Contributing Writers: Azad Ali, Tangerine Clarke,
George Alleyne, Nelson King,
Vinette K. Pryce, Bert Wilkinson
GENERAL INFORMATION (718) 260-2500
Caribbean L 10 ife, Oct. 2-8, 2020
By Monet Elzey & Lude
Bonnet
Parents of New York City
School Children
It’s been 179 days since
New York City schools closed
due to the pandemic. Some of
those days have felt like weeks,
while others have passed with
the blink of an eye. But as parents,
one thing has remained
constant: our devotion to the
health and well-being of our
children.
The shift to remote learning
in March was an incredible
feat by teachers, students,
and families. Countless hours
have been poured into keeping
our children on track over
the past six months, and the
resiliency of our communities
has been a beautiful thing to
witness. We made it through
some of the toughest days in
our City’s history, during the
height of a crisis no one could
have ever prepared for.
Today, we’ve made it
through the worst of that
crisis—and we’re uniquely
positioned as the only major
school district in the country
able to safely send our children
back to school in the fall.
Our children, their education,
and their futures can’t afford
to wait.
As parents and educators,
we know there is no substitute
for the experience of being in a
classroom. Our children have
so much to gain from being
in-person with their teachers,
peers, and friends during this
critical time. One of us has a
son whose eyes light up when
he talks about going back to
his high school to start his
junior year. He can’t wait to
be back with his friends and
a step closer towards graduation.
The memories of when
he first began his educational
journey are still clear as day.
It breaks my heart to think
about a world in which he
spends his last moments as a
New York City student in our
apartment every day, away
from his friends, and separated
from the teachers who
want him to succeed.
Being in school is an experience
that can’t be replaced.
And that’s why we are so
hopeful we can make blended
learning work. It’s a chance to
get our children back to their
classrooms, where they learn
best with one another.
As of now, the majority of
students will begin the school
year in a blended learning
model, where they will be
learning in-person in their
own school buildings part
of the week and learning
remotely during the remaining
days. Our schools play
such a critical role in our
communities, and hundreds
of thousands of New York City
parents are ready to safely get
their kids back to their classrooms.
Are we nervous? Of course,
we’re parents. We lie awake
at night thinking about our
kids, especially our youngest
children. How can we help
them understand that they
can’t hug their friends? Will
they remember to wear their
masks all the time? None of it
will be easy. Our young ones
are dealing with the change,
confusion, and even trauma
the pandemic has brought
into their lives. The social and
emotional support of educators,
friends, parents, and
loved ones is needed more
than ever for all developing
young minds. We are so grateful
for the wrap-around care
that is already being planned
out in our school communities
.Planning for the school
year is never easy, but this fall
has required far more preparation
than ever. We’ve seen
first-hand the work our teachers,
principals, and even our
Mayor and Chancellor have
put in to keep our schools and
classrooms safe. A later start
to school is allowing educators
and families more time
to thoroughly prepare for the
start of a school year like no
other, and mandatory testing
will help keep our communities
safe and healthy.
We refuse to put our children
in harm’s way. One of
us has a daughter who was
diagnosed with Lupus and
making sure she’s healthy
has caused many sleepless
nights. So, safety is absolutely
non-negotiable. Knowing
that day-in and day-out, there
are teams disinfecting the
hallways, spacing out classrooms,
ensuring adequate
ventilation, and taking every
precaution necessary for our
children provides a little bit of
peace during this turbulent
time. Health and safety are
leading the way as schools
prepare a safe and supportive
learning environment for our
children, and we know school
leaders are doing everything
they can to start the school
year strong.
As parents, we’re reassured.
But above all, we’re hopeful.
We believe we can make this
work, and that we can give
our kids the kind of learning
experience they can only get
in a classroom. During this
unprecedented moment, we
want nothing but the best for
our children – and we know
every New York City parent
wants the same for their
child. That’s what we owe our
young people. Let’s do all we
can to make that a successful
reality this year.
By New York Board of
Elections
Due to an error by the print
vendor, Phoenix Graphics, some
voters may have received a mislabeled
ballot envelope (the
one labelled Official Absentee
Ballot Envelope), in the ballot
package. The Board of Elections
is committed to ensuring
every voter has a voice and
the chance to cast their ballot
without fear of fraud or disenfranchisement.
The Board is
sending out a second absentee
ballot package with the corrected
information to all voters
who may have been affected by
this error.
Voters should expect to begin
receiving replacement ballots
during the week of 10/09/2020.
Upon receipt of the second
ballot package, voters will be
instructed to destroy the contents
of the previous absentee
ballot package and use the corrected
materials included in
this mailing. Affected voters
who have returned their absentee
ballot, will be instructed to
fill out the replacement ballot
and send it back in the provided
envelope as soon as possible.
The Board will ensure that the
second ballot will be the only
one that is counted.
“We will ensure on behalf of
the voters in Brooklyn that the
proper ballots and ballot envelopes
are in the hands of the
voters far enough in advance of
Election Day so they can vote,”
said Board Executive Director,
Michael Ryan.
It is important to note that
New York State Election Law
allows voters who have requested
or returned their absentee
ballot to still vote in person.
An in-person vote will override
and invalidate any absentee
ballot received by the board.
Voters should be receiving
mail shortly which will notify
them of their Early Voting and
Election Day Poll Sites. Early
Voting begins Oct. 24, 2020 –
Nov.1, 2020. Additionally, you
can visit our website at vote.nyc
for your Poll Site information.
We apologize for this error.
Any questions can be answered
at 1-866-VOTE-NYC or visit
our website at vote.nyc.
OP-EDS
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In-person learning
can’t be replaced
Statement from the Board
Of Elections on Brooklyn
absentee ballots
This Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020
photo, shows a section of an
absentee ballot marked “Absentee
Military Ballot,” that
was mailed to a registered
voter in in the Brooklyn borough
of New York. turn envelopes
bearing different
names. Associated Press
/schnepsmedia.com
