ATTENTION: NYC DOE Middle School Fairs

During the month of October, the New York City Department of Education (DOE) Office of Student Enrollment will be hosting Middle School Fairs for students and families in districts that offer Middle School Choice (Districts 1 - 22, 25, 28, 30, 31, 32).

These fairs will provide an opportunity for families to meet representatives from middle schools in their district, learn about the Middle School Choice process and the options students have for middle school.

All fairs will be held from 5:30pm to 7:30pm and interpretation services will be available. Copies of the individual district fair flyers are available on the Middle School Admissions website.

In October, Middle School Directories will be delivered to elementary schools in choice districts as an additional resource for families. The directories also will be available at the Middle School Fairs and on the Middle School Publications page. Families can also sign up for Middle School Admissions and other relevant updates at http://schools.nyc.gov/Subscribe/default.htm

Please note the information for the Middle School Fairs for Districts 13, 14, and 17 – all located within Council Member Letitia James’ Council District.

* District 13: October 6 at M.S. 113-Ronald Edmonds Learning Center, 300 Adelphi Street, Brooklyn, NY 11205 (flyer)

* District 14: October 4 at I.S. 318-Eugenio Maria De Hostos, 101 Walton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206 (flyer)

* District 17: October 13 at Middle School for the Arts, 790 East New York Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203 (flyer)

If families have any questions, they can always email MS_Enrollment@schools.nyc.gov or call 718-935-2398.

CM James Welcomes the New School Year

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
September 8, 2011

Contact: Simone Hawkins at (212) 788-7081

Council Member Letitia James Welcomes the Start of a New School Year

“Although school year 2011-2012 began one day later than projected, it is still right on time for many parents and too soon for the thousands of students entering their respective schools today.
The New York City Department of Education in conjunction with the United Federation of Teachers has created new curriculum resources for teachers to use this school year, which will profoundly influence student learning. I ask that principals, teachers, and parents continue to partner to ensure their students are align with this new curriculum and on the right track towards post-secondary education and a career they love.

I welcome new principals and teachers to the district and applaud the returning ones. Your efforts to educate our children never go unappreciated and I thank you all for your commitment to the betterment of our youth. Please continue to build parent engagement and student support. Every bit counts.

Get involved, stay focused, and achieve success. I wish all students, families, school faculty and administrators a very happy and successful school year.”

##

NYC-DOE OPEN REGISTRATION CENTERS FOR NEW STUDENTS

The New York City Department of Education today announced that it will open 12 Student Registration Centers on Wednesday, August 31, to enroll new students for the opening of school. Procedures vary across the following categories of students:



• All new high school students or those re-entering the system after an absence—both general education and special education— should register at a Student Registration Center in their borough of residence.

• New or re-entering general education elementary and middle school students without a zoned school should also register at a Student Registration Center in their borough of residence.

• New elementary and middle school students who have zoned schools should register at their zoned schools starting Thursday, September 8.

• New elementary or middle school students who require special education placements should register at Special Education Enrollment Sites assigned to their districts of residence.



Parents can find their children’s zoned schools, the nearest Student Registration Centers, or Special Education Enrollment Sites by calling 311 or visiting the Department’s Web site at schools.nyc.gov. Enrollment staff at Student Registration Centers will meet with students and their parents to facilitate registration. Interpretation services will be available at each center. All forms and parent materials will be available in English and translated into nine languages (Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu).



Beginning Wednesday, August 31, through Friday, September 16, the Student Registration Centers will be open five days a week from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The centers will be closed on Monday, September 5, for Labor Day.



Parents must bring their children with them to register. In addition, the following documents are required:



• Proof of residence;

• Child’s birth certificate or passport;

• Child’s immunization records;

• Child's latest report card/transcript (if available);

• Child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and/or 504 Accommodation Plan (if applicable and available).



Brooklyn Student Registration Centers:

The Montauk - 4200 16th Avenue

Brooklyn Technical High School - 29 Fort Greene Place (Basement)

Brooklyn High School of the Arts - 345 Dean Street

Clara Barton High School - 901 Classon Avenue



Brooklyn Special Education Enrollment Sites:

Districts 17, 18, 22 - 5619 Flatlands Avenue

Districts 20, 21 - 415 89th Street, 5th floor

Districts 13, 14, 15, 16 - 131 Livingston Street

Districts 19, 23, 32 - 1665 St. Marks Avenue

ATTENTION: PowerPlay Hosts Summer Program for Middle School Girls in FG; Ingersoll Community Center; Deadline 7/7

The "Rising Stars Summer Program" is an exciting six-week program for middle school girls. The program is hosted by PowerPlay NYC, an organization dedicated to educating and empowering girls through sports, teaching life skills and building self-confidence and self-esteem for life. The summer program will include a focus on sports, dance, and life skills.

It will be located at--
Ingersoll Community Center

Dates--
July 11, 2011 through August 18, 2011
Monday through Friday
10AM- 4PM

Lunch and snacks provided for all girls. The registration deadline is Thursday, July 7, 2011. Applications are available at- Ingersoll Community Center (177 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, NY). Information and orientation session will take place on Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 6:30PM at the Ingersoll Community Center.

For more information, call 212-545-0021 or email info@powerplaynyc.org.

