By Alex Davidson
Administrators, parents and schoolchildren came out Monday to PS 63 in Ozone Park to thank U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Forest Hills) for his help in securing more than $3 million in federal education funds for the school and $32 million for all magnet schools in his 9th Congressional District.
District 27 Superintendent Matthew Bromme joined school Principal Mary Jane Crescente in honoring Weiner, who since first elected to the House of Representatives in 1998, has worked to obtain federal funds and grants for schools in his congressional district that includes Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Howard Beach, Broad Channel and Rockaway.
“I want to say thank you for making me so very proud,” said Weiner, who smiled throughout an hour-long musical presentation called “In a peaceful world,” performed by more than 70 students at the elementary school.
Phyllis Greenberg, director of special projects for District 27, said the federal three-year grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education began in 2001 and over three years totals $3.6 million. She said six District 27 schools, including PS 63, received money from the federal grant that aims to integrate a school's curriculum around a theme, such as the arts or science, and raise student performance.
Bromme, who reminded the audience that he will be leaving the post of superintendent June 30 because of city and state education reforms, thanked Weiner and told the audience of the congressman's role in securing the grant monies.
“The congressman was very important for us,” he said. “He gave us his support and he helped us with the Department of Education.”
Bromme said this was the first time District 27 had received the federal grant which district officials had applied for several times. He said he and Weiner spoke daily for a period of time while the congressman helped district officials draft their proposal for the federal monies.
Greenberg said the grant will expire in 2004, but there is a reapplication process that begins in 2003. Other schools in District 27 that received the federal monies were PS 124, PS 225, MS 137, MS 180 and MS 202, Greenberg said.
Dina Marks, who, along with other school teachers organized the performance, said she and the students prepared for more than a month for the event.
“There were more than 70 students involved, including special education students,” said Marks, who teaches a course called “Literacy through music” at the magnet school.
Students sang along to songs such as John Lennon's “Imagine” and Helen Reddy's “I am woman” during the performance that focused on solving social ills to forge a more peaceful world.
Reach reporter Alex Davidson by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or by phone at 1-718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
