Build Schools Now

Election Day Tomorrow

Opportunity to support friends of Build Schools Now

John Scott & Jean Grillo, Democratic District Leaders of the 66th Assembly District Part B

I hope everyone had a nice first day of school. I usually restrict these posts to non-political content but when it comes to supporting Downtown schools and getting more schools built we owe so much to our elected officials.

For tomorrow’s election, I want to add my own endorsement to a long list of endorsements from our distinguished elected officials of John Scott and Jean Grillo for reelection as District Leaders for 66th AD, Part B.

We need more “doers” like John and Jean who have been the driving force behind so many of the efforts that have made downtown the vibrant, diverse and dynamic community that it is today.

Their continued leadership is more important than ever as downtown faces the challenges that come with its recent boom in development.

For your reference, I have attached an endorsement letter that I sent last week to the editors of the Villager, Downtown Express and the Tribeca Trib. I will also be circulating it to the Build Schools Now and PS 150 communities.

Please feel free to circulate this letter to anyone who may be interested. Thanks as always for your support of Downtown Schools.

Sincerely,

Buxton
==========================================
Dear Friends,

Election Day, Thursday, September 10th is almost here. On voting day, Please consider voting for PS 150 friends Democratic District Leaders of the 66th Assembly District Part B, John Scott and Jean Grillo.

Nobody knows the challenges facing downtown better than John Scott and Jean Grillo. They have been out in front advocating on issues of importance like:

· PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Support Build Schools Now and ending overcrowding
· HISTORIC PRESERVATION Stop demolishing downtown
· AFFORADABLE HOUSING: More is needed
· MOM & POP RETAILERS: Keep our longtime, local retailers in business
· MARRIAGE EQUALITY / INCOME EQUALITY

Their involvement in our neighborhood includes work to:
· Creating PS 234 / Working to save PS 150
· Founding Washington Market Park.
· Establishing the TriBeCa historical district
· Working to protect senior centers in Independence Plaza
John and Jean have served on committees from CB1, to CECD2 to the affordable housing subcommittee. Across the board, they are endorsed by our elected officials:

· U.S. Senator Jerry Nadler
· U.S. Congressman Carolyn Maloney
· U.S. Congressman Nydia Velasquez
· N.Y. State Senator Daniel Squadron
· N.Y. State Senator Brad Hoylman
· N.Y. City Comptroller Scott Stringer
· N.Y. City (Manhattan) Borough President Gale
· N.Y. City (Manhattan) Public Advocate Tish James
· N.Y. City Council Member Corey Johnson
· N.Y. City Council Member Margaret Chin

Additional endorsements from local community parents include Lisa Midyette (PS 150 PTA Co-President) and Claude Arpels (PS 234 Parent/ CECD2 Member). Thanks for thinking of John Scott and Jean Grillo on election day, September 10th.

Sincerely,

Buxton Midyette
Co-Founder Build Schools Now
PS 150 SLT
Democratic State Committee Man

Rally to Protest Cuomo's Education Budget

There was a great turnout for today's rally with lots of good friends of Build Schools Now participating in the event.

Left to right in the photo: Keen Berger (District Leader), John Scott (District Leader) Buxton Midyette (BSN), Claude Arpels (CECD2), Jonah Benton (PS150 PTA), Wendy Chapman (BSN)

Thanks to Downtown Express for keeping up the pressure on the SCA to site, build and open the elementary school funded in the current capital plan for CB1.

Pre-K yes, but Downtown not OK with K space | DOWNTOWN EXPRESS Photo courtesy of the Mayor’s Office.Mayor Bill de Blasio last year at a pre-K event at Spruce Street School with Assemblymember Sheldon Silver, who was the Assembly’s speaker then.

Please come out on Saturday, March 28th at noon at third avenue & 41st Street to protest Governor Cuomo's proposed education budget.

March 28: Rally at Governor Cuomo's NYC Office to Protest Education Budget BUILD SCHOOLS NOW is a non-partisan, independent expenditure only, political committee whose goal is to promote awareness of the urgent need to build public schools downtown to meet demographic growth.

Please see the important article from Matthew Fenton at the Broadsheet Daily on new pre-k seats in CB1

BPC: Broadsheet: Lower Manhattan Pre-K Capacity to Increase By 300-Plus This Fall BUILD SCHOOLS NOW is a non-partisan, independent expenditure only, political committee whose goal is to promote awareness of the urgent need to build public schools downtown to meet demographic growth.

Please see the following important request from Leonie Haimson at Class Size Matters:


Dear Friend ,

Please help us continue to protect our public schools by signing our petition here to Governor Cuomo, Speaker Heastie, and Majority Leader Skelos now and send a letter here to your legislator.

Throughout NY state, parents, students, and teachers have rallied to protect our public schools from Governor's Cuomo's attempt to hold school aid hostage to his damaging policies to double-down on high-stakes testing, and divert funding to private schools and charters. Yet the Governor has called these peaceful protests “a tantrum of special interests,” adding: “Frankly, the louder special interests scream ... the more we know we’re right.”

We need to send a message to the Legislature and the Governor that parents are NOT a special interest. We cannot allow our precious resources to be siphoned off to allow Cuomo and his billionaire donors attain their goal of privatizing our public schools.

Thanks,


Leonie Haimson
Executive Director
Class Size Matters
124 Waverly Pl.
New York, NY 10011
212-674-7320

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Make a tax-deductible contribution to Class Size Matters now!

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http://www.classsizematters.org/

Class Size Matters A clearinghouse for information on class size & the proven benefits of smaller classes

More highrises continue to go up with out any plans or resources for schools, parks or other infrastructure to accomodate additional residents. Thanks to Tribeca Trib for this important story.

Community to Get What from A Whopping 62-Story Tower? | Tribeca Trib Online St. John’s University at Murray and West streets is being demolished to make way for a 740-foot-high residential tower, separate four-story building, and possibly a public plaza. Photo: Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib

Thanks to CB1 for Keeping Pressure on for 1,000 Seats!

Great appreciation to CB1 Chair Catherine McVay Hughes and Co-Chairs of the CB1 Youth and Education Committee Chair Tricia Joyce and Co-Chair Paul Hovitz for their tireless work to keep new school capacity for CB1 on the agenda in the current budget.

Please see below a letter to Dean Fuleihan, Budget Director
New York City Office of Management and Budget in which they rank building a new school as the top priority in CB1.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/mancb1/downloads/pdf/Budget_Priorities/OMB%20%20FY%202016%20response.pdf

Public Education at Risk with Cuomo Proposed Budget BUILD SCHOOLS NOW is a non-partisan, independent expenditure only, political committee whose goal is to promote awareness of the urgent need to build public schools downtown to meet demographic growth.

BSN at Taste of the Seaport

It was great to see so many friends come out in support of the event!

Great event at the Seaport this weekend!!! Many friends showed up to support:

Update on BSN at Taste of the Seaport BUILD SCHOOLS NOW is a non-partisan, independent expenditure only, political committee whose goal is to promote awareness of the urgent need to build public schools downtown to meet demographic growth.