Wednesday, November 30, 2011

IS 293 on Baltic Street

I was unable to attend Tuesday night's hearing on the proposed co-location of at the Success Academy Charter School at IS 293 at 293 - 284 Baltic Street in the Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill neighborhood.  The school building currently houses School for Global Studies and School for International Studies building. The proposal has generated quite a bit of controversy.
My good friend C, a current public school mom, who is incredibly well informed about all matters pertaining to education, was at the hearing and agreed to share her impression on the meeting.  
She writes:
"I think that District 15 parents (not all of whom have children in the Baltic St. site) and community members are upset about the lack of courtesy displayed by the Department Of Education along with a lack of process. As I understand it, this charter application was originally made in Districts 13 and 14. Its intended purpose was to serve high needs children in failing schools. From last nights testimony, it did not seem that there was any meaningful search to find a suitable site in either of those districts. According to the SUNY Charter Institute attorney, since the application was already approved by them Success Charter Network is free to take the application to any district in the borough since the public outreach requirement was already fulfilled in other districts. Theoretically, Success Charter Network could take the application to Marine Park. I guess this means that parents who have children in failing schools in Districts 13 and 14 will not be getting the charter they were promised.

It seemed difficult for the Community Education Council (CEC) to elicit plans for the charter school. The purpose of the application seems to be amorphous. Even the name keeps changing. It isn't clear whether this charter will be a K-5 or a K-8. In any event, the DOE projects that once the the charter enrolls a fourth grade the building will reach 108% capacity. To paraphrase District 15 Community Education Council member Jim Devor - are we going to have a group of fifth graders wandering around Cobble Hill in search of classroom. If the DOE has an additional site in mind for the fifth graders they certainly are keeping it a secret from the community. Of course by that time in 2016 Bloomberg and most of Tweed suits will be long gone so what do they care.

Parents and teachers from both Global Studies and International Studies spoke about the negative impact this would have on their children's education. How would the supporters of the charter school feel if their middle school child's gym class suddenly increased from 60 to 100 students because the DOE decided to co-locate a school. Will the librarian have to adapt her library to accommodate elementary school students and therefore lose space that is dedicated to middle and high school students. Will Success Charter be providing their own school psychologist or be using one who has more experience with adolescents? Parents also had concerns about cafeteria usage and the fact that the last lunch period will end at 2:30 which is of particular concern to parents of children who have IEPs.

The students who spoke gave the most compelling testimony of the evening and they did not hesitate to call out Marc Sternberg who is in charge of school closings and c0-locations. (Note: This summer Marc Sternberg sent an email to his DOE colleagues inviting them to a Happy Hour at the Tribeca Tavern to celebrate a court ruling that the DOE could close 15 schools and open co-locations. Can you imagine if you were a student at student at one of the closing schools and heard that DOE employees were celebrating your school's closing?). One student told him that in school students are taught to double check and asked Sternberg if he had double checked the space in the building. No one from the DOE has even visited the school building to see how space is being used. Another student said she had seen "Waiting for Superman" and visited co-located charters and that it seemed to her that the DOE took from those with the least when instead the DOE should be reaching into their pockets and providing needed funding to the existing schools.

I ran into a parent I know from my elementary school parent days. The DOE placed their child in International Studies for sixth grade even though it wasn't one of the listed choices. They stuck it out and it turned out to be such a positive experience that the child decided to stay for high school. The parent could not say enough positive things about Principal Fred Walsh and his dedication to his students.

There were only a handful of parents that spoke in favor of the charter school. One parent who spoke has a child in the new Upper West Success. He claimed that space is not an issue and that the student performance at the high schools has improved since Success Charter has been there. Of course space isn't an issue. Yet. Brandeis will be graduating its last class this year and the three other schools are still adding grades and have not reached their full enrollment. Upper West Success only has a Kindergarten and first grade as of now. I am not sure what criteria is being used to measure high school student performance unless it is anecdotal and one of the new high schools is highly selective.

