Monday, November 13, 2017

A VARIETY OF EVENTS IN OR FOR KENSINGTON OR WINDSOR TERRACE THIS WEEK


Events on this week's community calendar:

Regrow Puerto Rico Benefit Reception, tonight (Monday, November 13th)
https://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2017/11/regrow-puerto-rico-benefit-reception.html

72nd Precinct Community Council Public Meeting, Tuesday, November 14th
https://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2017/11/crime-rate-in-windsor-terrace-and.html

La Leche League Breastfeeding Support Meeting, Wednesday, November 15th
https://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2017/11/breastfeeding-support-and-education.html

Community Board 7 Public Meeting in Windsor Terrace, Wednesday, November 15th
https://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2017/11/eviction-speeding-and-parking-problems.html

Bake Sale for The Kensington Family Shelter, Friday, November 17th
https://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2017/11/two-acts-of-generosity-organized-by.html

Diaper Drive for The Kensington Family Shelter, Friday, November 17th
https://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2017/11/two-acts-of-generosity-organized-by.html

Bake Sale for Sean Casey Animal Rescue, Saturday, November 18th

Art Auction, Saturday, November 18th (bid online this week)
https://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2017/11/bidding-begins-on-works-by-local-and.html

In Concert: Music from Appalachia and the Nation of Georgia, Saturday, November 18th
https://karmabrooklyn.blogspot.com/2017/11/in-concert-music-from-appalachia-and.html 

IN CONCERT: MUSIC FROM APPALACHIA AND THE NATION OF GEORGIA

©2017 Flatbush Jewish Center

Church Avenue Sessions Music Series
Saturday, November 18th, 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The monthly music series "Church Avenue Sessions" at Flatbush Jewish Center will feature performances by The Brother Brothers and Ilusha Tsinadze. The session will take place on Saturday, November 18th, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The Brother Brothers is an acoustic duo playing Appalachian folk and bluegrass on cello, guitar, and 5-string fiddle.

Ilusha Tsinadze is a singer and guitarist whose music is based on that of his native country of Georgia.

Beer, wine, and soda will be available for sale, along with some complimentary snacks.

The cost of admission is $15 per adult and $7 per child under 16.


About Flatbush Jewish Center
Flatbush Jewish Center, a Conservative synagogue offering programming and services for families, adults, and children, serves the Windsor Terrace and Kensington communities and offers traditional egalitarian services.

Event location
Flatbush Jewish Center
327 East 5th Street, corner of Church Avenue
Kensington, Brooklyn
phone: (718) 871-5200
fax: (718) 871-5204
office @ flatbushjewishcenter.org
http://www.flatbushjewishcenter.org
https://www.facebook.com/FlatbushJewishCenter 


Saturday, November 11, 2017

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT AND EDUCATION MEETING


                 La Leche League Breastfeeding Support Meeting
             Wednesday November 15th, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

La Leche League meetings
are free and open to all breastfeeding and pregnant parents, moms, babies, grandmothers, and women interested in breastfeeding or chestfeeding. The next meeting in Windsor Terrace will be held on Wednesday, November 15th, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The doors will be opened at 10:50 a.m.

Some of the topics that are frequently covered are
  • How can I get breastfeeding off to a good start?
  • How do I know if my baby is getting enough?
  • How often should I expect to feed my baby?
  • What does a "typical" feeding look like?
  • What is paced bottle feeding?
  • How can I work with family and others' expectations about feeding my baby?
  • What about solids?

Bring your babies and your thoughts, questions, feelings, and experience to share with others. La Leche League embraces all kinds of families and feeding arrangements.


The group is free of charge. Check the calendar to keep updated on the meeting schedule and other news and to confirm the meeting time and location.

If you have questions prior to Wednesday's meeting, call or text (929) 276-2131 today.

