening for collection beginning Monday, 10/10.
In Solidarity,
Shahana
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