Education

Bronx Teachers Demand New Contract, Higher Pay; Tentative Agreement Reached

By DAVID GREENE
Several hundred public school teachers and NYC Department of Education (DOE) employees gathered in Parkchester on May 24, as other school employees assembled at similar rallies across the City the same day, to demand a new employment contract with the City, a salary increase, less bureaucracy and smaller class sizes.   The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) union held rallies in all five boroughs as Bronx teachers and staff gathered at Virginia Park, located between the Cross Bronx Service Road and Westchester Avenue. “Lisa,” a School District 8 special education teacher, told Norwood News, “We’ve been without a contract since the last school year if I’m not mistaken. We’re looking for better pay,


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UPDATE Elections 2023: Bradshaw Takes Challenge of District 14 Seat to the Streets

By DAVID GREENE & SÍLE MOLONEY
State committeewoman for Assembly District 78, Rachel Bradshaw, Fordham Hill Co-op board secretary, and candidate in the upcoming Democratic City Council primary election for District 14, joined a group of supporters on Saturday, May 27, as she took her campaign to unseat the incumbent, Council Member Pierina Sanchez who has held the seat since 2022, to the streets of Fordham Manor.   District 14 broadly encompasses some or all of the neighborhoods of Kingsbridge Heights, Fordham Manor, Fordham Heights, Bedford Park, University Heights, Mt. Hope and Morris Heights. It is bordered to the south by the Cross Bronx Expressway.  


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Manhattan College Student Honored at Pride Ceremony

By SARA MARTINEZ
As Bronx residents and elected officials gathered at Bronx Borough Hall on Thursday, June 1, for the annual Pride ceremony to mark the beginning of Pride Month, one northwest Bronx student was among those being honored this year. The annual tradition of honoring selected members of the Bronx LGBTQIA+ community was also an occasion to witness the raising of the Pride flag, which will fly alongside the American flag and the veterans’ Prisoner of War (POW) / Missing in Action (MIA) flag throughout Pride Month (June).   On the day, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson reiterated New York’s commitment to


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2023 Lehman College Commencement Celebrates Diverse Paths to Higher Education  

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT
More than 3,450 graduates gathered on the athletic fields of Lehman College in Bedford Park on June 1 to participate in the college’s 55th Commencement ceremony. With sunny, blue skies above them, and surrounded by family and friends who filled the outer banks of the fields, and took up more than half the playing field, graduates received some inspirational advice from academic leaders, honorary degree recipients, and fellow graduate, Alesha Alli.   “What you want to be is not the same as what you want to do,” Alli said during her address. “In the real world, who we choose to


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UPDATE Dr. Stevie…..the Wonder

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Music legend Stevie Wonder received an honorary doctorate of humane letters at Fordham University’s 178th Commencement on May 20 at the college’s Rose Hill campus in Fordham Manor. Despite the dismal, intermittent rainfall, Wonder offered the Class of 2023 some words of heartfelt gratitude to be counted among its members.

UPDATE Guerinos Against Graffitti* Share Results of Local Clean-Up of East 204th Street

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Local graffiti removal group, Guerinos against Graffitti* have been thanked by their neighbors following the group’s confirmation that most of the graffiti on 204th Street between Mosholu Parkway and Valentine Avenue in Bedford Park has been recently removed. Sirio Guerino, cofounder of the group, said the work was done in honor of the May 52nd Precinct Community Council Meeting.   Local community members were grateful for the group’s efforts. “YAY Serio and the SAG group! On behalf of all long-time, Norwood residents ….THANK YOU!!!!,” said Marilyn Reyes.   Meanwhile, Friends of Mosholu Parkland said, “Thank you so much !!!”   Guerino


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New Law Allows Raffles for Charity at Sporting Venues as Bronx CB7 & CB8 Youth Leaders Honored

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed Intro. 891 into law on Thursday, May 25, which will allow sporting venues to hold games of chance, such as raffles, for charitable purposes.   “Today, we are hitting a home run for New York City nonprofits,” said Adams. “New York City is home to some of the greatest sporting teams in the nation, and we love supporting them, especially when they give back to the community. Today, with the signing of this bill into law, we are stepping up to the plate, and making it easier for the Yankees, the Mets, and others


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Fordham Manor: Law Day at Monroe College Centers on Cornerstones of Democracy

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Law Day 2023 was commemorated at Monroe College School of Criminal and Social Justice on May 10.   New York Supreme Court Judges Leslie Stroth and Kathy King and New York City Criminal Court Judge Yadhira González-Taylor were part of the planning committee who worked with the college’s academic leadership team to attract over 120 high school students to attend. They said students interacted and networked with a distinguished panel of professionals during the event. The panelists comprised Justice Eddie McShan of the appellate division, chief attorney of citywide operations at The Legal Aid Society, Tina Luongo, bureau chief at the


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