BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
YOUTH/HUMAN SERVICES/EDUCATION COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 23, 2013
PRESENT
L. ANDERSON P.BELLENBAUM F. BROWN
C. CASTILLO E. FELDER M. KOLMAN
J. LI P. MINDLIN C. PETERSEN
C. RYAN B. SOLOTAIRE S. TURET
R. UNDERWOOD .
ABSENT:
J. BERNARD R. CERVONE L. HILL
J. MARGOLIS C. PIGOTT A. SHERMAN
D. WILLIAMS K. WILLIAMS
GUEST:
C. HARDING KEEFE R. ABAVI-BISCAINO H. BROWN
V. BARTON RICHARDSON
***MINUTES***
Presentation and discussion about timely and relevant local educational issues with Margaret Kelley, Education Policy Analyst, Office of the Brooklyn Borough President.
Margaret Kelley was unable to meet with the committee tonight. This item will be rescheduled.
Presentation and discussion with School District Superintendents Barbara Freeman (District 13) and Anita Skop (District 15) on the school districts and the committee’s efforts to promote additional technology programs in the schools.
Barbara Freeman and Anita Skop, School District Superintendents were the guests.
An update and background on the tech initiative was given by Robert Underwood. Matching schools to organizations, help find funding, partner with several schools, etc. Specifications: - Looking to work at middle or high schools but can look at younger groups to introduce concepts. - District 15; not many schools involved now. MS88 would be good but need to look at what it entails (funding, commitment, etc.). May have to start as afterschool program but not in CB6. MS447 is another good contender – STEM school (District 15) - Jamika Mathieson – Superintendent of High Schools. - Millennium Brooklyn at John Jay (Lisa Gioe) - PS282, 266, 133 – all schools within CB6 (District 13) Have had discussions about programs. Working with NYU-Poly and work with Brooklyn Tech.
Less structure of programs in District 13. PS266 is small middle school – funding issues. Room for programs to come in, less intensive than NYU Poly. PS133 has tech infrastructure but not robotics. PS29 has new principal, older building so may lack tech. PS261 good match on Pacific/Smith streets – newer building. PS15 Red Hook would be a great school – Principal is great.
Overall goal would be to get into 2 schools this academic year (already have about 8 organizations that are looking to get into schools). Incorporate tech capability discussions along with testing tech needs. Would be good to bring in 8 principals in with tech organizations, set up foundations for program (i.e. send out Rob’s video).
PS133 Update: Working – full to capacity but still be growing into the building (100 students-District 15), (150 students District 13).
District 15: Sunset Park (outside of district) but is looking to find sites. Funding is there but asking for support to reach out to try and find building locations.
Common Core Delays in shipping of materials Teaching plans aligned with curriculum trying to get that set up Coaches coming in to help with set up, pedagogy, scope and sequence. Challenging especially with high stakes in ratings. Trying to get teachers to understand all aspects: rigor, challenge. District is adjusting. Importance is emphasized on the way you approach it – high demand o0n teacher competencies. Socio-economic and demo graphs – seeing certain groups struggling with shift.
Common core essentially about application.
CAMBA
Valerie Barton-Richardson and Claire Harding-Keefe gave the committee an update of CAMBA’s program. CAMBA operates a women’s shelter between 14th and 15th Streets in the Park Slope Armory. Want to move the women into permanent housing. Looking to expand – need approval from the State - Proposed addition of 25 beds to the 2nd floor. - Currently – 5 dorms for 70 beds. - Looking for a letter of support from the committee.
Motion was made to approve the minutes of the precious meeting held on September 25, 2013. The motion was approved.
UPDATE ON PROPOSED SHELTER FOR W9TH STREET
- Multiple dwelling code violations. - All permits active again – given green light. - Dept. of Buildings and Dept. of Investigation were sent letter from electeds requesting information. - No response from either. - Dept. of Housing Services hearing attended contract hearing. - Process of moving fast. Contract live on November 1st. - Dept. of Buildings are conducting new audit. - Liu’s office can still reject contracts. - Coalition for Carroll Gardens – on the web.
TECH FOLLOW-UP
- Start intros/connection e-mails to schools/organizations.
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned.