4 JANUARY 7, 2021 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
Maspeth High School assistant principals
surprise staff members with holiday gifts
BY ANGÉLICA ACEVEDO
AACEVEDO@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
Administrators at Maspeth High School
decided to surprise their staff with gifts
before Christmas weekend.
Assistant Principals Jesse Pachter and Stefan
Singh drove around New York City, from the
Bronx to Long Island, to deliver Maspeth gear,
including hats, long-sleeved shirts and sweatshirts,
to 60 staff members. The swag was a way
to say “thank you” to their teachers for all they’ve
done this year.
“Teachers need to know that they’re appreciated
now more than ever,” said Pachter. “We were planning
to do it before the holiday break, but then
the mayor closed the schools and we haven’t been
able to reopen since.”
Pachter said it took them three days — from
Monday, Dec. 21, to Wednesday, Dec. 23 — to drive
to each teacher’s home with the help of some apps
for delivery workers.
“It was such a lovely thing to do,” said Melanie
Coats, a dance teacher at Maspeth High School.
Pachter said the holidays are normally the best
times to be in school, as everyone is festive and
exchanging gifts. But since they can’t do it this
year, with high schools remaining closed due to
the uptick in COVID-19 infection rates, and with
no set reopening date, they had to get creative
to not only provide a quality education, but also
keep people’s spirits up.
“It was such a nice surprise when Mr. Singh
called and said that both he and Mr. Pachter were
dropping off some Maspeth gear and spreading
some holiday cheer,” said Michael Kazaks, a
Jesse Pachter, Melanie Coats and Stefan Singh Photo courtesy of Jesse Pachter
history teacher. “I was so appreciative that they
drove so far out to see me, knowing that they had
been driving around all day.”
Pachter said they hope to do the same for the
graduating class next year — which will be an
even bigger feat with about 400 seniors to drive
to. He believes at the rate things are going, and
how the Department of Education didn’t allow
graduation ceremonies last summer, June won’t
be too different.
“There’s so much stuff going on in this world.
Now there’s two other strands of COVID. If I’m
feeling it, I know the kids are feeling it, the faculty
feels it,” said Pachter. “We just want to honor
everyone in the building and create a community
where everyone feels valued and appreciated.”
Ardila scores key endorsement for Holden’s Council seat
BY ANGÉLICA ACEVEDO
AACEVEDO@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
Senate Deputy Leader Michael
Gianaris is supporting Juan Ardila’s
campaign for City Council’s District
30, currently held by Robert Holden.
Gianaris, who represents the Senate’s
12th District, including the Queens
neighborhoods of Astoria, Long Island
City and Sunnyside as well as parts
of Woodside, Maspeth, Ridgewood
and Woodhaven, announced his
endorsement on Monday, Jan. 4.
“Juan Ardila will be a leader who
brings our community together rather
than tear it apart to advance a backward
political agenda,” said Gianaris. “Tenants
and homeowners alike can have faith
that Juan will work for the working
people of his district without fear or
favor. I’m proud to support him for City
Council.”
Ardila is challenging fi rst-term incumbent
Robert Holden for City Council in
District 30, which encompasses Ridgewood,
Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village,
Woodhaven and Woodside. Some of
his main policy points revolve around
aff ordable housing for all, more public
transportation access and investment
on education.
“I am honored to have the support of
Senator Gianaris,” said Ardila. “He is a
valued community leader who has dedicated
years of service to working class
people across New York. I look forward
to working with him to get things done
for our district.”
Gianaris joins Ardila’s growing list
of endorsements from elected offi cials,
including state Senator Jessica Ramos
and Brooklyn City Council Member
Brad Lander, who Ardila used to work
for. He’s also received endorsements
from the New York Working Families
Party, Road to Justice Coalition (SEIU 1199,
Make the Road Action, and CVH power),
Run for Something and Open NY.
Ardila, the son of a Colombian father
and Honduran-Cuban mother, says he is
the fi rst Latino to run for City Council in
the district’s history.
The 26-year-old Maspeth native has
worked in public service for several
years. He currently works as a program
coordinator at the Legal Aid Society, and
previously worked at the International
Rescue Committee. Ardila also worked
as a consultant at the NYC Department
of Education, where he supported the expansion
of universal pre-K, pre-K Dual
Language and the 3-K for All program.
“Enthusiasm for this campaign continues
to grow because my message of
unity and positive change are clear,” said
Ardila. “I will bring a voice to the people
of District 30 who have been ignored and
neglected for far too long.”
State Senator Michael Gianaris and City Council candidate Juan Ardila
Photos courtesy of Gianaris’ offi ce and Ardila’s campaign
/WWW.QNS.COM
link
link
link
link
