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News 12's Amanda Bossard sat down with Nyah Berg, the executive director of New York Appleseed, to discuss parent-teacher associations and how parents can get more involved in their children's education.

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Good stuff there. All right, let's get another check of the weather. Yeah, Alan's back and we're talking cold weather like we're probably used to doing in December. Right. A right. Right. So we're pretty much back to where we should be this time of year. And you think today is cold gets even colder into tomorrow. So, let's take a look. Let's fast forward 24 hours and what we're going to see our temperatures close to the freezing mark tomorrow morning, especially northern parts of our bro. So Riverdale and North Bay Chester close to that freezing mark and it's going to feel like a little bit below freezing. So definitely colder than this morning. 34 for sound, be 35 for throgs that not much of an improvement into the afternoon as we're going to see lots of cloud cover, keeping us on the cold side. So it's going to be a struggle to reach 40 degrees. I think most of us do that. But it's going to feel like the thirties all day long. So, back to that December kind of cold hour by hour, you can see most of the day we're in the thirties, maybe during that two o'clock hour, we do reach the 40 degree mark. Then things get a little bit interesting for Thursday. Notice clouds come right back in and look at the left side of the screen over there. That's right. That's snow. So for us it's just going to be cold, it's going to be about 39 degrees. Then look at that. A couple of snowflakes are pretty close to us here in the Bronx. Of course, this is still a couple of days out, but I can't rule out a couple of those snowflakes, but the forecast is definitely improving most of the day is going to be dry. So looking at Hanukkah as it is ushering in uh for sunset, the temperatures, they are going down from 39 degrees into the middle 30. So you definitely want to bundle up if you're going out and about 10 day forecast is going to show warm up goes really, really into overdrive this weekend. But so does the rain chance big storm system looks likelier and likelier when exactly on Sunday, we're figuring that out, but move those plans to Saturday. Good advice for everyone. Thank you, Alan. Well, getting rid of rats once and for all requires all.

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Bronx

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State of our Schools: Nyah Berg, Executive Director of NY Appleseed.  

0503soosfullepisode_2023-05-03-20-14-56

On state of our schools. The first lady and a Supreme Court justice in the Bronx to celebrate the opening of a long awaited museum, offering fun for the whole family and some Brooklyn parents are calling for their school's principal to be removed. Why they started a petition to replace her. And Governor Kay Hoke finally signing off on the state budget. Today, we're breaking down how a record $34.5 billion is going to schools across the state and how it will be used. Thanks for joining us here tonight on state of our schools. I'm Amanda Bossard a big day for kids in the city as the first lady and a Supreme Court justice stopped by the Bronx Children's Museum to celebrate the opening of its new permanent home news, Britney Cadet joining us now from the museum and Brittany, how was that tour? Full of surprises as the first lady learned about what makes the Bronx the Bronx and she was also accompanied by Supreme Court justice and Bronx native Sonia Sotomayor who is also featured in many exhibits here in the museum. Now, Flores and the justice were touring on some immersive new Rey experiences of the Harlem River, the Bronx's native animals, the Bronx's famous delis and the resembling the houses from the native countries that make up the Bronx. Local elected officials were also in attendance. Joining in on the tour and Bronx borough president Vanessa Gibson tells us why this visit is important to the borough. It means that we are getting the credibility and the recognition that we deserve as a borough to open. The first ever Bronx Children's Museum is historic. It's taken quite a long time to see the doors of this museum open as a beacon of opportunity and hope and recreation for our Children. This is what they deserve. And to add on top of that, the Bronx Children's Museum is planning to have a ton of activities and programs for Children in this upcoming summer right here in their new home. We're outside of the Bronx Children's Museum. I'm Britney Cadet News. 12, great recognition for a great space. Britney. Thank you. In other headlines tonight, parents of students attending a public school in Coney Island are calling for the school's principal to be removed. They claim that she does not handle bullying incidents properly. No force academic policies. Now, this petition on change dot org has garnered more than 500 signatures. It's urging the Department of Education to remove principal Gretta Hawkins from PS 90. It is not the first time parents have tried to do such a thing. The principal has made headlines several times over the last decade for her conduct. Several parents tell us their Children were