Yesterday, Mother Jones profiled a Roosevelt Island single mom trying to balance taking care of her children, work and a new podcast in the age of the Coronavirus pandemic.
5 Kids, 5 Virtual Schools: One New York City Mom’s “Totally Impossible” Coronavirus Life – Mother Jones
J. Khadijah Abdurahman, a single parent living on Roosevelt Island in New York City, works full-time as an independent researcher focusing on race and surveillance technologies. In 2011, Abdurahman started fostering her four nieces and nephews. Eventually she adopted all of them, and they joined her biological son, who was born in 2008. Her three sons and two daughters range in age from 5 to 13. Each attends a different school, and they all have disabilities....
Roosevelt Island resident Dr. Grace Farris writes in the NY Times today about sending her children away to Connecticut while treating Coronavirus patients
"It’s been four weeks since I’ve seen my kids, and I’m starting to miss them." @gracefarris, a doctor on the frontlines fighting coronavirus in New York, writes about what the past month has been like away from her children: https://t.co/g3JG8eB96C
The existing Roosevelt Island Southtown Dog run will soon be removed for the construction of Hudson Related's Riverwalk Building 9. The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) plans a new replacement dog run to be located in Blackwell Park and opening before the current one is removed this winter.
The original location for the Blackwell Park Dog Run was a spot adjacent to Rivewalk 480 Main Street close to the East Waterfront Promenade. However, RIOC announced during its October 17 Board Meeting plans for a new Blackwell Park Dog Run location next to Roosevelt Landings 510 Main Street, a bit further north and again close to the East River Waterfront Promenade in the area surrounding the current sandbox
During the October 17 RIOC Board Meeting Public Session, former resident and always Roosevelt Island Dog Advocate Scott Piro, together with other Roosevelt Island dog owners and caregivers,
requested that the new Blackwell Park Dog Run be named for his dog Petey. According to Mr. Piro:
... I'd like to introduce you Petey, He is a 10 year old Lab mix. He's also an immigrant, he was rescued from a Tel Aviv kill shelter and immigrated to New York when he was five. He was an Island resident in 2015 until earlier this year. We are requesting that the new Dog Run be named after him - Petey's Dog Run.
The reason why is because I did more community service for the dog population on the island than anyone else I think ever. Now, I didn't do it alone. Mary Cuneen, Steve Noone, Fernando Vargas and there were other people at RIOC who helped me and I had a lot of help in the community some people who are here right now...
Following Mr. Piro's presentation, Roosevelt Island parent Rachel Dowling spoke expressing opposition to the Blackwell Park Dog Run location for safety reasons being so close to areas where children play.
According to an October 18 statement from Ms Dowling:
Once again the community is being blindsided by dog park construction plan that has not been vetted with Roosevelt Island Residents.
After an outcry from local parents about a half-baked plan to place the dog run on a slice of Blackwell Park that abuts the sprinklers and the small children’s playground, Hudson-Related and RIOC has agreed to locate the new dog run closer to the site of where it currently sits.
But somewhere along the line Hudson-Related reneged on that agreement and convinced RIOC to give up some of their land in the northeast corner of Blackwell Park, squeezing a dog park plan in an already congested area abutting the big kids playground, the basketball courts, and the pending bike path.
Last night the RIOC board voted unanimously to push this plan through without any bid from contractors, stating that a vote when they next convene in early December would be too late to complete the work in time for the closure of the current Southtown dog park for the construction of another building.
This is an obvious move to strong arm the community into a plan we don’t agree with or feel comfortable with.
We are concerned about the obvious safety issues posed by a dog park at the children’s playground. Active children and dogs don’t always mix. As an example, my ten year old son had a terrifying experience last month at Riverwalk Commons when a dog got off his least and aggressively went after my son. While we were able to distract the dog before he could bite my son, my son was deeply traumatized by this experience. These are not events that we as a community should be inviting. Children have a right to play without fear.
Furthermore, the current plan essentially pens in the whole north end of the park, from the north basketball court to the children’s playground, cutting it off from the promenade, the trees, and the view of the water. It would create a drastic change to a space that is used by many members of the community.
We demand that RIOC suspend this plan and come up with something better. An interim dog park could easily replace the current park while plans are vetted and finalized in a way that takes the needs of the whole community to heart.
