MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE CREEDMOOR CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC.
Next meeting: January 13 at 8 PM
Special schools issue:
At last we have some news about how the three schools at Glen Oaks are going to be governed. The idea of a Chancellor's District is out, local control is in. The High School will NOT operate year-round as originally proposed. Admission to the high school will be on an open enrollment basis for those interested in teaching careers, liberal arts, and sciences. However, seats will be guaranteed to those graduating from the two kindergarten-8th grade schools on the campus, known as P.S. 266 for District 26 and P.S. 208 for District 29. The Times-Ledger papers were up to mischief in trying to pit the two schools districts against each other by playing up the fact that District 29 will get the larger school (925 seats), and District 26 the smaller (750 seats.) This is a no-brainer as District 29 is the more crowded District. The fact that the schools are physically in District 26 is an accident of history; that is where the land is. The City is reluctant to condemn homes and businesses to make space for schools which pay no real estate taxes. The Creedmoor land had not been paying taxes since it was State-owned, so the conversion to schools doesn't hurt the City's tax base. Since Creedmoor Civic is mostly in District 29, we have been waiting
to hear what the admissions policy will be for PS 208. We are told
it will be a magnet school for gifted students in interests ranging from
dance and music to science and computers. That's a little vague;
we still need to see more details, but it appears that any of our residents
who have an interest in this school who live south of 88th Avenue will
have a shot at it, but will probably have to pass an entrance exam. But
at what grade will these courses begin? Once in, you're able to remain
on campus through the 12th grade. District 29 Superintendent Michael Johnson
promises meetings during the new year to further explain how admission
to this school will work.
Friedman to speak at Rocky Hill On Tuesday, January 14th - 8PM, Mr. Jack Friedman will be guest speaker at the Rocky Hill Civic Association. Mr. Friedman was nominated by Senator Frank Padavan, and selected by the New York State Senate, to be a member of "The Task Force on Community School District Governance Reform". Rocky Hill meets at P.S. 18. The task force has been created to obtain input regarding the replacement of NYC's existing 32 Community School Boards to ensure that there is a process to maximize meaningful participation by the public, parents and the communities in the community school district governance structure. Community School Boards will no longer exist after June, 2003.
As reported in a previous issue of the Creedmoor Civic News, District 29 Superintendent Michael Johnson refused to meet with our civic regarding our proposal to convert I.S.109 and its feeder schools to K-8 schools. Klein to meet with parents Schools Chancellor Joseph Klein is holding a forum on January 22 at Thomas Edison High School to allow parents and community leaders an opportunity to discuss education issues The meeting is at 6:30 PM and the school is located at 165-65 84th Avenue, Jamaica Hill. AREA CODE CHANGES
Effective February 1, 2003, all callers in the NY City area will be required to dial 1 + area code + the seven digit phone number for ALL local calls. For example, if you are in Queens and your phone number is 718-555-1212, and you want to call 718 464-3369, you will now have to dial ALL eleven digits (1 718 464-3369) every time. The charges for these calls will still count as local calls. This rule comes down from the Federal Communications Commission which requires the dialing of 11 digits when more than one area code covers the same neighborhood. Calls to 911 and 411 will not require additional digits. Currently, NYC area codes are: Manhattan: 917, 212, 646. The remaining four boroughs: 917, 718, 347. Please prepare yourself NOW. You will need to reprogram your computer modems, fax machines, alarm systems, call forwarding, speed dialers, business cards, invoices and stationery.
Country Pointe at Alley Pond, the 99 2-family homes on Winchester Boulevard and Hillside have been given an architectural award from the Queens Chamber of Commerce for the multi-family low-rise category.
PS 133 Reunion: P.S. 133 will be celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2004. A reunion committee is looking for alumni. If you are a past graduate, please send your name, address and year of graduation to: PS133Q PTA
Get well to: Erna Robinson of 237th Street who is recovering from surgery. Condolences to: To Charlie and Joan Murphy of 242 St. Joan's brother, Robert O'Brien passed away last month. Condolences to: To Rich and Gloria Mooney, and the rest of the family of Olga Peters, who passed away on July 3. Ms. Peters had lived on Lyman St for over 50 years. Condolences to: To the family of Henry Bugaj, formerly of Lyman St. Mr. Bugaj passed away on November 22.
From the Daily News' Gridlock Sam column: "Dear Gridlock Sam: Is it legal to park a school bus in front of a private home? My neighbor parks his bus in front of my home...Is he allowed to do this on a residential block with no school in sight? -Roseann"
"Dear Roseann: No. NYC Traffic Rules states that it shall be permissible to park a school bus at any time, including overnight, upon any street, provided the bus occupies a parking spot in front of and within the building line of the premises of the school." -Gridlock Sam
The City Council, as we reported last month, is surcharging real
estate taxes paid by absentee landlords, treating them as commercial properties,
rather than residential properties. A plan now making the rounds of
the City Council is to take the extra taxes paid by the absentees and use
the money to reduce the taxes paid by senior citizens who own their own
homes. This is to lessen the burden of the 18.49% real estate tax increase
passed a few weeks ago. We will report the final outcome on this
plan. CREEDMOOR CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP ROSTER FOR 2002 Following are the paid members for 2002. If your name is missing, it is not too late to pay. An addendum list will be published next month. Dues are $5 per household per year, payable to
Creedmoor Civic News
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