Roosevelt Island Little League Baseball Registration Still Open For Upcoming 10 Game Season Beginning In April - Volunteer Coaches Needed Too

Roosevelt Island Little League Baseball season is about to begin.

According to the Child Center NYC Roosevelt Island Beacon 217 Little League program:

Good afternoon Roosevelt Island Families,

We are excited to announce that we are still accepting spots for Little League! As of right now, registration is open for T-Ball and Majors divisions. To ensure your child’s spot, please submit all the required documents as soon as possible.

Important Reminders:

• If your child is already enrolled in the Beacon after-school program, you don’t need to submit a new application. Simply email the required documents and complete the survey.
• Registration is in high demand this year, so don’t wait—sign up as soon as possible!

Contact Us:

For questions or concerns, email us at beacon217@childcenterny.org .You’ll receive a confirmation email from the Beacon admin team regarding your child’s acceptance into the Little League program.

We’re looking forward to another exciting, safe, and competitive baseball season. Let’s play ball!

Age Groups:

The league will include two divisions:

• T-Ball (5–6 years)
• Majors (11–15 years)

Note: Beginner 7-year-olds may be placed in T-Ball.

Season Highlights:

The season kicks off with a 10-game schedule beginning on April 5th, with games on Saturdays and 1–2 weeknights. Special events include:

• All-Star Game
• Team Picture Day
• Playoffs & Championship Game
• All-Girls Game to conclude the season

We are committed to recruiting dedicated parents, young professionals, and community leaders as coaches to ensure a meaningful and enriching experience for all players.

Please note: All league event dates are subject to change.

Registration Steps:

1. To register your child, please complete the following steps:
2. Fill out the online registration form at Discover DYCD.
3. Email an updated medical form to beacon217@childcenterny.org.
4. Complete the mandatory survey

Thank you, and we look forward to another exciting Little League season!

Roosevelt Island Little League Commissioner Arya Shirazi adds:

We'll likely have around 175 kids participating... games will be played on Saturday's thru June on Capobianco Field. Here's the League site.

Last year, the Roosevelt Island Little League was selected as the Outstanding Baseball League by the SNY Play Ball organization 

and awarded a grant of $5 Thousand for field maintenance equipment and baseball equipment for the players.  

Commissioner Arya Shirazi accepted the ceremonial check and said:

Here's some play by play from former Coach Danny during the 2023 Roosevelt Island Little League season.

The Roosevelt Island Little League at Capobianco Field is a little bit of heaven on our Roosevelt Island Field Of Dreams.

Play Ball.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kaja Meade (@rooseveltislandrealestate)

You're Invited To The Roosevelt Island Beacon 5th Annual Winter Wonderland Friday December 16 At PS/IS 217

According to the Roosevelt Island Beacon at PS/IS 217:

It's that time of year again! Roosevelt Island Beacon's 5th Annual Winter Wonderland will be on Friday, December 16th from 4:30-7:00pm.

Join us for a fun evening of making gingerbread houses, a gift-wrapping contest and much more surprises! This event is open and free to ALL

Roosevelt Island Beacon Program Virtual Zoom Youth Talk Show Every Wednesday Starting May 13 - Focus On Weekly Themes And Topics Suggested By Social Media, Email RI Beacon To Join The Talk Show

The Child Center of New York operates the Roosevelt Island Beacon after school program at PS/IS 217. During the Coronavirus Pandemic, the Roosevelt Island Beacon has gone online with their programs and is adding a Virtual Talk Show. According to the Roosevelt Island Beacon Assistant Director Sakinah Muhammad:

We are hope you are doing well and thank you for your continued efforts during these difficult times! The RI Beacon program will be hosting a weekly talk show via Zoom for 4th Grade-College Students. It will also be recorded and posted on our YouTube

Click Here to Subscribe

We hope to engage our participants by having them join the live Zoom talk show, every Wednesday from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. The show will focus on various weekly themes and topics suggested by social media audiences. The hour will be broken up into different segments including but not limited to:

• Individual check-ins.
• Themed discussions led by hosts .
• Social media minute (exploring themes of laughter and connection)
• Q & A between the hosts and audience.

We are kindly asking parents, if your child does not have a video consent form, please do not have them join the Zoom call, or kindly send an email stating they have consent to beacon217@childcenterny.org

If you are interested in joining our talk show this Wednesday, email Beacon217@childcenterny.org so you can receive the Zoom meeting details.