A petition drive has been started to oppose a Dog Run in Blackwell Park:
To be delivered to Susan Rosenthal , President of RIOC
We are concerned community members worried about the location for the new dog run next to the basketball courts and the big kids playground (and soon the bike path) at Blackwell Park. We are concerned about safety as well as the loss of open space. We feel that since so much space is being lost due to HR construction the dog park should be placed down there, where it won’t impede the passive enjoyment of the park, kids at play, and where it also is more likely to be maintained.
Roosevelt Island Mom and Dog owner Patty Fallone replied to Ms Dowling during the RIOC Board Public Session:
... I think the dog run can co-exist close to the playground as long as it is done properly.
In response to the Blackwell Park Dog Run opposition, Mr Piro writes:
I scouted the entire southern residential section of the Island in 2017 – and identified a dozen potential locations for a new dog run from which RIOC could choose. More than 50 members of the Island’s most active dog owners voted upon these selections and chose the triangular patch adjacent to 480 Main Street.
The dog community is happy with the current location and design of ‘Petey’s Dog Run,’ but some of us did feel the original spot was superior. Chief among its advantages are that it is flat, shaded and isolated. It’s inaccurate to describe it as ‘abutting’ the small children’s playground, as a recent WIRE story did. There is a paved path dividing the two spots – and at least 10 feet separate the two plots.
Planners of urban parks across the city see no hazards in placing dog runs and children’s playgrounds adjacent one another, as evidenced by existing multi-use parks in Carl Schurz Park (UES) and Riverside Park (UWS). St. Nicholas Park near Harlem positioned the dog run adjacent the barbeque area, and Cooper Park in Brooklyn places dog runs next to multiple sports fields.
There is nothing inherently unsafe about locating a dog run next to a children’s play area. The counterargument may be loud, but it is not rational.
and Roosevelt Island resident Sabrina Hermosilla adds:
I’ve been on the Island since 2006 and am a proud responsible human and animal parent.
As with all experiments in multiculturalism, Roosevelt Island residents often finds ourselves tasked with balancing the various and different needs of many different and equally important groups.
What brought my husband and I to this haven over 13 years ago was this desire to co-exist, this belief that we are better together, and that our unique needs and differences is what makes life here rich and rewarding. Over the past 13 years we have been fortunate to host all of our 11 nieces and nephews and have loved how welcoming this island is to children and families from all walks of life. No place is perfect, but we always felt safe playing with these children outside and showing to them how beautiful diversity can be.
Nine years ago we decided to add a dog to our family and the island truly came alive for us. We had already been on the Island for almost four years, but when we brought Tallula into our lives we met neighbors, people stopped (and stop) us on the street to see her, and we were able to volunteer at the hospital so Tallula could bring her joy to those who needed it most.
What surprised us the most was that while some people have a fear of dogs (which we obviously would avoid) the large majority of people, every age, every language, every social or economic status, were drawn to and loved to get some Tallula love. Having a dog not only helped us join our community and know neighbors (we still meet people who know Tallula whom we have never met!) but I truly believe offered a community good, she makes people smile.
Two years ago we were blessed with a human child of our own. Watching him grow up in a household with animals and learn to respect, show compassion, and responsibility, is truly one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Animals and children have co-existed in harmony since our earliest times on this Earth, and offer such a rich opportunity for joint growth and enrichment.
Recently, I have been saddened to hear that a small, but vocal, group is using the long-overdue relocation of a dog park to stoke fears of disease, contagion, and violence between dogs and children. There are irresponsible dog parents / guardians who do not pick up their dog’s waste, true. Just as there are irresponsible human parents / guardians who do not manage their children sufficiently, allow them to litter food, plastic, balloons, etc.
However, we on this Island do not make policy, the few times RIOC allows us to have a say, we do not make policy from a position of fear or of the small minority of offenders. No, instead, I hope, we come together as a community that understands there are unique needs, that most children and dogs are well behaved and well cared for, and that both human and dog children deserve space on this ever-growing Island. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of examples of dog parks and children’s parks being co-located, please, Roosevelt Island, let us not fall into the bitter, divisive discourse of these times, but instead find our shared community, and allow the dog park relocation to continue as planned.
I asked RIOC:
... Is RIOC reconsidering placing the dog run in Blackwell Park?
A RIOC Spokesperson replied October 23:
The safety of our residents and park users is always our main objective. We believe the planned improvements for the entire park is a thoughtful, safe design for all user groups and will address the concerns about the location of the dog park voiced at the Board meeting and in the referenced petition.