Both Councilmember Brad Lander and Assemblywoman Joan Millman gave excellent testimony. I was chatting with someone outside during Councilmember Steve Levin's testimony so I missed it but I heard it was also very good.

Dennis Walcott made a brief appearance and tucked himself away in a corner seat where hardly anyone noticed him. Eva Moskowitz showed up for five minutes and then left.

And in yet another display of the disregard that the DOE has for District 15 families, the DOE has relocated the Panel for Education Policy meeting where this proposal will be voted on to Corona. As of this morning, there was nothing on the PEP's agenda pertaining to Queens."


I would like to thank C for taking the time to report on this very important meeting. I value her well-informed opinion on this matter.

Below is the testimony given by Assemblywoman Joan Millman at the same meeting.  She has come out against the co-location of the Cobble Hill Success Academy in IS 293.
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City Councilmember Brad Lander also spoke against the proposed co-location as well.  Below please find his testimony:
"Good evening. I am grateful for the opportunity to present this testimony to representatives of the Community Education Council of District 15, the Panel for Educational Policy, Chancellor Walcott and the Department of Education, and the SUNY Charter School Institute. I am a New York City Councilmember representing most of Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens, and a substantial portion of District 15. While I do not represent IS 293 (the eastern boundary of my district in Cobble Hill is at Court Street), this issue is of great concern to my constituents. I am also a District 15 public school parent, with kids at PS 107 and MS 51 in Park Slope.
I am opposed to the co-location of a Success Academy Charter School at IS 293, and I urge you to reject it.
I am not universally opposed to charter schools, and I am not here tonight to raise particular complaints about Success Academy. Where public schools are consistently failing to meet the educational needs of the full range of students in our communities, then it is appropriate for us as a city to explore a wide range of options to make sure those needs are met. Our responsibility to meet the educational needs of the citizens and leaders of tomorrow is one of the sacred trusts of a democratic society.
However, our first goal should be to guarantee a successful, appropriate, high-quality public school option for all our kids. Brooklyn’s District 15 has an extraordinary track record of providing just that. PS 29, PS 58, and PS 261 (and many more) serve the proposed area with excellent neighborhood public schools. Non-zoned schools like the Brooklyn New School and the Brooklyn Children’s School provide options for parents looking for particular educational approaches, including diversity and inclusion. And programs like the ASD/NEST programs at PS 32 and MS 447 offer options for students with special needs.
This did not happen by accident. It is the result of hard work over many years on the part of a dedicated network of administrators, principals, teachers, parents, community leaders, and volunteers. School leaders, district leaders, community school board and CEC leaders, parent leaders, and elected officials across District 15 share a sense of democratic responsibility for meeting the educational needs of all kids in our community’s public schools.
In my opinion, the proposed location of a Success Charter school at IS 293 is a direct attack on that effort. In place of our shared democratic responsibility, the DOE would substitute a laissez faire market approach. “Don’t try to step up as a community and take responsibility for meeting the needs of a diverse range of kids in your public schools,” this siting says. “Instead, let market-mechanisms work their magic, undermine community, promote competition, and hope that every individual can fend for themselves.” Sadly, this is consistent with the DOE’s systematic dismantling of community school districts, which has made it far harder for the educational community of support that exists across our district to meet its goals. To be sure, many community school districts did not rise to their democratic responsibility, and additional approaches to accountability were needed as a result. But in places like District 15 – where the public schools are working, public school innovation is helping to meet a broad range of needs, and principals, teachers, and parents are working together – foisting a charter school, without local roots, over strong community objection, is an attack on democratic public education. That is why you are seeing such strong and diverse opposition.
This is especially glaring in light of the fact that Success Charter did not apply to New York State for charter schools in District 15 and did not undertake community outreach in District 15 at the time of the application – but instead applied for charters and conducted outreach in Districts 13 and 14. This is a clear violation of the spirit, and quite likely the letter, of the State’s Charter School Law. But more than that, it shows contempt for the whole idea that communities matter. Does the DOE, or Success Charter, or SUNY, really believe that every school and every neighborhood is simply interchangeable, that it doesn’t matter what you propose, or where you do your outreach?
To me, communities – and their educational priorities – matter. In District 15, we do need to address primary school overcrowding – but the data shows quite clearly that the key areas of overcrowding are in South Park Slope and Sunset Park. We need at least one additional middle school in the southern half of the district. We need additional options for English Language Learners and students with IEPs. We must address these needs, and we need the DOE’s partnership to do so – but none of them are best met by this proposal.
In addition, I am concerned about the impact of the proposed co-location on the two existing schools in the K293 building. The addition of the proposed charter would result in overcrowding at the building – threatening the education of all children involved. I do not believe there is enough room in the building to accommodate the two current schools plus a K-8 Success Charter School. It would force a substantial increase in class size, compromises to the program that is in place for students with special needs, and severe strains on common spaces like the cafeteria and gym, especially given the challenges of having students from ages 4 to 18 seeking to share them.
Last year, when the DOE proposed the co-location of Millennium Brooklyn High School in the John Jay Campus, I did not oppose it. I asked you to address historic inequities and the well-founded grievances of the existing schools. However – despite a strong community outcry – I did not urge you to reject that proposal. That proposal, while contentious, was rooted in goals that had been expressed by the community – not made up with marketing and push-polling from an outside organization with its own agenda, but instead long-established in the community through dialogue and organizing. Quite simply, that is not the case here.
So I urge you to avoid needless polarization and lawsuits, wasted energy that could be spent instead further improving many other schools, and further harm to the spirit and practice of democratic education that is alive and well here in District 15. Please reject the proposed co-location of Success Charter."

