Good Morning, Brooklyn: Tuesday, October 12, 2021

October 12, 2021 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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BQE ATLANTIC AVE. EXIT CLOSURE: The BQE Exit 27 ramp to Atlantic Avenue, which gives motorists access to local streets in downtown Brooklyn, will be closed for about five days, starting “on or about Wednesday, October 13.” These overnight closures, planned from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m., Wednesday and Thursday, and again Friday, October 15 from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. are needed to facilitate work on NYSDOT’s pavement preservation project that is taking place in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.

Motorists are being advised to take Exit 28A (Cadman Plaza West) and follow the signed detour. Inclement weather could cause these closures to be rescheduled.

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‘BRILLIANT NYC’ WILL REPLACE CURRENT SCHOOL GIFTED PROGRAM: The announcement Friday that Mayor Bill de Blasio and Education Chancellor Meisha Porter are ending the current NYC Schools Gifted and Talented program received mixed reactions from local leaders. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who acknowledged being a beneficiary of the program, hailed the change, calling it “a step forward” and saying, “My office has been advocating for an end to the practice of separating some children onto a ‘gifted and talented’ track as toddlers, in favor of incorporating subject-specific accelerated programming and the students receiving it into mixed level classrooms.”

A new accelerated learning program, slated to begin in September 2022 and named “Brilliant NYC” will be offered starting in third grade, without placing the students in special classes.

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OPPOSES END OF SCHOOLS GIFTED PROGRAM: Protesting the end of the Gifted and Talented program is Assemblymember William Colton, who represents Gravesend, parts of Bensonhurst and Bath Beach, and who identifies as a former public-school team. Colton is calling on all the New York City’s parents to oppose the mayor’s decision to abolish the Gifted & Talented Program, and criticizes the mayor for what Colton calls a “sneak attack,” — scheduling the announcement during a holiday weekend.

“This pronouncement was made without any engagement with parents,” said Colton. “I condemn the sneak attack on public schools’ Gifted and Talented Programs, which threatens to drive tens of thousands of students out of the public schools.

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THINKS GIFTED PROGRAM SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED: Ari Kagan, a City Council candidate, also condemned the decision to end the Gifted & Talented program, pointing out that his own son, a Brooklyn Tech graduate, benefited from it .“Mayor de Blasio’s decision is devastating to parents that have seen the Gifted and Talented program as a phenomenal educational opportunity that can transform their child’s education,” said Kagan, who hopes to soon represent parts of southern Brooklyn.

“The solution is not to cut the program in its entirety, but to expand it and make it more accessible. Gifted and Talented programs should be in every school in the city, and to further ensure their success provide a free SHSAT preparation course,” said Kagan.

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VIRTUAL CLASS FOR LANDLORDS ON LEAD PAINTS: A virtual class is being offered this evening Tuesday, October 12, for landlords on New York City’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act (Local Law 1 of 2004), which requires property owners with tenants to identify and remediate lead-based paint hazards in the apartments of young children, using trained workers and safe work practices. Titled “What Every Landlord Should Know,” this class will provide information about how to identify, remediate, and notify tenants about lead paint-based hazards; how to remove violations and which help resources are available.

(The class runs from 6 to 8 p.m.; Zoom registration link bit.ly/2XtAzyx )

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BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CODES UPDATED: NYC Council has passed major legislation to update the city’s Construction Codes, the Department of Buildings announced on Friday. This comprehensive revision to the Codes contains over 600 major updates, and thousands of smaller changes, intended to improve safety and incorporate the latest in building technologies: they require the same elevator-in-readiness to serve all floors to reduce building evacuation times in the event of an emergency; amend inspection timeframes for elevators and boilers to bring them back into service faster; require smoke tests for special gas vents to ensure the safety of building occupants; and require all pipes, tubings, and fittings in the mechanical system to comply with the applicable reference safety standard.

The new Construction Codes also expand the applicability of flood zone requirements of the 100-year flood hazard area to all critical facilities (including fire, rescue, ambulance, police stations, and designated emergency shelters) located in the 500-year flood zone.

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CASTING CALL FOR JACK O’LANTERN STROLL: Young performers ages 12 and up are needed for the Fort Greene Park Conservancy’s Halloween Jack O’Lantern Stroll that takes place on Saturday, October 30. Participants will have the chance to entertain other young people while playing ghosts and monsters in scenes throughout the park, and simultaneously build community service hours and even earn a stipend. Interested teens can have an adult age 18 or over apply on their behalf, via email to [email protected] with name, age and preferred “character” guide role.

Performers age 16 and older will escort family groups of 20-25 persons on guided tours of the show.

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BINGHAMTON ALUMNUS GIVES COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-8^th District) is set to deliver the keynote address at the Class of 2020 commencement ceremony during Homecoming Weekend at his alma mater, Binghamton University. The in-person ceremony for the class of 2020 was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rep. Jeffries, Binghamton’s first graduate to serve in the United States Congress, earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Binghamton in 1992, where he graduated with honors for outstanding academic achievement. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

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CLERGY FOR SAFE CITIES SUMMIT: The next Regional Clergy for Safe Cities Summit takes place today, Tuesday, October 12, for pastors in the US Northeast who work in concert with law enforcement personnel. The GodSquad/67^th Precinct Clergy Council has been a vital part of this coalition that convenes a few times each year in various part of the nation to discuss gun prevention programs and ways to decrease gang involvement of young persons. Register via: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_7qWzezlrsnTPOqJn955ZyaFJTaojcor8WwoGmy80_8cQNQ/viewform

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke at these virtual summits during her time as lieutenant governor, as have U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.