DOE Attendance Records Remain a Mystery as Parents, Elected Officials Make a Push for Transparency

By Jessica Easthope

If students aren’t in school – where are they? Parents, elected officials and the public have no idea because New York City’s Department of Education won’t say.

“With attendance, them not knowing if she’s even there, that was even more frustrating,” said Lisa Muller Leo, a parent at St. Mel’s Catholic Academy in Flushing who sent her daughter to public school for kindergarten last year.

Lisa said she couldn’t bear another day of sending her daughter to a school that wasn’t accountable for where she was.

“Those DOE standards they don’t make sense,” she said, “they’re not protecting our children and they’re not fighting for our kids’ education.”

Some reports estimate there might be 150,000 DOE students who aren’t showing up for school and some who have yet to step foot in their classrooms this year. Lisa said when it came to her five-year-old, the DOE couldn’t tell the difference.

“October rolls around and I get an email saying your child is getting COVID tested today, they don’t know who’s in the school as far as they know they have my daughter sitting in the classroom,” said Lisa.

Earlier this month, Brooklyn Councilman Mark Treyger introduced a package of bills that would require the DOE to release detailed attendance records.

“Where are our children? There are some schools where attendance is at 40 percent. That’s an emergency, that’s a crisis,” Councilman Treyger said.

At St. Mel’s, only a parent can call a student out of school and every absence must be excused. Teachers mark attendance and then that data gets put electronically in the school’s system.

“We need to make sure we’re accountable for where they are and their wellbeing during that time so we need to make sure we keep very accurate records,” said principal Amy Barron.

And Councilman Treyger says Catholic schools have been able to communicate seamlessly with parents.

“Kudos to the Catholic schools, they’ve done a phenomenal job and the DOE has done a horrible job,” he said.

The DOE has until October 31 to disclose attendance records to the state for funding, but the public could still be in the dark. Councilman Treyger says he’s expecting his bills to be up for a vote early next month.

Currents News Update for Wednesday, 10/27/21

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we’ll introduce you to a Brooklyn man who raised so much money for the American Cancer Society’s campaign, he ranks as a top ten national supporter.

President Biden is about to depart for his first face-to-face with Pope Francis as Commander In Chief.

“The Rally Nuns” are making their voices heard at the World Series.

American Cancer Society Top Fundraiser and Brooklyn Native Promotes Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By Jessica Easthope

1 in 8 – that’s the number of women who will be affected by breast cancer in their lifetime.

It’s not exactly a comforting statistic, but across the country, the American Cancer Society has millions of volunteers raising money every day to aid research, improve access to healthcare and offer life-changing support. One of the nation’s top donors is from right here in Brooklyn.

“You walk down a street in Brooklyn and the likelihood is that five or six women on your block are going to be impacted so it’s not numbers it’s people,” said Joe Gillette. “Cancer doesn’t discriminate.”

Twelve years ago, Gillette, an attorney and volunteer, had never even heard of Relay for Life – American Cancer Society’s biggest fundraiser. But now he’s headed toward a milestone, having raised almost half a million dollars for the organization.

“It’s a global movement of people helping each other out, everybody is affected by cancer,” Joe said.

As he likes to say, Joe puts the fun in fundraising, bringing a goofy flare to events that get people motivated. He’s proud of the number he can put on the money he’s raised but even more proud of what can’t be measured.

“You sit back and you see the relationships and the good that it does and you could never put a value on that,” he said, “a voice for someone, that’s the greatest reward of all.”

This month it’s all for breast cancer. The money Joe raises will go toward research into what causes breast cancer, developing new imaging technology and clinical trials.

“Use the colors and the months as a means to spread awareness but don’t cut off your volunteerism at the end of the month,” Joe said of the time dedicated to breast cancer.

More than 43,000 women will die from breast cancer this year. Joe knows their fears, their fight and their faith doesn’t end in October.

Currents News Update for Tuesday, 10/26/21

Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a State of Emergency as rain continues to come down across the region.

