Issues: Education

FROM THE DESK OF SENATOR JACK MARTINS

Dad’s Lesson on Resilience

On Father’s Day this past weekend I sat at the breakfast table with my four daughters, facing the whirlwind of their seemingly unconnected conversations, with my occasional attempts to join in gently dismissed at least a half-dozen times by sweet smiles and quiet chuckles. It reminded me of Mark Twain who wrote, “When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” I guess that’s nature’s way – it takes time to truly appreciate parents, especially dads and their wisdom.

June 18, 2013
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Grisanti, Peoples-Stokes, DPCC,Buffalo Reform-Ed Community Leaders Call on State Assembly to Vote on Legislation to Reform Buffalo Public Schools

Senator Mark Grisanti (R, I-60) today was joined by representatives of the District Parent Coordinating Council , Buffalo ReformEd, and other community leaders to urge the State Assembly to act on two pieces of legislation that would increase parents involvement and save taxpayers money in the City of Buffalo.

 

Bill S. 868 calls for moving the election of members of the City of Buffalo School Board from May to November, a measure that will improve voter turnout and save taxpayers over $100,000 by consolidating elections. The legislation also calls for extending the terms of current members of the Buffalo School Board to the last day of December rather than June, allowing for future terms of office to run from January through December.

 

June 17, 2013
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SENATOR FUSCHILLO’S LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE SAFETY FOR STUDENTS PASSED BY SENATE

     Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) announced that the New York State Senate recently passed legislation he sponsored to help improve safety for students traveling to and from school. The legislation would allow school districts to provide busing to children who would not normally qualify for transportation for safety reasons.

June 17, 2013
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RITCHIE, BARCLAY JOIN VOLNEY STUDENTS FOR “GOVERNMENT DAY”

State Senator Patty Ritchie visited Volney Elementary recently, to meet with 6th grade students who participated in the school’s Government Day.

As part of the visit, Senator Ritchie presented each student with a certificate, recognizing them for their participation. 

June 14, 2013
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Sarah Jones

This is Sarah Jones from Guilderland High School, who recently visited me in the Capitol. Sarah was one of 51 students -- one from each State and the District of Columbia -- who wrote award-winning essays for the national World War II Museum's "Salute to Freedom" contest. She is quite an impressive young lady.

June 14, 2013
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WBFO 88.7 FM: Could Buffalo voters decide future city school budgets?

State Senator Mark Grisanti says he hopes to spark change in the Buffalo School District at a critical time. On Tuesday, the Senate passed a bill, introduced by Grisanti, that would allow city residents to vote on the school budget.

June 13, 2013
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Buffalo News Editorial: November election for School Board will boost turnout, save city money

The recent School Board election in the City of Buffalo drew many more voters than the previous one, but that isn’t saying much. The paltry turnout is why it’s important to move city School Board elections from May to November.

This year we saw one of the most controversial elections in recent memory, and fewer than 12,000 voters turned out. More than 3,200 of those votes were cast in the Park District, where developer Carl P. Paladino overwhelmed opponent Adrian F. Harris.

But it shouldn’t take an electrifying candidate to raise voter turnout. One sure-fire method of drawing more voters would be to align the School Board election with November’s general election.

June 13, 2013
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MARTINS SUPPORTS ELMONT DAD'S CLUB CAR WASH FUNDRAISER AT COVERT AVENUE SCHOOL

State Senator Jack Martins dropped by the Elmont Dad's Club annual Car Wash Fundraiser. Both Dutch Broadway and Covert Avenue hosts the car wash where hundreds of residents line up and are given service with a smile by members of the Dad's Club, students and members of the Elmont Memorial High School Key Club. Pictured with Senator Martins are Elmont School Trustee Anthony Maffea and his Car Wash Team!

June 13, 2013
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News 12: Sachem kindergarten program saved from cuts; district must approve new budget

News 12 reports on how funding secured by Senators Flanagan, Boyle and Zeldin has helped to save full-day kindergarten in the Sachem School Disrict

June 12, 2013
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Senator Grisanti Calls For Buffalo School Board Annual Budget To Be Approved By Voters

Senator Mark Grisanti (R, I-60) today announced that the Senate has passed bill S.1044 requiring the City of Buffalo's board of education to submit their annual school district budget to voters for approval prior to final adoption of the spending plan.    Senator Grisanti's introduction of this bill, combined with his recent introduction of legislation that calls for the annual election of school board members in Buffalo to be moved from May to November, are efforts to try and increase the community's participation and involvement with the Buffalo School District.