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Artist and graphic designer Jason Shelowitz, also known as Jay Shells, has brought his campaign to teach New Yorkers "urban etiquette" to our neighborhood. Recently, he has affixed his "Metropolitan Etiquette Authority" signs on posts along Smith Street.  
The humorous reminders to "pay attention while walking" and to "clean up after your horse" are part of a series of four such signs that  Shelowitz is posting around the city.  The others warn to not put your cigarette butts on the ground and to pull up your pants.
Can't ague with that.
Below is a video clip taken by Animal New York of Shelowitz in action in Manhattan.


The Gowanus Canal Conservancy, a Brooklyn-based environmental organization that advocates for the restoration and green development of the Gowanus Canal, is hosting a Winter Festival Fundraiser on Saturday evening, December 3 from 6:30pm - 12:00am at  Build it Green's new Gowanus warehouse at 69 9th St in Brooklyn. The Conservancy's event "will include delicious, locally grown and prepared food from Brooklyn's own farm-to-table restaurant, Lot2, beer brewed in NY State and Brooklyn bands Amanda PalmerThe SuzanSavoir Adore and  Ambassadors."

Tickets can be purchased here

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Anonymous has left the following comment on the post "Opponents Of 'Cobble Hill Success Academy' Urge Others To Join Fight For Public Education":
"Playing Wack-A-Mole with the Stepford parents and teachers on the Gotham Schools message board is exasperating.If Eva Moskowitz wants to open a charter in D15 she should make the proposal to the CEC and not do this end run around the D15 CEC. Better yet, she should find her own space and pay for it like Prospect Charter did. She should also spend some of her near two million dollar advertising budget on the ENTIRE district and not just focus on a specific demographic.I aslo don't think relieving over crowding in high performing schools is a legitimate reason to open a charter school.But what I really want to know is will the Cobble Hill parents have to attend Saturday detention if their children are late or will there be different rules than at the first Success Charters? What happens if the hedge fund well dries up? And most importantly, what is the plan after the charter reaches full capacity at the fourth grade?"
(photos courtesy of Manos De México)
Manos De Méxicanos Grand Opening In Red Hook
Supporting An Endangered Species
Mexican Artisans
Manos de Méxicanos (By Mexican Hands), a brand new Red Hook waterfront gallery, featuring the work of Mexican artisans, will officially open its doors to the public for the first time this coming Saturday.  The gallery was founded by Steve Tarpin of “Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie” and his wife Victoria.  They write: 
"The mission of the new endeavor is to build a link between the people of New York and artisans of Mexico that are striving to carry on ancient artisan traditions established generations ago. As a result, Steve and Vitoria hope that through the display and sale of their work, more resources can be driven to artisan communities currently threatened by struggling local economies. This new business in indeed a labor of love and inspired by their extensive travel throughout Mexico and Victoria’s own Mexican roots."
Grand Opening, December 3rd, 2011
204 Van Dyke Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
From 2:00 until 6:00 PM
****RSVP to info@manosdemexicanos.com 
Reception menu being worked on by guest Puebla chef, Ms. Flora Pinera
On display, Zapotec weavings from Fidel Cruz, barro bruñido from Elsa Balderas, ceramics from the Aguilar Sisters, alebrijes, talavera, policromado, paper maché and more.  Guest musical appearance by Radio Jarocho, with special guest Patricio Hidalgo.