New York’s police union is asking a judge to allow unvaccinated officers to stay on the job despite the mandate.

The situation in Haiti is getting dire as gangs block fuel supplies from badly needed hospitals.

Basement Renters Fear Tropical Storm Ida Repeat after City’s Nor’easter Advisory

By Jessica Easthope

It’s a scene fresh in the minds of New Yorkers – streets flooded, apartments destroyed and people left with nothing – and now fears are repeating.

Last month, Tropical Storm Ida swept through the area leaving behind a trail of damage. Thirteen people across the city died, 11 were Queens residents who drowned at home in illegally-converted basement apartments.

“People are very afraid, especially immigrants,” said Angel Diaz, a social justice and housing minister and advocate. “They don’t have the resources and many lost their belongings. They don’t have documentation. They need housing and many times they have large families.”

It’s estimated there are around 200,00 illegal basement apartments in New York City. Residents, often undocumented immigrants struggling to overcome skyrocketing rent and the city’s housing crisis are being driven below ground but as weather events become increasingly dangerous due to climate change they’re trapped.

“They have no choice, often paying exorbitant rent and help landlords legalize those apartments,” Angel said.

During this nor’easter, city officials advised residents of basement apartments to be ready “to move to a higher floor during periods of heavy rain” but social justice and housing advocates say it’s not that simple.

“It’s a last minute decision – where is a family supposed to go,” Angel asked.

And after Ida, the city began taking inventory.

“It is absolutely moving right now. It is a big undertaking. Our perfect world here is to catalog each and every basement apartment,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio, Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Mayor de Blasio said the count is expected to be finished in six to eight months – ahead of next hurricane season.

Police Stop Demonstrators in St. Peter’s Square Protesting Against Cuban Dictatorship

Currents News Staff

At the end of the Pope’s Angelus, a chant broke out among the crowd.

“Freedom, freedom, freedom…”

There were between 100 and 200 Cubans who had arrived from different countries in Europe to protest against the dictatorship, repression and political prisoners in Cuba.

Following protocol, the police did not allow the political protesters into St. Peter’s Square for the Pope’s Angelus.

And those who did make it into the Square had their flags confiscated.

The demonstrators lay on the ground in support of the more than 500 Cubans who were arrested following the protests in July.

The Vatican opposes violent repression and the suppression of freedom in Cuba and everywhere else, but it is nonetheless forbidden to use St. Peter’s Square for political protests.

The last time Pope Francis spoke about the situation in Cuba was in July, during the protests.

“I am also near to the dear Cuban people in these difficult moments, in particular to those families suffering the most,” said Pope Francis. “I pray that the Lord might help the nation build an increasingly just and fraternal society through peace, dialogue and solidarity.”

Since the end of August, groups of Cubans with Cuban flags have been attending some of the pontiff’s public events.

The Cuban people are dying because we lack freedom.

We come here every Wednesday and Sunday to ask for mercy and for him to intercede for the Cuban people.

“…Support, support for our people, who are dying.”

The Cuban opposition is rallying people on the island for another wave of protests on Nov. 15. But the Cuban government has prohibited them and called them illegal.

The Gut-Wrenching Story of a 15-Year-Old Haitian Kidnapping Victim

Currents News Staff

The entire country has fallen victim in some way. The economy is suffering, children fear walking to school and even to church. Everywhere people are worried that they could be next.

A 15-year-old schoolgirl was kidnapped in September and released seven days later after an unimaginable ordeal.

“About three men were holding my hands and feet,” the young girl said. “They raped me. They took me somewhere. And I entered inside of the house. They tore off my clothes. They blindfolded my eyes and just left enough for me to see.”

Her mother says the kidnappers demanded $50,000 dollars. The family banded together and sold everything they owned to get her back.

“They told me if I didn’t come to get her, they would kill her,” said the mother of the 15-year-old girl. “I didn’t have the money. I called my family from the countryside to help out. I negotiated with them for $20,000 Haitian dollars, but they rejected the offer. I then called my family; they sold what they had, and we settled on $30,000 Haitian dollars, and they told me they would release her.”