As previously reported, as of now, the NYC Beacon Summer Camps have been eliminated due to budget cuts

NYC Coronavirus Budget Cuts Cancel Roosevelt Island Beacon Program Summer Camp As Of Now - Join RI Beacon Zoom Virtual Town Hall May 7 To Discuss Summer Camp Advocacy And Learn More, Submit Your Video To Show Suport For Roosevelt Island Beacon Summer Camp

The excellent education news web site Chalkbeat reported April 16:

As New York City students lament the loss of school for the remainder of the year, their options for summer also look grim, with public pools closed and city-funded summer camps and a youth jobs program canceled

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s proposed budget announced Thursday slashes a host of summer programs for low-income students as the city expects a huge financial hit to its coffers. Those cuts include after-school programs that operate summer day camps. The city says these programs might not be safe given the coronavirus crisis, but cutting them could pose significant challenges if New Yorkers are still practicing social distancing and trying to keep families indoors.

The mayor has not said how the city will handle summer school, though the education department is creating “all sorts of scenarios,” including online summer learning....

The Child Center of New York operates the Roosevelt Island Beacon after school program at PS/IS 217 and summer camp. According to the Roosevelt Island Beacon Assistant Director Sakinah Muhammad:

The Roosevelt Island Beacon will be hosting a virtual town meeting regarding the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) loss of funding as of June 30, 2020. This budget cut directly effects our ability to host summer camp. As of now, there will not be a RI Beacon Summer Program.

Read more »

Tired Of Being Stuck In The Apartment During Coronavirus Stay At Home Time? Try Allergic To Salad Roosevelt Island Virtual Cooking Classes For Kids, Families And Adults

Are you looking for fun and creative activities to keep yourself, children and family busy during the Coronavirus Roosevelt Island Stay At Home time? And learn something useful too? Then, check out the Virtual Cooking classes being offered by Allergic To Salad.

According to Allergic To Salad founder Stacy Ornstein:

Hi there, my son goes to Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217 (1st grade) and my company, Allergic to Salad brings cooking class to the Beacon after-school program. Beacon hasn't yet moved to virtual cooking classes, but I do think it's something Roosevelt Island families might find of interest.

Many PS/IS 217 students have been in our Allergic to Salad culinary classrooms during after-school and I wanted to let people know we continue to offer classes in an interactive live virtual format. They are our same awesome life skills/technique building classes. Kids 5+ years can complete the classes solo.

This week's 5-10 year olds are making "cook later" (with an adult) homemade pasta and red sauce. Next week middle and high schoolers are making homemade Pierogis. Classes are vegetarian, and offer a lot of equipment and ingredient substitutions, so are simple to personalize and work around any allergy.

Available for ages PreK thru High School (plus a free family and adult classes coming in May). Classes are low cost and due to some generous donations we some scholarship funds available.

Read more »

Child Center Of NY Roosevelt Island Beacon Program At PS/IS 217 Offering Virtual Classroom Programs And Social Media Engagement During Coronavirus Closing

The Child Center of New York Roosevelt Island Beacon at PS/IS 217 is offering virtual classroom programs for Kindergarten thru High School students.

Read more »

Roosevelt Island Student Environmental Heroes Giving Away Free Reusable Bags Wednesday February 26 At Local Foodtown Supermarket - NYC Plastic Bag Ban Starts March 1

The New York City Plastic Bag ban begins Sunday March 1.

Plastic bags are banned starting March 1!@NYCSanitation is giving away reusable bags all week, pick one up and help save our planet: https://t.co/zYXbKezxmj pic.twitter.com/Jb7Yb4NDnv

— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) February 22, 2020

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Children, Youth & Education Ad Hoc Committee Chair Adib Mansour reports:

As you may already know, plastic bags will be banned in New York City as of March 1st. RIRA’s Children, Youth & Education Committee has been teaching the youth at the Child Center of NY about sound environmental practices. They have become Roosevelt Island’s:

“Environmental Heroes.”

 Come join our youth at the new FoodTown and receive a free reusable bag, donated by the generosity of:

Borough President Gale Brewer, Council Member Ben Kallos, RIOC President Susan Rosenthal.

Wednesday, Feb. 26 - 3:30 PM at Roosevelt Island FoodTown

NYC CBS New York reports on the NYC Plastic Bag ban including views from both supporters and opponents of the plastic bag ban



Roosevelt Island Foodtown supermarket owner Nick D'Agostino

Read more »

What's Going On At The Roosevelt Island Youth Center - RIOC Hosts Information Session On Current And Future Plans For Parents Yesterday, Watch Video Of What Happened

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) hosted a Youth Center informational session for parents yesterday, April 14, in the aftermath of last week's management upheaval at the Youth Center.

RIOC Chief Operating Officer Shelton Haynes and Director of Community Affairs Erica Spencer-EL presented RIOC's current and future plans for the Youth Center to concerned parents.

Ms Spencer-EL told the parents:

We're going to make it our priority to make sure that we have sufficient programming at the Youth Center....

She added:

• current hours will stay the same for younger (2:45 - 6 PM) and older kids (6:30 - 8:30 PM) for now and may be reevaluated in the future. The music and SAT program will continue too,
• there will be a RIOC Summer Youth Center program but hours are not set yet. Also, there are discussions to partner with the Beacon Program for a summer camp,
• there will be an 8 Week summer Soccer Program beginning May 5 in partnership with Fordham and St John's University to provide clinics, workshops, drills and scrimmages for 6th - 12th graders,
• formation of Parents Advisory Group to improve communication between RIOC and the Youth Center families.

Mr Haynes and Ms. Spencer-EL emphasized that RIOC does not want the Youth Center services to compete with services offered by the PS/IS 217 Beacon Program.

Here's video of the RIOC presentation (part 1)



followed by a question and answer session.

Part 2. What services will be offered to the older Roosevelt Island youth?



Part 3.

• RIOC will run the Youth Center going forward with no plans to hire an outside group.
• Decision to not allow younger and older kids to be in the Youth Center at same time was made for safety reasons though when asked,, no answer was given for specific examples of past safety problems. That decision may be reevaluated in the future.
• Parents expressed dissatisfaction with the services offered by current PS/IS 217 Beacon Center operator.

Part 4.

• A Parent asked for a return to the clubhouse feel at the Youth Center with a choice of activities for kids rather than being "warehoused" in a cafeteria setting as they are at the PS/IS 217 Beacon Program.
• Mr Haynes and Ms.Spencer-EL asked for continued feedback with the community to provide the best possible Youth Center services for Roosevelt Island youth.

RIOC is looking for a dialogue with Roosevelt Island parents and kids to best utilize the Youth Center. Let RIOC know what you think?

Child Center Of NY Welcomed As New Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 Beacon After School Provider With Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Yesterday In Schoolyard

The Child Center of New York was welcomed as the new Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 Beacon After School Program provider with a ribbon cutting ceremony in the schoolyard yesterday afternoon.

Celebrating the Child Center of NY PS/IS 217 Roosevelt Island Beacon After School ribbon cutting ceremony on its first day of providing services was NYC Council Member Ben Kallos, Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal, Child Center of NY VP of Youth Development Nicholas Ferreira,  PS/IS 217 Principal Mandana Beckman, PS/IS 217 PTA President Erin Olavesen and PS/IS 217 students.





Following the Ribbon Cutting, students asked for and received their own piece of the ribbon as a souvenir.



According to this Press Release from Roosevelt Island NYC Council Member Ben Kallos:

Residents, elected officials, school and program administrators gathered yesterday September 18 at PS/IS 217 to welcome Child Center of NY to Roosevelt Island as the Beacon after-school program provider. In April of 2017, the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) issued a request for proposal (RFP) for providers to offer Beacon after-school programming at the Roosevelt Island school to a growing population of school-aged children on the Island. By mid-summer, DYCD had selected a winner, Child Center of NY. Today the doors to the new Beacon after-school program were opened by Council Member Ben Kallos, Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright and other community leaders including Mandana Beckman Principal at PS/IS 217 where the programming will be held.

The Child Center of NY is based in Queens New York and has been a children’s care provider since 1953. Each year its services reach more than 26,000 children and families across New York City.