ATTENTION: CM James Joins Advocates and Officials To Rally Against Proposed DOE Phase-Out of MS 571; Co-Locations of Charter Schools

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
January 27, 2011


Contact: Simone Hawkins at (212) 788-7081, and Amyre Loomis (718) 260-9191

NYC COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES, ALONG WITH PARENTS, STUDENTS, PUBLIC OFFICIALS, AND ADVOCATES RALLY AGAINST DOE PROPOSED PHASE-OUT OF M.S. 571, AND CO-LOCATIONS OF CHARTER SCHOOLS AT P.S. 9/M.S. 571 & P.S. 316/M.S.353 -- PROTEST THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 29TH, AT 1:00 PM IN THE BASEMENT OF DURYEA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - 362 STERLING PLACE

Last Month, the DOE released the Educational Impact Statement proposing the phase-out of M.S. 571 - The Bergen Upper School and a re-siting and co-location of Brooklyn East Collegiate Charter School in the 13K009 building. The DOE claims M.S. 571 “lacks the capacity to turn around” and there’s a need of high-quality options in school district 13. Much like P.S. 316 and M.S. 353, the DOE is not allowing the possible expansion and growth of P.S. 9.

The community knows each of these schools was never given the chance to succeed and grow. We demand that chance!

WHAT: Rally against proposed DOE phase-out of M.S. 571 and co-locations of charter schools
WHEN: Saturday, January 29, at 1:00 PM
WHERE: Duryea Presbyterian Church - 362 Sterling Place (corner of Underhill Avenue), Prospect Heights, Brooklyn - (718)783-2451

Also, the proposals for significant changes in school utilization will be considered at the February 3, 2011 Panel for Educational Policy meeting - at Brooklyn Technical High School located at 29 Fort Greene Place, Brooklyn, NY, 11217. We ask that all stakeholders attend this hearing and the press conference held prior to the hearing.

###

ATTENTION: MS 571 Hosts Forum To Discuss DOE Proposed Phase-Out; 12/15 TODAY; 6PM; PH

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
December 15, 2010

Contact: Amyre Loomis (718) 260-9191

FORUM TO DISCUSS NYC DOE PROPOSED PHASE-OUT OF MS 571K IN PROSPECT HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN

The M.S. 571 School Community will gather Wednesday, December 15th at 6pm in the auditorium of the school to discuss a Fact Sheet and letter distributed by the NYC Department of Education (DOE) and the District 13 Superintendent stating that Middle School 571 is unable to turnaround.

Local Representatives, teachers, parents, and students have a differing opinion. M.S. 571 School Community members question the accuracy of the DOE Fact Sheet, as well as are disappointed that they were not notified of this trouble more in advance.

“A comprehensive reform model was not offered by the DOE, which disappoints all who support this important educational institution for the Prospect Heights neighborhood. This is simply unacceptable,” said Council Member James.

Everyone is welcome to attend this forum. Please come to learn more about the DOE’s plans, as well as help discuss how M.S. 571 plans to move forward in opposition to the proposal.

------

What: Forum to Discuss Planned Proposed Phase-Out of MS 571 by the DOE

Who: M.S. 571 School Community, Council Member Letitia James, Parents, and Advocates

Where: M.S. 571 - 80 Underhill Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238 - (718) 935-3978

When: 6pm

"READ" Alliance is Recruiting!

"READ" Alliance is recruiting New York City High School Students for Paid After-School Jobs -

READ recruits, trains and closely supervises high school student to tutor at-risk Kindergarten and first grade students in basic reading skills. READ is growing in Brooklyn, and they need even more tutors. They will have a program at PS9K in your district, but they can place teens at other schools that may be nearer to their schools and their homes.

READ Alliance after-school programs run 1.5 hours a day, three or four days a week, for 15-20 weeks (50 sessions in all). Tutors earn $7.25 per hour. Complete information is on the READ Alliance website where teens can apply online at http://www.readalliance.org/. Interested teens should apply at their earliest convinience.

Please contact Jaselis Mejia at jmejia@readalliance.org or 646-867-6122 if you have any questions!

CM James Joins Ebbets Field MS 352 for Computer Give-away

Through their partnership with Computers for Youth (CFY), Ebbets Field MS 352 recently celebrated their fourth computer workshop and give away. This year, CFY enlisted the help of cable television providers who have promised to grant everyone of the students access to high speed internet service for a reduced fee or for free! Now every student will have access to the world from their own living room!

Join CM James at Ebbets Field Middle School 352 - this Saturday

Council Member Letitia James invites you to join her at Ebbets Field Middle School 352, this Saturday for a special event:

Through Ebbet's Field MS 352's long term partnership with Computers for Youth, each one of the school's sixth graders will receive a free computer this Saturday. Additionally, each student will also be given a one year free subscription to high-speed Internet service.

This opportunity to make the internet more accessible will benefit students academically by bringing information into their living rooms. We hope you'll join Council Member James in being a part of this event.

Saturday, October 23, 2010
First Presentation
8:30 Principal addresses families in auditorium.
8:45 Workshops.

Second Presentation
12:40 Principal addresses families in auditorium.
1:00 Workshops.

CM James Hosts Informational Town Hall; 3/24; MS 113

Council Member Letitia James

Presents an Informational Town Hall Meeting

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

From 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM

At the Ronald Edmonds Learning Center (MS 113)

300 Adelphi Street (between Lafayette & DeKalb Avenues)

Fort Greene, Brooklyn

New York City agencies along with local service organizations, associations, educational and arts groups will distribute information, and representatives will be present to answer questions, and/or to schedule appointments.

For more information please contact:

Office of Council Member Letitia James at (718) 260-9191 or (212) 788-7081

35^th Council District, Brooklyn

----------------------