2 JUNE 8, 2017 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM City budget deal saves after-school programs in Ridgewood BY ANTHONY GIUDICE [email protected] @A_GIUDICEREPORT Hours before the mayor and City Council agreed on a budget last Friday, June 2, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley led a rally with cheerleaders from the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council (GRYC) and P.S. 71 in Ridgewood demanding that over $16 million for aft er-school programs not be cut, but expanded. The councilwoman led the cheer team in a chant: “What do we want?” she asked. “Our fair share,” the kids responded. “When do we want it?” Crowley asked. “Now!” the children demanded. Before the fi scal year 2018 budget was fi nalized, there was a planned $16 million cut to vital elementary after-school programming, which would take away essential programs for nearly 7,000 kids across the city. However, when the budget was fi nalized later that day — the earliest handshake agreement on a balanced city budget since 1992 — the $16 million for aft er-school programs was restored. “Nearly $17 million has been taken out of the city budget, and that pays for aft er-school programs throughout the city of New York for elementary schools,” Crowley said at the June 2 rally in Ridgewood. “We’re here today to demand that that money gets restored; and not only do we want it restored, we want that funding expanded because the kids at P.S. 71 have to pay for their aft er-school program.” The staff at P.S. 71 created their own study of students’ Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) and Lexia reading scores both before and aft er they began participating in the aft er-school program with GRYC, and the results were impressive. When the school year began, most students lacked the basic skills in a variety of activities including, dance, drama, basketball, cooking, cheerleading and soccer. By May, students levels skyrocketed to at least basic skills in each of the categories charted. “They’re learning every day,” said Jennifer Lopez, president of P.S. 71’s parent association. “They’re learning how to make healthy meals. They’re receiving healthy snacks. And the partnership we have with Greater Ridgewood, we are very, very thankful for.” The aft er-school program off ered by GRYC runs fi ve days a week from dismissal to 5:30 p.m. If the city budget does not include the $16 million for aft er-school programs, the program Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley rallied outside of P.S. 71 in Ridgewood to demand that $16 million in funding for after-school programs not be cut from the city budget. — which was started only two years ago and serves between 100 and 200 kids — will end on June 30. President of GRYC, Bob Monahan, wants to see the partnership with P.S. 71 continue with the potential funding Photo by Anthony Giudice/Ridgewood Times from the city. Right now, parents are footing the bill to the tune of approximately $125 each month per child. “We are trying to reduce the cost to the parents because they’re really hard-working folks,” Monahan said. ARE YOU TIRED OF MISSING TEETH LOOSE OR DENTURES? MINI DENTAL IMPLANTS COULD BE THE ANSWER! WE HAVE DENTAL IMPLANTS OF DIFFERENT SHAPES & SIZES THAT ALLOW US TO BEST MEET YOUR NEEDS & BUDGET! • Great for replacing missing teeth or stabilizing loose, uncomfortable dentures • No more suffering from pain while eating or embarrassment while smiling • Financing options available Call today to schedule your FREE evaluation with needed X-rays Robert P. Cukier, DDS | Glendale Family Dental 76-01 Myrtle Avenue Glendale, NY 11385 718-386-2655 (718) 804-5579 | WWW.MINIDENTALIMPLANTSGLENDALENY.COM Personal Personal Injury Injury -• Workers'Workers’ Compensation Compensation •- Criminal Defense Defense •- Real Real Estate Estate ARRESTED? INJURED ON THE JOB? INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT? INJURED AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE? INVOLVED IN A BUS OR TRACTOR-TRAILER ACCIDENT? OUR LAWYERS ARE AVAILABLE WHEN EMERGENCIES HAPPEN 24 HOURS A DAY AND WE HAVE RECOVERED MILLIONS FOR OUR INJURED CLIENTS! WE ALSO SPEAK FRENCH-CREOLE, GREEK, RUSSIAN, AND SPANISH! The Grigoropoulos Law Group PLLC, is a law firm serving clients in all five New York boroughs, as well as Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties. We represent clients who are seriously injured as a result of motor vehicle accidents, slip/trip and fall accidents, constructions accidents or accidents in the workplace. Our experience coupled with our "shark" attitude sets us apart from other firms and our attorneys know what will drive litigation and what wins cases. riminal cases defending felony and misdemeanor charges! Call today for a free consultation! Chrissy Grigoropoulos, Esq. THE GRIGOROPOULOS LAW GROUP PLLC 60-93 Myrtle Avenue - Suite 1 Ridgewood NY 11385 (718) 249-7447 (929) 900-LAW1 www.GrigorLawGroup.com �������������������������������������������� Founding Partner
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