Meeting location
577 Prospect Avenue

between 10th and 11th Avenues
Windsor Terrace 

REGROW PUERTO RICO BENEFIT RECEPTION


Regrow Puerto Rico Benefit Reception
Monday, November 13th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

A benefit to help rebuild the still-devastated Puerto Rico will feature live music by Grammy award-winning jazz musician Arturo O'Farrill and his sons Zach and Adam.

Hors d'oeuvres will be prepared by Puerto Rican guest chef Santana Benitez. Wines and Harlem Blue Wheat Ale will be provided. 

The suggested donation is $50, but any amount will be appreciated. The proceeds will be donated to #RegrowPuertoRico to help rebuild sustainable agriculture.

Butterfunk Kitchen and the Church of the Holy Apostles are the hosts.

Location
Brooklyn Commune

601 Greenwood Avenue
at the corner of Prospect Avenue
Windsor Terrace

Friday, November 10, 2017

SUBWAY SKIPS FOR THIS WEEKEND AND NEXT WEEKEND



From 11:45 p.m. on Friday, November 10th, until 5:00 a.m. on Monday, November 13th, Queens-bound F and G trains will not stop at the Fort Hamilton Parkway, 15th Street-Prospect Park, and 4th Avenue-9th Street stations because of track maintenance.

For service to these stations, take the F or G train to 7th Avenue or to Smith-9th Streets and transfer to a Coney Island-bound F train or a Church Avenue-bound G train.

For service from these stations, take the F or G train to 7th Avenue or to Church Avenue and transfer to a Queens-bound F train or G train.


This change will be repeated on the weekend of Friday, November 17th, through Monday, November 20th.

BIDDING BEGINS ON WORKS BY LOCAL AND NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED ARTISTS




Press Release – for Immediate Release

P.S. 130 PTA to Hold 5th Annual Art Auction

By Ashley Kreamer Colao, Kate Fermoile, Gretchen Nealon, and Lisa Jackson Zelznick

November 9, 2017

Brooklyn, NY – The P.S. 130 PTA is holding its 5th Annual Art Auction on Saturday, November 18, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm at Lark located at 1007 Church Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. 

Bidding is open to the public and will be entirely online at: tinyurl.com/130artauction2017 beginning November 11, 2017 at 9:00am. Bidding will end promptly at 9:00pm on November 18. All proceeds will benefit the P.S. 130 PTA, a Title I school in Brooklyn serving over 800 students.

The auction will feature more than 80 works of art donated by a range of local and nationally recognized artists, including: 

  • William Mortensen, the last of the great pictorialist photographers, recently with retrospectives in New York, Los Angeles and Seattle;
  •  Akwetey Orraca-Tetteh, who contributed original vocal and narrative composition to the video essay Grosse Fatigue, created in collaboration with artist Camille Henrot, which was a recipient of the 55th Venice Biennale’s Silver Lion award and has since exhibited at The New Museum, The Guggenheim and The Museum of Modern Art;
  • Julie Peppito, recipient of the 2001 New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) Fellowship for sculpture;
  • Scott Teplin, whose work is included in the permanent collections of The Museum of Modern Art (NYC and San Francisco), The New Museum, The Walker Art Center, and The New York Public Library; and
  • Harvey Wang, who has exhibited widely at museums, including the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., the New York Historical Society, and the Museum of the City of New York.

There is a suggested $10 donation at the door, drinks and snacks will be served thanks to event sponsors: Wine & Spirits, Le Paddock, Brooklyn Commune, and the Windsor Terrace Food Coop. Childcare is available for a small fee just down the block at Alden Moves. 
 
 "This event is a wonderful way for artists and art lovers to support P.S. 130, and for P.S. 130 to support the arts community," said P.S. 130 PTA Co-President Lisa Jackson Zelznick.

"The Art Auction is an opportunity to celebrate and continue our tradition of arts enrichment at P.S. 130; we are excited to provide a network of collectors for artists, while also raising funds to support important PTA initiatives, including our Art Box program, which provides Kindergarten through 2nd grade classrooms with an Art Box and Art Caddy stocked with art-making materials that are available for self-directed play time."