June 12, 2013
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Senate Approves Bills to Cut Red Tape that Hurts Job Creation

Berger Commission-Style Panel To Make Binding Recommendations 

ALBANY - The New York State Senate passed 14 regulatory reform bills yesterday as the first part of a major initiative, that includes statewide public forums, to identify and eliminate thousands of costly and unnecessary government regulations that inhibit job creation and drive up local property taxes. Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I-Olean) applauded the package’s passage as a win for taxpayers, and growing the economy and jobs.

June 11, 2013
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Senator Carlucci Presents Clarkstown South Student Alana Kurtti with $1,500 Scholarship Award

ALBANY – Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) recently awarded a $1,500 scholarship prize to Clarkstown South High School student Alana Kurtti as the winner of this year's Italian-American State Legislators Scholarship Program. 

The New City native stood out from her fellow applicants, boasting an impressive resume that included a 4.56 Grade Point Average (GPA), including her participation in activities outside of the classroom.  She currently serves as Captain of her Varsity Softball Team, President of the Greenhouse Club, and volunteers her time spare time fundraising for Operation Smile and St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. 

June 11, 2013
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SENATOR MARTINS ATTENDS RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR NEW HOFSTRA MEDICAL SCHOOL

New York State Senator Jack M. Martins, the newest member of the Senate Standing Committee on Heath. attended the ribbon cutting ceremomy for the new Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. 

The ribbon cutting ceremony signified that ground was broken on a new, 65,000-square-foot expansion that will more than double the size of the school just two years after enrolling its first students. The new facility comes at a critical time since future doctors are needed to accomodate the fact that more people will be insured in the new to come. 

June 11, 2013
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Senate Approves Bills to Cut Red Tape That Hurts Job Creation

The New York State Senate passed 14 regulatory reform bills today as the first part of a major initiative, that includes statewide public forums, to identify and eliminate thousands of costly and unnecessary government regulations that inhibit job creation and drive up local property taxes.

June 10, 2013
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Ranzenhofer secures $290,000 for Space Lab Planetarium

Ensures state-of-the-art facility continues to be a regional asset for students all across Western New York

 

Williamsville, N.Y. – State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has secured a $290,000 grant for the Williamsville Education Foundation to upgrade and replace outdated equipment for the Space Lab Planetarium at Williamsville North High School.

 

June 10, 2013
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Senator Young Announces Summer Reading Program

Students can track reading progress, share with family and friends

OLEAN  – With the end of the school year in sight, many students are anxiously awaiting the summer months. To keep their skills honed and minds sharp, the New York State Senate, in conjunction with the New York State Library, has launched the Summer Reading Program for students across the State.

June 7, 2013
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Legislators Hold Forum on Impact of Testing and Mandates on Public Schools

Teachers, parents, school superintendents and administrators from rural, urban and suburban school districts  provided testimony to state legislators today on the impact increased testing and new state and federal mandates are having on our public schools. 

The forum was organized by Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy and State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk, both of whom are former school board presidents. They were joined by Democratic and Republican colleagues from the Senate and Assembly.

Testimony was presented on the effects testing can have on children’s emotional health, the loss of hours of instructional time, and the financial strain caused by testing and other mandates at a time when school districts’ budgets are stretched to the limit.

June 6, 2013
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RITCHIE HONORS MORE THAN 40 CNY, NNY EDUCATORS WITH “TEACHERS OF EXCELLENCE” AWARD

Teachers Receive Special Funding for Classroom Enrichment

More than 40 educators from Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties were each awarded $500 in special funding for classroom enrichment at Senator Patty Ritchie’s “Teachers of Excellence” program, held Thursday in Watertown.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE EVENT PROGRAM

The funding—which represents a $22,000 addition to the increase in state education funding local schools received this year—will be used by educators for technology, supplies and other improvements in the classroom. 

June 6, 2013
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