Six Brooklyn schools offer
kosher grab-and-go meals
Caribbean Life, April 24-30, 2020 21
Recently, every evening,
around 7pm, scores of New
Yorkers open their windows
and front doors publicly
shouting their appreciation
for the essential and exceptional
workers who are keeping
our city running.
Whether they’re saving
the lives of COVID-19 patients,
providing a vital service
for countless households,
preparing food, responding to
emergencies or keeping the
transportation system running,
essential workers are
literally risking their life every
day on the job to do what
they do.
When I think of today’s essential
workers, I can’t stress
enough the importance of introducing
students to STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering,
Math) education
at a young age. The STEM
programs, which are offered
in New York City schools in
grades K-12, expose our youngsters
to project-based learning
through exploration and realworld
problem solving. There
are year-round programs and
summer camps for STEM students
across the city.
Many of today’s essential
workers, particularly former
STEM students, have been
prepared to help solve the
pressing challenges we’re facing
today and will face in the
future. Every day, new diagnostics
tools are being developed
in medical labs to help
the states with testing programs
in the battle against
COVID-19. Strategic environmental
plans are being
implemented and observed to
“flatten the curve.” Medical
professionals from across the
country have travelled to the
northeast region to volunteer
in hospitals, and retired doctors
and nurses have applied
for temporary licenses to help
out. Restaurants and community
leaders have organized
to deliver hot meals to many
in need. And countless men
and women are trying to keep
us physically safe.
It’s an “all-hands-on deck”
situation. The spread of the
coronavirus has changed the
way we all live and work. And,
with great courage, essential
workers are on the frontlines
helping everyone get through
the epidemic. We can’t thank
them enough. They are exceptional
and deserve our support
now and after this public
health emergency has ended.
Dr. Claudia V. Schrader
is president of Kingsborough
Community College (KCC) located
in the Manhattan Beach
section of Brooklyn. Kingsborough
Community College
is committed to enhancing
learning opportunities for the
Brooklyn community. Visit
www.kbcc.cuny.edu to learn
about the classes, certifications
and degree programs offered
at KCC.
EDUCAT I O N PROFI LE
Pausing to Acknowledge Essential & Exceptional Workers
BY ALEJANDRA O’CONNELLDOMENECH
The Department of Education
is now offering kosher
meals for students at six school
sites in Brooklyn, a month after
the agency began offering to-go
meals during the coronavirus
pandemic.
As of Tuesday, April 21, students
can pick up three kosher
meals a day at two Williamsburg
schools — P.S. 132 The Conselyea
School at 320 Manhattan Avenue,
and P.S. 257 John F Hylan at 60
Cook Street.
Two schools in Crown Heights
will start serving kosher meals,
along with one school in Midwood
and another in Borough
Park.
“Food insecurity is impacting
many of our fellow New Yorkers
and the DOE is proud to be
part of the City’s efforts to give
everyone has access to nutritious
meals completely free of charge,”
said Schools Chancellor Richard
Carranza. “To date, we’ve
served 4.5 million meals and are
now proud to offer kosher, halal,
and vegetarian meals to meet the
needs of our diverse City.”
DOE officials announced the
new kosher meal sites a day after
the Jewish Caucus of the New
York City Council sent a letter to
Mayor de Blasio requesting that
free meals be made available for
kosher-observant New Yorkers.
“Several weeks ago, you laudably
instituted Grab and Go for
all, including students, families,
and adults. Halal and vegetarian
options are also offered. However,
New Yorkers who observe kosher
dietary restrictions are unable to
receive free meals,” wrote Councilman
Chaim Deutsch.
Williamsburg
PS 132 The Conselyea School
@ 320 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn
11211
PS 257 John F Hylan @ 60
Cook Street, Brooklyn 11206
Crown Heights
P.S. 289 George V. Brower @
900 St Marks Avenue, Brooklyn
11213
I.S. 2 @ 655 Parkside Avenue,
Brooklyn 11226
Boro Park
P.S. 192 – The Magnet School
For Math And Science @ 4715 18
Avenue, Brooklyn 11204
Midwood
P.S. 197 – The Kings Highway
Academy @ 1599 East 22 Street,
Brooklyn 11210 REUTERS/Mike Blake
EDUCATION
/www.kbcc.cuny.edu
/www.kbcc.cuny.edu