Bronx Barriers: Literacy Challenge

By SHANNON MEEHAN of WFUV

The Norwood News and WFUV are collaborating on a five-part series profiling different types of illiteracy impacting the Bronx. The South Bronx, a vibrant neighborhood of working families, faces a literacy crisis that is affecting most of the area’s residents. Despite efforts by nonprofits and reading programs, the South Bronx has one of the lowest literacy rates of all five boroughs, intertwining with incomes in the South Bronx. Both facets remain low. Strides to break the cycle of illiteracy are being made in the South Bronx, though progress has not advanced enough. It still remains the poorest and has the

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the northwest corner of the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use. With 16 pages full of news, it’s always easy to begin at the beginning with page 1. Our front page focuses on the imminent closure of St. Ann School, which comes just two years after the catholic church closed. Read what parents have to say about the school and it’s profound impact it’s had on children. An editorial focuses on the New York City Council’s passage of the Right to Counsel, and why it’s

Check out these pictures from the Norwood News’ Miriam Quinones, who ventured out to the northwest section of the Bronx to snap pictures of 2017’s first major snowstorm. The borough saw more than 10 inches of snow during the 14 hours of the event. The city closed public schools, with children enjoying the free day. Sadly, school will reopen.

Neighborhood Notes

Flea Market Donations Sought Donations are needed for the Bedford Mosholu Community Association flea market scheduled to be held on March 4. Bring new and used items (except clothing) to the BMCA office at 400 E. Mosholu Pkwy. So., apt. B1 (lobby floor) on Feb. 15 and 22 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Feb. 25 from 1:30 to 4 p.m., and March 1 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. For more information, call (718) 367-2230 or email bedfordmosholu@verizon.net. Suited for Success The Community Affairs Unit of the Office of the Bronx District Attorney is requesting donations of clean ready-to-wear suits, ties, dress shirts and

By SARAH STEIN KERR

Three years ago, serial entrepreneur Gino Pacheco tried out a new career: stay-at-home dad. Pacheco, 40, a native Bronxite who started his first business at the age of 14, quickly became restless and began thinking about his next venture. “I always wanted to find things about the Bronx,” said Pacheco. “I was on Google looking for stuff and I just couldn’t find anything. I thought there was a void for that.” Last July, Pacheco launched Bronx411.com, a new Bronx-focused online directory that helps small business owners in the Bronx get more bang for their marketing buck – especially since it’s

By DANIELA BEASLEY

The familiar phrase, “ID please,” followed by the extended hand of a straight-faced towering bouncer with music drowning out conversation penetrating the door, could describe the scene of a typical night out in New York City. A ‘go ahead’ nod from the bouncer leads the way inside where people are dancing, smoking hookah and drinking, but not in the obvious Manhattan setting. Instead, they’re doing so in the Bronx, more specifically Norwood. Norwood is now home to more Hispanic oriented eateries and stores which once fostered a much more Irish atmosphere with pubs that lined both sides of 204th Street.

This week we asked readers their thoughts on what should be included in the proposed $85 billion New York City budget. I think it’s very important for the de Blasio Administration to fund transportation, education, health issues and children’s health and education, and to fund local colleges. There isn’t enough money being spent on higher education and money should also be allocated for senior citizens. Grace Chanke Norwood This money should go to people in need, like people on public assistance because they really need it to help pay their rent and buy food. They should spend some of

By DEBORAH CRUZ

The doors to a once so-called “toxic school” reopened with a well-attended ribbon cutting for Quality Services for the Autism Community school (QSAC). Administrators told the Norwood News the school is no longer a health hazard. “There is a whole new system in place, we have our testers come in quarterly and test our air and our water and we have passed all of our tests,” said Susan Silvestri, director of the QSAC school, at the school’s ribbon cutting on Jan. 26. “We are actually going to graduate to testing twice a year instead of four times a year.” The

By DEBORAH CRUZ

There was a hush as each contestant spelled the words in front of their classmates. But then it followed with a burst of cheers from each classmate sitting in the auditorium of PS 94, which also included many supportive parents witnessing an annual tradition play out at the neighborhood school. One of the parents was Isabel Jimenez who was there cheering on her daughter Diana Leon. “This is a nice experience for the kids. It improves their vocabulary while having the support of the parents,” said Jimenez, whose daughter went all the way to round 14 before the word “caricature”