The programs and services offered by Child Center of NY are:

• Early Childhood Education
• Behavioral Health
• Health Homes & Family Integrated Care
• Prevention and Family Support
• Youth Development

Beacon Youth Programs that will be serviced by Child Center of NY on Roosevelt Island are:

• Academic Enhancement: Activities designed to help with school, including tutoring, homework help, reading clubs, and financial literacy
• Life Skills: Activities designed to increase personal responsibility, self-esteem, and confidence.
• Career Awareness/School to Work Transition: Activities designed to educate young people on career opportunities and assist with the transition to work or higher education
• Civic Engagement/Community Building: Activities designed to strengthen leadership skills, community awareness, and civic responsibility.
• Recreation/Health & Fitness: Activities designed to promote healthy lifestyles such as cooking programs and organized sports.
• Culture/Art: Activities designed to provide students with opportunities to express themselves through music, dance, photography, and drama.

Read more »

Last Day Of Roosevelt Island Youth Program Beacon Summer Day Camp And Affiliation With PS/IS 217 - RIYP Executive Director Says School Principal Reckless And Reprehensible In Disregard Of Roosevelt Island Community

Today was the last day of the Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) Beacon Summer Day Camp. This afternoon, campers played basketball outside the Youth Center building

and the RIYP issued this statement today:

Last Beacon Day

Today at 6PM the Roosevelt Island Youth Program Inc. ended an era: the program will no longer be affiliated with Public School 217 after 40 years of collaboration.

Beacon programs were designed to establish services for youth and adults in schools in low- income communities. This Agency with the help of then NYC Council Member Gifford Miller and NYC Deputy Mayor Ninfa Segarra secured the Beacon funding for the Island after 5 tough years of negotiating with the Mayor's office and the Department of Youth & Community Development.

After 22 years of RIYP operating the Beacon at PS/IS 217, the school principal Mandana Beckman decided with her handpicked off-island PTA members to prevent the Youth Program from even applying for the funding to operate the Roosevelt Island Beacon program, ensuring the awarding of the grant to an off-island entity.

The RIYP Executive Director Charles DeFino has called Mrs. Beckman's actions "reckless and reprehensible, exhibiting a total disregard for the community.  This action is typical Beckman. The community has dealt with her incompetence for over a decade, but we will continue our commitment to the youth and families of Roosevelt Island”.

The new RIYP after-school program information will be introduced to our island families next week.

As previously reported, the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development named the Queens based Child Center of New York as the new operator of Roosevelt Island Beacon After School Program at PS/IS 217.

UPDATE 8/19 - Frank Farance shares these photos from the last day of 2017 RIYP Beacon Summer Camp.

Read more »

NYC DYCD Selects Child Center Of New York As Winning Operator Of Roosevelt Island Beacon After School Program Request For Proposals At PS/IS 217 - Community Invited To Meet Child Center Of NY 6 PM Tonight At School

The NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) selected Queens based Child Center of New York (CCNY) as the winning operator of the Roosevelt Island Beacon After School Program Request For Proposals at PS/IS 217 replacing the current long time operator Roosevelt Island Youth Program.

Yesterday, I asked CCNY Chief Executive Officer Traci Donnelly:

I understand that the Child Center of New York has been named as the new operator of the Roosevelt Island Beacon After School Program.

Please let me know if you have any comment or statement to make to the Roosevelt Island community about your plans for the Roosevelt Island Beacon After School program.

Ms. Donnelly replied:

Since 1953, The Child Center of NY has worked to provide multicultural, multilingual, and whole child services to 26,000 New York City kids and their families annually. We are consistently called upon to expand our services, and we consistently respond in the positive, so that we can, as we aim, "strengthen children and families with skills, opportunities, and emotional support so that they can build healthy, successful lives."

We are truly honored to have been selected for the Beacon RFP on Roosevelt Island. We will endeavor to continue to prove ourselves worthy of the confidence placed in us by our communities, the City and State, and, most importantly, the children and families of Roosevelt Island.

The Child Center of New York invites interested Roosevelt Island community members to a meeting tonight, August 9, 6 PM, at PS/IS 217 auditorium to learn more about their plans and programs for the Roosevelt Island Beacon After School Program.

Here's information about the Child Center of New York programs & services, other locations and more available at their web site.

Who Will Be Future Operator Of Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 Beacon After School Program - Not Long Time Operator RIYP Or Island Kids Reports School Principal

The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) issued a Request For Proposals to operate the Roosevelt Island Beacon After School Program for next year. The Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) 

 Image From Roosevelt Island Beacon After School Program

has operated the Beacon After School Program at PS/IS 217 for the last 22 years.