UNICEF says more than 100 Haitians have been abducted so far this year. The organization has provided victim’s counseling and relocation for this girl and her mom. They’ve been working with local NGO’s that cater to women in distress.

“Because we have received so many cases of kidnappings, the space has been reserved for 25 women,” said Coordinator Lamercie Charles Pierre.

Her NGO, Organization of Courageous Women in Action, is making space for more women.

“Now we have exceeded that number,” she said. “That’s why we have land. We will build a bigger center to welcome more women, more victims.”

Currents News Update for Monday, 10/25/21

Track star Sydney McLaughlin is also a graduate of Union Catholic High School and today they’re celebrating her in New Jersey.

From one celebration to another, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio was on hand for the 100th anniversary of St. Ephrem’s Church in Dyker Heights.

Negotiations are dragging on between authorities in Haiti and the violent gang that kidnapped those 17 Christian missionaries more than a week ago.

Olympic Gold Medalist Sydney McLaughlin Inspires Through Faith at Union Catholic High School

By Jessica Easthope

She’s heard the roar of packed stadiums and most recently she’s felt the tremor of the crowd in Tokyo but for Sydney McLaughlin – nothing beats getting cheers from her fellow Vikings at Union Catholic High School.

Union Catholic welcomed the Olympian and 2017 graduate back, Monday, Oct. 25, with a humble homecoming. The gold medalist zooms down the track and over hurdles – but she was slow to move through the crowd of students and her former teachers and coaches.

“It’s not just me out there, it really hundreds of thousands of people behind me supporting me and I’m really grateful for everyone in this community,” Sydney said.

Mclaughlin is the current world record holder in the women’s 400 Meter Hurdles and was the first woman to break 52 seconds in the event – but she says her athletic accomplishments are nothing without God.

“Everything I’ve been given is a gift from God and it’s not my own,” she said. “Track and medals are just a byproduct of being obedient to Him.”

“She’s a wonderful role model enabling our students to grow their gifts and talents and they can be whatever God calls them to be, they can do it,” said Sister Percylee Hart, principal of the school.

During her talk to students instead of telling them to give it all on the track, she told them to give it all to their relationship with Christ and students left inspired.

“Track isn’t everything. She talks about her faith and how close she is with God and I feel like that’s an important part to being a great runner,” said Union Catholic senior Myles Plummer.

She’s an athlete who’s had all the glory on the world stage – but Sydney McLaughlin continues to give all glory to God.

COVID Vaccine for Children 5 and Up Could Be Available in November

Currents News Staff

In less than two weeks, millions of kids in the U.S. could be eligible to roll up their sleeves for a COVID-19 vaccine.

“How are we going to end the pandemic?” said National Institute of Health’s Director, Dr. Francis Collins. “The best way to do so is to have a maximum number of individuals immune, and that’s what vaccines offer you and if that includes kids, that’s all the more reason to send this virus packing.”

Pfizer is already packing, ready and waiting to ship out its COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11. It will consist of two doses, three weeks apart and each a third of a normal dose.

Pfizer says it’s about 90-percent effective against symptomatic infection.

The FDA’s vaccine advisers are scheduled to meet tomorrow, Oct. 26, to make their recommendation to the FDA, which has already said the benefits outweigh the risks.

So if and when the FDA formally makes the emergency use authorization, Pfizer is ready to get shipping.

“So it will be available for use once there’s hopefully a positive vote from the CDC,” said former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb. “So it could be as early as Nov. 4 and 5 that you can go into some locations and get your child vaccinated.”

The nation’s 28 million kids in that age group could get their first COVID-19 vaccine in just about a week and a half.

But ultimately, it’s up to parents.

“Parents ought to look at that discussion, see what the experts are saying,” said Dr. Collins. “I don’t want to get ahead of the CDC’s and FDA’s advisory process. Let’s see what they say, but the data preliminarily looks very good. I think it could make a huge difference. It would be pivotal.”

Pivotal to ending this pandemic.