New St. Philip Neri Principal a Familiar Face in Norwood

By DAVID CRUZ

In the space of five minutes, Ajeia Beebe, new principal at St. Philip Neri Catholic School in Bedford Park, escorted a timid student out of a classroom, received a hearty “good morning Mrs. Beebe” from uniformed children walking down the hallway, and gave a top-down tour of the 104-year-old school. It’s been almost two months since Beebe came to the school, and she’s already feeling at home. In many ways, she is. It helps that a number of her old students at the school she’s previously worked at have now transferred to St. Philip Neri, making for a smooth transition.

Latest Edition of the Norwood News Is Out!

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the northwest portion of the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use. For the sake of consistency, we begin with page one as usual and a story that keeps on giving–the Kingsbridge Armory. This time, in a move aimed at advancing the reconfiguration of the building to a massive ice center, state officials heard from the community on whether to fund give the beleaguered project a $138 million state loan to begin phase one. The findings were near unanimous. Reporter Aaron Mayorga chronicles reaction from

The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use! We begin with a special report on the issue of homelessness crisis. Our reporters fanned out over the last two weeks interviewing the borough’s downtrodden and learn why they prefer the streets over a shelter. The story comes amid the city’s plan to bring more shelters to Norwood. It’s a can’t miss story by me, Aaron Mayorga, Yara Palin, and Adi Talwar with help from Diego Barcacel Pena and Stephanie Luciano. Be sure to check out this eye-opening story and

Newly Sworn in Lehman College President Pledges Expansion

By DIEGO BARCACEL PEÑA

The inauguration of Lehman College’s third president, Dr. José Luis Cruz, was filled with smiles and optimism for the future. It also doubled for the announcement of a new initiative by the college dubbed “90 by 30.” Cruz’s 90 by 30 initiative hopes to produce 90,000 degrees and credentials by the year 2030, doubling the current number of degrees conferred. The plan includes hiring more professors and working on expanding virtual and physical infrastructure. This includes building a $53 million, 50,000-square-foot nursing teaching and research center, a $12.8 million addition to the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, and the

New Flight Simulator Soars at Bronx High School

By DIEGO BARCACEL PENA

A new flight simulator has landed at a Bronx high school. After years of waiting, the Bronx Aerospace High School at the Evander Childs Campus in Olinville has received a simulator. Two seats, multiple screens, and a control board make up the simulator. The simulator, comparable to a small aircraft, moves according to the way real planes operate. Councilman Andy King, who represents the 12th Council District, and Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña were both present at a ceremonial ribbon cutting marking the unveiling of the simulator. Fariña sees this as an opportunity to get students into classes and hopefully to

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By Carmen Fariña

Like many New Yorkers, I was the first in my family to go to college. It didn’t even occur to me until midway through high school, when one of my teachers told me I’d need to go to college if I wanted to follow my own dream of becoming a teacher. She made college a reality for me. I know first-hand how important it is to have teachers who make college a reality for their students. More than 50 years after my teachers put me on the path to college and a great career, we’re making College Access for All

Cuts in College Readiness Program Inspire Social Message Video

By DAVID CRUZ

Imani Martinez sat slightly coy as a video bearing her image boomed across the East Dining Room of Lehman College. On screen, Martinez stood confident, revealing moments and milestones that have contributed to her character. “Why must I have to put double the blood, sweat and tears I normally would have to put in order to accomplish my goal? Because I’m poor, Latina and I live in the Bronx,” Martinez, who dreams a career in law enforcement, said. Martinez’s verbal purge, a raw, coming-of-age message chronicled her personal struggles, ambitions, and a love for borough, warts and all. She intertwined

Ahead of Mayoral Control of Schools Fate, Bronx BP Releases Report on G&T Inequity Fix

By DAVID CRUZ

Under a cloud over whether the fate of mayoral control of schools will be killed by the Albany Legislature, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and his Brooklyn counterpart released a report outlining ways to equalize the public school system’s gifted and talented program (G&T), claiming it grossly excludes minority students. “We are totally optimistic…that before 12 o’clock strikes tonight the Legislature will come up with mayoral control expansion,” Diaz, standing next to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, said at a press conference in front of the New York City Department of Education (DOE) headquarters. “Should we go back to

Inspirational Stencils, Courtesy of Bronx Community Charter School Students

By DEVIN DAE TUCKER

Six graders from Bronx Community Charter School (BCCS) are taking on a year-end street art project, creating stencil art to be displayed around Norwood. They feel their artworks will have a powerful impact on the community. “I think any time kids have an opportunity to do something authentic and real in their own community, the benefits are huge,” said Kendra Sibley, sixth grade teacher at BCCS leading the class. “It is incredibly empowering to them to know that their work is appreciated and that their voices can be heard.” Students were able to incorporate their stencil art with a