In the News Issue: Education

SENATE PASSES BILL BANNING OFFENDERS FROM WORKING ON SCHOOL BUSES

Posted by Owen H. Johnson on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

    The New York State Senate today passed a bill that would ban certain criminal offenders from working on school buses (S.6157A). The bill, sponsored by Senator John Bonacic, prohibits people who are convicted of offenses, such as sex and drug crimes, from being school bus monitors.     The bill also bans anyone convicted under Leandra’s Law from being a school bus driver for five years after conviction. Leandra’s Law makes it a felony to drive drunk with others in the car who are under 16 years old.   

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Senator Adams visits the Brooklyn Amity School

Posted by Eric Adams on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Senator Eric Adams visited the Brooklyn Amity School, where he spoke to the students about diversity and tolerance.

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Newsday - LI Districts May Get Second Chance On Aid

Posted by John J. Flanagan on Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

By Carl MacGowan - January 19, 2012

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's proposed budget has good news -- and a modicum of bad news -- for four Suffolk school districts facing the loss of $48 million in construction aid due to missed deadlines, state lawmakers said this week.

The governor's 2012-13 budget plan, released Tuesday, would allow the Central Islip, Smithtown, Babylon and Rocky Point districts to reapply for the aid this year, lawmakers said. But they may be docked part of the aid as a penalty for the filing errors.

The measure requires approval by the State Legislature as part of the budget process, which has an April 1 deadline.

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P.S. 234 Elementary School Gym Repaired

Posted by Michael Gianaris on Friday, January 20th, 2012

The Queens Gazette article announces that the P.S. 234 School Gym, which has been closed since September due to flood damage, was finally repaired as a result of the efforts made by parents and elected officials.

Following a joint effort by Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr. and state Senator Michael Gianaris, the gymnasium at the Astoria Elementary School, P.S. 234, which suffered substantial flood damage, has been repaired and is now in use.

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Parents from P.S. 234 angry over unusable school gym

Posted by Michael Gianaris on Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

The Queens Courier wrote an article about the delay in reopening P.S. 234’s school gym, which has many parents concerned. Senator Gianaris believes the handling of the situation is unacceptable.

Parents from P.S. 234 are exercising their voices in disapproval of the delay in reopening the school’s flood-ravaged gymnasium.The elementary school, located at 30-15 29th Street in Astoria, has been without a gym since September due to damage caused by severe rain storms. The flooding produced “bumps” in the gym floor and has prevented the facility from being used thus far this semester, prompting many parents to wonder whether their children are receiving the proper physical education.

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Elected Officials Seek Construction Funding For P.S. 2, P.S. 11

Posted by Michael Gianaris on Friday, January 13th, 2012

The Queens Gazette wrote an article drawing attention to a School Construction Authority (SCA) budget ammendment proposal, which reduces construction funding for schools in desperate need of assistance. Senator Michael Gianaris, along with parents and other elected officials, urges the SCA to include these schools back in the capital plan in order to ensure that the needs of the children are satisfied. 

While supporting needs throughout District 30, Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, Assemblymember Catherine Nolan and state Senator Michael Gianaris spoke in support of two especially beleaguered schools: P.S. 2, Jackson Heights and P.S. 11, Long Island City.

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Damaged gym at PS 234 Astoria means students watch movies, do jumping jacks in classrooms

Posted by Michael Gianaris on Friday, January 13th, 2012

The New York Daily News article investigates a school gym repair delay that has deprived students at Public School 234 of physical exercise. Senator Gianaris speaks out against the delay, stating that physical exercise is an educational requirement. 

While a Queens elementary school waits for the city to fix its gym, the phys ed program consists of jumping jacks in the classroom and movies in the auditorium.

A city Education Department official said work on the the gym at Public School 234 in Astoria is expected to begin over the winter break and should be completed within the next three months. The facility was damaged by April storms.

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