On May 18, I asked Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217 Principal Mandana Beckman:

I am preparing a story on the issue of Roosevelt Island Beacon After School program RFP.

I understand there was a meeting today concerning applicants to operate the PS/IS 217 Beacon After School program.

I am told the purpose of the meeting was to evaluate applicants and to make recommendations to Department Of Youth & Community Development (DYCD) for an operator of the after school program.

Who were the RFP applicants for the Roosevelt Islands PS/IS 217 Beacon After School Program?

What is the criteria for evaluating and making recommendations to DYCD?

If qualified, will there be more than 1 applicant recommendation?...

and followed up yesterday, May 24:

... I understand that PS/Is 217 has decided not to sign the Partnership Agreement with the current Beacon operator, the Roosevelt Island Youth Program.

Is that true?

If it is true, do you have any statement regarding the reason for declining to sign the partnership agreement?

What was the criteria used for making the decision?

What group or groups did you sign the partnership agreement with?

Who is on the PS/IS 217 School Leadership Team?

Do you have any other comment on this matter?...

Ms Beckman replied today:

The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) recently released the Beacon Request for Proposal (RFP) to identify community-based organization (CBO) partners for the next round of Beacon Community Centers. Our school community at PS/IS 217 will continue to benefit from the Beacon program and its resources.

The RFP is a competitive application process and CBOs submit a proposal. Principals need to sign-off on a School Partnership Agreement (SPA) to ensure a strong relationship between the school and the Beacon provider. Proposals will not be considered without the principal’s signature. If a principal signs multiple SPAs - each of the proposals will be considered, and the one proposal with the highest score (determined by DYCD rubric) will be awarded the Beacon contract.

At PS/IS 217, we gathered with our School Leadership Team (SLT) and met with all five potential Beacon CBO partners. We utilized the CBO interview protocol developed by DOE and reviewed by DYCD. After consulting with our SLT, I decided to sign three SPAs by applicants to the Beacon RFP. DYCD will now score the three proposals and the Beacon contract will be awarded over the summer.

If you have any additional questions regarding the Beacon application process, contact Michelle Rosa at DOE.

The RIYP learned yesterday that Ms. Beckman declined to sign a School Partnership Agreement with RIYP. RIYP received this email from Ms Beckman:

In consultation with the School Leadership Team we have decided not to sign your organizations’s partnership agreement. Thank you for your interest.

Another Roosevelt Island based group, Island Kids, which has been serving Roosevelt Island for over 20 years was informed today that they will not be receiving a signed PS/IS 217 School Partnership Agreement either.

Without the signed School Partnership Agreement, neither RIYP or Island Kids will be considered as an applicant to operate the PS/IS 217 Roosevelt Island Beacon After School Program next year by DYCD.

At this time, the three organizations that received signed School Partnership Agreements from Ms Beckman is unknown.  I've asked but have not received an answer.

Stay tuned for more.

UPDATE 8:55 PM - I asked Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal:

Any comment to what extent Beacon RFP winner will have on Roosevelt Island Youth Center operator?

Ms. Rosenthal replied:

There is no relationship between the 2

UPDATE 6/23 - The Main Street Wire obtained and shares with us the 2017 DYCD RFP Beacon Guidance Note For School Principals:

Beacon Guidance Note for Principals

The Department of Youth and Community Development manages the Beacon Community Center program that provide expanded learning and youth development supports in 91 NYCDOE Schools. The first Beacons were established in 1991 by Commissioner Richard Murphy at a time of widespread concern about public safety and drug-related crime. They were conceived as prevention-focused, collaborative, multi-service safe havens for youth and adults with each host school transformed, during non-school hours, into a neighborhood hub for the whole community. Beacons are widely considered an early example of Community Schools.

DYCD released a new RFP for Beacons in April 2017. The Office of Community Schools (OCS) worked with DYCD on the RFP with a focus on aligning the model more closely to the Community Schools framework, encouraging stronger collaboration between schools and CBOs and developing a more rigorous focus on student level results (namely attendance).