As indicated in our presentation during the Board meeting, this project is being bid for construction in two phases. The dog park is included in the first phase of work. The second phase includes improvements of the basketball courts, play areas and paths. The second phase is in design now and will be issued for contractor pricing next Spring.
The design for the entire park incorporates industry best practices for dog runs. The dog park is completely fenced and has a series of two self-closing gates to enter. The first gate allows dog users to enter the vestibule with their leased dog. The second gate allows users to enter the pen for either large or small dogs and take the dog off leash upon entering the pen. The pen will be well shaded and is located at the perimeter of the park. There is dense planting outside the fence to provide a visual barrier between dogs and other park users.
All of these elements combined provide a safe experience for children using the park, large dog owners, small dog owners and residents enjoying a walk along the promenade. We realize that design, like art, is subject to personal taste but we try to put forth solutions that appeal to most.
In response to concerns voiced at the Board meeting, we’ve taken another look at the plan and decided to eliminate the vestibule entrance from the park. A revised plan with a single point of access to the vestibule from the promenade will be provided to the contractors. We feel once all of the planned improvements are complete, all of the user groups will be able to safely coexist in Blackwell Park.
RIOC Assistant VP Of Capital Planning & Projects Jonna Carmona-Graf reported to the RIOC Board of Directors and RIOC President Susan Rosenthal during the October 17 Board meeting on plans for the Blackwell Park (Part 1)
According to the Roosevelt Island Parents Network:
Dear Roosevelt Island Parents and Caregivers,
This month we wish to celebrate "Love" in RIPN's free event " Craft with Kids". We would like to welcome you and your little one and encourage them to "Make their very own Greeting card".
Date : 2/16/2019
Time : 10.30 - 11.30 am
Venue : Lounge, 475 Main Street
Roosevelt Island Mom and Tinkergarten Leader Natalia DiPalma reports
Tinkergarten is a program that brings early childhood education to a park near you. In our classes, kids enjoy the freedom of independent exploration through well-designed play-based activities to promote the development of critical capabilities, including self-reliance, creativity, persistence and problem-solving. Tinkergarten classes are led by a trained, certified community of leaders — often parents — who bring a healthy, social, and engaging learning experience to their community.
I'm a local mom and I recently finished my training as a leader. I have been accepted to offer classes this fall for kids ages 1-8 years old. Classes will be held on Saturdays. I will be offering Trial classes on August 11, 18, and 25. The fall season will start on September 8th. For more information, you can email me at natalia.dipalma@mail.tinkergarten.com or sign up to my mailing list. Here is the link to my classes:
To the kids, it’s a chance to get messy, solve mysteries, make friends and have fun. For us, it’s a chance to get together with like-minded parents and learn effective ways to play and learn with their kids.
I also run Bespoke My Heart, a party planning company on the island, and will be offering Tinkergarten Birthday Parties: Wildy Fun and Rooted in Play! These parties can be held in your own home, yard, or a nearby park.
ABOUT ME
I grew up in Venezuela where dirt, trees, sticks, and nature were our go-to toys. My favorite game was to make arepas, a staple food, out of the mud. Now, as a New Yorker for more than a decade, I found a little haven -and a reminder of these childhood memories - in a little island I call home: Roosevelt Island. I am a mom of two adorable, curious boys, Santiago (3) and Mateo (8m). I enjoy cooking, baking, gardening, playing outdoors, dancing and singing silly songs with my boys, and planning activities and theme parties for them. I'm honored to be part of the Tinkergarten family, I look forward to enjoying all the greenery this island has to offer, and I can't wait to meet you and your little ones soon! - Natalia DiPalma
during renovations has caused difficulties for riders with strollers and wheelchairs to access the Tram Platform.
For example, Roosevelt Island Mom Jennie Smith shares this November 3 message she sent to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal:
Good Morning Ms. Rosenthal,
I just wanted to let you know about an experience that I had last evening with hopes you will encourage the tram operators to have more consideration for families with strollers and the disabled population of this island .
The new closure due to the renovation on the Manhattan side does not have a gate by the turnstile. I didn't realize this and the tram operator told me the only solution was to take both of my 1.5 year olds out, fold the stroller, put the stroller over the turnstile and let the kids run under. When I flatly said no, I wasn't going to do that, he then said with much irritation that it was ok that I turn around, go back to the area of the elevator on the south area of the platform where there is an emergency gate that he let me through with much hesitation.