Work from some of the great existing Mexican artisans will be for sale and on display, traditional Mexican food and drink will be served and a general fiesta-like atmosphere will ensue. All proceeds from the opening (sales and donations) will go direct to the re-purchase of works from the artisans.

Sounds like a lovely way to spend a Saturday.  Don't miss it.

Monday, November 28, 2011

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Gowanus looking glorious on a warm November eve.
Have you noticed how amazing the sunsets have been in the last few days?
Emotions are running high in regards to the latest school controversy in the neighborhood.
It all started when it was announced that the Board Of Education was planning on allowing Eva Moskowitz of Success Academy Network to open a charter school in the Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill neighborhood. The new 'Cobble Hill Success Academy' is to occupy space in the School for Global Studies and School for International Studies building at 293 - 284 Baltic Street.
The co-location caused outcry amongst community parents who don't want more charter schools. Instead , they want resources to go to strengthening and improving public schools. On a recently created Facebook page, they write:

Our community resources should go towards the educational needs of children in our community. Cobble Hill Success Academy, a charter school, will accept students from across the city, not just our district which will add to the issue of overcrowding in our schools rather than addressing it. Cobble Hill Success Academy also will not include Pre-K programs that our community needs.
In addition to bringing in kids from outside of the district/neighborhood, the Success Academy would only contribute $1/ year to the upkeep of our school building leaving an unfair burden on our neighborhood schools. That's not right."
Assemblywoman Joan Millman and Former Deputy Schools Chancellor (and former PS 29 teacher) Carmen Farina have gotten involved by putting together a proposal for a public early childhood center in the Global Studies building. The center would provide pre-kindergarten and kindergarten slots for children in the local school zone. The alternative plan is gaining support amongst parents.There is a public hearing on the matter on:
Tuesday November 29th at 5:30 PM 284 Baltic Street (between Court and Smith Street)


And below is a press release from Assemblywoman Joan Millman:


Millman Rallies Against Charter School
Community Demands Early Childhood in Cobble Hill
Brooklyn - Today, Assemblywoman Joan L. Millman joined parents, education leaders & elected officials to speak out against the Department of Education proposal to create a Charter school within P.S. 293, in Cobble Hill. Parents, community leaders and educators have stated that they need a public Early Childhood Center for the growing number of young families in the district.
 Eva Moskowitz, CEO of Charter Success Network, after making proposals for Districts 13 and 14 announced that her organization wanted to expand within the school building in District 15 to open a Charter school for elementary children. Under her plan, the Cobble Hill School— which is home to Brooklyn School for Global Studies, and the School for International Studies and a District 75 program — would house a new elementary school. 
 Ms. Millman said she objected to the charter school proposal because it could impede the growth of the existing schools in the building. For example; The Brooklyn School for Global Studies is undergoing a federal school improvement plan that, Ms. Millman and other hope, it will increase student achievement and thus increase enrollment.
“The neighborhood elementary schools are high achieving and their prekindergarten and kindergarten classes are overcrowded with too many youngsters denied an opportunity for a quality prekindergarten and kindergarten experience. And because the Center would only serve children in two grades and would not expand, it would not threaten the growth of the existing schools.” 