Goals:

• Promote the positive development of all participants through programming characterized by safe environments, multiple supportive relationships, inspiring role models, high expectations, family engagement, and intergenerational activities.
• Create a trusted, neighborhood service hub that helps community members access services, strengthens community bonds, and fosters a sense of belonging.
• Participants will have the opportunity to engage in activities that increase their personal and family well-being through arts and culture, career awareness, life skills, sports and recreation, academic enrichment, and civic engagement.
• Strengthen community life by expanding partnerships, tapping into the City’s rich array of resources, encouraging residents to participate in neighborhood activities and connecting community resources to the school.
• Support student engagement in school, specifically targeting students at risk of being chronically absent.

School/CBO Partnership Process:

• Community-Based Organizations are able to apply for more multiple schools but must submit a separate proposal for each school site.
• Principals need to sign off of a ​School Partnership Agreement (SPA)​ and proposals will not be considered without a principal signature.
• If principals sign multiple SPAs, each of the proposals will be considered, and the one proposal with the highest score will be awarded a Beacon contract.
• The principal will select a liaison from his/her staff to facilitate ongoing communication and include the Beacon director in the school governance structure. In addition, the proposer may involve the school principal in the selection of the Beacon Director.
• Director will join the school building council and the school leadership team.
• School leadership team and Beacon staff will collaborate on development of common vision and
• annual goals.
• Beacon staff will work with the school to develop strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism.
• Principal and Beacon director will schedule and adhere to a weekly meeting, engaging other key
• partners to reinforce and support the common vision.
• Classroom facilities and equipment will be available for use by Beacon program participant. Beacon staff will ensure that all classrooms, facilities, and equipment are used appropriately and are in good order at the end of program operating hours.

Questions to Ask a Potential Beacon Provider

We recommend that you gather school and community stakeholders (perhaps through your SLT) to interview potential Beacon providers. Below are some suggested questions. These can be tailored to meet your school’s individual needs.

• What is your organization’s mission and how do you see this aligning with the school community?
• How will you incorporate positive youth development, social-emotional learning and youth leadership into your program?
• What gaps do you currently see in our community? How would you work to integrate yourself into the community to address these issues?
• What sets you apart from other providers in the community?
• How do you typically work with school partners? How do you describe successful collaboration?
• Can you provide an example of one of your most successful programs? How do you define success?
• How do you deal with program challenges or conflict?
• What is your experience working with families and engaging adults?
• What strategies do you use to engage youth and encourage them to participate in the planning of a variety of offerings?
• What strategies do you use to recruit and retain participants?
• What is your staffing plan? What type of staff professional development do you offer?
• What type of space in the school building would you need to run a successful Beacon program?
• How do you measure your program goals and outcomes? How do you use that information for ongoing program planning, improvement, and evaluation?

Principles for Effective School/CBO Partnerships

Planning
Principles for Effective School/CBO Partnerships
● Plan collaboratively together from the start
● Develop and clarify the program vision
● Build a meaningful working relationship
● Involve parents as partners
● Clarify roles and responsibilities
● Be strategic

Programming
● Set ground rules
● Start small and build gradually
● Share decision-making
● Prepare team members to work together
● Make adjustments to the program as needed and keep lines of communication open with all
stakeholders

NYC DYCD Beacon RFP Principal Guidance Notes 

In addition to the RIYP and Island Kids who were rejected as applicants by the Principal, the approved applicants are:

• Stanley Isaacs
• Community Association Of Progressive Domenicans and
• Child Center of New York.

Now that we have some criteria used to evaluate the Roosevelt Island Beacon RFP applicants, we need to see how each applicant was evaluated by the Principal and School Leadership Team.

Behind The Scenes At Roosevelt Island Youth Center Beacon After School Program Youth Council Elections - RIYP Broadcast Group Reports

The Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) Beacon after school program held their Youth Council elections last week. The RIYP elections were reported on by RIYP video journalists in training. According to RIYP Beacon Director Katerina Droughos:

On Friday March 3rd the Beacon held their election for Youth Council. It was a great opportunity for the Broadcasting Group to apply the things they've been learning since last summer in regards to camera work, lights etc. Using a "real Time event" such as this one and under the guidance of their instructor Christos Alexandrou, they managed to capture the behind the scenes, interview the candidates and document the voting, counting of the votes and results. Moreover, everyone involved got a first hand experience in the Voting process, understood better how the electing procedure works and had fun exercising their right to vote!