My point is, this should be the standard for strollers at this time and all others that may have mobility issues. I hope they are not giving wheelchair bound people the same hard time.
Also, the path to the turnstile is very narrow and having to swipe at the turnstile and then having to back up while a line is forming is near impossible for me who is strong on my feet and is a falls hazard for anyone with mobility issues. I'm sure this is a violation of the ADA act.
There should be a sign and an attendant manning the emergency gate area to avoid this congestion and encouraging those who need it to use the gate, rather than rolling their eyes, huffing and puffing and suggesting there is no other way except the turnstile.
I looks forward to your reply on this matter,
During the November 9 RIOC Real Estate Development Advisory Committee meeting (audio web cast of meeting here), I asked about Manhattan Tram Station access for strollers and wheelchairs.
RIOC Vice President of Operations Shelton Haynes responded that he was aware of the problem and that additional signage and Tram Attendant assistance will be made available
to make it easier for strollers and wheelchairs to use the emergency gate.
RIOC Director Faye Christian added that tourists and others should be encouraged by RIOC staff to move up as close to the front of the platform as possible
in order to lessen the length of lines.
RIOC Engineering Consultant Mike Russo also reported that the Tram Platform repair project is on schedule for substantial completion by the end of December although there may still be some punch list items to be finished in January.
The Roosevelt Island Parents' Network is celebrated the third anniversary of it's RI Moms on the Move program. Saskia Dux shares these photos and reports.
Dear all,
The RI Parents' Network launched its RI Moms on the Move (RI MoM) program three years ago. Congratulations to all! Since June 27, 2014 we met regularly at the Tram kiosk, went for a walk, exercised, had picnics, went to playrooms and enjoyed each others company while watching our children play and grow up together.
Thank you to every mom and dad who participated in these fun gatherings and came to RI MoM despite rain, crying babies, unfinished laundry, sleep-deprivation and other challenges of parenting and life. If you never made it, please join us Thursday! Pregnant moms, moms of children of all ages, daddies and other caregivers are all welcome.
Special Thank you goes to Paulina Mansz, an Island mom of two who started the exercise part three years ago and made us sweat and laugh every week as our fitness coach. She has moved to Washington but thanks to many other volunteers the RI MoM program has been continued! Thank you all for your volunteered time and for bringing so much joy and friendship into our group!
To all: Please join us Thursday, July 06, 2017 for a celebratory picnic on the occasion of a 3 year anniversary of the RI MoM program.
We will meet at 9:30am at the Tram kiosk and go for a walk. Afterwards we will continue with some exercise and the picnic. Please bring a blanket/mat for you and the kids, some toys to share and something to eat and drink.
WE would like to invite you all to our next free "Craft with Kids"series by the RI Parents network on this Saturday 05/13. There are so many ways to show your love to your Mother and they are never enough!!! We are making picture frames from ice cream sticks
and we will be decorating them. Lets have a morning with our toddlers bringing our creativity and love together for the most Special person: "MOTHER " !!
There will be a memorable picture taken to fit inside your frame as well !! You can bring or add your own pictures as well:)) We are inviting all dads too to come along with their little ones and make a last minute surprise for Mothers Day;)
We will invite each family to make an extra frame for Seniors and they will be distributed at the Senior Center during their Mother's Day event.
Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos presented former Roosevelt Island Parents' Network (RIPN) Coordinator and organization founder Eva Bosbach with a NYC Council Citation for her exemplary community service in helping to bring additional Pre-Kindergarten seats to Roosevelt Island.
Council Member Kallos presented the Citation to Ms. Bosbach
Whereas, a great city is only as great as those persons who give exemplary service to their communities, whether through participation in voluntary programs, through unique personal achievement in their professional or other endeavors or simply through a lifetime of good citizenry;
and
Whereas, such service which is truly the lifeblood of the community and the city so often goes unrecognized and unrewarded; now, therefore be it
Resolved, that as duly elected members of the New York City Council, we recognize that in
Eva Bosbach
we have an outstanding citizen, one whom is worthy of the esteem of both community and the great City of New York.
Council Member Kallos recounts the efforts made by Ms. Bosbach and the RIPN to bring greatly needed additional Pre- Kindergarten seats to Roosevelt Island.