bullied in the classroom yet the administration does not do anything to remedy those situations. It's just complete disrespect and disregard. Uh the safety of their Children is in jeopardy and their education. You know, we bring our kids to school thinking that they're happy, safe learning, thriving and it's, we're finding out that that's not the case. We did reach out to the Department of Education about the petition. They tell us a safe and supportive environment for every member of our school communities is a cornerstone of success and a top priority at New York City public schools. The district superintendent is engaging with families and providing support to staff while we continue to foster learning and growth for students parents though, say that's not enough. They plan on holding a protest in the coming weeks this afternoon, Governor Kay Hole making a stop here in our city to sign the just passed state budget and it includes a record 34 a half billion dollars for schools across the state. And that is the highest level of state aid designated for supporting students in schools ever. The funding aims to expand pre K to 20,000 Children statewide, increase access to free school meals, help more high school students earn college credits. And there's also funding set aside for Sunni and Qni Capital projects to upgrade campus facilities and the governor is fully funding foundation aid for the first time ever. What did not make the cut, the governor's proposal to lift the cap on charter schools instead reaching a deal with lawmakers to open 14 zombie charter schools which are schools that previously closed were never opened. New reports are now revealing that many New Yorkers are struggling to put food on the table with the prices of groceries just continuing to rise. A majority of New Yorkers say it is harder to afford groceries now than it was before the pandemic. That's according to a new poll by change. Research and no kid hungry. It revealed 46% of those surveyed say they were unable to afford healthier eating options. Adding that families with kids in public schools were the most likely to be forced to skip meals or to run out of food in the home. These prices are really spiked. I have to pre shop before I shop nowadays because the things that used to cost $2 before the pandemic cost $5 now. So it's like, what do I eat? The poll also found that 67% were living on the margin and would be worried about their ability to pay bills if just two weeks income was lost due to an emergency happening. Today, students around the country were encouraged to ditch the car bus or subway and instead find an active way to get to class on National walk bike and roll to school Day. Whether or not that's how your family usually gets to school. Today was a great reminder to do so safely. The National Traffic and Highway Safety Association does have some ways that we can do our part to limit the risk if you're walking, try to stay on the sidewalk whenever possible and walk, facing the traffic so that you can see what's coming. Also, always cross the street in a crosswalk and keep your eyes on the road. Not on your phone. If you're biking, number one, gotta wear the helmet and different from walking. It is recommended that you do go in the same direction as traffic and of course, stay in the bike lane. More delays in the criminal case of a defendant charged in the shooting death of a standout high school basketball star Najim Luke here is accused of firing a stray bullet that killed 17 year old Brandon Hendricks at a barbecue gathering in June of 2020. Last week. Luke's attorney asked the judge to reschedule the case to give him more time to get familiar with it because this is the fourth public defense attorney to represent the defendant. Previous delays also occurred to determine if Luke was fit to stand trial, which the court determined that he is. Luke is now due back in court on June 2nd on Sunday a day to highlight the importance of Earth Day and autism awareness by connecting our community to resources here in the city, fresh veggies, groceries pamphlets with information all were handed out at this event hosted by the Barati Foundation. We're told by event organizers. The purpose is to give a helping hand to families who have Children with autism and educate families who don't. There were also fun activities to do for Earth Day like planting flowers and some face painting too. Celebrating Earth Day. And autism awareness is really important because we're talking about protecting our people and our planet. Giving our resources is ensuring families that have something to eat on their table. Giving out all of the information that we have on the table tops is so that people can learn and educate themselves about the needs. And this event is hosted yearly in the sound view section of the Bronx. We're told this year, there were many more events highlighting the different aspects of the community as well. A fun day at the bowling alley made even better because it was for a good cause. Muscular dystrophy causes weakness to the body and loss of muscle mass, which makes it harder for those impacted to do things on their own. With the help from the Brooklyn Letter Carriers branch 41 the Brooklyn Cyclones. This was the first boon back since 2016. And organizers