Contact

Ashley Kreamer Colao and Lisa Jackson Zelznick, Co-Presidents
Kate Fermoile and Gretchen Nealon, Event Co-Chairs
info @ ps130pta.org

EVICTION, SPEEDING, AND PARKING PROBLEMS ARE ON THE AGENDA AT COMMUNITY BOARD 7'S NEXT PUBLIC MEETING



Community Board 7 Public Meeting
Wednesday, November 15th, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The monthly public meeting of Community Board 7 will be held on Wednesday, November 15th, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Community Board 7 represents Windsor Terrace, Sunset Park, East Windsor Terrace, South Park Slope, and Greenwood Heights. Residents and business owners are welcome to attend the meeting.

Members of the public have two opportunities to comment: before reports are given (item 5) and right before adjournment (item 12).
 
Proposed agenda
1. The Pledge of Allegiance
2. Opening of the meeting
3. Adoption of the agenda
4. Adoption of the Minutes of the Board Meeting of October 18, 2017
5. Public Comment
6. Committee Reports:
   A) Housing Committee (No vote scheduled)
     1) Presentation by Justfix* regarding their services for tenants who are being harassed or facing eviction
   B) Transportation/Public Safety Committees
     1) Speed hump request for 44th Street between 6th and 7th avenues
     2) Parking and double parking enforcement in CB 7
     3) Frequency of B63 bus during school commute times
   C) Nominating Committee (No vote scheduled)
     1) Organizing meeting for the Nominating Committee
7. Elected Officials Representatives
8. District Manager’s Report
9. Chairperson’s Report
10. Old Business
11. New Business
12. Public Comment
13. Adjournment


Location
P.S. 154
1625 11th Avenue
between Windsor Place and Sherman Street
Windsor Terrace

* JustFix.nyc is a free service that helps tenants in neglectful housing situations get needed repairs done. They work with tenants to help them document their issues, know their rights, and take action.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

JEWISH KIDS WALK HOMELESS DOGS FOR FLATBUSH JEWISH CENTER EVENT


Dog Walking, Pizza, and Games
Sunday, November 12th, noon to 2:30 p.m.

Flatbush Jewish Center's next children's event will start at Sean Casey Animal Rescue (SCAR). Parents and other caregivers will accompany children as they walk dogs, since SCAR doesn't allow children to hold leashes by themselves.

SCAR is located at 153 E. 3rd Street, between Caton Avenue and Fort Hamilton Parkway, in Windsor Terrace.

After walking the dogs, the adults will bring the children to Flatbush Jewish Center (FJC) for part 2 of the event: pizza and games. The cost of the party is $5.00. Parents and other caregivers can pick up their kids at 2:30 p.m.

FJC is located at 327 E. 5th Street, on the southeast corner of Church Avenue, in Kensington.

RSVP to Lottie at Lottie.Gurvis @ hotmail.com. Let her know if you are a parent or other caregiver who can participate in at least the dog-walking portion of the event.


About Flatbush Jewish Center 
 

Flatbush Jewish Center (officially Flatbush and Shaare Torah Jewish Center) is a Conservative synagogue offering programming and traditional egalitarian services for families, adults, and children. The congregation was organized in 1921; the synagogue has been in the same location since 1924.

Location
Flatbush Jewish Center
327 East 5th Street
at the corner of Church Avenue
Kensington, Brooklyn
phone: (718) 871-5200
fax: (718) 871-5204
office @ flatbushjewishcenter.org
http://www.flatbushjewishcenter.org
https://www.facebook.com/FlatbushJewishCenter


About Sean Casey Animal Rescue

Sean Casey Animal Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, no-kill shelter specializing in the rescue, rehabilitation, and placement of dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, and small mammals. The rescue has been serving New York City’s homeless animals since 1998.

