Maurice Pahalan, Coordinator of the Gateway Program at Clara Barton High School, beams like a proud Poppa as he talks about his students. This year, three graduates – Kimberly Solages, Shavagne Scott and Patricia Daniel – have been accepted into Cornell. Except for a nominal contribution of $1 – 2,000, all expenses are paid. Pahalan says Clara Barton regularly sends graduates to Cornell. “I have so many kids in Cornell, I can start a mini- Clara Barton alumni association there.”
Solanges, Scott, and Daniel are just three of the 200 students that participate in Clara Barton’s Gateway Institute for Pre- College Education Program. Gateway Institute preparees low income and minority NYC public high school students for college and the persuit of health and science-related careers.
This year, another Clara Barton graduate, Schnaude Dorizan is one of 2 NYC students to receive a Meyerhoff Scholarship at the University of Maryland. The Meyerhoff Scholarship provides support for African-American male undergraduate students committed to obtaining PhD degrees in math, science, and engineering. Pahalan states this translates into a half million dollars in financial support through acquisition of the PhD for each student. Last year, another Clara Barton student, Ayobami Ariwodola, was the only NYC student recipient of the Meyerhoff scholarship.
According to Dr. Furman, principal, students are “screened” into Clara Barton HS has six health related programs: Dental Assisting, Dental Laboratory Assisting, Nurse Assisting, Medical Assisting, Practical Nursing, and Vision Technology. For other students, Clara Barton was their first choice school. The eclectic mix of students come from all 5 boroughs; 80% are female; quite a few are first and second generation immigrants. Of Clara Barton’s more than 400 graduates, 85% are going to college; the rest are going into the military or have employment.
“We have a whole month of award ceremonies leading up to graduation,” said Dr. Furman. An example is Ayobami Fapade, who received the Myself Third scholarship for community-based environmental research. Fapade’s award includes a one year scholarship at CUNY, where he plans to major in engineering.
For Kervenn Rebistre, the Intergenerational Program at Clara Barton was what he “liked the most,” especially his 300 hours of service at a senior citizen home. Rebistre plans to attend City Tech, majoring in Civil engineering, because “I liked the idea of building things – bridges, roads.”
An eclectic group of Paul Robeson High School students are on their way to college armed with scholarships. Valedictorian Tina Reyes, salutatorian Shanhai Jarret, and Tyshaun Whitaker are three of ten Robeson recipients of Citi scholarships. Shanhai will be attending Michigan State University. Tina, who is going to the University of Bridgeport, also received the Albert Shanker Scholarship and the Brooklyn Girl Friends Scholarship. Clarke/ Atlanta University will receive Tyshaun, who is also a recipient of the Guardian Achievement Scholarship form the NYPD.
Paul Robeson has a wide variety of academic programs geared to prepare students for college and professional careers via internships or career-based experiences. The 20-year Robeson/Citi partnership with Citi (originally with Solomon Brothers) includes a mentor/ mentee program, state-of-the-art technology, scholarships, college trips, support with Career/College Day, and internships for students. An op-ed school focused on business and technology, Robeson is home to 2 Virtual Enterprises, an international program that trains students to run a business. Robeson’s student-run businesses are Generation Design, a web design company, and Extravaganza Planning, an event planning company. Two of Robeson’s four Academies or Small Learning Communities are part of the National Academy Foundation: the Academy of Finance and the Academy of Information Technology offer advanced curriculum in Virtual enterprise and Cisco Networking Certification, with students taking part in college classes and participate in enrichment activities like Toast Masters.
Rochelle Wannamaker, an outstanding poet, won second place in the prestigious Random House creative Writing Scholarship Competition. Attending Mercy College in the fall, Rochelle also received the Brooklyn Old Timers Scholarship, the Ismay Harris Larrier Memorial Scholarship and the Luther Johnson Scholarship.
Robeson sports enthusiasts are also on their way to college. Showan Issacs, an outstanding member of the Robeson Track Team, is attending the University of Akron, which he researched and traveled to, by bus, on his own. David Sandiford, another accomplished participant in Robeson track, will be attending the University of Pittsburgh.
