Dear Neighbor,

As summer is winding down and the holiday weekend is approaching, we're excited to update you on our recent activities and equip you with resources as we transition into the fall and back-to-school season.

One of our jobs as your District Leaders is to ensure the Board of Elections has staffing for Election Day. We invite you to consider becoming a poll worker for this coming Election Day, on November 7th. Your participation can make a significant impact on the electoral process. If you are interested, send an email to [email protected].

This summer, we marked the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop's birth right here in The Bronx.

In June, we came together to celebrate Hip Hop in an event hosted by the Kingsbridge Library. We extend our gratitude to the dedicated staff at the Kingsbridge Library for their efforts in organizing the block party.

During July, Ramdat joined forces with elected officials and community advocates to commemorate the successful passage of the "Diwali Bill" within the State Legislature. Over the course of the last decade, Ramdat, a practicing Hindu, has championed the cause of recognizing Diwali as a school holiday alongside the Diwali Coalition. We urge Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law.

During the month of August, we organized our inaugural Narcan Training in collaboration with Destination Tomorrow and Riverdale Neighborhood House. This training was co-sponsorship by Senator Gustavo Rivera and Congressman Ritchie Torres. Each attendee was equipped with their personal overdose rescue kits, along with certificates of completion, and comprehensive instructions on the safe and effective administration of Narcan.

On August 13th, the city held the National Dominican Day Parade, and Ramdat marched with fellow teachers, his students, and the United Federation of Teachers (UFT).

Ramdat closed out the month of August by participating in the 60th March on Washington with his fellow teachers and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The work towards a more just society continues!

DOE students return to school on September 7th! Here are some valuable resources to give your child a head start this school year, including the general DOE Calendar.

Want to learn more information about the Save for College Program? Click here.

There is a potential school bus strike, which will impact students who take the yellow buses to school. The Department of Education is offering metrocards and ride-shares for impacted families. Please see updates on the DOE Transportation webpage by clicking here. 

The NYC Rent Freeze Program, which includes the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) Program and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) Program, helps those eligible stay in affordable housing by freezing their rent. For more information on the NYC Rent Freeze program, visit https://www.nyc.gov/site/rentfreeze/index.page. 

Looking ahead to November, we have an election coming up. We urge everyone to turn out and vote. Election day is November 7, 2023, with early voting occurring from October 28 - November 5, 2023. For more information on the early voting schedule, please click here.

To find your poll site, click here.

If you will not be in the Bronx for early voting or election day, you can request an absentee ballot at https://nycabsentee.com/. The deadline to request an absentee ballot online is October 23, 2023. 

High-five to parents with kids returning to school this year!

We wish everyone a fanstastic fall season.



In solidarity,

Ramdat and Abigail

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