say the goal is to raise money for more funding and to give kids a chance to attend a summer camp, made just for them, more active stuff for them to go to and, you know, enjoy themselves because there's not much going on for them. And he asks sometimes more friends, he asks for a girlfriend. It's hard for him to meet people. So maybe if they had more with those kids, he can meet a lot more other people with his same condition and move further with things. And organizers say they're hoping that the boon brings in thousands of dollars to look for more fund raising events like this this summer as well. Stay with us here on state of our schools after the break. We are one on one with the executive director at New York Apple Seed. NAA Berg is here and we're gonna be talking about how that organization is helping parents get involved in their school communities more after the break here on state of our schools and turning right to our guest tonight. Joining us is NAA Berg. She's the executive director at New York Apple Seed. Great to have you back with us here on state of our schools. NAA especially on the heels of this new partnership with P T A link. So let's dive right in. Can you tell me a little bit more about this new acquisition of that platform? What it is? What does this mean for parents? Yeah, absolutely. And thank you so much for having me back. I'm really excited about this announcement of acquiring the P T link platform and website. Uh So the P T link website, W W W dot P T A link dot org uh is meant to support leaders within their parent uh associations and parent teacher associations. Um There are as, you know, well, over 1000 schools in the New York City uh school system and every public school was required to have a P A or a P T A. Uh And that is a lot to handle uh as well as the laws and the policies and the regulations uh that are coming new almost every single day from the New York City Department of Education. And so this platform is to help those parents really navigate it and be able to feel empowered to support the Children in their school communities. We talked about all of those laws and policies and regulations that are ever changing for those who aren't familiar. What do the P T A s of today look like? And, and what decisions are they involved in making for their school communities? Absolutely, they're doing a lot. Um And I think that we all oftentimes overlook how much parent leaders are are doing for their school communities. It can range anywhere from fundraising uh to advocating for I E P s in their children's com uh in their school community. Uh making sure that students with disabilities have access to what they need. Language, justice, advocating for nutritional food, uh ventilation in their schools. There is a wide range of what parent uh parent associations are uh advocating for supporting. Uh And they are really the connection, one of the closest local connections to, to policy that, that families have. Uh so they hold a lot and they do a lot and voices that speak in their own kids best interests. Of course, now, back to that P T A link platform that you guys have recently acquired. How do you hope to use that to reach parents with where they are and, and get that important information to them? Exactly. Uh As right now, we have the website, but we also do workshops and presentations. But on the website, there's anywhere from how to establish a bank account, uh how to use online banking. Uh what is allowed uh to how to advocate for language justice. What are the best organizations to reach out for, for language justice initiatives? Uh One, one of the ways that we like to uplift parent stories uh so that parents can learn also from other parents is having articles being published. Uh So we have had uh published articles on how parent leaders had a conversation for integrated classrooms. We've also published articles about how A P T A established a network of uh connections to help Children with students with disabilities within their school. And we're continuing to look for parents to reach out to us so we can uplift those stories just a great resource for all things, school and, and really beyond, for parents and families and for those who are trying to get connected, remind us once again how you get to P T A link or for those families or parents trying to get involved in the P T A s. How can they go about doing that? Yeah, absolutely. So, every school, as I said is required to have a P, er, P T A and every parent and guardian, they, they are automatically members. Um And for more information, you can go to our website W W W dot P T A link dot org or we also have an informational line info at P T A link dot org and you can reach out to us there. NAA Berg with New York Apple seed. Congratulations on the acquisition and thanks for the work you're doing to keep our families informed. Absolutely. Thank you for having me again. Switching gears. Now in honor of Diversity Awareness Month, one local school district in the Bronx held their first cultural diversity and talent and fashion show on Friday and News. 12 Heather Fordham takes us to Castle Hill Middle School where students showcase their cultures from all over the world. From the Caribbean Islands to South America, Africa, Asia and Europe. Castle Hill Middle