Nursery Schools 101
A sane and sensible approach for applying
By Eric Messinger
1. Why Nursery School, Anyway?
Because if you don’t get into a good nursery school it’s quite likely that your child will never get into Harvard. Ok, here’s really why: because the majority of nursery school directors create comforting, fun worlds where little people learn to socialize while following their creative and intellectual urges. It’s also a chance for parents to get some informed feedback about their child while joining a community of families in which both children and parents will have a stable circle of friends. Read more
Helping Hands
By Amanda Sakuma
For parents who feel overwhelmed by the city’s private school admissions process, or just need guidance in a particular area, hiring an admissions consultant is an increasing option—even for nursery school.
Nursery school is the place where parents begin to sort out the various educational options available to them, says Roxana Reid, director of Smart City Kids (smartcitykids.com), a private and public educational advising service for nursery through 12th grade. Information from friends and chatter from the park bench can sometimes confuse matters, as people tend to draw from their own perspective, which may not be applicable to every parent. Read more
‘Systematic’ Crowding?
DOE says problem is confined to certain schools
By Sarah Seltzer
At a high-energy meeting last week, representatives from District 3 elementary schools and members of the parent Community Education Council voiced their frustration about school overcrowding to representatives from the Department of Education.
Last year, parents clashed over a plan to move the Center School out of P.S. 199’s building to alleviate crowding (that controversial move took place over the summer). This year, parents seemed far more united in urging the department to create more space in the district and, in particular, in asking education officials to treat the situation as urgent. Read more
Double Decker Dads
Dano Rubin and Hudson Clavin get a bird’s eye view of Central Park as they ride piggyback on their dads Dan and Nick (left to right). Little brother Jake Rubin sticks to riding in the stroller. Photo by Andrew Schwartz
POLS WANT CRANE ANSWERS
By Dan Rivoli
Almost a month after the Oct. 8 crane accident at Columbus Square, local elected officials and community groups are still looking for answers from the Department of Buildings.
The crane’s counterweight crushed a pedestrian sidewalk during construction of the mixed-use building on the corner of Columbus Avenue and West 97th Street. There were no fatalities or injuries.
On the day of the accident, Borough President Scott Stringer and Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito called for an “open, transparent report to the public” about how the crane malfunctioned and what steps will be taken to prevent future accidents. Stringer recently emphasized that a report is “necessary” on a project that has a history of problems. In 2007, a retaining wall collapsed, causing the total evacuation of 784 Columbus Ave.
“Though this incident may have been minor compared to previous ones, residents still need to feel assured that necessary repairs have been made and they are not in danger of a crane malfunctioning again, perhaps causing greater damage,” Stringer said in a statement.
The buildings department did not return calls for comment.
Westsiders for Public Participation, a community group that has long opposed the development, volunteered to host a public meeting with buildings commissioner Robert LiMandri.
“All of our requests since the date of the crane accident have been met with nothing but deafening silence from the Department of Buildings,” said Paul Bunten, the group’s president.
GROUP ADVOCATES FOR BREWER BILL
By Dan Rivoli
With President Barack Obama declaring H1N1, a.k.a. swine flu, a national emergency, labor groups are pushing for passage of a City Council bill that would require businesses to give paid sick days to employees.
In August, Council Member Gale Brewer sponsored the bill, modeled after a law in San Francisco, and is expecting a committee hearing on Nov. 17.
In the meantime, she rallied for her legislation in Union Square with paid sick leave advocates. Brewer acted as a judge in a costume contest that was promoting a new subway ad campaign for her bill. In a white lab coat, mask and stethoscope, she awarded germ-themed costumes with titles of “Most Contagious” and “Best Newly Discovered.”
“‘If you’re sick, stay home.’ It’s a message everyone gets,” Brewer said. “But a lot of people cannot stay home because they will be fired.”
BP PROGRAM GOES CITYWIDE
By Dan Rivoli
A program started by Borough President Scott Stringer is going citywide, with support from the city and the City University of New York.
The program pairs urban planning students with understaffed Manhattan community boards to assist with land use applications. The students get a $5,000 stipend culled from philanthropic organizations.
Stringer’s fellowship will now be extended to the city’s community boards through Hunter College’s Department of Urban Affairs and Planning.
“[The fellowship program] has also helped shift the focus of a new generation of professional urban planners toward a real understanding of how community members, local government and land use experts interact and engage in discussions about the future shape of our city,” Stringer said in a statement.
Stringer first announced the program’s expansion in his February State of the Borough address. The citywide fellowship will have a presence in all five boroughs. Each year, the program will grow to eventually place an urban planning fellow in each of the city’s 59 community boards.
Teen Robbed
A 16-year-old was arrested for robbing a 15-year-old Upper West Side boy on the southwest corner of Amsterdam Avenue and West 86th Street. Police said that on Oct. 13 at 4 p.m., the arrested teen held the victim while a friend snatched a gold chain from his neck and punched him in the face. Cops said the other teen got away. The arrested boy was charged with robbery.
No Gun for Store Robbery
A man tried to rob Emack & Bolio’s ice cream shop, at 389 Amsterdam Ave. and West 79th Street. Police said that on Oct. 14 at 9:05 p.m., a man entered the shop and ordered ice cream from the cashier. The cashier noticed that he was pointing his finger under his shirt like a gun. According to cops, the robber said “Open the register, give me money. I have a gun.” Police said that when the cashier refused, he ran out of the store.
Man Fights Off Muggers
An 18-year-old man walking to his guitar lesson escaped two muggers while walking near West 85th Street and Broadway. Police said that on Oct. 15 at 4:45 p.m., a teenager asked the victim if he knew the area well. He replied “somewhat.” Then, a second teen crossed the street and told the victim, “Don’t make no noise, don’t scream. Just give us your iPhone, money.” When the victim refused, the two muggers pushed him against the wall and held his wrists. The man broke free and ran into a nearby store. When the police arrived, the two muggers were gone.
