Toby Ann Stavisky's News items

Sen. Stavisky addresses the questions of whether teachers should be obligated to earn a master's degree in education, what should the emphasis of these programs be, and how best to prepare teachers for the challenges of today's classrooms. 

Listen here: http://thecapitolpressroom.org/the-capitol-pressroom-program-for-may-12-2010/  Sen. Stavisky's interview begins at about the 14:30 mark.

First published in print: Sunday, July 12, 2009  As the State University of New York copes with two years of state funding cuts totaling $334 million, state Sen. Toby Stavisky raises a question worth asking: Why, at a time when SUNY has $450 million in cash, has it apparently rebuffed the Paterson administration's proposal to tap some of that money to offset those budget cuts?  It turns out that SUNY has some answers to those questions. But the official word from Chancellor Nancy Zimpher's office is that she won't discuss the matter in public.

New York Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith and senior senators visited the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") of the University at Albany to receive a firsthand look at the world's leading model for nanotechnology education, research and development, and commercialization, and discuss emerging opportunities to drive high-tech economic investment and growth throughout New York State. 

Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith and other Queens elected officials attended a briefing at St. Francis Prep with Principal Brother Leonard Conway and officials from the New York State Department of Health regarding the recent cluster of H1N1 (swine) flu cases at the school.  The principal and the Department of Health reassured the elected officials that St. Francis Prep has taken all appropriate measures, thoroughly cleaning the school building and filtering and replacing the air inside.

Program sends free personalized postcards to troops

State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing) today announced her support of "Let’s Say Thanks," a program that offers citizens the opportunity to send a free printed postcard to U.S. military personnel stationed around the world.

State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing) today reminded constituents that the state’s blood supply usually drops by about 10 to 15 percent during the summer, which can lead to dire circumstances for hospital patients in need of transfusions. She encouraged volunteers to help prevent the rationing of blood supplies by donating blood.

In recognition of Children's Dental Health Month, observed each February, State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing) today said one of the best ways New York parents can educate their children about good oral health care is to familiarize themselves with the fundamentals of pediatric dentistry. "While it's important to develop good oral health habits in children, it's just as important to understand and break bad habits, such as thumb sucking or swallowing large amounts of toothpaste, which can lead to the ingestion of too much fluoride," Senator Stavisky said.

State Senator Toby A. Stavisky (D-Flushing) encouraged New Yorkers with questions about oral health to take advantage of a toll-free hotline manned by multi-lingual dentists on Tues. October 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. "Many people have questions about oral or dental health," said Senator Stavisky. "If you ever wanted to ask a dentist about whitening your teeth, or wondered why your gums are bleeding, this is an ideal opportunity to get answers." Participating dentists from the New York State Dental Association will be on hand to take calls on a range of oral health topics.