School is a melting pot of representation from across the world. Parents and teachers packed inside the auditorium for district 11 s first ever cultural diversity, fashion and talent show. We are diverse, we are collaborative and that we work well together. And that's pretty much what this is about celebrating our individual. More than 100 students took the stage to showcase the music, fashion and dance of their heritage, including sixth grader Jaden Gomez fine his performance, paying homage to his family because I got to present my culture and I got to let people know like, hey, I'm American. I can do this and that right. The show is a way to help students appreciate their roots and learn about the people who came before them. Students say they are proud to be a part of it. I think it's a great experience for the kids just to celebrate cultures around the world. I think it's a nice experience that everyone should experience. The district's superintendent had a front row seat to it all. And she says diversity is power events like this again, send a clear message, you know that we're all one and that there is a really strong sense of belonging across all of our reporting in Park Chester, Heather, Fordham News 12. Such a great display of all that diversity, Heather. Thank you. Meanwhile, students at a local after school program got the chance to show their skills as florists yesterday, middle school students who are a part of the New York edge after school program here at M S3 82 K teamed up with Bloom again Brooklyn to create floral arrangements with repurposed flowers that will be delivered to local nursing home residents, food pantry recipients and other members of the community. Well, what we're doing is we're picking flowers for like to put them together and get them to the people that we love or to get them to like nursing homes. The people in need I feel kind of joyful because you know, people who are in nursing homes get to have stuff that we have and we are able to give to people in our community. And this activity all a part of bloom again, Brooklyn's mission to reduce social isolation and loneliness among vulnerable populations while promoting sustainability. Stay with us back. A Brooklyn native is taking his dancing skills to not only entertain others but inspire them as well. And when you find out his age, you will not believe it's Julia Joseph caught up with juice with Jakai at roller wave in downtown Brooklyn to learn his message herself. If you don't know him already. This is Jakai. Since September, his dancing has caught the attention of people on social media and he now has over 100,000 followers on tiktok and Instagram. But how does this little six year old reach so much success? So fast fall? JAA asked his mom to take him to Times Square to watch street dancers. We went as tourists and then he asked me, can he dance with them? And I'm like can you dance with them? So I'm like, OK, you can go act and he went and then he showed him a dance and they were like, really excited. And I'm like, OK, so then they asked us to come back constantly. So we went every other weekend and then from there he just got it blowing up. And from here, juice Thea was born but it's not Shaka's social media following or dance skills that sets him apart from the average six year old. It's his kindness and message of encouragement to other kids to show. Thanks to all his fans today. Him and his mom hosted a meeting greet at roller wave where he got to talk to kids just like himself and skate around with his fans. I for one included the so that's great, right? That he's confident with it. It makes me like yer says, since his dancing journey began, she's seen a boost of confidence in her son. I can definitely tell the difference from when he first started. He used to be a little shy now when he gets there, he sees the tick tock, he's running up to them. He's hugging them people in Times Square are coming up to him. Now, asking can you take a picture just six years old and already inspiring others in his community to keep dancing reporting in downtown Brook Julia Joseph News, 12, 6 years old and already a superstar. Julia. Thank you. Meanwhile, Saturday. Was one of the ultimate book loving celebrations with many taking part in independent bookstore day. After completing last week's bookstore crawl in Brooklyn. People from across the boroughs went shopping to explore local bookshops on a day dedicated to spreading the importance of literacy and from students to staffers. We're highlighting those in our school system who are making our honor roll. This week. We're shouting out Lorraine Dunbar, a student at the Creston Academy in the Bronx. We're told she's been extraordinary academically and on the principal's list since she's been there. That is no easy feat. So, job well done, Lorraine keep doing it. If you know a student teacher or school employee who's going above and beyond, nominate them to be on our honor roll. Go to news 12 dot com. Let us know how they're making a difference. Thanks so much for being with us here this evening on state of our schools, we will be back next Wednesday at seven PM with even more of the headlines impacting your local school communities until then be safe and be well.

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