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Kids and Education: Brooklyn News Wrap-up

June 19, 2014 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Xavier Headley from PAL’s Wynn Center
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With the end of the school year, kids and educators are making the news across Brooklyn. Here’s a wrap up of this week’s activities:

Sister Elizabeth A. Hill, one of Brooklyn’s most influential educators and former president of St. Joseph’s College has been named chair of Bishop Kearney High School. Sister Helen Kearney, President of the Sisters of St. Joseph, said in a statement, “Sister Elizabeth Hill . . . believes in the dignity of all persons and values developing their competencies, self-confidence and spiritual values to live fruitful and satisfying lives. We look forward to a wonderful partnership with Sister Elizabeth and the Board, with Dr. Margaret Minson, the new President of Kearney and Elizabeth Guglielmo, the new Principal.”

 Hill was President of St. Joseph’s College from 1997 to June 2014. During her tenure, St Joseph’s enrollment and academic offerings increased while tuition remained among the lowest in the New York metropolitan area. In addition, she was responsible for securing the College’s largest federal grant in the College’s history. In 2014, Hill was the recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Long Island Association.

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Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña on Thursday announced the winners of the second annual Big Apple Awards: Recognizing Teacher Excellence in New York City, which celebrate the life-changing work of public school teachers. Three Brooklyn teachers were recognized: Nekesha Bynum, a third grade teacher at P.S. 310 in Dyker Heights; Kathryn Vitale, an eighth grade English language arts teacher at Frederick Douglass Academy VIII Middle School in East New York; and April Yee, bilingual first grade teacher at P.S. 105 The Blythebourne in Borough Park.

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 More than two dozen Police Athletic League (PAL) children gathered on May 29 to showcase their spoken word creations at PAL’s Annual Poetry Jam. Brooklyn winners included fifth grader Xavier Headley from PAL’s Wynn Center and sixth grader Khalil Ellely from Brownsville Beacon Center.  These youngsters had the opportunity to work with professional poet Mahogany Browne, who coached them on performing the spoken word.

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 The deadline to enroll in summer enrichment programs is June 30. Summer participants must pursue literacy and STEM-enrichment activities, along with other projects in theater, music, creative arts and recreational activities, plus planned trips and community explorations. Programs are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (varying by program). For pre-enrolment information and application form, visit www.nyc.gov/dycd.

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P.S. 532 New Bridges Elementary, a new arts-integrated elementary school in Crown Heights, will be performing at Five Myles in Crown Heights as part of Make Music NY Day on Saturday June 21 at 1 p.m. P.S. 532 New Bridges Elementary is a new arts-integrated elementary school in Crown Heights. Kids from the school have performed at the Sony Wonder Technology Lab and will be performing at Steinway Hall in the spring as well as at other venues.

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 The Brooklyn Waldorf School celebrated the commencement of the first 8th grade graduating class on June 11. “Through the masterful hands of their teachers, our students have learned to become self-reliant, self-initiated learners,” said Walkyria Machado, the school’s pedagogical administrator. All ten grads have been accepted to reputable high schools, including The Waldorf School of Garden City; Grace Church High School; The Brooklyn Latin School; Xaverian High School; The Calhoun School and The Beacon School.

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Mayor Bill de Blasio, Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña, and Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Bill Chong announced the selection of the 271 providers that will oversee expanded afterschool programs for middle school students beginning in September. Visit www.nyc.gov/dycd to find a list of the programs.

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 Here’s a fun option for kids and families this Sunday, June 22: Family Fun Day at BLDG 92 and the Brooklyn Navy Yard.  Highlights include:

11 .am. – Noon            Navy Yard Inspectors Tour

1-1:45 p.m.      Tour of the Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm

2 – 3 p.m.        Dig for Red Wiggler Worms with City Growers

2:30 – 4:30 p.m.           A special Navy Yard tour with BINGO

All day:           Free museum exhibits; coloring books; scavenger hunts; prizes from Spuni, OgoSport and Planet Obo

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 More family fun: Film screenings and activities are taking place at Brooklyn Children’s Museum, courtesy of Amazon Studios. Details: June 21st – “Tumble Leaf,” a show for preschool-aged children that follows Fig the Fox and his best friend Stick; July 19th – “Creative Galaxy,” a make-along, create-along, interactive art adventure series for preschoolers; August 9th – “Annedroids,” aimed at children aged four through seven. A live-action adventure series about a young female genius, her human friends, and android assistants. Immediately following each screening will be family-friendly arts and crafts activities.

 

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