GEORGE HAVRANEK
An O.L.A. Perspective:
Although surprising, the
July 2020 announcement offi
cially closing Our Lady of
Assumption School was imminent.
Once upon a time the
school was fi lled to capacity.
The summer months brought
anxiety to parents anticipating
their wait-listed children’s potential
September enrollment.
Nearly 220 “Baby Boomers”
comprised the eighth grade
O.L.A. graduating classes of
1969 and 1970. Data from multiple
sourcesprojected a 250-student
enrollment for grades K-8
in academic calendar year
2021.Indeed, a stark contrast.
The deck was stacked against
this longtime community
learning institution. A generational
shift from a robust
catholic-centric ethos and socio
economic conditions are
related to the demise of this
pillar of Catholic academics.
The paradigm shift and pandemic
related economic downfall
forced the New York Archdiocese
to make the tough,
unwelcomed decision to permanently
shut the doors on
this neighborhoodinstitution;
a place of agelessmemories
and traditional milestones.
The New York Archdiocese
decision to shut O.L.A. created
an atmosphere of uncertainty
forthe parish, and community.
The fate of this hallowedbuilding
plaguedhearts and befuddled
minds.
On Monday, February 22nd
communityquestions received
short-term answers. The presentation
led by award winning
fi lmmaker, author, and
basketball afi cionado, the renowned
Dan Klores revealed
the empty Parkview avenue
building would become temporary
home to “The Earl
Monroe New Renaissance
Basketball Academy Charter
High School”. Temporary and
short-term are critical components
in this tenant-landlord
relationship. The unique coed
The New Bronx Chamber of Commerce Announces
15th Annual Women Of Distinction Scholarship Awards
BRONX TIMES R 40 EPORTER, MARCH 5-11, 2021 BTR
charter high school has a
3-year lease with a 1-year extension
option. A permanent
Bronx home on Elton Avenue
in Mott Haven, Bronx Community
School District 7 is the
schools’ ultimate destination.
This is a win-win situation for
both parish and school. The
economic benefi t to the O.L.A.
parish is self-explanatory. The
Charter High School requires
a place of operation until their
permanent facility is occupant
ready. The O.L.A. school
site will be a place where the
charter school builds a foundation,
make modifi cations
and adjustments to ensure
they develop optimum academic
and social services; this
is their testing ground, a place
to work out kinks. This begs
the question: What is the longterm
prospect? The logical answer:
As any in a vacancy situation
the landlord will seek a
new tenant. This creates uncertainty
down the road and
a possible recurrence of fi nancial
problems for the parish.
A thought: The backers of
The Earl Monroe New Renaissance
Academy Charter High
School are highly esteemed
and very infl uential. They are
“magnate magnets” that can
attract essential resources required
to make “Gardens of
Education” fl ourish in both
school districts 7 and 8. Why
not, consider the O.L.A. site as
a permanent home in District
8? Let performance and community
relationship infl uence
this prospect as construction
in District 7 materializes.
Academic seeds are being
planted in our community, let
them take root and grow into
a mighty oak. This can turn
a win-win for the Parish and
School into a successful trifecta,
which includes children
of multiple school districts.
The ball is in their hands; we
hopefully await an inbound
pass and completion of an easy
slam-dunk.
Community Footnotes:
The Spencer Estate Civic
Association is distressed
to learn Councilman Mark
Gjonaj would not seek reelection.
Councilman Gjonaj is a
readily available dear friend
to the Spencer Estate community.
His hard work and dedication
to our community gives
testament to the strength and
character essential to quality
leadership. He did many
things without hoopla and fanfare.
Visiting small businesses
experiencing rugged times,
ensuring the needs of our super
seniors were met, dealing
head on with lackluster city
agencies; Councilman Gjonaj
lives up to the mantra of making
our communities Cleaner,
Safer and Better. Mark, thank
you; your efforts are always
appreciated and remembered.
You, my good friend, will leave
big shoes to fi ll.
Our community has traditionally
exhibited a “We are
Family attitude” Now, is the
time to let it shine. Communicate;
make that phone call,
text message, or e-mail. Please
check on family, friends, and
neighbors especially the elderly
and vulnerable. Any
area homeowner or renter
interested in membership to
the all inclusive Spencer Estate
Civic Association in box
George Havranek on Facebook
or send-email to spencerestatecivic@
gmail.com
Community=Common-Unity
and Inclusion brings Solutions.
CIVIC CENTER
Spencer Estate
Civic Association
TO ADVERTISE CALL 718-260-4593
The New Bronx Chamber of Commerce
has announced the recipients
of partial college scholarships for
high-achieving female Bronx students
as part of its annual Women’s
History Month Women of Distinction
event series, now in its 15th
year. This year’s event — themed
Valiant Women of the Vote: We Will
Not Be Silenced —will honor Hazel
N. Dukes, President of the NAACP
New York State Conference. Meisha
Ross Porter, Bronx Executive Superintendent
and newly-appointed
Chancellor of the NYC Department
of Education, will serve as Keynote
Speaker.
Bronx Chamber President Lisa
Sorin said, “While we are disappointed
to again not be able to gather
in person to celebrate our honoree
& scholarship recipients and recognize
our Chamber member sponsors,
we are thrilled to be able to
award partial scholarship funds to
more than 20accomplished female
students from high schools around
the Bronx – a new record for our
scholarship program – through our
newly-formed 501(c)(3) Bronx Chamber
of Commerce Foundation.”
By creating opportunities for
businesses to partner with educational
institutions to provide scholarships
for academically gifted
young women, the Bronx Chamber is
addressing critical education funding
needs and empowering youth
to succeed and contribute to their
Bronx communities. Scholarship recipients
are graduating seniors attending
public, private, and charter
high schools around the Bronx.
Scholarships were made possible
through the generosity of the following
sponsors: Con Edison,The
Metro Optics Group, Ponce Bank,
Sandra Erickson Real Estate, Monroe
Foundation, Woodlawn Cemetery,
Simone Development, Manhattan
Parking Group, Orange Bank &
Trust, KZA Realty, Verizon, NYC
Council Member Mark Gjonaj, and
an anonymous Chamber member
donor.
To sponsor, make a donation,
purchase an ad in the digital event
journal, and register for the event,
please email events@bronxchamber.
org
The New Bronx Chamber of
Commerce is one of the most infl uential
voices for business in Bronx
County, known for its commitment
to legislative advocacy. The Chamber
hosts a wide range of programs,
events, and services for its members,
ranging from large corporations
to cultural institutions, universities
and colleges, hospitals and
medical centers, and small to midsized
businesses.
Established in 2020, The Bronx
Chamber of Commerce Foundation is
a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to
fostering business education, training,
mentorship and leadership opportunities
for small & mid-size Bronx
businesses, economic development
and equitability-oriented nonprofi ts,
and other community organizations.
Follow the Bronx Chamber on social
media, visit bronxchamber.org,
or call 718.828.3900 for information
on our events, programs, membership
benefi ts, and more.
Call 718.260.2555
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