Sean Casey Animal Rescue
153 E. 3rd Street
between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue
near the Windsor Terrace - Kensington border
(718) 436-5163
nyanimalrescue @ yahoo.com
http://nyanimalrescue.org
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NY637.html
https://www.facebook.com/SeanCaseyAnimalRescue

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

TWO DAYS WITHOUT ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING


Because Veterans Day falls on a Saturday (November 11th) this year, it'll be observed on Friday, November 10th. On both days--Friday and Saturday--alternate side of the street parking regulations, which are normally in effect on weekdays and Saturdays so that streets can be cleaned, will be suspended.

Parking meter regulations won't be suspended. They're only suspended on major legal holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.


BINGO FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD


Bingo
Saturday, November 11th, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Play Bingo! Buy Bingo chips, daubers, boards, and paper boards. Buy snacks, treats, and baked goods. For $5, get two boards. Participate in raffles and 50/50.

Line up at 5:45 p.m  on Saturday, November 11th, to get a seat. The doors will be opened at 6:00 p.m.

This event is for the whole neighborhood. Have fun and support local Girl Scout troops.

Location
Brooklyn Prospect Charter School
3002 Fort Hamilton Parkway
between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets
Windsor Terrace - Kensington, Brooklyn

Sunday, November 5, 2017

BAKE SALE TO BENEFIT ANIMALS


Bake Sale
Saturday, November 18th, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A bake sale at Sean Casey Animal Rescue will help support the rescue's day-to-day operations. Donations of baked goods will be gratefully accepted at the shelter on that day--Saturday, November 18th--between 10:30 a.m. and noon.

Goodies will be sold from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Support the rescue while indulging your sweet tooth (or teeth!).

All proceeds from the bake sale will benefit the daily needs of the shelter.

Everyone who can donate bake goods is invited to bring them to the shelter on the day of the bake sale, between 10:30 a.m. and noon.


About Sean Casey Animal Rescue

Sean Casey Animal Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, no-kill shelter specializing in the rescue, rehabilitation, and placement of dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, and small mammals. The rescue has been serving New York City’s homeless animals since 1998.
 

Location
Sean Casey Animal Rescue
153 E. 3rd Street
between Fort Hamilton Parkway and Caton Avenue
near the Windsor Terrace - Kensington border
(718) 436-5163
nyanimalrescue @ yahoo.com
http://nyanimalrescue.org
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NY637.html
https://www.facebook.com/SeanCaseyAnimalRescue

SUPPORT LOCAL, INDEPENDENT, SMALL BUSINESSES!


TWO ACTS OF GENEROSITY ORGANIZED BY NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN: A DIAPER DRIVE AND A BAKE SALE


Diaper Drive
and
Bake Sale
Friday, November 17th, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

A diaper drive for homeless children living in The Kensington Family Shelter has been organized by local Brownie Troop 2662. Bring diapers of all sizes to the front of Brooklyn Prospect Charter School on Friday, November 17th, between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

A bake sale to raise money for hurricane victims in Puerto Rico will take place alongside the diaper drive.

Location
Brooklyn Prospect Charter School
3002 Fort Hamilton Parkway
between E. 2nd and E. 3rd streets
Windsor Terrace

If you can't bring diapers there that day, you can ship them to the shelter. Or you can bring them to the front desk at the shelter.

Address

The Kensington Family Shelter
385 McDonald Avenue

between Albemarle Road and Church Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11218

Saturday, November 4, 2017

MAKERS MARKET RETURNS TO SYCAMORE BAR



The Makers Market
Sunday, November 5th, noon to 5:00 p.m.

The Makers Market, a pop-up retail market of work by local artists and vendors, will return for the second time this year at Sycamore Bar on Sunday, November 5th, from noon to 5:00 p.m.

