Month: May 2020

On Wednesday, May 27, Yonkers’ State Senator Shelley B. Mayer sent a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo urging that he permit outdoor in-person high school graduation ceremonies in July under guidance set by the NYS Department of Health.

Senator Shelley Mayer, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, said “Our students have already had to make tremendous sacrifices due to the coronavirus pandemic. High school graduation is such a special milestone–I believe that we can find a safe way for them to celebrate.”

The letter states: “The high school graduating class of 2020 should be permitted to embrace their achievements, celebrate their successes and be fully recognized as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

The relationships students have developed with their schools, teachers and peers will forever be grounded in their hearts and we know you share with us a commitment to find a way for them to celebrate their final high school moment in a traditional, ceremonious manner”

But some are worried that an outdoor and in person high school graduation in Westchester County’s largest city could cause a second outbreak of the pandemic that has devastated the city of hills and has already caused students and families much hardship.

The current pandemic that shut Yonkers and Westchester County down on March 22nd was sparked by a child’s bar mitzvah celebration in New Rochelle.

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YONKERS – On Tuesday, May 19th, the New York State Laborers’ Union Local 60 delivered meals to union workers on essential job sites in Yonkers and New Rochelle to show appreciation for the dedication and sacrifice members have displayed to keep Westchester running during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These individuals are tirelessly restoring roadways in New Rochelle, run by PAB Contracting and on the Bronx River Parkway in Yonkers run by Montesano Brothers Inc., to ensure these roads are safe and well-maintained for all New Yorkers.

“From highway maintenance and repairs, to hospital construction, to housing for the homeless and more, New York’s Laborers have been on the frontlines doing the hard work to benefit their communities,” said Anthony Ascencao, Business Manager, Laborers’ Local 60.

“It’s true across the state, and it’s especially here in Westchester County. We are eternally grateful for the work of hospital staffs and first responders, but also want to take a moment to thank these hardworking men and women. Our members are some of the most dedicated individuals you’ll come across, and they truly love what they do in their communities. I want them to know that their work is important and has not gone unnoticed.”

The Laborers’ Local 60 has been using the hashtag #Local60Strong on social media to show solidarity on essential work sites.

You can follow along on Facebook to see the progress they are making on these sites, and any new projects they are working on. Members of the community are asked to show their appreciation by posting encouragement for these men and women in the field.

“Construction, in ideal conditions, can be dangerous, difficult and demanding work,” said Jay Fragoso, Field Representative, Laborers’ Local 60.

“This is especially true in the middle of a pandemic. And yet, we have so many members working every day and getting the job done safely because they know others are depending on them. That type of dedication deserves a heartfelt ‘thank you’ and recognition. This event is just a small way for us to do that, and acknowledge their significant contributions to Westchester County.”

Workers on the job sites enjoyed breakfast sandwiches, baked goods and beverages while viewing messages of appreciation displayed on a mobile truck decal parked on site.

“It’s been a great experience serving these workers on the job today. And they are helping local restaurants like mine survive these hard times”, said Joe Gil, owner of Bagel Land. “We might not always recognize some professions as essential until we need them. These workers are keeping the roads I drive to work in safe and operational.”

“The health and safety of our members is, has always been, and forever will be, our number one priority,” said Patrick Purcell, Executive Director, New York State Laborers’ LECET.

“It is equally important to us that they know their hard work is recognized and appreciated. Our members play an essential role in keeping our state safe and operational. We are thankful for the opportunity to show our gratitude.”

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YONKERS, NY — Sarah Lawrence College will celebrate commencement virtually for the first time in its history.

College officials said the 92nd undergraduate ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Friday and the graduate ceremony will begin at 1 p.m.

More than 300 undergraduates will receive their bachelor of arts degree. The graduate ceremony will confer master of science, master of arts and master of fine arts degrees to more than 125 students.

Graduating students will be invited to experience commencement together with faculty and staff via Zoom.

Tonya Lewis Lee, class of ’88, will be the undergraduate commencement speaker. She is a producer, writer entrepreneur and women’s health advocate, who led to the production of Netflix’s “She’s Gotta Have It” and the film “All Rise.”

Lee is also a bestselling author of children’s books and is the co-author of the bestselling novel “Gotham Diaries.”

The graduate commencement speaker will be Barbara Taylor Bowman, class of ’50.

She is a pioneer in the field of early childhood education and is the co-founder of the Erikson Institute.

Her research which has focused on the importance of early education in childhood development, was the foundation for the federal Head Start program.

Bowman served as a consultant to the U.S. Secretary of Education under the Obama administration.

The public can leave messages of congratulations for undergraduate students and graduate students on Sarah Lawrence’s website.

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Congressman Eliot L. Engel led the New York House Delegation in a bipartisan letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy urging them to forgive advance Medicare payments in the next stimulus package, which provides financial support to New York hospitals treating coronavirus patients.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act created a program to provide hospitals with up to three months of Medicare payments in advance to help them invest in acquiring medical supplies and expand facilities to treat coronavirus patients. New York hospitals have used these dollars to add beds to intensive care units (ICUs), hire additional health care providers, and purchase personal protective equipment (PPE).

But the federal government is also requiring that hospitals repay these advanced payments with added interest.

These hospitals are in the middle of fighting the coronavirus pandemic and do not have the financial resources to pay back these advance Medicare payments as mandated by the CARES Act.