In response to receiving the NYC Council Citation, Ms Bosbach responded:
Thank you to all the active parent volunteers, our partner organizations, and our elected officials who in a team effort made the RI Parents' Network so successful! I wish my successors Cecilia Chen and Sangeeta Joseph our full support in further growing our network so we can continue to enjoy this unique community in New York and make it an even better place to live for families and all residents.
"Crafts with Kids" is a free workshop series for children organized by the Roosevelt Island Parents' Network. The monthly events included "Tram art and necklaces", "Matisse for Kids", "Valentine's Craft", "Black History Month Craft", "St. Patrick's Craft", "Earth Day Craft", "Easter Craft", "Mothers Day Craft", "Fathers Day Craft", "Summer craft - a lady bug", a "Back to school craft", a "Halloween craft", a "Lantern making workshop", a "Thanksgiving Craft", a "Holiday Craft", a "Family Safety Craft", and the "On Roosevelt Island WE..." Crafts.
Thank you to all who participated in our Valentine's craft on Saturday. The children and family made beautiful heart-shaped cards
for their own family as well as for the Senior Center, which were then hung on heart-shaped chains
to make special decorations for their Valentine's Day and the celebration of Black History Month.
Thanks to Neha and Cecilia for designing and leading the craft, and thanks to Barbara for proposing the project of connecting children and seniors in our community.
There will be two Black History Month Celebrations, Monday Feb. 20th 1-4pm, and Tuesday, Feb. 21st 6:30pm-8:30pm, in the Senior Center. Anyone in the community is welcome to join!
Valentine's days is soon approaching. Please join us in celebrating Valentine's Day at this wonderful monthly craft event with our little ones.
We will be using tissue paper to make collages.
We will let the child use their imagination and make the tissue paper into garlands or cards. These can be also be used for decorating your house, window or front door .
All the supplies are provided and you can take home the finished item.
We will also be making a heart garland for our friends at the Seniors Center to celebrate Black History Month.
Come and spend Saturday morning with your child making some lovely art together.
We still remember the excitement of welcoming the New Year of 2017, but do you know that, another New Year celebration is just around the corner? Jan. 28 is the first day of Lunar New Year, and this year will go as: cock-a-doodle-dooooooo!
Please join us with your children for the next event in the free "Crafts with Kids" series by the Roosevelt Island Parents' Network: "Lunar New Year - It's a Rooster!". We will make a small rooster and a Chinese lantern. The craft will take place on Sunday, Jan. 29th, 2017, from 11am-12pm, on RI (location upon RSVP).
If you will not be able to attend but would like to make some craft at home, here's some online resources you can use (our crafts will be designed based on these too):
"Crafts with Kids" is a free workshop series for children organized by the Roosevelt Island Parents' Network. The monthly events included "Tram art and necklaces", "Matisse for Kids", "Valentine's Craft", "Black History Month Craft", "Spring Craft", "St. Patrick's Craft", "Earth Day Craft", "Easter Craft", "Mothers Day Craft", "Fathers Day Craft", "Summer craft - a lady bug", a "Back to school craft", a "Halloween craft", a "Lantern making workshop", a "Thanksgiving Craft", a "Family Safety Craft", a "Holiday Craft" and the "On Roosevelt Island We... Craft".
Shortly after 3 PM on January 12, a Roosevelt Island Mom picked up her son at the Roosevelt Island Day Nursery. As the mom and son were walking home on the Roosevelt Island waterfront West Promenade, she saw a man smoking marijuana next to the playground filled with children. The mom asked the man to stop smoking marijuana. The man refused and assaulted the mom, knocking her to the ground, kicking her and cursing. (More details of the incident at this previous post).
In response to this incident, and the great concern it has raised among many in the community, the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee (PSC) is holding a Public Forum on the subject with Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Department Director Jack McManus and Deputy Director Kevin Brown.
According to RIRA PSC Committee Chair Erin Feely-Nahem:
There is a Public Forum scheduled on Wednesday January 25 at 7:00 pm in the Chapel of The Good Shepherd. The Forum is being held to allow residents a venue in which to express any concerns they have. This is being initiated following the recent assault on the mom, near the playground next to the RIDN.
