On Education

in giving the Dept. of Education (DOE) more money, when test scores seem to indicate that additional funding doesn’t help. It is my understanding that the latest years of pandemic-related issues.

Many young students were affected by (no fault of their own) a lack of digital preparedness. Many were without the ability to access computers, the internet, and sometimes neither. When the DOE made provisions to distribute laptops to students for use at home during the height of the pandemic, many parents & grandparents were unable to assist them (for a host of various reasons) with their hastily improvised digital learning experience.

So if, in your opinion, the DOE is totally inept and incapable of teaching approximately 1.1 million of the most diverse population of students in the United States, if not the entire world, I would urge the author of the letter to send his end-all solutions to Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul, and copy State legislators.

I would rather emphasize the success stories that come about because of the dedicated men and women who face challenges every day, including their student population, parents, DOE regulations, State Board of Regent’s decisions, and legislative bills. So that we’re clear, I believe that every parent wants their child to be the smartest, and every public school principal wants their school to be the best!

Hard to imagine that the topic of critical race theory actually appeared in this letter at the onset of Black History month.

I would like to offer this suggestion however. Since 1492, the history of the western hemisphere has been largely recorded and reported in terms that only make certain contributors to the history of North America relevant.

Black history in America (I can’t believe I’m writing this) is American history. As for the cultural aspect, I do not believe, nor do I expect educators to teach about a culture that is not theirs, have no interest in, or respect for. That should be the job of every parent, and community or faith based organizations to do. That way, it’s no longer his-story, it’s “our history.”

I’m certain that the writer’s comments that followed were absolutely not tions of what actually occurs in NYC public school classrooms. I can point to immoral, if not absolutely un-American activity that plays out in Washington, D.C., on national television every day. Especially the part where one group continually demonstrates the know that they’re lying. That’s not just immoral, it’s a danger to our democracy.

Thanks to decades of parental backsliding, coupled with the proliferation of social media, the lines between appropriate and inappropriate are no longer crystal clear. That’s not the fault of our public schools,

Educating our youngsters starts at home, and ultimately ends at home. Our schools are designed to give our children a “Sound Basic Education,” which was a meaningful high school education that prepares students for competitive employment, and civic participation.” We trust our public school educato, do not have the skill set to do, or simply will not do.

We can poke holes at what does not work within our public education system and discuss whether or not a high school education is adequate preparation for competitive employment, understanding that not everyone wants to be employed in a profession requiring a college level education. We can all work to make it better.

Thank you for reading my viewpoint. I can be reached at: rsaunders@riverbayboard.com.

30 Queen Mary Cruise – Caribbean from New York, December 2023 – 12 days

*NEW Alaska on the “Queen Elizabeth” from Vancouver. 10 days. One night hotel prebooked.

*NEW Carnival Magic – 8 days. Eastern Caribbean, leaving from NYC, Aug. 23, 2023

August 18-27, 2023

Hawaii Three Islands – June 15, 2023

Tuscany & Italian Rivera

Guided Tour – Sept. 29, 2023

London & Paris

June 3-11, 2023 - 8 days All

Season 2023 Baseball Registration & Winter Clinic youth of the Bronx since 1969 and will continue to do so with the help of the community residents, private businesses, and community leaders through support and contributions to help fund it.

Co-op City Little League Baseball Season 2023 registration for youth ages 4-16 is now ongoing via its interactive website at coopcitylittleleague.com.

In-person sign-up is also available on Thursdays and Fridays from 5 p.m.9 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Dreiser Loop Community Center, Room 17.

Thanks to the generous support of T-Mobile, families can now apply for the T-Mobile Little League Call up grant to cover registration cost. The T-Mobile grant is committed to helping families in need. For more information on how to determine if your family is eligible as well as information on how to apply, visit Little League.org/CallUpGrant.

The CCLL will be conducting Winter Baseball Clinics on Sundays, February 19, February 26, March 5, March 12 and March 19, from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club, 1930 Randall Ave., Bronx, NY 10473. To sign up for the clinic, a Demosphere account has to be created via the CCLL website.damentals, including proper throwing, catching, pitching, and hitting. To help the players understand the correct way to play the game, various drills and baseball tools will be used. These instructions are kept simple and repetitive.

For the CCLL 2023 winter clinics, guest coaches will be stopping in and lending a hand with the players. Former MLB player and NYC product Luis Lopez (pictured right top) will be joining the league on February 19. Former New York Mets pitcher Nelson Figueroa (pictured right bottom) will be the guest coach on February 26.

At the clinic, players should bring their own glove, bat, turf shoes or sneakers and wear baseball attire. Catchers must provide their own gear. Hand sanitizer will be available. Participants must also bring their own water or sports drink.

To keep the players safe, and as mandated by Little League International, all volunteers are required to complete a background check authorization form.

Season opening day and parade is scheduled for Saturday, April 22. For more information, contact the league at coopcityll@yahoo.com. Also, visit the Co-op City Little League Facebook page.

––Hector Ayala

During the Month of February, the American Legion commemorate two sig-

1) Four Chaplains – The cornerstone of this event is honoring Army Servants of God, who gave up their life jackets to save others when USAT Dorchester was hit by a torpedo in the north Atlantic on February 3, 1943 (WWII). These four Chaplains, who represented different religious denominations, did not seek their own ethnicity to give up their life vests; they just did it! They performed this lifesaving deed while continuing to pray for the survival of approximately 900 soldiers on the ship. As a rites and ritual, each year the event is honored by some in memory of the fallen Chaplains. In our own Bronx County, and thanks to the effort of Theodore Korony Post 253, on Sunday, February 5, at 11:00 a.m., a memorial service was held at St. Benedict’s Church. - age of these four courageous chaplains, the Post was represented by Commander Codrington and Service

Commander Codrington (left), Post 153 Honor Guard members, who led the well-attended legionnaires Davis (right).

2) Black History Month – The American Legion celebrate African American men and women who continue to serve our nation with honor and distinction. Legionnaires interested in our legacy history can visit www.legion.org/honor.

African American servicemembers such as the Buffalo Soldiers, the Harlem February 15, from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., we will join Council Member Kevin C. Riley in ‘Honoring Our Seniors’ at the Bay Plaza Mall, at the 3rd Floor Food Court. If you are a veteran, please RSVP and stop by our information table to learn more about our Post 1871 history in the community and “Why You Should Belong.”

Contact Us

American Legion Post 1871, 135 Einstein Loop, Room 41, Bronx, NY 10475; (718) 320-8165; email: post1871@oponline.net; website: https: www.legion.org ––Antonio Codrington