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Lou Femenella's basement studio in Carroll Gardens is the kind of place that would make serious guitar players swoon. Against one wall are some of the beautiful vintage guitars that Femenella has collected over the years. Among them are some of his own custom-built electric guitars, one more stunning than the next.  They are variations on Fender's iconic Stratocaster and Telecaster, the most popular electric guitars ever made.  And on the opposite side of the basement, is the workspace, where Femenella works his magic and builds these beauties.
Everything in Lou Femenella's life seems to have destined him to become a luthier. Firstly, there is his love of music.  He picked up his first guitar at the age of 12 and has played ever since.  Along the way, he learned to repair his own instruments.  Secondly, there is his love of wood.  In his youth, he apprenticed with two German cabinetmakers in Queens, who taught him everything they knew.  He went on to spend more than 35 years in architectural woodworking.
About ten years ago, Femenella began repairing and restoring guitars for friends and fellow musicians.   In conversations with them, he identified a need amongst better players for customized electric guitars that were more affordable than those currently available.  He was determined to fill this niche and succeeded.  His gorgeous, high-quality, all-custom instruments start at $2,500.
Each of Femenella's creations starts with a carefully selected piece of wood.  He uses mostly Southern Swamp Ash or Alder.  The finish is carefully applied in a multi-step process. It takes him about six months to complete a guitar once an order has been placed.
Femenella can be contacted via email at info@femenellacustom.com.

Below are just some of his guitars, which were recently photographed by Max Kelly of Max Kelly Photography.  Stunning, aren't they?

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While on a walk on President Street last week, Eleanor, the sweet dog in the photos above, was attacked by another dog and needed surgery.  Thankfully she is slowly recuperating,  The outcome could have been much different, however.  The other dog, a pit bull,had apparently shown aggression towards other dogs before.
Eleanor's owner Elizabeth contacted me late last week to make me aware of the incident and to give sound advice others.  She writes:
Earlier this week my gentle and docile Old English Sheepdog, Eleanor, was attacked and bitten by an aggressive dog on the sidewalk and had to receive surgery--she was lucky to come away alive. The owner of the other dog told me that it was not the first time her dog had attacked another dog and that she was aware her dog was aggressive.Since speaking with other people in the neighborhood and the local vets, I've heard of several incidents of unprovoked attacks by aggressive dogs (frequently pitbulls, as was the case in this situation).It is imperative that these incidents be reported via 311 before a child, older person, or another dog is attacked. If a human is bitten it is mandatory to report the incident within 24 hours via 311. If a dog is bitten, the police can be alerted by reporting an unrestrained or off-leash dog (this can be done online or via 311) and then an investigation will take place. Additionally, if there is an attack, or if you see a vicious dog, call 911 immediately and wait for the police to arrive--it is best not to wait until later to call so thatthey can take a report.I understand that people who own dogs that occasionally become aggressive, including pitbulls, do their best and are often taking in dogs that have been abandoned. However, those owners need to muzzle their dogs if they are aware of any problems, particularly if they are walking them when children are on theirway to school.Thank you to all the kind people in the neighborhood who helped care for Eleanor in the immediate aftermath of the attack--she has appreciated all the attention and seems to feel a bit like a rock star because of it, and is well on her way to recovering.
Lets hope that Eleanor will recover soon. It is indeed important that we make sure that owners of aggressive dogs take appropriate steps to restrain them before they cause injury to others. Thanks for making us aware, Elizabeth.