“My four years at Paul Robeson were not always the best, but with the support of the teachers and staff I managed to make the best of it, “ said Tina Reyes, Valedictorian. “High school was the place I transitioned from a young girl to a young lady and as you know along with that change came a lot of learning experiences. Learning experiences that could not have taken place in any classroom; learning experiences that are more about the social side of life but they are just as valuable as the academic side and the Robeson community supported me through them.”
The Road to College: Clara Barton and Paul Robeson Send Proud Graduates
Sun Sets and Rises on Mayoral Control
After 7 years, Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s control of the NYC Public School System came to an unexpected end on June 30, 2009. Political chaos in the NYS Senate prevented a timely vote that would have extended or amended the state law that authorized Mayoral control of NYC public schools.
On July 1, 2009, management of the City’s school system reverted back to the NYC Board of Education, led by seven members with diminished mayoral power. Of the seven members, two are appointed by the Mayor and each Borough President appoints one.
The new NYC Board of Education consists of Board President, Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development Dennis Walcott (Queens Borough President appointee); First Deputy Mayor Patricia Harris (Mayoral appointee); Deputy Mayor for Operations Edward Skyler (Mayoral appointee); Dr. Delores Fernandez (Bronx Borough President appointee); Carlo Scissura (Brooklyn Borough President appointee); Jimmy Yan (Manhattan Borough President appointee), and Deputy Borough President Edward Burke (Staten Island Borough President appointee).
The BOE is responsible for selecting or retaining a chancellor. It decided to retain Joel Klein as Chancellor. It approves or revises the BOE budget, which has grown under Mayor Bloomberg from $12.5 billion in 2002 to the current $21 billion. Under the law, Community School Boards would be formed with elections held no earlier that May 2010. District superintendents would be appointed.
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, who appointed his Chief-of-Staff, Carlo A. Scissura, as the Brooklyn representative to the new Board, was a vocal proponent of mayoral control. “The last thing I wanted to see was the sunset of mayoral control, which I believe has been the best form of school governance for the students, families, schools and teachers of this city,” said Markowitz. Scissura was chosen because of his years of Community Board experience and as President of the Community Education Council for District 20. Scissura will also continue to serve full-time as chief of staff to the Brooklyn Borough President, and stated “I will not accept any stipend afforded members of the Board of Education.”
According to published reports, recently elected Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. expects his appointee, the former Hostos Community College president Dolores Fernandez, to challenge certain of the mayor’s policies. “Whether it’s existing policy or future policy,” he said, “you can anticipate there will be a challenge.”
During an intimate meet-and-greet at Bed-Stuy’s Brownstone Bookstore last week, Mayoral candidate Comptroller Bill Thompson spoke of his experiences on the old NYC Board of Education. As a member representing Brooklyn for two years and Board President for five, Thompson said he has seen the transition from decentralization to re-centralization and then mayoral control. Recalling when the 32 school districts overseeing elementary and middle schools had 9 members each and the central board managed high schools, Thompson said he remembered the days when “the going rate for a principalship was $25,000.”
There were other problems. In 1995, when Chancellor Rudy Crew called a meeting of the 32 superintendents, 20 showed up. “12 couldn’t be bothered,” said Thompson. The old structure was “focused on adults and jobs.” The chancellor hired superintendents who, in turn, hired principals.
According to Thompson, grid-lock was a recurring theme during Guiliani’s terms in office, since he appointed 3 members to the board. “Whenever Guiliani was fighting with the chancellor, school funding would dry up,” as a means for Guiliani to get his way.
No matter what happened, Thompson said “It is time to go back to an educator as chancellor. NYC needs an educator as next chancellor.” When asked who he would name as chancellor should he be elected Mayor, Thompson said he believes in “bringing your own team to the table.”
Luxury Shelter Town Hall Meeting Leaves More Questions Than Answers
Just a few short months ago, the seemingly delirious rush to develop virtually every available space with market rate housing went bust. A prime example is 1040 East New York Avenue, a private development that found itself empty until the City stepped in to save the developer. 1040 East New York Ave. is now a luxury homeless shelter.
