14 The QUEE NS Courier • april 18, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com LESON LEARNED DOE RESTORES GIFTED AND TALENTED CLASSES BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO aaltamirano@queenscourier.com The Department of Education (DOE) has decided to withdraw its controversial plan to cut the gifted and talented classes at P.S. 122. after last week’s meeting with concerned parents, teachers and elected officials from across School District 30. “We’ve listened, and we know what an exceptional job P.S. 122 is doing with its G&T middle school students,” said DOE spokesperson Devon Puglia. “We’re going to take more time to think through the challenge, consider ways to ensure equity and excellence for all families, and re-engage with the community in the future.” Since the announcement of the plan in February, members of District 30 and local officials have protested against the idea to reduce the classes at The Academy, a prestigious middle school gifted and talented program, in order to expand P.S. 122’s general education classes from fifth to eighth grade. “I am thrilled that the exemplary academic program at P.S. 122 will be preserved moving forward,” said State Senator Michael Gianaris. “P.S. 122 is a gem in our community that should be allowed to continue improving the lives of the children and parents of Astoria for years to come.” Deborah Alexander, a District 30 parent who now sees a brighter future for her son and daughter, is excited to work with the DOE and discuss any upcoming proposed changes. “It was truly amazing to see people from every corner of District 30 to come together for a common cause and it worked and it gives me a lot of hope going forward,” said Alexander. Alexander hopes their victory will give hope to other communities going through similar circumstances and who might feel like they are in a David and Goliath situation. “Sometimes David does win,” said Alexander. THE COURIER/PHOTO BY Angy Altamirano $1.1 MILLION FOR SECURITY CAMERAS AT WOODSIDE HOUSES BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO project is expected to be completed by July. aaltamirano@queenscourier.com “It’s good because this way the cops can see what is going on outside and they can monitor The residents of the Woodside Houses will everything,” said Donald Robinson, assistant soon be safer thanks to a new security camera supervisor of Woodside Houses. “It’s a security system. blanket for the residents and especially for On April 5, Councilmember Jimmy Van the senior citizens. Now someone will always Bramer announced the $1.1 million project, have an eye on them.” funded by the City Council. It will include Robinson also hopes the new security system 137 cameras on 20 buildings as part of a will help keep the buildings cleaner and new closed-circuit television system for the will gather more information on any wrongdoings complex. The cameras will be installed in that occur within the area. the lobbies, entrances and basements of the buildings. With installation already underway, the “You don’t have to say a word because the cameras will catch everything,” said Robinson. “It will make people feel comfortable.” PLAN TO TURN PLOTS INTO PARK BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO aaltamirano@queenscourier.com They’re looking to turn it from a final resting place to a place where children play. Hidden away from the public, Leverich Cemetery in Jackson Heights was once part of a family-owned farm land passed down through generations. But at one point the farm was bequeathed with the cemetery plot no longer included. The 17th century cemetery presently has no owner. It remains on 35th Avenue near Leverich Street. Through the years, homes and stores have sprung up around the site, which today bears no grave markings. To make use of the abandoned land, Edwin Westley, president of the Jackson Heights Beautification Group, has come up with the idea of turning the cemetery into a small park. According to Jackson Heights historian Daniel Karatzas, most residents have no idea the cemetery exists and it has become a dumping ground with no one looking after it. “I think it a park would be a great asset to the community,” said Karatzas. Yet, due to the land’s hardto reach location behind stores, Councilmember Daniel Dromm is concerned with security because of a lack of immediate police surveillance. “It does not really intend itself to that purpose,” said Dromm. “It is an interesting idea but there are several concerns that I do have with it. One of them is that the cemetery is a cemetery and you can’t have people tramping over dead bodies.” Instead, Dromm said he wants to see the plot, now covered in garbage, including an old washing machine, half a motorcycle and full of stray cats, cleaned. Fearing it poses a health hazard, Dromm plans to organize a community cleanup. “We are definitely going to clean it up, because no one wants to take responsibility for it,” said Dromm. THE COURIER/ Photo by Angy Altamirano
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