You are invited to Cornell Tech’s final “community conversation” of the year:
Why are those ads following me around the Internet? And other questions about digital life.
In the spirit of the season, hot chocolate and cookies will be served!
Cornell Tech's Digital Life Initiative focuses on the ethics, policy, politics, and quality of life in emerging digital technologies. Join a dynamic panel discussion on big questions about technology and society, including privacy, social media, behavioral advertising, and media manipulation. Panelists include Helen Nissenbaum, Lee McGuigan, Noa Mor, Yael Eisenstat, and MC Forelle.
Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Director of Community Relations Erica Spencer-El and President Susan Rosenthal did a pretty good job as Co-Hosts of the event too.
Are you looking for a Roosevelt Island Cat Sitter?
Longtime resident will feed and lovingly care for your cat while you're away, making sure your pet is safe and happy at home. I will also help with mail, plants etc. References available.
The excellent NYC education web site Chalkbeat reported December 2:
A tiny portion of New York City parent-teacher associations reported raising more than $1,000 per student — amounting, in some cases, to more than $1 million — while hundreds of other such school groups said they raised no money at all.
The data, released for the first time Monday, lays bare the funding disparities between schools in wealthy neighborhoods and those in higher poverty ZIP codes. It does not include data for charter schools, alternative schools, and pre-K centers because these schools are not required to have parent associations, an education department spokesperson said....
... New York City’s Education Department has for the first time compiled and released data on the financial standing of PTAs around the city. City Councilman Mark Treyger, a former teacher who wrote the legislation requiring the report, says it's confirmed his fears about inequity in the city's public schools.
"How many times have we heard the DOE and the chancellor and the mayor talk about, your zip code should not determine the opportunities your families receive,” Treyger said. “Well, look at the data."
According to the report, 46 PTAs raised more than $500 thousand in the most recent school year. Of those 46 PTAs, 24 raised at least a million dollars.”...
I asked Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 PTA President Irena Durkovic if the Chalkbeat fundraising amount of $236,000 was accurate. Ms Durkovic replied:
The amount reported is accurate, and it’s taken from our annual report that covers period from July 2018 through June 2019.
Ms Durkovic shares this statement from the whole 217 PTA executive board:
The PTA is grateful to the PS/IS 217 and Roosevelt Island communities for their support, which allows us to provide benefits for all students in our elementary and middle school here on Roosevelt Island.
For instance, we sponsor literacy and enrichment programs such as arts, physical education, and music; professional development and curriculum assistance to teachers; and community events for the school and its neighbors on Roosevelt Island.
We thank the many PS/IS 217 parents who donate to our annual fund and tirelessly volunteer their time, as well as RIOC and the broader Roosevelt Island community, who support the PTA through grants, the Roosevelt Island Farmer's Market, and in many other ways."
Here's Ms Durkovic describing Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 PTA programs to the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Purpose Funds committee during May 28,2019 meeting.
Good content-unfortunate that many of the extras come down to PTA’s ability to fund. With changing demographic I think the number can get higher at 217. A big part of issue for fundraising here is that large international population doesn’t understand why it should be necessary.
Broadway heavy hitters, Alan Menken (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Disney's The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors) and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical, Once on This Island), breathe fantastic new life into the classic tale of A Christmas Carol.
Ebenezer Scrooge is a prosperous curmudgeon who believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated "Bah! Humbug!" Scrooge summates his feelings of Christmas tidings and charitable giving, but he's forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his Past, Present and Future. Thanks to their guidance, Scrooge recognizes his faults and greets Christmas morning with a cheerful "Happy Christmas" before spending the day reconnecting and sharing love with those that mean the most to him....
At the Howe Theatre in the R.I. Cultural Center 548 Main Street.
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WELCOME TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND
Welcome to the Roosevelt Islander Online!
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