RIRA President Jeff Escobar adds:
Please note that this Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 7pm upstairs at the Good Shepherd Chapel, the Public Safety Committee along with RIOC and the Public Safety Department will be holding a Public Forum to discuss the January 12 incident, the current status of the incident, hear community concerns, and to have an open dialogue with the community on what steps are being taken to prevent such incidents from happening again, as well as what we as individual members of the community can and should do when faced with such situations and what initiatives we as a community can and will be undertaking to curtail the open use of substances in and near our Island public spaces.
My personal kudos and thanks to the Public Safety Committee and its Chair and Members for their quick responsiveness and pulling of the event together, as well as RIOC and the PSD. Understanding the short notice of the event (but necessary), please let us make every effort to attend (as well our constituents). With a strong showing and attendance we can be sure RIOC will be responsive to future such dialogues and forums when our community needs the same the most.
PSD - Do Something About the Marijuana Problem on Roosevelt Island!
Drug use has become a real issue here on Roosevelt Island. People are smoking and dealing marijuana up and down both the East and West seawalls, within 50 feet of schools, outside the Manhattan Park theater club and playroom, in residential building hallways and stairwells, and next to sport fields and parks that are full of children. Most recently, a request to stop smoking near the Roosevelt Island Day Nursery turned violent.
This community is growing, and with Cornell rapidly completing construction, we need to ensure that our community remains safe. Public Safety needs to take a strong stand against drug use, or we must work with the city and state to get a NYPD presence here to protect our families.
By signing this petition, I am showing that I am deeply concerned about this issue, about the overall safety here on the Island, and the apparent lack of proper response from PSD and other RI leaders.
Read the reasons your Roosevelt Island neighbors signed this petition.
The Roosevelt Island Parents' Network asks you to fill out this online survey describing any problems you may have experienced with marijuana smoking in public. According to the RIPN survey:
... if you have encountered issues with second hand marijuana and would like to communicate it with PSD, please fill out the following survey and we will submit them to PSD and RIOC (and possibly have them work with building management offices too) -- we're not collecting your name or email address, therefore all the stories will remain anonymous. Let's work together to have our voice heard, so PSD can put forward more actions to protect the health of our families and children! Thanks very much for your help!
I wanted to share with you a difficult experience I had, yesterday.
I went to the Roosevelt Island Day Nursery (RIDN) in Manhattan Park to pickup my son at 3pm. We left there walking on the west boardwalk towards home. We saw a guy next to the playground smoking marijuana. The smell was very strong, the guy smoked without fear of anyone (the playground was full of children).
I went to him with a smile and told him, please sir do not smoke here, so close to our children, the children can smell it, (I know it was stupid of me to contact him but I approached him with such a polite smile. ..) He started cursing at me with so many curses, I'm ashamed to tell you, and threatened me to stay away.
I told him I was calling the police, walked away and I took a picture of him. The guy ran at me, knocking me to the floor, kicked me in the leg, took my phone and threw it to the floor. He tried to break my phone, I told him to stop, I will delete your picture. He deleted the image and threatened me.
I called the police, and I filed a police report. I do not understand what is happening to our amazing island? It’s so creepy here, why don't the police do anything? Wherever you go, you smell marijuana? Why should our children have to suffer passive smoke from these drugs?
I have back pain, leg pain after he kicked me, and abrasions with blood in hand.
... what is being done to prevent marijuana smoking in outdoor public areas particularly where children are nearby?
Image of Roosevelt Island Playground and West Promenade From Google Maps
Public Safety Director McManus replied:
We are aware of this incident and have taken steps to address it.
The safety and welfare of our children and their parents is paramount and is treated as such on a daily basis. Each day, at both arrival and dismissal times, we deploy a PSD supervisor and 4 to 5 PSD officers to ensure that the children and their parents arrive at and leave school in a safe and orderly manner. We ensure that the children cross safely by managing vehicle and pedestrian traffic in the vicinity of the schools and, in addition, provide patrols by PSD officers in areas around the schools.
We have received complaints of marijuana smoking along the paths adjacent to the sea wall and have addressed these complaints with PSD patrols. I will increase patrols along the sea wall during both arrival and dismissal times and provide random patrols at other times.
Our patrols have resulted in both arrests and the issuance of Criminal Court Summonses and that enforcement will continue. Folks should call the Public Safety Department at 212-832-4545 to report any offenses that are observed, and PSD officers will respond and take corrective action which may include the arrest or summonsing of the offending individual.
