[BwayDems] November 2010 - Monthly Update from Assembly Member O'Donnell

[Daniel O'Donnell]

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O'DONNELL NEWS -- NOVEMBER 2010
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Community Office: 245 West 104th Street  •  (212) 866-3970

O’DONNELL URGED REJECTION OF UPPER WEST SIDE SUCCESS ACADEMY CHARTER 
APPLICATION
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In a letter dated October 19th, O’Donnell called upon the SUNY Charter 
Schools Institute to reject the Success Academy Charter School 
application for a new charter school in District 3.  O’Donnell pointed 
out that given the lack of a specific school location in the 
application, it is impossible for the school to remain compliant with 
the state legislation passed in spring 2010.  He cited the law which 
states, “all charters authorized…shall be obligated to comply with the 
department’s health, safety and sanitary requirements applicable to 
facilities to the same extent as non-charter public schools in such city 
school district.”  With no school location given, he continued, “it is 
impossible to ensure that these requirements are satisfied.”

He concluded the letter by calling upon the SUNY Charter Schools 
Institute to reject the application until not only specific school 
siting information is included, but also transparency is improved, and 
community input is increased.  O’Donnell also believes the NYC 
Department of Education is clearly in violation of the law regarding 
school co-location, given that schools which will be possibly subject to 
co-location must be publicly listed prior to the decision to co-locate.



ASSEMBLY MEMBER O’DONNELL CONTINUES ANTI-BULLYING ADVOCACY
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Following the successful signing of his important anti-bullying 
legislation, the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA), by Governor 
Paterson on September 8th, Assembly Member O’Donnell has continued his 
strong advocacy to help prevent bullying in our schools.

Most recently, O’Donnell was approached by the Society for Research in 
Child Development (SRCD), a professional society in the field of 
developmental psychology, to write a commentary for the most recent 
issue of their publication, Social Policy Report.  The issue, titled 
“Safe Schools Policy for LGBTQ Students,” focused on research 
demonstrating the best ways to prevent or reduce bullying of students 
based on sexual orientation.  In his commentary, O’Donnell discussed the 
importance of legislation like DASA and the continued need for action to 
help protect this group of especially vulnerable young people.

The policy brief was sent to all members of Congress, as well as 
hundreds of relevant government agencies, state governments, nonprofit 
and research organizations, and media outlets.  It can be found on the 
SRCD website here: 
http://www.srcd.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=232&Itemid=655.



ASSEMBLY MEMBER O’DONNELL’S UPCOMING FREE LEGAL CLINIC FOR TENANTS
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An opportunity for constituents with housing issues to consult with a 
volunteer attorney. Call Joyce at (212) 866-3970 to make an appointment.

**Thursday, November 18th**



INFORMATIONAL FORUM FOR PARENTS TO HELP COMBAT BULLYING
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The Westside Crime Prevention Program is coordinating a workshop for 
parents designed to teach practical skills to help combat bullying.  The 
program, entitled “Bullying 2010: What Parents Need to Know,” will be 
held on Wednesday, December 8th, at 7PM at Trinity School, 101 West 91st 
Street.

Representatives of numerous organizations and agencies will be attending 
to give information, including the NYC Department of Education, the 
Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the Safe Schools Program of PFLAG 
(Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), and Columbia 
University's Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders.



PANEL DISCUSSION ABOUT CAREERS ON (AND OFF) BROADWAY
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Come find out inside tips on what it takes to have a successful career 
on Broadway from current entertainment professionals!  The Apollo 
Theater’s Education Program is presenting a free panel discussion on 
Monday, November 8th at 6:30 PM at the Apollo Theater, 253 W. 125th 
Street.  Interested individuals should RSVP by November 5th to 
events at media.nyc.gov or by phone at (212)531-5363.  For more information 
on this exciting event, visit the Apollo Education website here:
http://www.apolloeducation.org/calendar/details/4-behind-the-scenes.



MORNINGSIDE VILLAGE: AN AGING-IN-PLACE INITIATIVE
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Most older New Yorkers say that they want to remain in their own homes 
as they age, homes that often hold memories and objects they love, where 
they recognize neighbors, and where the sites, sounds, and smells are 
familiar.  Morningside Village volunteers are helping people in the 
immediate Columbia University area to do just that!  Volunteers who 
provide informal care for octogenarians, nonagenarians, and even 
centagenarians are enjoying new friendships, and they are also learning 
about the history of the early 20th century from these local residents.

To learn more about joining the Morningside Village corps of volunteers, 
call (917) 775-1199 or email mvinfo at supportseniors.org.



FREE EVENTS IN NYC PARKS
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Find upcoming events sponsored by the New York City Department of Park & 
Recreation at the “Things to Do” tab at www.nycgovparks.org.



FREE FALL PROGRAMMING AT LIBRARY BRANCHES
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New York Public Library branches are hosting many free classes, 
exhibitions, and activities this November for individuals, children, 
teens, and families in and around the 69th Assembly District.

To find out the schedule for a library near you, please visit 
http://www.nypl.org and click on the ‘Classes, Programs & Exhibitions’ tab.



Atención!
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La oficina comunicaría del Asambleísta Daniel O’Donnell ahora tiene 
empleados que hablan español para asistir al publico, tiempo completo de 
lunes a viernes desde 9:00 AM -5:30 PM. La oficina comunicaría esta 
localizada en el 245 West 104th, con la calle Broadway. También pueden 
contactar la oficina en horario de trabajo al 212-866-3970.

Attention!
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Assembly Member O’Donnell’s community office has full-time 
Spanish-speaking staff available to assist you, Monday through Friday 
from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. The office is located at 245 West 104th Street, 
just off Broadway. You can also call 212-866-3970 during business hours.



-- 
Office of Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell
245 W. 104th Street
New York, NY 10025
p (212) 866-3970
f (212) 864-1095
odonned at assembly.state.ny.us
http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=069


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