Roosevelt Island Youth Program 2016 Christmas Party - Movie, Clown, Magic, Face Painting, Lunch, Dessert & Santa Claus

Roosevelt Island Youth Program Executive Director Charlie Defino reports:

Roosevelt Island Youth Program 2016 Christmas Party

The staff of the Roosevelt Island Youth Program celebrated the holiday season with a party on Saturday from 11am to 3pm.

The children

were treated to a movie, entertainment by Francis the Clown, face painting

and magic show by the one and only Daisey the Magician,

and a lunch

comprised of chicken, meatballs, macaroni and cheese, salad and of course a choice chocolate and vanilla cake. Then of course a visit from Santa Claus,

who had gifts for all the children. This was the 36th Christmas Party for the children hosted by the Roosevelt Island Youth Program since 1978 when the agency was formed.

Happy Holidays from the Roosevelt Island Youth Program inc. to all the families we have served for the past 4 decades.

More pictures at RIYP Beacon After School Facebook page.

Wonderful Time At The Roosevelt Island Holiday/Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - Local Kids Perform, Colorful Lights And Santa Claus Comes To Town

The Roosevelt Island Holiday/Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony took place Friday evening, December 2, next to Blackwell House.

The weather was perfect, not too cold, but chilly enough to feel winter was coming, and no rain. The crowd



was entertained by young Roosevelt Island performers from the Main Street Theater & Dance Alliance,



PS/IS 217 Beacon Program After School kids



and the 116th Street Band



as everyone waited



for the arrival of Santa Claus and the lighting



of the Roosevelt Island Holiday/Christmas Tree

in front of Blackwell House

on Main Street.

Santa also greeted happy Roosevelt Island kids.

 Image From Jax Schott

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp's (RIOC) Erica Spencer-El and Jessica Murray hosted the program and introduced RIOC President Susan Rosenthal, RIOC Director Fay Christian and Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Jeff Escobar who all welcomed the residents wishing the crowd a happy holiday season.



Also, RIOC Public Safety Department Director Jack McManus and Deputy Director Kevin Brown wished everyone a happy Holiday Season and Director McManus added a request for residents to say thank you to the Public Safety officers for their service to our community.



Good times. Nice job by RIOC.

UPDATE 12/5 - Frank Farance and other members of the Roosevelt Island Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) assisted the Public Safety Department with crowd control at the Tree Lighting ceremony. Mr. Farance shares these photos and reports:

A great event,

thanks to Santa, RIOC, RI Youth Program, Main Street Theatre, Girl Scouts, RIRA, Public Safety and

 RI CERT.

Aside from the younger kids having fun,

the teenagers

were having a really good time, too,

with the band.

Jobs Available With Roosevelt Island Youth Program, Apply Now For Beacon Group Counselor, Violin Instructor And Dance Instructor - Help Local Kids And Make Some Money For Yourself

Are you looking for a job on Roosevelt Island?

 Image From How I Save Money

Would you like to help Roosevelt Island kids and make money doing so? If yes consider these newly opened positions with the Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP).

 Image From RIYP Facebook Page

According to RIYP:

The Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) Beacon has exciting opportunities for motivated individuals in a variety of areas. RIYP Beacon currently has several open positions in the after school program.

Group Counselor
Job Description
In this position, you will supervise a group of children and lead a broad range of recreational activities that include but are not limited to indoor/outdoor free-play or organized sports; tutoring; social & special events; and mentoring.

Violin Instructor
Job Description
In this position, you will provide instruction in an activity (Violin) in which you have a specific background and/or education in (see specialty above). Working with the Program Director, you will plan, organize and manage the activity, as well as perform administrative duties that support and facilitate the above primary functions.

Dance Instructor
Job Description
In this position, you will provide instruction in an activity (Dance) in which you have a specific background and/or education in (see specialty above). Working with the Program Director, you will plan, organize and manage the activity, as well as perform administrative duties that support and facilitate the above primary functions.

To apply or obtain more information contact Akaterina  riypbeacon@gmail.com  or 212-527-2505

Good luck!

Island Kids Announces New Roosevelt Island Pre K Through Grade 3 After School Program At PS/IS 217 Starting In September 2016 - Register Now

Image From Island Kids

Island Kids announced a new Roosevelt Island after school program to start in September 2016. According to Island Kids:

ISLAND KIDS IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE EXPANSION OF OUR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AND OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH PS/IS 217!!!!