The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee discussed the issue of marijuana smoking in public next to schools during their January 3 meeting. RIRA Public Safety Committee Chair Erin Feely-Nahem issued the following statement upon learning of yesterday's incident:
The reported violent assault on a women, accompanied by her child, in front of the playground near the Roosevelt Day Nursery, after requesting that the alleged perpetrator refrain from smoking marijuana in front of the children, is completely unacceptable. The assailant should be held legally accountable.
The Public Safety Committee (PSC) is initiating a campaign in favor of no smoke areas where parents,with young children are present.
The following statement, which will be distributed throughout the community, was approved by the Public Safety Committee on January 3, 2017 as part of an educational campaign.
PSC Statement on Legalities of Marijuana
The RIRA Public Safety Committee (PSC) has received some complaints regarding the public smoking of marijuana in various locations, including near or around PS/IS 217 and other areas where parents with young children are present.
The smoking of marijuana in public places remains illegal. Violators are subject to summons and a time-consuming and potentially damaging expedition through the NYC Criminal Justice bureaucracy.
The PSC is sympathetic to parents who do not wish their children to be subjected to second-hand marijuana smoke in the areas cited above. We would like to ask the community to respect community members’ request that areas around children’s’ play area or schools remain smoke free.
The PSC, does not favor a "harsh crackdown" on individuals, often young adults, who might engage in this offense publically, due to misconceptions about the recent easing of the law, instead we wish to emphasize the following::
The PSC asks that voluntary self-restraint and consideration guide future behavior in regard to this issue.
Here's a portion of the January 3 RIRA Public Safety Committee
discussion on public marijuana smoking near schools.
The next free Roosevelt Island Parents' Network RI Moms on the Move (RI MoM) walk, exercise, chat and play will take place Tuesday December 20, 2016 starting at 9:30am at the tram kiosk.
Please join us with your children for the next event in the free "Crafts with Kids" series by the Roosevelt Island Parents' Network "Snowflakes and Holiday Cards for RI Families and Seniors". The craft will take place on Saturday, December 3rd, 2016, from 10-11 am, on RI (location upon RSVP).
This time of the year we reflect on the year passed and on what we are thankful for. We also celebrate the season, our community, our families from children to grandparents and other seniors, and are looking forward to the new year. The children will be making standing Holiday cards
and snowflakes
which they can use to decorate their cards, or as ornaments for the windows or doors. Pictures of the card and snowflakes examples are attached.
Spread the Holiday cheer to our Island seniors! As we did with the Mother's Day cards, children will create additional cards for the Island seniors - Thank you Karine and Kristi for reaching out to us with this wonderful idea. The cards will be given to a representative of the Senior Center at the caroling event on 12/23 that you are invited to join as well.
If you will not be able to attend but would like to create a Holiday card or snowflake for a senior on RI with your children at home, please get in touch with us to coordinate the pick-up. Thank you!
We are looking forward to seeing you on Saturday,
Cecilia, Karine, Kristi and Eva
"Crafts with Kids" is a free workshop series for children organized by the Roosevelt Island Parents' Network. The monthly events included "Tram art and necklaces", "Matisse for Kids", "Valentine's Craft", "Black History Month Craft", "Spring Craft", "St. Patrick's Craft", "Earth Day Craft", "Easter Craft", "Mothers Day Craft", "Fathers Day Craft", "Summer craft - a lady bug", a "Back to school craft", a "Halloween craft", a "Lantern making workshop", a "Thanksgiving Craft", a "Family Safety Craft", a "Holiday Craft" and the "On Roosevelt Island We... Craft".
The next RI Parents’ Network ’s RI MoM Yoga will take place on Thursday, November 17, starting with the walk at 9:30 am and continuing with yoga and play time indoors at 10am.
The walk will be kindly lead by Sayuri. Island mom Maiko Akiba is a Japanese yoga teacher certified both for adult and for kids yoga and will be leading the exercise with basic Hatha Yoga suitable for moms with children of all ages.
Please RSVP to Maiko at maikoakiaki1119@gmail.com until the night before (November 16) if you would like to join and let her know the age of children joining .
Yoga location provided upon RSVP. Space is limited and in order of RSVP.
Please bring a Yoga mat or towel for yourself and a blanket for your child,
as well as some toys to keep the little ones busy in the community room.