Thursday, November 24, 2011

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I am knee deep in carrots and potatoes, the bird is ready to be taken out of the fridge to be stuffed, and there is still much to do before dinner.  I am sure it's the same in your household.
I am thankful to you, my wonderful Readers and Friends, for your comments, encouragement and most importantly, for keeping me on my toes. I wish you and your loved ones a splendid Thanksgiving Day. 

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

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New York City Office Of Emergency Management map showing hurricane evacuation zones 
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Flooding on Third Street near bridge over the Gowanus, September 23, 2011
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During most heavy rain events, Third Street near the Gowanus Canal has a tendency to flood, making it difficult or nearly impossible to drive over the 3rd Street Bridge, towards Park Slope.  Yet, in case of a hurricane or flood, the New York City Office Of Emergency Management  has designated Third Street as the Coastal Evacuation Route for the Carroll Gardens Community. 
I first noticed the Coastal Evacuation sign on Third Street near Smith Street more than a year ago and was immediately struck by the fact that the indicated route directed people to one of the lowest points in the neighborhood. When flood warnings and evacuation orders were given prior to Hurricane Irene in September, I wrote about this badly thought out plan, which potentially could put local residents in harm's way.
Community Board 6 took note, and promised to follow up with the Office of Emergency Management. And just yesterday, State Senator Squadron's office forwarded me a letter sent to Commissioner Joseph Bruno on this matter, signed by the Senator,  Councilman Lander, Assemblywoman Millman and Brooklyn Borough President Markowitz.  It reads:
Dear Commissioner Bruno:The recent evacuation order issued by the City in preparation for Hurricane Irene caused residents across the City to consider their preparedness in the event of an emergency. Several of our constituents raised concerns regarding the current "Coastal Evacuation Route" (CER) out of Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.
As indicated by the signs posted in the area, the CER is via the Zone A area of Third Street, over the Gowanus Canal. This is problematic because the low-lying streets surrounding the Gowanus Canal are prone to flooding, even during moderate rain storms.
Our top priority is getting people out of harm’s way as safely and efficiently as possible. To that end, we are writing to request that your office reevaluate the evacuation route for this area and provide information as to possible alternative routes.
We look forward to hearing from you and please let us know if we can be helpful in resolving this matter of concern to our constituents.
Sincerely,  Daniel Squadron, State SenatorJoan Millman, Member of the AssemblyMarty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough PresidentBrad Lander, Member Of The City Council.
I am glad and relieved that our elected officials are helping to shine a light on this issue and are asking  for  a re-evaluation.  As far as finding alternate routes,  that may be a difficult task. Most of the local roads leading out of the neighborhood are congested on a regular day. In the case of a stronger hurricane with evacuation of Flood Zones A and B, traffic would probably come to a stand still.
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Just received a report that there was an attempted robbery at Super Laundromat on Smith, between Carroll and Second Street.  The incident occurred at about 7 Pm.  Apparently, the robber tried to choke one of the women who work at the place.  Officers from the 76th Precinct are there right now interviewing her and her co-worker.  
No word yet if any arrests were made. 


*Thanks J. for alerting us to the incident.

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On a cool November day, down by the Brooklyn Bridge.
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...just in time for Thanksgiving week-end!  Triunfel Grocery on Court Street appears to be the first place in the neighborhood to offer freshly-cut Christmas trees.  A bit too early for me, but I know that many of you will start decorating this coming week-end. (I know that my friend Dolores already put hers up....)
Personally, I'm not quite ready for Christmas yet, but the sight of the trees put me in a festive mood.

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'Tis time once again for the yearly Christmas tree lighting in Carroll Park.  On Friday, December 2nd, come out and  sing carols, say hi to Santa, have a cup of hot chocolate and cookies, and have fun with your neighbors.  This yearly event is hosted by the Court Street Merchants, with the support of Friends of Carroll Park.  
The rain date is Friday, December 9th.