State Sen. Gianaris announcing the funding yesterday (Senator Mike Gianaris)
July 10, 2019 Staff Report
State Sen. Mike Gianaris has announced that $30,000 of this year’s State budget will support a Long Island City-based educational advocacy group which serves as a resource for local families.
The Gantry Parents Association (GPA) is a group of parents working with and on behalf of parents in Court Square and Hunters Point.
The funding will be used to support the GPA’s new web presence as well as a series of community forums, helping parents in the area learn about issues impacting the school community.
Founded in 2015, the GPA acts as a central resource and information hub for parents in the LIC area and works to ensure that there are a sufficient number of seats in LIC schools.
Gianaris announced the funding yesterday during the “Summer Kids at the Landing” programming, which brings music and crafts to the LIC waterfront and is organized by the GPA and the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy.
“The Gantry Parent Association does critical work helping Long Island City’s parents and school community stay informed and engaged and I am proud to support their ongoing work,” said Gianaris.
Meghan Cirrito, chair of the GPA, said that Gianaris’ support of the organization was indicative of the important role education plays in the LIC community. She said that the future of the area would be determined by the thoughtful planning and roll-out of schools and educational opportunities.