Published reports state the idea of developer Avi Shriki “leasing out his new luxury condo building to a homeless shelter was the furthest thing from his mind.” NYC’s real estate boom created thousands of unsold and vacant units across the city. Shriki’s development faced the same fate – until he signed a 10 year contract with the Bushwick Economic Development Group to turn the building into a homeless shelter, complete with granite countertops, marble bathrooms, walk-in closets, and terraces facing Lincoln Terrace Park.
Protests, queries, and complaints created the need for a Town Hall meeting focused on the shelter. Hosted by Council member Darlene Mealy, Community Board #17 District Manager Sheriff Fraser, and Director of Community Development of Block Associations B.M. Marcus, the Town Hall was attended by 100 community members – homeowners, clergy, formerly homeless, and concerned citizens. Residents of the shelter were invited, but did not attend. Neither did the City’s Economic Development Corp., which was also invited.
Mealy presented her own concerns, and wondered if there are counselors on premises; whether residents can have visitors. Mealy said, “I am not saying I am against shelters,” and reminded attendees of the numbers of people coming back from prison who sometimes find themselves sleeping as guests on sofas, with no housing of their own.
Attendees expressed their concerns. One spoke for teachers employed at PS 398, located a half block from the development. Several teachers applied for purchase of the development’s co-op units, and found they could not afford them. The speaker observed it was no wonder the developer could not sell them, they were too expensive for middle class teacher salaries. Mealy commented that she is mindful of the affordability of new developments; she is blocking another Brownsville development with a proposed price per unit of $750,000. “It is not being built,” Mealy said.
There were no hard answers as to how much the City is paying to house the homeless. Mealy said it may be $90.00 per night, per room. A college educated formerly homeless worker said she had received a shelter allowance budget letter that stated a cost of $1,000 per week per person. Marcus said the shelter is being paid $150.00 per night, per room.
Marcus called the whole process a “scam,” occurring in Brooklyn and the Bronx. “Our tax dollars could be spent differently.” According to Marcus, HPD and NYCHA combined are warehousing a total of 500,000 apartments. “Instead of renting rooms for $150.00 per night, the money could be used for low income housing,” Marcus said. He added, “I am not against the homeless, but this is a community.”
Fraser reported a series of communications between CB #17, EDC, and the Dept. of Homeless Services beginning March 18. Fraser was notified that 1040 East New York Ave had a “total capacity of 68 units,” which “will provide transitional housing and an array of services as they transition to permanent housing.” Fraser said CB #17 contacted the EDC exec. dir., who was invited to the CB meetings. Fraser pointed out EDC was a no show then, and at the Town Hall meeting.
Fraser said a major complaint she receives is that these type of facilities are being placed throughout East Flatbush. She said the DHS intends to place these type of facilities “on your block.”
Mealy asked attendees to remember the City has no law to control what private owners do with their property as long as the property complies with housing codes.
Then Mealy told what happened on her block. A private house was turned into a homeless shelter. On her block, witnesses saw beds being moved in a 12:30 at night. Later it was found that 27 beds were placed in a 2 story house. “The community accepted it,” Mealy said. The shelter residents were not a problem, and in fact attend block association meetings. According to Mealy, the residents have become part of the community.
Providing a broader view, Mealy told of a development on Atlantic between Buffalo and Ralph which has 5 tiers of income levels, including 10% homeless. “A homeless family can be in an apartment next to someone making $80,000.”
One man said he was part of a 2-person protest in front of the facility until one resident with children opened the window and yelled she was there are a result of domestic violence. Her words made him stop and think. He said, “When undocumented men from the Caribbean and Africa overstay their VISA, we didn’t call Homeland Security or ICE. These women and children are American citizens.” He told the Town Hall attendees, “Don’t discriminate.”
Mealy concurred, “We can’t stereotype people. There but for the grace of God, go I.”
No one knew if the shelter was housing single men, single women, or women with children. An older man was extremely concerned if the type of men who reside at the Atlantic Ave. shelter would be placed in the facility. Another woman said she did not have a problem with homeless women and children living in the facility. “They spend money in the community. Their children attend local schools.”
Marcus said “Several psych centers are being placed in our community.” Mealy responded, “This is happening everywhere.”
Mealy asked if there are problems with the homeless facility. “Has anyone been seen standing outside?” No one in attendance could say they have. Mealy reminded the attendees that elected officials cannot be everywhere. “It is important that members of the community contact their official when they see something of concern.”
Volunteers stepped forward to participate in a soon to be scheduled tour of the facility and will bring observations to a follow-up Town Hall.
The Park Deserves Better Than This
Over the past 3-weeks approximately 30 plants have been stolen from Herbert Von King Park on Lafayette Avenue between Marcy and Tompkins Avenues reported Walter Markham, head gardener for the park. The Park, where the Bedford Stuyvesant Little League takes the field every summer night, and where on holidays, if you haven’t secured your barbecue spot by 6am, you’re looking for whatever is left. “They’ve been taking them at night and one of the evergreen bushes, a newly-planted Taxus, weighed about 50 lbs. including the root ball which had been dug up,” suggesting that this was not the work of idle youngsters. “What I’m afraid of is that the plants will die and whoever took them may come back for replacements” said Markham. Park neighbors, including the 79th Police Precinct right across the street, have been alerted to be watchful.
Plants stolen from Herbert Von King Park over the last few weeks:
10 Rosebushes
8 Reb Barberry
6 Taxus (Evergreens)
3 Boxwoods (Evergreen)
1 Red Chokeberry
Who Killed Chanel Petro-Nixon?
“These raindrops represent the tears of the family and the community” said Councilwoman Letitia James at the start of the march commemorating the third year of the unsolved brutal murder of Chanel Petro-Nixon, a 16-year-old “A” student at Boys & Girls High School. Ms. Petro-Nixon’s body was found in a trash bag in front of 215 Kingston Avenue.
“We are calling on Mayor Bloomberg to make the case of Chanel Petro-Nixon a priority of the Police Department’s Major Case Squad “ said community activist Minister Taharka Robinson who organized and led the march.
In his remarks, Councilman Charles Barron said that while this case may be unresolved, it is not forgotten. “We will never forget what happened” said Barron who charged the City with not giving Chanel’s case the attention it would have received “if she (Chanel) were of another complexion,” adding “we will not rest until we receive justice in this case.”
That sentiment was echoed by Councilwoman James. “Until we have information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator, or perpetrators of this crime, we will be out here in the rain, we will be out here in the sun, in the snow, in the fall, we will be out here marching to keep her memory alive.”
Led by Mr. Robinson and Chanel’s mother, Mrs. Lucita Petro-Nixon and Chanel’s father Garvin Nixon, the sixty or so marchers, including District Leader Olaniki Alabi, James Caldwell, president of the 77th Precinct Community Council and Daily News columnist Errol Louis, chanted “Who’s Daughter? Our Daughter!” and “If you know something, say something” as they proceeded down Harriet Ross Tubman Avenue, AKA Fulton Street to Kingston Avenue and up to the site where Chanel was found.
On arrival, Reverend Dr. Cheryl Anthony, pastor of Judah International Christian Center, led the group in prayer and Councilwoman James told them “We’re standing on sacred ground” and that they were there to “Let people know that snitching is a badge of honor. You have an obligation to snitch, particularly as it related to the death of this young angel.”
All those assembled had sympathy for the Nixons, but there was one who could empathize at a very raw level. Mrs. Robin Lyde had lost her son Benny Lyde who had been murdered on his stoop. It took two years, but his killer was found. “It’s three years and we have no answer I know it’s hard for this mother to get up in the morning. At nighttime she walks around and wonders who did this to my daughter? This has forever changed the lives of her cousins and siblings. We need to take a stand. It’s her daughter today, it’s yours tomorrow. Or your son. We did this for Benny, I’m asking that we do this for this mother.”