n e w s A P R I L 10 L E h a V R e op-ed Councilwoman julissa ferreras 10 LEHAVRE courier | APRIL 2014 | WWW.QUEENSCOURIER.COM Inquiring Photographer: What is your reaction to the announcement that the Fourth of July Fireworks are returning to the East River? I usually go to Long Island for the Fourth of July, but this year I might stay here and watch it from a rooftop. Vanessa Spica I’m a student at St. Johns but I’m originally from Ohio. It would be so cool to see the fireworks from this area. Natalie Seitz It’s nice when they do these things. People love fireworks and I think it’s wonderful. The more activities, the better. Marvin Berkeley I usually work too late in Manhattan to reach the fireworks, but now I’ll be able to see them. “We’re All About You” Publisher & Editor Victoria Schneps-Yunis Associate Publisher Joshua A. Schneps Editor In Chief William J. Gorta Chris Hart Well, I don’t know what to do now. Because usually I go to the Bronx with my family, but now we can take a chance and see it here. So many choices. Chris Kim LeHavre Courier, 38-15 Bell Blvd. Bayside, NY 11361 718-224-5863 • Fax 718-224-5441 Sales fax: 718-631-3498 e-mail: editorial@queenscourier.com Art Director Jennifer Decio Artists Stephen Reina Nirmal Singh Ron Torina Entire Contents Copyright 2014 by the LeHavre Courier. All letters sent to LEHAVRE COURIER should be brief and are subject to condensing. Writers should include a full address and home and office telephone numbers, where available, as well as affiliation, indicating special interest. Anonymous letters are not printed. Only letters with a name given will be accepted. No such ad or any part thereof may be reproduced without prior permission of LEHAVRE COURIER. The publishers will not be responsible for any error in advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Errors must be reported to LEHAVRE COURIER within five days of publication. Ad position cannot be guaranteed unless paid prior to publication. LEHAVRE COURIER assumes no liability for the content or reply to any ads. The advertiser assumes all liability for the content of and all replies. The advertiser agrees to hold LEHAVRE COURIER and its employees harmless from all cost, expenses, liabilities, and damages resulting from or caused by the publication or recording placed by the advertiser or any reply to any such advertisement. Our children win with Universal Pre-K BY COUNCILWOMAN JULISSA FERRERAS After months of rallying for the future of our children, our voices have finally been heard! Recently, our state legislators approved $300 million in funding for universal pre-Kindergarten programs in their final budget. This is historic. We are now poised to ensure EVERY child has access to high-quality, full-day pre-K. The city’s plan is moving forward, and in less than six months, a new school year will begin, giving tens of thousands of our children access to full-day pre-K and thousands more middleschoolers access to a safe, educational place to go after school. Imagine the difference this will make for kids who will now start learning a year earlier. Imagine what it means for working parents. As a former director of a Beacon program at P.S. 19 in Corona, it was my privilege to watch the effect of high-quality programming on young people who would otherwise be falling behind. Just as early education, including pre-K, is vital to a child’s success later in life, after-school for young adolescents is a bridge that helps them maintain momentum — or, in the case of struggling students, a way to regain lost time and get back on track. Studies show that children who participate in these programs behave better in school, do better in class and on tests, and have improved attendance records. With this new, dedicated funding from Albany, the people who win here are parents and children. New York City is ready to move forward. We’ve been moving aggressively to put all the pieces in place to be ready for the fall. Thanks to the work of Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and my colleagues in our city and state government, we are making history. As a new mother, I cannot tell you how excited I am about this momentous change. These are game-changing solutions that will reach every child. They’re the kind of solutions that unite communities and improve our schools. If you live in New York City and your child is turning 4 years old in 2014, it’s time to think about applying to pre-Kindergarten. Here’s what you need to know: • Children turning 4 years old in 2014 who live in New York City are eligible to attend pre-K programs. • Pre-K is free. You do not have to pay to attend programs offered by the city’s Department of Education. • Programs can be half-day (2 hours and 30 minutes) or full-day (6 hours and 20 minutes). Half-day programs may take place in the morning (a.m.) or afternoon (p.m.). • Programs are available at public schools and community-based organizations (CBOs). There are separate application processes for public schools and CBOs. The pre-Kindergarten application period has been extended to April 23, 2014. The online application for pre-kindergarten is currently available in English and Spanish on www.schools.nyc.gov. You can also apply in person at your nearest Queens Enrollment Office, which are listed on the website. If you have any questions or need further information, please call 718-935-2009. Our children’s future begins today. Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras represents the 21st Council District encompassing Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, Corona and Jackson Heights. She is also the Chair of the City Council’s Committee on Finance. I’m planning to go to Fire Island for the Fourth to celebrate my brother’s birthday. But maybe next year I’ll stay here. Philip Jonas
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