CEC 8’s legislative breakfast
addresses preparation, reading
Making Sense of the Census
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Hi, I’m Julie Menin, Census
Director for New York City.
The 2020 Census is almost
here, and we need every New
Yorker counted. Here’s what YOU
need to know.
The 2020 Census goes live on
March 12th, and it’s easier than
ever to participate. You will be
able to respond online, over the
phone in 13 languages, or by mail.
It’s only about 10 questions, and it
only takes a few minutes.
The census is for everyone, so
make sure that everyone in your
household is counted. That includes
newborns, seniors, people
who aren’t on the lease, and undocumented
people.
So why get counted?
The census determines our
federal funding for vital programs
like education, housing,
and infrastructure. It also determines
how many seats we get
in Congress, and the data it produces
will shape our communities
for the next decade.
Finally, the census is safe. By
law, all your personal information
is confidential. The Census
Bureau cannot share it with anyone
– not your landlord, the police,
or even other government
agencies.
In 2010, only 61.9% of New
Yorkers self-responded; the national
average was 76%. We must
do better, and we only get one
chance.
NYC, let’s make it count!
“Making Sense of the Census”
is a weekly column from Julie
Menin, Director of NYC Census
2020 and Executive Assistant Corporation
Counsel, NYC Law Department.
Every week we will be
publishing pieces from Julie and
guest authors laying out the facts
and answering tough questions
about this year’s census. Starting
March 12, you’ll be able to fill the
census out at my2020census.gov.
BY JASON COHEN
Being prepared for school,
attendance and reading books
were the issues addressed at
last week’s Community Education
Council legislative
breakfast.
On Friday, January 31, the
CEC held the annual event at
Tosca Marquee, 4034 E. Tremont
in Throggs Neck.
A few hundred parents, educators
and elected offi cials
packed the hall to discuss
their educational concerns.
“We asked you to come and
join us to discuss community
and education because we
have arrived at a moment in
out history where we can no
longer ignore the most fragile
among (us),” said CEC president
Farah Despeignes. “It is
time to act and to save our future.”
Despeignes said a few
weeks ago the country celebrated
Martin Luther King
Jr., who stood for justice. But,
yet where is the educational
justice and funding for students
that live in poor communities,
she said.
Dr. Erika Tobia, District 8 Superintendent, speaks at the CEC breakfast on
Jan. 31. Schneps Media Jason Cohen
Just because these neighborhoods
aren’t wealthy
doesn’t mean the kids don’t deserve
the same opportunities,
she stated.
“The reality is that the
schools are not equipped to
truly address the issues in
a sustainable manner,” Despeignes
opined to attendees.
The forum’s keynote speakers
were Senator Luis Sepulveda
and District 8 Superintendent
Dr. Erika Tobia.
Sepulveda praised Despeignes
and the other parents for trying
to get the best education
possible for the kids.
“The CEC and Farah, the
work that they do, the commitment
that all of you have to
our schools, is something that
you all should be applauded
for,” he said. “We owe a debt of
gratitude to all of you.”
These experiences of working
with people like Farah
and working with all of you,
it gives me the energy and the
oxygen to fi ght in Albany for
the children.”
Tobia said there are three
things kids need: more pencils,
to attend school every day
and books. If they have a pencil
that’s a small step in being
prepared, she said.
“Give the kids a pencil,”
she exclaimed. “Give your
kids what they need.”
Children also need more
books to read. She said it’s
crucial that students read a
certain amount of books each
week.
“People need to know what
level their kids are reading
on,” Tobia said. “We are not
going to get kids to learn how
to read unless we get books
that interest them into our
classrooms.”
Lastly, attendance in school
is imperative. The more days
they miss the more they fall
behind, she exclaimed.
“Kids have to come to
school every single day,” Tobia
said.
Also, in attendance at the
breakfast was Senator Alessandra
Biaggi.
As she paced back and
forth in a walking boot, she
stressed how she is battling
everyday for funding for our
schools. She said she will not
let the underserved communities
in the borough continue to
receive less money.
“My great grandparents
knew that education was the
literal entryway to having
opportunity to making sure
you can go from low income
to middle class,” Biaggi said.
“With education anything is
possible.”
/my2020census.gov