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6 The Courier sun • october 3, 2013 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com GROWING PAINS QUEENS SCHOOLS OVERCROWDED BY LIAM LA GUERE lguerre@queenscourier.com Queens schools are failing in at least one subject-- classroom sizes. Hillcrest High School in Jamaica ranked highest in the number of oversized classrooms, 400, and Bayside’s Benjamin Cardozo High School follows with 385, according to a recent United Federation of Teachers (UFT) survey. More than 230,000 students citywide spent some of the first few weeks back to school in crowded classes, the study found. About 6,313 classes were overcrowded, up almost 200 from last year, but more than 1,000 of those classes were found in Queens high schools alone. Overcrowding is a problem throughout the entire city school system, but “Queens high schools have been hit the worst,” the UFT said. Class sizes around the city in grades 1 through 3 have now reached a 14-year high. Although they have not reached the classroom size limit of 32 seats, first and second grade has grown to an average of 24 seats per class, with 25 in third grade. “It is time to take this issue seriously,” said Michael Mulgrew, UFT president. “All our students, especially our youngest children, desperately need smaller class sizes.” Recently Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that under his administration New York City schools had improved outstandingly on the academic side. During his time in office many schools were shuttered, but more than new 650 schools were created. Bloomberg said 22 of the top 25 schools in the state are from New York City, and none were on that list before his administration. “After 12 years reforming our once-broken school system, it’s clear that our hard work has paid huge dividends for our students,” Bloomberg said on his weekly radio show. In fact, three Queens elementary schools, P.S. 46 in Oakland Gardens, P.S. 66 in Richmond Hill and P.S. 221 in Little Neck, were named to the prestigious national Blue Ribbon award for excellence in education on September 24. Despite the academic improvements, the UFT said children shouldn’t have to try to learn in overcrowded classrooms. “Twelve years of Michael Bloomberg, and hundreds of thousands of students start the school year in oversize classes,” Mulgrew said. “There is no excuse for letting students stay in an oversize class.” Mark R. Kahn, M.D., F.A.A.D Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology Office Hours by Appointment • General & Pediatric Dermatology • Chemical Peels • Botox/Xeomin • Skin Cancer Screening & Treatment Steven I. Simon, M.D., F.A.A.D Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology Laser Therapy For: Hair Removal, Psoriasis and Broken Blood Vessels www.atlanticderm.com Other Office Locations: 30 South Central Ave. Valley Stream, NY 266 Merrick Rd. Lynbrook, NY 2270 Kimball St. Brooklyn, NY 2592 Merrick Rd Bellmore, NY Howard Beach 159-21 Cross Bay Boulevard 718-641-7575 Saturday & Evening Hours Available Call For Appointment WE OFFER A FULL LINE OF WRINKLE FILLERS THAT INCLUDE: • RESTYLANE • BELOTERO • RADIESSE GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN WHAT IT MEANS BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO, CRISTABELLE TUMOLA AND LIAM LA GUERRE editorial@queenscourier.com The government has shut down for the first time in nearly two decades, leaving Americans wondering about the exact short and long-term effects. The shutdown resulted from a congressional stalemate over the federal budget. The Republican-led House tried to defund and delay the Affordable Care Act, but the Democratic-controlled Senate refused to accept a bill that would derail “Obamacare.” “This shutdown is about rolling back our efforts to provide health insurance to folks who don’t have it,” President Barack Obama said. “Don’t wait. Don’t delay. Don’t put our economy or our people through this any longer.” Any employee or office that provides national security and conducts activities essential to the national security or the safety of life and property will remain open and working. This includes the U.S. military, air traffic controllers, prison guards, emergency personnel and border patrol agents. However, more than 800,000 federal workers are left without jobs temporarily. Also, intercollegiate athletic competitions at service academies — Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard — are suspended. “This is a sad moment in our nation’s history where a band of Tea Party ideological extremists and their co-conspirators have shutdown the United States government,” said Congressmember Hakeem Jeffries. “Throughout America, this shutdown will needlessly hurt children, civil servants who will be furloughed without pay, veterans who courageously served our country, seniors and countless others.” Due to the government shutdown all National Park facilities, including more than 400 national zoos, museums and parks, will be closed. Twenty-two national parks in New York will be closed, including the Statue of Liberty and Gateway National Recreational Area. The United States Postal Service will still deliver mail and Social Security benefits will still be paid. Federal courts will remain open and are expected to continue operating normally for 10 business days after the shutdown begins. Airports will also remain open, with Transportation Security Administration security rules remaining intact. Despite the shutdown, Congressmember Grace Meng said she will keep her offices in Flushing and Forest Hills open. Ironically, the government shutdown will not affect the Affordable Care Act. The Health Care Marketplace, which compiles and rates insurance offerings in each state, started accepting applications on Tuesday, October 1.


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