“Our state’s hospitals and health care workers are fighting day-in and day-out to help New Yorkers infected with coronavirus,” said Rep. Engel. “New York hospitals, especially those in New York 16, have made significant investments to ensure they can provide this lifesaving care. At this critical time, the federal government should not be pulling the rug out from these safety-net facilities by requiring them to pay back the monetary support they’ve received with interest. I will continue work with my New York colleagues to urge Speaker Pelosi and Republican Leader McCarthy to forgive these advanced Medicare payments.”

“The City of Yonkers has had the largest prevalence of COVID-19 cases in Westchester County. The cost of caring for these patients and ensuring the safety of our staff has been exorbitant, both emotionally and financially,” said Ronald J Corti, President and CEO of St John’s Riverside Hospital.

“I’d like to thank Congressman Eliot Engel, not only for his consistent support and advocacy of St. John’s Riverside Hospital but also for his support and efforts to secure loan forgiveness in the Medicare advance payment program. St. John’s was burdened with steep additional costs, including increasing surge capacity by 50%, bringing temporary staff on board, acquiring Personal Protective Equipment and ventilators, and providing crisis intervention counseling. At the same time, most of our outpatient business ceased. This policy is necessary for us to survive financially.”

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency which operates Medicare, New York hospitals have received about $6.5 billion in advance Medicare payments.

The New York delegation letter, led by Congressman Engel, sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi and Republican Leader McCarthy urging that they include provisions in the next stimulus package forgiving these payments so that hospitals have the financial support to continue treating New Yorkers infected with coronavirus.

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YONKERS PROUD: The Charter School of Educational Excellence (CSEE) serves children in #Yonkers, the Bronx and Westchester County, and already is one of the region’s highest performing tuition-free, public schools.

YONKERS, NY – Now the Charter School of Educational Excellence been recognized by the New York State Board of Regents as a “recognition school” for the sixth straight year. #CSEE is continuing to accept applications from outside Yonkers for the 2020-21 school year.

QUOTE: “These are exemplary public schools that demonstrate that all students can achieve at high levels with the right supports and resources,” Board of Regents Chancellor #BettyRosa said in a news release late last week.

“Recognition Schools help to ensure equity for all children across New York State. The Regents and I are grateful to all of the teachers and administrators who, in concerted effort with their school communities, are guiding our students toward success.”

“Recognition schools are the highest performing and rapidly improving schools across the state,” Interim Commissioner #ShannonTahoe said in the same news release.

“Recognition Schools across the state demonstrate the relentless commitment of teachers, administrators, staff and parents, without whom this growth would not have been possible.”

This is the 6th straight year the Regents have recognized CSEE in this select group. (Note: the designation was changed this year from Reward School to Recognition School.)

The award comes as CSEE continues to deliver strong remote teaching and learning during the COVID-19 shutdown, with average student attendance at 95 percent.

All academic and extracurricular programs are continuing, including CSEE’s unique partnerships with the Giants, Jets, Knicks and the nation’s top orthopedics and sports medicine hospital, the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

CSEE has ensured that all students have access to educational technology, including laptops and WiFi.

“We thank the Board of Regents, Chancellor Rosa and Interim Commissioner Tahoe for this honor,” CSEE Board Chair and Founder #EduardoLaGuerre said.

“It’s a tribute to our hard-working teachers, school leaders, coaches, board members and all our staff, and of course to our scholars, their parents and entire families. Everyone in the CSEE family is dedicated to learning, growth and development of the whole child.”

CSEE Superintendent Cindy Lopez, in an email to staff, said: “It is because of you and your dedication and unwavering faith in our work as a team, faith in our students and families that CSEE has once again received recognition from the state as being a highly effective school. I cannot wait for us to be together, back in our buildings so that we may celebrate.”

To be identified as a Recognition School under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, a school must:

● have an accountability status of Good Standing;

● have a Level 4 for the Combined Composite Performance and Growth indicator for elementary and middle schools or a Level 4 for the Combined Composite Performance and Graduation Rate for high schools for the All Students group;

● not have a Level 1 for any accountability indicator (English language arts (ELA) and mathematics progress; Chronic Absenteeism; English language Proficiency; College, Career, and Civic Readiness for High Schools) for the All Students group;

● not have any subgroups that were identified as Potential Targeted Support and Improvement (PTSI) based on 2018-19 school year results; and

● not have a 2018-19 Participation Rate for ELA or Math for the All Students group that is less than 95%. If a school did not have enough students to receive a participation rate, the school is still eligible to be identified as a Recognition School.

CSEE educates some 850 students in grades K-9 and will grow to K-12 in the next three years.

Upon completion of its new, privately funded high school campus, CSEE will be serving approximately 1,150 students.

Parent demand is very high, with some 500 students on CSEE’s waiting list.

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ABOUT CSEE: Like all charter public schools, the Charter School of Educational Excellence is tuition free.

#CSEE is one of the highest-performing charter public schools in New York State, outperforming the #WestchesterCounty and statewide averages in every academic category.

Last year, 97% of CSEE 8th graders scored proficient on the ELA assessment and 100% of 8th grade students took the high school level math and science exams.

More than 92% passed the Algebra I Regents and 90% passed the Living Environment Regents, earning credits towards high school graduation.

Only 13 percent of New York’s public schools merited Recognition Award status this year.

www.charterschoolofeducationalexcellence.org/

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