Our plan as of now is to offer the Family Yoga twice a month, in addition to the weekly RI MoM exercise
This month's craft is all about educating our little ones about family safety. Along with some wonderful talks and presentations at the Family Safety event (please see below)
we have crafts by the RI Parents' Network to help our children think about fire safety and the important job firefighters do. Fire trucks have always fascinated our little ones. In conjunction with the Family safety event we shall make fire trucks and a fireman hat that the children can take home.
Please join us for the next event in the free "Crafts with Kids" series by the Roosevelt Island Parents' Network: "Make your own fire truck!" and fireman hat will take place on Saturday, November 19th, 2016, from 10-11 am, at the Manhattan Park Theater Club. Please RSVP to eva.bosbach@gmail.com if you know you would like to attend. Walk-ins are welcome!
This activity is great for developing hand-eye coordination, recognizing shapes and colors, and fine motor skills. A picture of the fire truck craft is attached.
There will be some energetic members from the Girl scouts who will be educating our little ones about the different parts of the fire truck and also about a fire drill.
Neha will be leading our Family safety craft (thank you Neha!). A special thank you goes to Lynne Shinozaki for helping with the preparation of the supplies, and to Janine Schaefer and the Girls scouts for participating at the event with us.
As always, if you have craft event ideas you would like us to include in the "Crafts with Kids" series, are available to help during our events or with their preparation, or if you have other ideas for activities of the RI Parents' Network or would like to get involved, please get in touch with me.
We are looking forward for another fun and informative craft together! Please see below for information about the entire Family Safety event.
Neha, Cecilia, Natalia and Eva
"Crafts with Kids" is a free workshop series for children organized by the Roosevelt Island Parents' Network. The monthly events included "Tram art and necklaces", "Matisse for Kids", "Valentine's Craft", "Black History Month Craft", "Spring Craft", "St. Patrick's Craft", "Earth Day Craft", "Easter Craft", "Mothers Day Craft", "Fathers Day Craft", "Summer craft - a lady bug", a "Back to school craft", a "Halloween craft", a "Lantern making workshop", a "Thanksgiving Craft", a "Holiday Craft" and the "On Roosevelt Island We... Craft".
Thanks to all of you who made our 6th workshop in the Parents for Parents series "Choosing a Kindergarten" possible!
Approximately 30 Roosevelt Island parents attended our Sunday October 23 workshop and 10 parents presented as speakers at the panel discussion and answered questions. The videos of the workshop are now available below.
I would like to thank all our speakers for their time and expertise in presenting about school choices available to Roosevelt Island parents:
Irena Durkovic and Chris Warsing spoke about Roosevelt Island's own PS/IS217 general education and G&T program, Michal Melamed introduced the Gifted and Talented program (G&T) as part of the NYC public school system and also informed parents about the Special Music School and the Charter schools later in the workshop.
Three parents introduced three unzoned school options for Roosevelt Island parents: Pamela Stark the Ella Baker school, Magda Orlicka-So the Tribeca Learning Center, and Jax Schott Midtown West, including information about the Individualized Education Program (IEP), which was supplemented through Nina Lublin in the audience, and through materials sent in by Sarah Birnbaum.
In addition to the G&T program at our local public school PS/IS217, two other district wide G&T programs were introduced: Aiesha Eleusizov presented about PS11 and Arshi Saeed about PS77, the Lower Lab school.
Firuza Mukhamadieva could not be present at the last minute, but she kindly offered to answer your questions via e-mail about the city-wide G&T program at the NEST+m school, the district wide G&T program at PS111, and the Hunter placement for Kindergarten and high school. Adele Ganly for the St. Stephen of Hungary school and Kippi Rai-Spraggon for the Success Academies were also not able to attend in person but kindly offered to answer your questions via e-mail. You can contact me with questions about the city-wide G&T program at PS334, the Anderson school, and also if you would like to get in touch with any of the speakers.
Special thank yous go to Janine Schaefer and Girl Scout Troop 3244 & 3245 for designing our flyer this year, and to Heart Sugiyama, Megumi Shinkawa and Ryan Ashley for videotaping the event so that parents who are interested but were not able to attend can watch it online later.
Thank you all and Happy Halloween weekend!
Eva
Here are the videos of Roosevelt Island Parents' Network 2016 Choosing A Kindergarten workshop courtesy of Heart Sugiyama and Megumi Shinkawa. There are 8 videos of various lengths in the playlist. Individual videos can be seen here.
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.
