Education

UPDATE Neighborhood Notes: Kingsbridge Armory Survey, Elections 2023, Summer Youth Employment Extended & More!

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Kingsbridge Armory Survey The working group behind the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory, Together for Kingsbridge, is requesting the public to provide their input on what they would like to see in place in the armory by completing a survey which can be found here, and which is available in both English and Spanish. See also our latest story on the armory. Tours of the army are ongoing also, as below.   Yankee Youth Leadership Award The New York Yankees and Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) are looking for youth leaders who reside within the boundaries of Bronx Community District


Read More

Off Duty School Crossing Guard Arrested for Endangering Welfare of Child

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Police said an off-duty New York City employee was arrested on Friday, April 7, in the 49th Precinct, which covers the neighborhoods of Allerton, Morris Park, Van Nest, Pelham Parkway, Eastchester Gardens, and Pelham Gardens.   According to the NYPD, Sanija Kurtovic, 46, an NYPD school crossing guard, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and harassment.   A person arrested and charged with a crime is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.    

Elections 2023: Irene Estrada Lays Out her Case for her City Council Run in District 13

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Former Democratic female district leader for the 80th assembly district and Democratic candidate for city council in District 13, Irene Estrada, briefly broke down why she is running for the seat against incumbent, City Councilwoman Marjorie Velázquez when we spoke to her at the 25th Throggs Neck St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 12.   Estrada, whose two daughters serve with the NYPD, and who is on the clergy council of the 49th Precinct, said, “Our streets are a mess with crime.” She added, “We also need to bring back the school safety task force. They took it away after COVID.


Read More

Vietnam Vet Finds Solace in Sharing the Unsaid

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Ondray Cleveland completed two tours of duty in Vietnam between ‘68 and ’71. The Soundview resident said his transition back to civilian life on his return to the U.S. was not plain sailing. Later, he would join the navy for two years, before ultimately leaving the armed services for good.   “[I] wasn’t doing too good once I came out of Vietnam because…stereotypes and all that stuff,” he said. “Then I got myself together and came back out…ups and downs but it’s been good.” Though many years have passed since then, Cleveland was one of over 60 veterans who found


Read More

Student Exhibit at Montefiore Gallery of ARTFul Medicine Honors Ukraine

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx elementary students from P.S. 152 in Soundview joined District 18 City Council Member Amanda Farías and others last month for the launch of a new art exhibit featuring bold watercolor paintings of sunflowers painted by the students in honor of Ukraine.   The exhibit was created in partnership with “Studio in a School NYC,” an initiative which brings visual arts education to students from 3K to 12th grade in public schools and to community based organizations across all five boroughs. It is intended to showcase local talent, while also highlighting the role art can play in stress reduction and


Read More

UPDATE Success Academy Charter School to Open at St. Brendan Catholic School Site

By SÍLE MOLONEY
After nearly 200 young students and parents rallied outside of St. Brendan School in Norwood on Feb. 24 to protest plans by the Archdiocese of New York to close the Catholic school in September 2023 due to declining income, one of 12 Catholic schools across the City, including six in The Bronx, scheduled to close, parents received a letter dated March 30 from the school’s representatives, confirming that the site has been leased to a Charter school which will open in September.   The letter reads in part, “After our sad announcement in February that St. Brendan’s Regional School would


Read More

Bronx Borough Hall Lit Turquoise, Pink & Purple as World Dyslexia Assembly Sits in NYC

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Monday, April 3, that City Hall and two additional municipal buildings, including Bronx Borough Hall, would be lit turquoise, pink and purple the same evening to raise awareness of the hosting by New York City of the “Made By Dyslexia’s World Dyslexia Assembly” on April 3 at the David Geffen Hall in the Lincoln Centre in Manhattan.   “Made By Dyslexia has made it their mission to train every teacher and help every workplace to spot, support, and empower every dyslexic mind,” said Adams. “As a student, I struggled with identifying my


Read More

New York Lottery: TAKE 5 Top-Prize Winning Ticket Sold in The Bronx

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York Lottery announced Thursday, March 30, that one top-prize winning ticket was sold for the March 29 TAKE 5 MIDDAY drawing. The ticket, worth $19,075.50, was purchased at He & Jay Stationery LLC, located at 123 Einstein Loop in the Baychester section of The Bronx.   Lottery officials said TAKE 5 players with midday and evening draws on the same ticket must check their numbers at nylottery.ny.gov to determine if they have the winning numbers for the corresponding midday or evening drawing.   They said TAKE 5 numbers are drawn from a field of one through 39. The drawing is televised


Read More

AG Announces Prison Sentences for Five Bronx Gun & Heroin Trafficking Ring Members

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the sentencings of five people on Wednesday, March 29, for their role in a gun trafficking operation which resulted in the illegal sale of 16 guns in The Bronx. She said the five defendants, who were charged with trafficking numerous assault weapons, high-capacity feeding devices, semiautomatic pistols, and more than 300 rounds of ammunition, all pled guilty and were sentenced for their respective crimes.   Additionally, two of the defendants, Luis Alsina and Michael Alsina, were also sentenced for their roles in the sale of heroin, officials said. Altogether, all five defendants


Read More