Island Kids After School Program at PS/IS 217

Pre-K through 3rd grade

(options available for older grades upon request)

2:45 to 6:30

September 12, 2016-June 24, 2017

Location: PS/IS 217

Daily Schedule
Snack
Enrichment programming
Homework Help
Outdoor/Gym Time
Free Play

Extended Day option on school half days: $35 extra per day
School holiday and vacation camps offered based on level of interest

Scholarships available for children eligible for free and reduced lunch.
Please email islandkidsri@gmail.com for more information

Full Year payment discount: $5500 ($900 discount)....

... Enrichment programming includes:

• Mad Science
• Art with Private Picasso
• Chess
• and More!!!...

Here's more information on the upcoming Island Kids after school program, including registration and pricing.

The Roosevelt Island Youth Program/Beacon has provided a free Roosevelt Island after school program at PS/IS 217 for many years.

Roosevelt Island Youth Program Beacon Celebrates Chinese New Year Of The Monkey With Traditional Dance, Swordplay, Stories And Face Painting

Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) Executive Director Charlie Defino shares these photos and reports:

Celebrating Chinese New Year

“The Year of the Monkey”

The Roosevelt Island Youth Program Beacon at PS/IS 217 celebrated the Chinese New Year on Friday afternoon with a performances by Master Jamie H.J. Guam

 and his assistant Ms. Shok Tamai.

The Youth also learned about the Chinese New Year traditional celebrations, traditional face painting

and the history of animals associated with the Chinese New Year. The children and staff had a great time, this program is part of the Cultural Immigrant Initiative funded by a grant from City Councilman Ben Kallos.

Here's how the Chinese New Year of the Monkey was celebrated in NYC's Chinatown.

Merry Christmas And Feliz Navidad From Roosevelt island - Christmas Songs From RIYP Beacon Kids and Main Street Theater & Dance Alliance

The Roosevelt Island Youth Program (RIYP) Beacon Kids wish us a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year



and the 116th Street Band wishes Feliz Navidad



during the December 4 Roosevelt Island Tree Lighting Ceremony

Enjoy more Christmas songs from the RIYP Beacon Kids



and the Main Street Theater & Dance Alliance perform We Need A Little Christmas from the December 4 Tree Lighting Ceremony.



Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year!

Roosevelt Island Youth Program Beacon Director Job Available - Requires Experience Supervising Staff And Developing After School, Teen And Adult Evening Programming

Image From How I Save Money

Are you looking for a job on Roosevelt Island? Then you may be interested in this position with the Roosevelt Island Youth Program.

Beacon Directors Position

Salary range: $43,000 – 47,000

Roosevelt Island Youth Program Inc. is currently seeking a Beacon Director with 2+ years experience supervising staff and developing effective programming for After-School, Teen and Adult evening programming. The ability to foster an already strong community relationship while developing new initiatives to engage an ever changing community.

A candidate must have at least a Bachelor's degree or higher in human services, recreation or related field and have a knowledge of New York City’s Department of Youth and Community Development Beacon requirements and it’s procedures.

Essential functions:
• Plan the delivery of the overall program and its activities in accordance with the mission and the goals of the Agency.
• Develop new initiatives to support the strategic direction of the Agency.
• Develop and implement long-term goals and objectives to achieve the successful outcome of contract.
• Build upon the Program evaluation framework to assess the strengths of the program and to identify areas for improvement.
• Must be able to engage in crisis-intervention activities and demonstrate, lead, and teach a range of group activities.
• Ensure that Program activities operate within the policies and procedures of the Agency.
• Ensure that Program activities comply with all relevant legislation and professional standard.
• Assist with creating an annual budget and operating strategy to support the Program.
• Demonstrated ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-starter who is detail-oriented, well-organized and enjoys working in a collaborative environment.
• Must demonstrate sound judgment and discretion.
• High standards and display integrity.
• Good computer, verbal and written communication skills.
• Afternoon and evening hours as well as some Saturdays are required.

Please remit all resumes and/or questions to jobsri217@gmail.com

Roosevelt Island is a bedroom community unlike any in New York City.

Please send resume and/or questions to jobsri217@gmail.com