The diverse selection of local artists and vendors will include


Location
Sycamore Bar and Flower Shop
1118 Cortelyou Road
between E. 11th Street and Argyle Road
Ditmas Park, Brooklyn
(347) 240-5850
sycamorebrooklyn @ gmail . com
http://www.sycamorebrooklyn.com
https://www.facebook.com/sycamore.brooklyn
https://twitter.com/SycamoreBklyn 


Friday, November 3, 2017

GREEN-WOOD CEMETERY REVISES ITS OPENING AND CLOSING TIMES


Green-Wood Cemetery is simplifying the opening and closing times of its various entrances, starting on Sunday, November 5th. The hours will be as follows:

Main Entrance (Fifth Avenue and 25th Street)
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., October 1st to March 31st. Open daily.

7 a.m. to 7 p.m., April 1st to September 30th. Open daily.

Sunset Park Entrance (Fourth Avenue and 35th Street)
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Year-round. Open daily.

Fort Hamilton Parkway Entrance (Fort Hamilton Parkway and Micieli Place)
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open year-round on weekends and days of remembrance.*

Prospect Park West Entrance
(9th Avenue and 20th Street)
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open year-round on weekends and days of remembrance.*

*days of remembrance: Good Friday, Memorial Day, September 11th, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving,
All Soul's Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day

 

PARKING RULES CHANGED FOR ELECTION DAY




Next Tuesday, November 7th, is Election Day. Alternate side of the street parking regulations, which are normally in effect on weekdays and Saturdays so that streets can be cleaned, will be suspended that day.

Parking meter regulations, however, will not be suspended. They are only suspended for major legal holidays: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.


Thursday, November 2, 2017

U.S. INTERVENTIONISM AND THE REFUGEE CRISIS


U.S. Interventionism and the Refugee Crisis
Sunday, November 5th, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

To what extent is U.S. interventionism responsible for the refugee crises South of its border? What do we owe to those who are fleeing situations that we have helped create?


Join Occupy Kensington for another lively discussion. A short text will be provided. Whether you agree or disagree with the text, we invite you to take this opportunity for consciousness-raising and getting to know your neighbors.

Then, participate in a hands-on letter-writing activity on behalf of New Sanctuary's Ravi, an important leader in the effort to assist refugees and other immigrants who is again in danger of deportation himself.


The meeting will take place on Sunday, November 5th, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Occupy Kensington is a community-based movement that stands in solidarity with other Occupy, 99%, and liberation movements in New York City, across the country, and around the world.

e-mail: occupy11218 @ gmail.com
website: https://occupykensington.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occupykensington 



Meeting location
309 E. 5th Street (private house)
between Church Avenue and Albemarle Road
Kensington, Brooklyn 
 

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

CRIME RATE IN WINDSOR TERRACE AND SUNSET PARK IS THE SUBJECT OF PRECINCT'S COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING



72nd Precinct Community Council Meeting 
Tuesday, November 14th, 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
 
The 72nd Precinct Community Council's public meetings are a good place to discuss crime in the precinct--the type, their frequency, and why they are able to happen--and find out what the precinct is doing to prevent future crimes.

At Community Council meetings, members of the public can voice their concerns about crime and tell officers what's on their minds: armed robberies, sexual assaults, home break-ins, burglaries in local stores, bank robberies, drivers who are speeding or breaking other laws, stolen bicycles, package theft, and any other crimes.

Windsor Terrace and Sunset Park fall within the 72nd Precinct. Everyone who lives or works within the precinct's boundaries is invited to attend Community Council meetings. Contact the Community Affairs officers at (718) 965-6326 if you have any questions.


The meeting will be on Tuesday, November 14th, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Marien Heim Senior Center, 4520 4th Avenue, between 45th and 46th streets, in Sunset Park.

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

INTERVENTION TRAINING FOR BYSTANDERS WHO WITNESS HARASSMENT (FREE)


Hate Free Zone Bystander Intervention Training
Sunday, November 5th, 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Engage in skills-based training in creative strategies to de-escalate harassment stemming from oppression in any of its various forms--Islamophobia, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, etc.

Bystander Intervention Training has two components:
  1. participating in a discussion about Hate Free Zones, community defense, and the big picture of why we are learning these skills: to love and protect each other,
  2. skills-based practice in how to de-escalate situations in our communities to keep ourselves and our neighbors safe.

The event will take place on
Sunday, November 5th, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Register free on Eventbrite here.

Amanda Altman, the organizer of Hate Free Zone Bystander Intervention Training, will lead the training session. Temple Beth Emeth v'Ohr Progressive Shaari Zedek will be the host.

Location
Temple Beth Emeth v'Ohr Progressive Shaari Zedek
83 Marlborough Road, off Church Avenue
Ditmas Park, Brooklyn


Monday, October 30, 2017

VIDEO TOUR OF KENSINGTON'S MODEL SHELTER


Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Shelter Program Director Denise Lalande-Phipps


Update: The video's audio is back.
---------------------------------------

 The Kensington Family Shelter is often described as "a model shelter." The cooperative relationship between the shelter's staff and families, local residents, elected officials (Councilmember Brad Lander and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams), and CAMBA, the non-profit service provider operating the shelter, has made it that way.

Since opening in December 2015, The Kensington has been providing temporary shelter for sixty-four homeless families, defined as one or two parents and a child or children. Families are offered social services that prepare them to return to independent living and put homelessness behind them.

In 2016, the Coalition for the Homeless recognized the two local residents who, prior to the opening of the shelter, began organizing the community to provide assistance to the families:
In the spirit of the season, and with a desire to lift up such examples of human kindness, the Coalition for the Homeless is announcing our first Compassionate Communities Award to be given to Catherine Barufaldi and Tracy Connor of Kensington/Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn, for their “Give Me Shelter BK” campaign.
Catherine and Tracy created and maintain a mailing list to inform neighbors of opportunities to donate clothing, toys, school supplies, toiletries, etc. to the families and to assist with celebrating holidays and other events. To join the mailing list and receive approximately one e-mail a month, send an e-mail to givemeshelterBK @ gmail.com.

The informative video above explains more about the shelter, located at 385 McDonald Avenue, across the street from Foodtown.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

GIFTS WANTED FOR NEEDY CHILDREN IN WINDSOR TERRACE AND SUNSET PARK


The 30th Annual Holiday Gift Drive is underway in Community Board 7. The Board is collecting donations of new, unwrapped toys and clothing for needy children in the community. The toys and clothes are for girls and boys from infancy to twelve years old.

Bring your donations to the Board Office at 4201 4th Avenue from Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., until December 20th.

If you need any additional information, call the Board at (718) 854-4003 or send an e-mail to bk07 @ cb.nyc.gov.

Location
Community Board 7 Office
4201 4th Avenue (entrance on 43rd Street)
Sunset Park, Brooklyn
phone: (718) 854-0003
fax: (718) 436-1142
communityboard7 @ yahoo.com
new website: http://www1.nyc.gov/site/brooklyncb7/index.page

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brooklyn-Community-Board-7/195263140637225

VOTE TODAY AND TOMORROW FOR MINDFULNESS CENTER IN KENSINGTON SCHOOL


BROOKLYN COLLEGE ACADEMY IN KENSINGTON
                              LAUNCHES PIONEERING MINDFULNESS CENTER

         Center Is Sole New York State Finalist in 100K Dream Big Teacher Challenge

Brooklyn College Academy (BCA), an early-college high school on Coney Island Avenue in Kensington, has launched an innovative Mindfulness Center that will support more than 600 students' social emotional well-being. The center is one of only two such spaces in a New York City public school to help students beat stress and build the resilience they need to remain mentally healthy and strong.

The Kensington-based school could win a $100,000 award for the center as the only New York State finalist in the Farmers Insurance Dream Big Teacher Challenge—a national competition that funds teachers with big dreams—and one of only 15 finalists nationwide.


The public is invited to vote for the winning award recipient at https://lnkd.in/gywwhDq from September 29 through October 30, 2017.

The Mindfulness Center is the brainchild of humanities teacher Linda Noble, Ph.D., who champions students' mental health. "Now, more than ever, we need mindful engagement," says Noble.

  "Our students need time to focus on their mental health. There's an epidemic of depression and anxiety among the nation's high school students, and many are witness to or victims of violence. These stressors show a powerful impact on students' emotional core," explains Noble.

Studies have shown that mindfulness in schools can build young people's coping skills, reduce stress, increase happiness in students, and even fight teacher burnout. Practicing mindfulness has also been linked to increased brain activity in the regions associated with positive emotions. BCA's Mindfulness Center builds on this impact in innovative ways. The Center will add to BCA's carefully coordinated guidance program and expand the school's nurturing environment.

BCA is a highly-successful "early-college" high school, serving primarily low-income students who are typically both underserved by their communities and underrepresented in college. Many experience stress, depression, and myriad socio-economic/emotional challenges that can overwhelm their ability to balance a rigorous curriculum (including college coursework) and competitive college admissions. Even with these stressors, 99% of the students graduate (compared with 69% citywide), and 93% go to college.

With a $10,000 Fund for Public Health—New York City Mental Health by Design in Schools Award, BCA renovated a storage room to make room for the Mindfulness Center, which will support students, staff, parents, and, eventually, the broader community, with practices that include meditation, reflection, self-soothing, and deep breathing.

David Perrin, director of MNDFL Ed, and BCA's programming partner for the Mindfulness Center says: "The Mindfulness Center at Brooklyn College Academy demonstrates the school's commitment to its students. Health and well-being are integral to a well-rounded education. Academic success is only possible when a student develops positive self worth, the ability to listen and empathize with others, and the skills to manage stress and overwhelm."

"We believe mindfulness and compassion practices should be the anchor of any good curriculum, not an additive. The Mindfulness Center at BCA fosters academic success through health and well-being. It is a model for many schools to follow and learn from," explains Perrin.

BCA would use a $100,000 Big Dream award to support mindfulness professional development for all of its teachers, who would in turn use these practices in the classroom and for themselves. Students would also be trained to become mindfulness practitioners, leading meditation and other sessions for their peers in the dedicated space.

Finally, award money would fund a research component to demonstrate how a dedicated space for mindfulness, involving student practitioners and promoting a mindfulness culture across a school, can have far-reaching effects in nurturing a healthy school environment.

The Mindfulness Center aligns directly with an initiative spearheaded by the New York City Mayor's Fund mental health initiative and reinforces New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray’s call for better school-based services to help students on this front.
 

                          VOTE FOR BROOKLYN COLLEGE ACADEMY TO WIN 100K.

                                   Support Linda Noble’s Mindfulness Center

                    VOTE HERE THROUGH OCTOBER 30TH (TOMORROW) – EVERY DAY.
 
                                        WATCH THE PROJECT VIDEO HERE.

The Mindfulness Center is unique: a designated room in which students regroup and decompress. $100K gets its programs going and helps many young people.

Brooklyn College is located at 350 Coney Island Avenue, between Kermit Place and Caton Place.

Saturday, October 28, 2017

ANOTHER PERSON WANTED FOR A BURGLARY; THIS ONE WAS ON FORT HAMILTON PARKWAY


On Sunday, October 22nd, at about 2:40 a.m., the unknown perpetrator shown in the flyer posted above entered Jaya Yoga East through a side office window and removed property without authority or permission.

Jaya Yoga East is located at 2902 Fort Hamilton Parkway in Windsor Terrace, at the corner of E. 4th Street.

Anyone with information about this should notify Det. John Burchette at (718) 965-6336 or Detective Borough Brooklyn South at (718) 287-3239.